Options - Predefined Envelope Systems

The "Predefined Envelope Systems " tab of the "Options" dialog provides the user with the opportunity to create and maintain a list of previously defined envelope systems that can be re-used in many assemblies across multiple projects.

Note: The "General" tab of the "Options" dialog provides the user with the opportunity to set some application behavior preferences.

 

Manage Predefined Envelope Systems

Use the "Predefined Envelope Systems " area of this form to select from the list of predefined envelope systems or to add, rename, duplicate, or remove predefined envelope systems.

Select a Predefined Envelope System
Use this select box to choose from the list of previously defined envelope systems.

Add New Envelope System
Use this button to add a new envelope system.

Rename Envelope System
Use this button to rename the "current" envelope system. To rename an envelope system, do the following:
  1. Select an envelope system or create a new envelope system.
  2. Click the "Rename" button to launch the "Rename Envelope System" form.
  3. Type in the new name then click the "OK" button in the "Rename Envelope System" form.

Duplicate an Envelope System
Use this button to create an exact duplicate of the "current" envelope system. To duplicate an envelope system, do the following:
  1. Select an envelope system or create a new envelope system.
  2. Click the "Duplicate" button to launch the "Duplicate Envelope System" form.
  3. Type in the new name then click the "OK" button in the "Duplicate Envelope System" form.

Save Envelope System
Use this button to save the selected envelope system. When the application exits, all new and/or modified predefined envelope systems will be saved to an application configuration file.

Remove Envelope System
Use this button to add a remove the "current" envelope system.
 
 
Customize an Envelope

Use the "Selected Envelope Components" area of this form to define the envelope components for wall, floor, roof and foundation assemblies.

For certain assembly types (i.e., Walls, Floors, Roofs, or Foundations), users can choose to "Define the Envelope" materials. Essentially, the user now specifies the sandwich make-up of the assembly. Each element of the envelope is defined by selecting the "Assembly Group", "Envelope Category", "Envelope Material" and "Thickness" (where applicable).

Please remember that when adding envelope components you are adding individual layers to the sandwich. In the case of a partition wall having painted gypsum board on both sides of the wall, you would therefore need to add gypsum wall board and paint twice.

Some envelopes, such as "Wood Siding, Roofing Systems, and others" are envelope systems instead of individual envelope materials. Although envelope systems will appear as a single entry in the list of "Envelope Components", they will in fact add multiple materials to the "Bill of Materials".


Insert a New Envelope Component
To insert a new envelope component into the current envelope system, select the "Insert" button. This will open the "Select Envelope Material" dialog.

Change the Layering Order for an Envelope Component
When more than one envelope component has been added to the envelope system, you can change the layering order of the individual components by selecting an envelope component and clicking the "Move Up" or "Move Down" buttons. Changing the layering sequence has no impact on any of the results calculated by the Impact Estimator. This feature has been added in preparation for a possible future feature for exporting export envelope data to energy simulation tools that will have different results depending on the specific envelope component layering order.

Remove an Envelope Component
To remove an envelope component from the envelope system, select the envelope component that you wish to remove, then click the "Remove" button.

Clear All button - Remove all Envelope Components
To remove all envelope components from the envelope system.

OK Button
Click the "OK" button to accept and save the current "Envelope System " and close this dialog.

Cancel Button
Click the "Cancel" button to discard the current "Envelope System " and close this dialog.

Note: If there are unsaved changes, you will be asked whether you still want to close the form.