[Bldg-sim] dwg - Design Builder and model variants

[Karol BANDURSKI via Bldg-sim]

Dear Experts,

I start with Design Builder (I have used TRNSYS earlier). I am going to
simulate multifamily residential building with about 170 apartments. I will
simulate for HQE certificate: thermal comfort in summer, energy consumption
and natural lighting.

1) Could you write me which way to create model from *.dwg file will be the
easiest and the cheapest if I don't have SketchUp Pro? 
2) From which model it will be better to start: general for energy
calculation (zones are spaces with the same temperature) or more detailed
for comfort calculation (bedrooms, living rooms separated)?

I would be grateful for any advices!


Kind regards,
Karol Bandurski
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Karol BANDURSKI M. Sc.
Faculty of Civil and Environemntal Engeneering
Division of Heating, Air Conditioning and Air Protection
Poznan University of Technology
www.put.poznan.pl/~karol. bandurski
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karol_Bandurski