Graphic Designer tab

Used to create new HVAC systems and sub-systems by dragging and dropping objects and components from the Designer Toolbox on to the Graphic Designer tab’s design area and making the necessary connections by drawing connection lines between the various component nodes.

The Graphic Designer tab contains controls used to create HVAC systems, HVAC subsystems and compound HVAC components. Design by searching for and selecting base HVAC components, compound HVAC components, HVAC subsystems, and HVAC systems from a database of EnergyPlus design objects from the Graphic Designer tab companion Designer Toolbox. Then using a drag and drop operation, moving them into the Graphic Designer tab design area, followed by making connections between their connection nodes.

Note: The Graphic Designer tab is contained within the HVAC Manager. When an HVAC system, subsystem or HVAC component is selected from the HVAC Systems tab , its graphical representation appears in the HVAC Manager’s Designer tab.

Note: The Graphic Designer tab, together with its companion the Designer Toolbox dialog (opens by default when the Graphic Designer tab is enabled), are able to complete the same design functions as the HVAC Manager’s Data tab .

Tip: Units Display – Units are displayed using the default system of units that was defined for the project, but can be changed to display using alternative units.

Setting	Description
Toolbar	Located at the top of the Graphic Designer tab, the toolbar contains tools used to navigate through and manipulate the display objects on the Graphic Designer tab. The icons contained in this toolbar are: Zoom In — Used to define a smaller area to display in the Graphic Designer tab extents by a default magnitude. Zoom Out — Used to define a larger area to display in the Graphic Designer tab extents by a default magnitude. Fit View — Used to fit the entire system/sub–system in the Graphic Designer tab extents. Tip: Roll the mouse wheel to zoom in and out, or press and hold the mouse wheel or the left mouse button to pan the display. You can also right click anywhere in the design area to invoke the Fit View function.
Design area	This is the main area of the Graphic Designer tab where most of the design work is completed. When systems, subsystems are selected from the HVAC Systems tab, their diagrams are displayed in the design area ready.
Icons	HVAC Systems, HVAC subsystems, compound HVAC components and base HVAC components are represented in the diagrams with descriptive icons. For instance, a fan component is represented by an icon that looks like a fan.
Nodes	Applicable HVAC Systems, HVAC subsystems, compound HVAC components and base HVAC components have orange circular elements which represent the various types of connection nodes. For instance, a cooling DX coil’s inlet and outlet nodes (top left, top right) as well as nodes for performance curves (bottom). These are connected to nodes on other component icons.
Connection Lines	Connections are displayed with connection lines (1) and connection points (2) extending between the nodes (3).
Connections maintained	Connection lines remain connected to connection points and nodes when connected components are moved.
Drawing connections	Connection lines are drawn by entering data points. The first data point is entered on the starting node (1). Additional data points can place connection points (data point is entered away from components) to circumvent other objects (2). The last data point is entered on another node, making the connection (3). Note: Errors associated with the components prior to being connected, are removed from the Notifications panel when connections are successfully made.
Manipulating connections	Connection lines can then be rearranged by moving connection points. This straightens the lines and makes the schematic look neater.
Flyover help for connections	Connection nodes have flyover help. Position the pointer over a connection node, and the flyover help appears. For instance, the required object type is listed At the bottom of the flyover help.
Compatibility check for connections	Connection nodes are automatically validated as the connections are created. That is, only those components that are compatible with the component node being connected are highlighted (1). This functionality assists with making connections. Incompatible connections are not allowed.
Pop-up menus	Components can be queried by right clicking to open their pop-up menus Right clicking in an empty region of the Graphic Designer tab opens the active system pop-up menu. Connection lines and connection points also have pop-up menus. The options are: Properties — Opens the Properties dialog which is used to review and modify the selected object’s design data and also to review connections to other components in the system. Break — Used to inset a connection node in the selected connection line. Delete — Used to delete the selected object.
Component properties help	Components vary greatly in their properties. EnergyPlus, where the components originate, provides a comprehensive listing of all HVAC objects and their properties. Properties number in the thousands. Detailed descriptions can be found on the EnergyPlus Input/Output Reference guide.