AECOsim Energy Simulator Project Tree dialog box

Used to navigate the hierarchical structure of data objects associated with OpenBuildings Energy Simulator project buildings, to manipulate the project’s components and their properties, and to drive the Ribbon layout which provides an easy to follow workflow with tools and settings related to the actively selected project components.

By default, the OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Project Tree dialog box opens docked to the left side of the OpenBuildings Energy Simulator application window. The OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Project Tree dialog box can also be floated or docked to the other three sides of the application window.

Object properties and pop-up menus

Every object in the tree hierarchy has a specific set of properties associated with it. Double clicking on the object opens its Properties for: dialog box. Each object also has a pop-up menu. Right clicking on the object opens its pop-up menu.

The following diagram summarizes the different object types and their relationships found on the OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Project Tree. Select the links to view more information about each object type:

Project
	Site
		Building
			Floor
				Room
					Surface: Ground floor
					Surface: Internal floor
					Surface: Exposed roof
						Surface: Rooflight
					Surface: Internal ceiling
					Surface: Exposed wall
						Surface: Window
							Flowpath
							Fin
						Surface: Door
						(Surface) Component:
					Surface: Partition
					Surface: Virtual wall
					Room divisions
					(Room) Component:
					HVAC Component
				Plenums
				Roof
					Roof section
						Rooflight
		(Building) Lighting Component
	Zone

Note: The project tree is an interactive graphical diagram that displays the hierarchical relationships between project components. Representative icons, indents and connecting dashed lines assist in communicating the structure. Each object type also has a context sensitive pop-up menu containing relevant options and commands.

Setting	Description
Auto hide the OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Project Tree dialog box	The OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Project Tree Project Tree dialog box can be temporarily hidden until needed by clicking the auto hide (pushpin) icon. The docked dialog box disappears from view, and a roll-out tab appears in its place along the same edge of the application window. Positioning the pointer over the roll-out tab re-opens the dialog box along the edge of the application window, and remains displayed until you move the pointer away from the dialog.
Re-open tree tool	If the OpenBuildings Energy Simulator Project Tree dialog box is closed, it can be opened again with the Re-open Tree tool which is found on the Ribbon View tab.
Tree objects opened when selecting graphic elements	Selecting graphic elements that represent the individual components of the project building automatically expand the project tree and highlights the corresponding object in the tree hierarchy. This simplifies searches for specific objects, and subsequent investigations and manipulations of their properties. The project tree is fully collapsed just prior to selecting an exposed wall. The project tree is expanded and the corresponding exposed wall surface object is highlighted.
View filters	Used to simplify the tree display by only displaying the objects that you are currently working with. Select from one of the available filters. All — When on, all the project tree objects that exist in the project are displayed. Floor view — When on, only those objects which exist inside the floor object hierarchies are displayed. Zone view — When on, only those objects which exist inside the zone object hierarchy are displayed.