Following my previous post, Autodesk Insight 360 - Floors; Part 1, I want to share a few more details about how analytical floors are automatically derived from the Revit model. I will close with a brief mention of what Insight's main competitor, Sefaira, requires in these situations.
Today's example will be based on the model shown below. This model has a balcony defined by extending the main level 2 floor outside the building. There is a similar situation happening with the roof, above the balcony.
When the Energy Analytical Model (EAM) is created within Revit, we see how the various conditions just mentioned are handled. Notice that balcony, and its roof, are automatically separated and defined as a shade surface (same as the parapet as discussed in a previous post). Additionally, the analytical floor is sloped in the EAM.
Although a great product, Sefaira is not this simple as they want you to model things, in Revit, in a very specific way: How to model balconies, roof overhangs, and outside patios for Sefaira. You can model this way and Revit will still create the EAM properly. I like the fact that Insight is more flexible. This flexibility also means the results are more accurate when you consider some will forget, or not take the time to understand, these specific modelling requirements. Although I could not verify this just now, last I checked Sefaira did not support sloped floors.
With Revit and Insight 360, as long as there are no major gaps (e.g. a 10' hole in the shell) in the model the EAM generally turns out accurate and ready for analysis. This is great as this can be done in the main Revit model, even while the design team is cranking on the SD, DD or even CD's!
Fun stuff.
