We will now go through some of the basics of using the SketchUp OpenStudio extension. First, we open SketchUp. There are two main options available. The older version, SketchUp Make 2017, is a free version that can still be used to create geometry and edit it with OpenStudio, as long as the SketchUp 2017 extension is compatible with the OpenStudio version being used (for example, OpenStudio 2.9.1). Another option is to create geometry using SketchUp 2017 Make and then import it into the most recent version of OpenStudio. However, once this is done, you will not be able to go back and edit the model using SketchUp 2017 Make. In this demonstration, we will be using the most recent versions of both OpenStudio and SketchUp. We open SketchUp 2020 and create a new, simple model. At this stage, we briefly review some of the basic icons and functions, noting that a more in-depth review of advanced tools will be covered later. To start a model, we click the “New OpenStudio Model From Wizard” icon. We choose not to save the current model. This wizard creates an OpenStudio model using built-in templates. OpenStudio includes templates that define construction types, materials, and space types. We select an office building with a 2010 building code reference, which is the most recent available in the template. All template options are left as true, and we click OK. Initially, a message may indicate that the model is empty, even though space types and construction sets are present. To verify what was created, we open the Inspector Tool. We see that 13 space types were created, along with a construction set, although some constructions such as floors, walls, and roofs may appear empty due to a temporary issue with the wizard. To resolve this, we purge schedules and construction sets and rerun the template generator using Extensions → User Scripts → On Demand Template Generators → Space Type and Construction Set Wizard. After running the wizard again, the model correctly shows 13 space types and one construction set, with default floor, wall, and roof constructions applied. With the template properly loaded, we proceed to draw the floor plan. Using the rectangle tool, we click the origin and draw a 20 ft by 20 ft (6.1 m by 6.1 m) space by entering exact dimensions. We copy and paste this to create multiple rooms and add another room behind them to complete the basic floor plan. After selecting the entire floor plan, we click the “Create Spaces From Diagram” button. This extrudes the spaces upward using a default floor-to-floor height of 10 ft (3 m). We specify a single floor and click OK, which creates three separate spaces. To add an additional space, such as a storage shed, we click the “New Space” button and place it on the corner of the building. By double-clicking, we enter edit mode and use SketchUp drawing tools to create a small rectangular space. Using the push-pull tool, we extrude it to a height of approximately 8 ft (2.4 m). After exiting edit mode, we adjust the height so it aligns with the roof by using push-pull again and referencing the adjacent surface. This completes the storage room. This demonstrates how spaces can be created either from a floor plan diagram or individually using the New Space button. Next, we review additional basic OpenStudio toolbar buttons. The Open OpenStudio Model button allows you to open an existing OpenStudio model created in the OpenStudio application. The Save OpenStudio Model button is critical; when working in SketchUp, you must use this button to save the OpenStudio model, as the regular SketchUp save function only saves the SketchUp file. The Save As button works as expected. There are also options to import EnergyPlus IDF files into SketchUp or export the OpenStudio model as an IDF for use in EnergyPlus. We then review the New Shading Surface Group button. This tool is used to create shading objects. By clicking the button and double-clicking to edit, we draw a shading surface extending outward from the building. If the shading surface is facing the wrong direction, we can right-click and use Reverse Faces to correct it. The correct orientation shows the sun-exposed side as dark purple. After reviewing this, we delete the shading surface for now. Next, we explore the New Interior Partition Surface Group tool. This is used to create interior partitions such as cubicles or furniture elements. We hide the ceiling, create a new partition group, and draw partition walls using lines and the push-pull tool. These partitions can be used for lighting calculations, as they affect daylight penetration, glare, and shading within a space. They can also be assigned construction types and used as thermal mass, absorbing and re-emitting heat throughout the day. Multiple partitions can be created, moved, rotated, and duplicated as needed. Alternatively, OpenStudio also supports simplified internal thermal mass without explicitly modeling partitions. We then restore the ceiling and move on to creating doors and windows. Using a section plane for visibility, we draw a door starting from the bottom edge with dimensions of 7 ft by 3 ft (2100 mm by 900 mm). Initially, the door may be created as a window, which can be corrected using the Inspector Tool by changing the subsurface type to a door. Doors appear brown, while windows appear transparent. Windows can be drawn directly while editing a space, or they can be created as loose geometry and projected onto spaces using the Project Loose Geometry tool. This allows windows to be added without entering individual space edit mode. We then review rendering modes. Render By Surface Type colors elements based on their type: walls, floors, roofs, and ceilings each have distinct colors. Render By Boundary Condition initially shows all surfaces as blue, indicating that EnergyPlus considers them exterior surfaces. To correctly model heat transfer between adjacent spaces, Surface Matching must be performed. Before matching, we use Intersect Entire Model to ensure geometry such as doors exists on both sides of shared walls. After intersecting, we use Match In Entire Model to correctly identify interior surfaces, which then appear green. In some cases, surfaces or subsurfaces may not match automatically due to geometry issues. These must be corrected manually using the Inspector Tool by matching subsurfaces (such as doors) to their corresponding surfaces. Occasionally, SketchUp fails to split surfaces correctly, requiring deletion and redrawing of walls or doors. Once all interior walls and subsurfaces are matched, EnergyPlus correctly understands heat transfer between spaces. We then review Render By Construction, which provides a different color scheme to help visualize construction assignments, and Render By Space Type, which colors spaces based on their assigned space types. Using the Set Attributes For Selected Spaces tool, we assign different space types such as open office, closed office, conference room, and storage room, and observe the color changes. Render By Thermal Zone shows how spaces are grouped into thermal zones. Initially, all spaces may belong to a single thermal zone, meaning they share one HVAC system and thermostat. Using the Set Attributes tool, we create new thermal zones to separate spaces that should be heated and cooled independently. Spaces assigned to the same thermal zone appear with the same color. Render By Building Story allows visualization by floor level. Spaces can be assigned to different building stories using the Set Attributes tool. Assigning stories is useful for visualization and for applying measures later, such as assigning HVAC equipment by floor. Additional tools include Hide Rest Of Model, which hides all other spaces while editing a selected space; View Hidden Geometry, which reveals hidden objects; and View Model in X-ray Mode, which makes walls transparent. The Show Shadow Settings Dialog allows visualization of solar shadows throughout the day and year, helping assess shading and daylighting impacts. Seasonal and time-of-day changes can be explored to observe shadow behavior. The OpenStudio Inspector Tool provides detailed information about selected elements, including surface type, construction assignment, and space association. The Set Attributes tool also allows assignment of construction sets, thermostats, and ideal air load settings. The Search Surfaces tool helps locate specific surfaces by name, while the Info Tool allows quick identification of surfaces and subsurfaces. The Show Errors and Warnings button displays model issues, many of which are automatically corrected upon reloading the model. The Online OpenStudio Help button provides access to official tutorials explaining each toolbar function. Finally, the Launch OpenStudio button opens the SketchUp-created model in the OpenStudio application, where the full energy modeling workflow can be completed. This concludes the overview of the basic functions of the OpenStudio SketchUp Plug-In. In the next video, more advanced topics such as lighting, daylighting controls, and shading controls will be discussed. Thank you. Please like and subscribe.