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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Please excuse the cross-postings...<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><b><font size=4 color="#333399"
face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333399;
font-weight:bold'>Energy Design Plugin</span></font></b></st1:PersonName><b><font
size=4 color="#333399" face=Arial><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:#333399;font-weight:bold'> public beta release now available<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>DOE and NREL are pleased to announce the public beta release
of the <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Energy Design Plugin</st1:PersonName>--an
EnergyPlus plugin for Google SketchUp. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The plugin can be downloaded for free from the EnergyPlus
web site at:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="http://www.energyplus.gov/energy_design_plugin.html"
title="http://www.energyplus.gov/energy_design_plugin.html">http://www.energyplus.gov/energy_design_plugin.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The plugin makes it easy to create and edit the building
geometry in your EnergyPlus input files. The plugin also allows you to
launch EnergyPlus simulations and view the results without leaving SketchUp.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Designed to integrate seamlessly with the SketchUp
environment, the plugin allows you to use the standard SketchUp tools to create
and edit EnergyPlus zones and surfaces. You can explore your EnergyPlus
input files by using all of the native SketchUp 3D capabilities to view the
geometry from any vantage point, apply different rendering styles, and perform
accurate shadowing studies. The plugin allows you to mix EnergyPlus
simulation content with decorative content such as background images, landscaping,
people, and architectural finish details-all within the same SketchUp model.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The plugin adds the building energy simulation capabilities
of EnergyPlus to the SketchUp environment. You can launch an EnergyPlus
simulation of the model you are working on and view the results without leaving
SketchUp.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Highlights of the beta version of the <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Energy
Design Plugin</st1:PersonName> include:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>* The ability to create and edit EnergyPlus zones and
surfaces <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>* The ability to launch EnergyPlus and view the results
without leaving SketchUp<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>This plugin makes it easier to work with EnergyPlus.
However, expertise in using EnergyPlus at the text level is highly recommended
for performing successful and accurate simulations. The beta version of
the plugin does not yet handle all critical input objects. Some editing
of the input file will usually be required outside of SketchUp.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>After installing, the help files should get you
started. You might also try opening some of the input files that are
included in the Examples directory to help get your feet wet. If you have
any problems, please contact me at the support email: <a
href="mailto:energy_design_plugin@nrel.gov"
title="mailto:energy_design_plugin@nrel.gov">energy_design_plugin@nrel.gov</a>
I would really appreciate any bug reports, suggestions, or other feedback from
you. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Peter Ellis<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>NREL<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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