Architectural_Design_with_SketchUp

Chapter 4 Using Plugins Effectively
ecoScorecard
By SMARTBIM—Free (Beta) [http://ecoscorecard.com]
This online service offers a SketchUp plugin that integrates their
data, consisting of green certification information for architectural
and interior products, with 3D components that can
be downloaded into SketchUp from 3D Warehouse. Once a
SketchUp model has been populated with these components,
it is possible to run an environmental audit on the entire model
and report certification criteria.
OpenStudio
By NREL/USDOE—Free [http://openstudio.nrel.gov]
This plugin is part of the U.S. National Renewable Energy
Laboratory’s free suite of building energy analysis tools that
include building energy modeling using their EnergyPlus software
and lighting analysis using their Radiance software.
The SketchUp plugin provides tools to add data to a coarse building model and to preprocess
it for analysis. This includes designating surfaces (individual faces in SketchUp) as
walls, openings, glazing, interior partitions, and so forth. Material properties can be added
and adjusted for the analysis. In addition, the tool features a gbXML (green building XML)
importer, which facilitates data exchange with other BIM software.
This plugin has extensive capabilities for the architect or engineer interested in evaluating
a building’s energy performance. It is even possible to use Ruby scripting (discussed in
Chapter 6) to modify this tool’s features and adapt it for new uses.
gModeller
By GreenspaceLive—Subscription [http://greenspacelive.com]
This plugin adds gbXML modeling capabilities to SketchUp (for architectural energy analysis
using an analysis program of your choice). You can designate surfaces as walls, openings, and
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