I just learned a hard lesson that I'd like to share. I was making a bunch of CURVE-FIT changes in my .inp file. So many of them that I Saved them, wisely I thought, while in process. Well, the result of Saving the changes instead of doing a Save As was that a bunch of Martian, or some unrecognizable language, got inserted in the Saved .inp file and I couldn't open it. Too bad it was about 2 hours worth of work. So anyway, buyer beware, all kinds of weird things can happen in eQUEST, especially when you are using the .inp file and looking at BDL. The good news is that I have always found a way out of the pickle.<br>
<br>That is why each and every day I rename my file using the date as part of the file name, e.g. dambuilding 7-9.inp.<br><br>Carol<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Nick Caton <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ncaton@smithboucher.com">ncaton@smithboucher.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div bgcolor="white" link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-US">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Let me take a crack at the piñata too!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><span>-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">eQuest Wizard information is stored in the pd2 file.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><span>-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">When you hit the “Finish” button in the wizards, an
.inp file is generated based on the Wizard inputs (which are in the pd2)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><span>-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Whenever you run a simulation, whether in detailed or wizard
mode, eQuest will first “evaluate” everything in the current .inp
file. The generated report is the .bdl file.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">As a result of the above, changing anything in the .bdl file
will do nothing for you – treat it simply as a report and make changes to
the .inp file.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Additionally, if you are ever trying to copy/paste information
into a wizard-level project, you will never get anywhere pasting into the .inp
because that .inp will get overwritten (a new one is generated) every time you “finish”
your wizard screens.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">~Nick</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CB1F7A.685170B0" alt="cid:489575314@22072009-0ABB" width="119" height="37"></span><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);">NICK CATON, E.I.T.</span></b><b><span style="color: rgb(45, 77, 94);"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; color: rgb(204, 153, 0);">PROJECT ENGINEER</span><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; color: rgb(204, 153, 0);"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);">25501 west valley parkway</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);">olathe ks 66061</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);">direct 913 344.0036</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);">fax 913 345.0617</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(45, 77, 94);">Check out our new web-site @ </span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"><a href="http://www.smithboucher.com" title="blocked::www.smithboucher.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">www.smithboucher.com</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue;"> </span></u><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<div>
<div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(181, 196, 223) -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; padding: 3pt 0in 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext;">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext;">
<a href="mailto:equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org</a>
[mailto:<a href="mailto:equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Demba
Ndiaye<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 09, 2010 3:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Bruce Easterbrook; Patrick J. O'Leary, Jr.; <a href="mailto:cmg750@gmail.com" target="_blank">cmg750@gmail.com</a><div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
<b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:equest-users@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users@lists.onebuilding.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Equest-users] Strange errors in file- HELP!</div></div></span></p>
</div>
</div><div><div></div><div class="h5">
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Bruce, </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">To your question (My question is does eQuest take the INP file
and create a new BDL file on opening the project? I'm referring to the
initial run (compile) eQuest does on opening, is it creating a new BDL file?),
answer is YES.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">____________</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">Demba NDIAYE</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span></p>
<div>
<div style="border-width: 1pt medium medium; border-style: solid none none; border-color: rgb(181, 196, 223) -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color; padding: 3pt 0in 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext;">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: windowtext;">
<a href="mailto:equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org</a> [mailto:<a href="mailto:equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users-bounces@lists.onebuilding.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Bruce Easterbrook<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 09, 2010 3:40 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Patrick J. O'Leary, Jr.; <a href="mailto:cmg750@gmail.com" target="_blank">cmg750@gmail.com</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:equest-users@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users@lists.onebuilding.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Equest-users] Strange errors in file- HELP!</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have a question, partly due to my ramble a few weeks ago
on the wizards and how I use them. After a long series of adjustments I
shutdown and re-initialize the program. My question is does eQuest take the
INP file and create a new BDL file on opening the project? I'm referring
to the initial run (compile) eQuest does on opening, is it creating a new BDL
file?<br>
To second what everyone else is saying, certain errors are easier fixed in the
INP file, like these ones. The main thing to remember is to always have a
backup copy. The most important one is your last one before you leave the
wizards. Then go for it, if you crash it, copy your copy and try and
other tack.<br>
Bruce<br>
Abode Eng.<br>
<br>
On 09/07/2010 02:48 PM, Patrick J. O'Leary, Jr. wrote: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">one thing you can do is make
changes to the .pd2 and .inp files using notepad once you've figured out what
you need to change. for example, if your EL3 East Perim Plnm (G.E6)
was referenced but is no longer defined, you have a plenum space that belonged
to a space that changed names during a zoning change. look at the .inp
file line number, find out which space the EL3 East Perim Plnm (G.E6) is
supposed to correlate to and change the name accordingly - in the .inp
file. once these references are corrected the simulation should run fine.
<br>
<br>
you're probably looking at changing EL3 East Perim Plnm (G.E6) to whatever the
new space name is (checking what comes before line 14898 can put you in the
right direction on finding the correct name to change to.<br>
<br>
and when you have a working simulation always backup your .pd2 (wizard mode)
and/or .inp (detailed mode) files even if you just copy them in the same
directory.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR****************************************************************************************</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR*****EL3 East Perim Plnm
(G.E6) was referenced on line 14898 but never</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
defined.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR****************************************************************************************</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR*****EL3 West Perim Spc (G.W4)
was referenced on line 15237 but never</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
defined.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR****************************************************************************************</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR*****EL3 WNW Perim Plnm
(G.WNW7) was referenced on line 15377 but never</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
defined.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
On 7/9/10 11:23 AM, Carol Gardner wrote: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">Hmm. Well I'm not sure I
understand exactly what you are asking, but here are my recommendations. Finish
what you need to do in DDWizard and get out of it. I wouldn't even try to make
the changes you are trying to make while in the Wizard.<br>
<br>
Don't fear DD edit. You can do things in it just as easily as in the Wizard,
and if you get stuck we'll help. Like I said earlier, the easiest way to see
what and where the error is, is to open up the .bdl and .inp files. That might
be even scarier to you than DD edit, and that's okay, you should be scared. You
can mess up in a hurry but with careful work you won't. <br>
<br>
Take a deep breath and get out of the Wizard!!<br>
<br>
Cheers,<br>
Carol</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 11:11 AM, Paul Brooks <<a href="mailto:equestpaul@yahoo.com" target="_blank">equestpaul@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:</p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carol, Dave, and Mtt:</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for the replies. I did look in the BDL file,
but did not realize I had to update the inp.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">That being said, am I safe in assuming that, if I stay in the
DDwizard (not quite ready to leave yet), every time i add information and
compile, I will have the same error. The root cause of the error is in
the interface, correct? If that is the case, then the reality is it just
cannot be fixed unless i change the inp file after compiling?</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you again!</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
<hr align="center" width="100%" size="1">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">From:</span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> Carol Gardner <<a href="mailto:cmg750@gmail.com" target="_blank">cmg750@gmail.com</a>><br>
<b>To:</b> Paul Brooks <<a href="mailto:equestpaul@yahoo.com" target="_blank">equestpaul@yahoo.com</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> eQuest user forum <<a href="mailto:equest-users@lists.onebuilding.org" target="_blank">equest-users@lists.onebuilding.org</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Fri, July 9, 2010 1:32:58 PM<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Equest-users] Strange errors in file- HELP!</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><br>
Hi Paul,<br>
<br>
Here's my strategy when this happens to me. I open the <b>.inp</b> file and the
<b>.bd</b>l file in Word. I then use the Edit, Find feature and search on ERROR
in the <b>.bdl</b> file. When I find the line that the error is occurring in I
then fix it in the <b>.inp</b> file. Repeat until all errors gone. You probably
have an existing space that shared an interior wall with your now deleted space
and is trying to reference it using" NEXT-TO". Be sure to fix the
error in the <b>.inp</b> file not the .bdl file, which I have done a few times.
This is one example of why it is good to familiarize yourself with the Building
Descriptive Language (BDL): you can make these sorts of fixes much easier in
your input deck using than trying to figure it out in DD edit. Just be sure not
to delete any delimiters (..) <br>
<br>
Let me know how you do..<br>
<br>
Carol</p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 8:33 AM, Paul Brooks <<a href="mailto:equestpaul@yahoo.com" target="_blank">equestpaul@yahoo.com</a>>
wrote:</p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am modeling an addition to an existing building. I
originally did the shell/zoning using just the original building. I then,
after saving a back up copy of the base building, i went back to the shell and
zone drawing screens in the DD wizard and expanded the shell to account for the
addition, and then went into the zone creation and adjusted my zones. I
was sure to follow the rules about matching verticies, etc.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now i am getting errors concerning the zone and
plenum. It appears that the program is still seeing plenums and
walls that are now non-existent. The program says that plenums are being
referenced but are not defined (see error message below).</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyone got any ideas on how to clear this?</p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR****************************************************************************************</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR*****EL3 East Perim Plnm
(G.E6) was referenced on line 14898 but never</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
defined.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR****************************************************************************************</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR*****EL3 West Perim Spc
(G.W4) was referenced on line 15237 but never</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
defined.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR****************************************************************************************</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">*ERROR*****EL3 WNW Perim Plnm
(G.WNW7) was referenced on line 15377 but never</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
defined.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">****************************************
5 ERRORS</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">****************************************
2 WARNINGS</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">****************************************
103 CAUTIONS</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> *20195*
COMPUTE ..</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"> *20196*
STOP ..</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">****************************************
5 ABORT-LEVEL DIAGNOSTICS </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> </p>
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</div>
</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Carol Gardner PE<br>
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