Introduction to xStar
Learn about xStar’s capabilities and features. Start with Core Concepts and then jump with the Introduction!
Core Concepts
xStar uses the concepts of design, line item, assembly, and component to enable you to quickly make changes to your design and see their impacts on performance. Watch this video to learn more about these concepts!
https://www.loom.com/share/3966f15ac76049a9867dc0892042365d?sid=7958f29a-9823-4d7d-8cd7-eba6ac061f88Introduction to xStar
Watch this video to get a comprehensive overview of xStar (version v0.8.3 shown).
https://www.loom.com/share/fe12d5c47dd94411a8e9c5a1e4f4daa9?sid=1212e2b6-5f73-4b51-8eda-be34ad0801baxStar Workflow
Launch: Click the xStar button in the Add-Ins ribbon to launch xStar.
Setup: In the Setup dialog, set high level parameters for your building and choose which Revit data to use for building performance analysis.
Verify Thermal Envelope: In the Thermal Envelope dialog, confirm the automatically determined thermal envelope of the building.
Define & Update Assemblies: Build out construction assemblies for the different parts of your building or select existing assemblies from the xStar integrated database of construction assemblies. Custom assemblies will be automatically saved to your assembly library!
Review Auto Code Minimum Model: If you chose to create a code minimum model in the Setup dialog, you will need to review assembly definitions as sometimes there is insufficient data in the architectural model for the software to make a good guess for the code minimum assembly. Open each Category and review all the Assemblies to ensure a Code Min Assembly was assigned and that the Assembly makes sense.
View Results & Create Alternative Designs: In the xStar main window, view and interact with building performance metrics such as first cost, total UA, and heating/cooling load. Compare designs and create alternative designs by copying your original, then swapping construction assemblies and changing building parameters. Watch building performance change in real time!
Save and Share Results: Export data in csv format for analysis in 3rd party tools, or share xStar files, assemblies, or screenshots with colleagues and clients.