How about a little Insight...360?

A while ago, I spent some time getting my Autodesk Building Performance Analysis class completed, and learned quite a bit about using programs such as Vasari and Revit to perform whole building analysis - as well as what goes into these tasks, that really should take place on every occupied structure that is designed.

During this time, I had gotten wind that Vasari was a limited shelf life product. I also had written and produced the latest Green Building Studio training videos for CADLearning, where I'm already producing content for AutoCAD MEP, Plant 3D and AutoCAD P&ID.

Then I got this press release from Autodesk about Insight 360, which "which empowers architects with centralized access to their building energy and environmental performance data and the world’s most advanced analysis engines, all within a beautiful and intuitive interface. Through robust bi-directional Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration, direct access to leading analysis tools, and guidance and recommendations from industry benchmarks, architects can approach the design process with more effective understanding of the elements that lead to better building performance outcomes throughout the building lifecycle."
 

We're users of IES Virtual Environment and Trace, and last week covered how to use models developed in Revit to perform energy studies using the Green Building Studio engine, but now it looks like the next generation is here. The top features include:

• Visualize and interact with key industry benchmarks for performance with real-time cause and effect feedback to guide you toward better building performance outcomes. 

• Model with Revit and FormIt 360 Pro to generate insights using robust automatic analytical model creation and visualization of performance information directly in the modeling environment. This capability offers a powerful comparison workflow to run millions of design scenarios and see energy savings with immediate and interactive feedback. 

• Access to trusted industry leading engines for whole building energy, heating, cooling, daylighting, and solar radiation simulations. 

• Organize and share insights with project stakeholders and support geographically dispersed team collaboration from early targeting and feasibility analysis through operation with access anywhere via desktops, tablets, or smartphones.

Stephanie Eggers, who I met at the ASHRAE/IBPSA energy modeling conference a couple of years ago, maintains a blog with details about Insight 360, and how it can help you make better design tools via the BIM interface. Check it out at http://blogs.autodesk.com/insight360/introducing-autodesk-insight-360-2. 

I'll be checking it out at AU next week, and hope to report back with a little more detail.

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy modeling!

db