UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
	ARCH 463 & 463L Environmental Control Systems

Computer Software

Use of computer programs to represent and analyze buildings can substantially increase your understanding of environmental interactions with architectural space. You will be required to use modeling and analysis software for your lab assignments.

Software that is particularly useful includes:

Representation:

SketchUp and Revit for building and site modeling
Photoshop, Illustrator, Powerpoint, and InDesign for page layout and presentations

General Analysis:

Spreadsheets like Excel for calculations, replacing hand calculation

Solar Paths:

Solar-2 (solar interaction with windows and shading devices) This Windows-based program is available for no charge from UCLA and can be downloaded from the WWW at <http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/> or<https://energy-design-tools.sbse.org/>.

Climate and Building Analysis:

Two programs (and tutorials) are available for no charge from UCLA and can be downloaded at <http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/>. [Note: All the UCLA software is also available at <https://www.sbse.org/resources>

Climate Consultant (climate analysis)
SBEED (thermal analysis of small buildings)

Sefaira (thermal analysis of buildings) Educators and students will now need to access Sefaira, for SketchUp or Revit, through SketchUp Studio for Higher Education subscription (as low as $55/year). This suite of tools includes Trimble Connect, SketchUp Pro, Sefaira, AR/VR viewers, and other design and collaboration solutions, in one convenient package. Transitioning to the subscription means that you will also receive customer support through your regional educational reseller.

CoveTool (thermal analysis of buildings) The free educational license has been applied to our uidaho account. Students who want to use the software, will be added to the same account as long as they sign up with a uidaho.edu email address. To sign up go to <https://www.cove.tools/>.

Building Component Analysis:

Opaque is available for no charge from UCLA and can be downloaded at <http://www.energy-design-tools.aud.ucla.edu/> or <https://energy-design-tools.sbse.org/>. The program allows you to design wall and roof sections and calculates temperature gradients, time lag, and decrement.