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Breakdown of the analysis.tool Platform
Breakdown of the analysis.tool Platform

Description of the analysis.tool. Introduction to workflows

Patrick Chopson avatar
Written by Patrick Chopson
Updated over 2 weeks ago

  • analysis.tool is the main product line with core building performance features, like early-stage energy modeling, daylight analysis, 3D and site studies, water calculator, climate report, and a parametric tool for optimizing energy, cost, and carbon.

Workflows Explained

The analysis.tool requires four components for setup: Building Type, Location, Energy Code, and Geometry. For the Geometry aspect, analysis.tool can work with Geometry Plugins, or via manual mode. The method of loading geometry determines which analysis will be available, in general, high detail of geometry equates to more potential analysis. Here is the general workflow:

When using manual mode, the 3D Analysis is not available, there's no shape to run the analysis on after all! Teams can still study the impact of the facade design when using manual mode via the Facade Guidance Feature. When using a Geometry Plugin, 3D Analysis is available providing in-depth results for sDA, ASE and more!

analysis.tool is best used in a linear fashion as each analysis builds on the previous. Starting with 3D Analysis, then Baseline Energy and finally Optimization teams can take a project from initial concepts through to an optimization solution, with automated reports!


Utilizing the early-stage analysis and optimization of analysis.tool with the detailed calculations creates a powerful workflow for sustainable building design! Teams following this route can work through building analysis studies in parallel or in a linear fashion depending on project needs.

Between design phases it can be helpful to make copies of the project, this allows teams to use the Compare Project Feature to visually track their progress.


Breaking it down further

The analysis.tool is redefining energy modeling and parametric optimization by building smarter, accurate models in a tenth of the time. Although automation is core to every product line, the analysis tool can help you meet the targets in just a few minutes.

Benefits of the analysis.tool

  • Automated, so you can run analysis sooner and more often in the early stages of design without having to do any of the time-consuming preparation.

  • Centralizes key analysis from fields of building science into one platform, like energy, daylight, shadow, water, climate, carbon, cost, and more.

  • Platform agnostic! When it comes to setting up geometry, users can bring geometry from any modeling platform and skip over the traditional rebuild process.

Features list:

  • 3D Analysis which includes:

    • Site and context geometry via OpenStreet Maps

    • Daylight Analysis (sDA300,50% and ASE1000lux/250hrs)

    • Shadow, Radiation, and Sun hours Studies

    • COVID Occupancy Assessment Score

    • Views Analysis

    • Snapshot tools and Saved 3D Views for report generation

    • Property Lines Data

  • Facade Optimization

  • Baseline Energy with energy code automation

    • Energy Results (EUI, Breakdown, Benchmarking, Utility Costs)

    • 2030 Reporting

    • Operational Carbon Calcs

    • Engineering Input Automation

    • Efficiency Ratings for Engineering inputs

    • PV Analysis

    • PDF Report

    • Export CSV

    • OpenStudio Export

  • Water Use Calculator

    • Indoor and Outdoor Water Use

    • Cooling Tower Water Use

    • Stormwater Management

  • Climate Report

  • Optimization

Platform wide features

There are several collaborative and support features that are available throughout the platform. These features help design teams deliver successful projects of any scope and scale!

Happy Modeling!!


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