AECOsim Electrical SS6

is anyone in the UK using AECOsim Electrical for placing symbols, raceways etci ?

if so which version are you using?

i have spent some time going through the on demand learn workbook for AECOsim Electrical SS6 with very little sucess

ive come to the conclusion that the datasource is the problem

i want to know if i should be using an earlier version or am i wasting my time?

also with the importing of the building into the file, how do you get around the building constantly evolving?

is it the case each time a change happens you need to start all over again

Additionally in the learn workbook, the building is very small with no beams or structure

if all the architecture and structure was pulled into the electrical file it would be enormous and possibly unmanageable

  • Hi David,
    Can you elaborate on the specific issues and/or questions you've encountered using the UK dataset?



  • Hi Steve,
    i have downloaded the gb dataset abddataset_gb081109862en.msi
    I have been testing the electrical side of AECOsim from the on demand learn workbooks
    I realise that these are based on previous versions of the software so even though the tutorial was not exact i wanted to persist
    I am finding the content files (dgn) in the learn downloads are in feet and inches
    when i have used the place symbols course i find that the content is imperial sizes
    I have been having an ongoing correspondence with one of your colleagues Paul Wagner
    he has been helpful 

    Paul's reply


    I must admit i missed the bit of his answer which referred to changing the BBESVER to UK
    I have just done that and will let you know if it makes the difference
    If there are any other variables which i need to reset i would appreciate 

    David Turner

    Nicesprint Ltd

    mobile 07929454220
    landline: Woolwich - 0208 316 1299
                 Eastboune - 01323 642603


    David Turner

    MEP 3D coordination & BIM Technician

    Rail Projects

  • Hi David,
    Ah, I see. Yes, the fundamentals course is based on the US Imperial project so would be set to use feet and inches as the DGN file working units, and also uses the US dataset's [080] ANSI Y32.9-1972 symbol library (registered under each folder's _bbes project database folder). The GB dataset of course uses metric DGN files, also defaults to the [10] BS EN60617/BS 1635 symbol library. You could copy the applicable DGN files and change their working units to suit, and after registering (since they're new) they will link to the GB's symbol library. Technically you can also change the working units of the existing DGN files and use the Design File setup dialog to change the active library, and while that seems to work I can't say I've ever done that "for real".

    FWIW, the BBESVER variable should default to UK when opening ABD with the GB or UK datasets, regardless of the DGN file selected. Did that not happen?



  • Hi Steve,
    i have tried that already i get the impression there is somthing else in the configuration that needs tweeking
    when i run through the setting up of a new file, importing the building and then the spaces, the space type perameters do not come up gining me lighting design data etc as the workbook suggests that it should see page 19 of AECOsim Building Designer - Electrical Designer TRN018590-1-0003
    also when symbols are placed they are all over the place with their sizes
    when i changed the config variable the warning that i was getting went away but nothing else has improved
    interestingly from the community i have not had a response from a building services designer in the UK or US, I was hoping to hear from someone who uses it for design

    David Turner

    MEP 3D coordination & BIM Technician

    Rail Projects

  • The UK symbol library BS EN60617 / BS 1635 does not contain the space type definitions as the US symbol library ANSI Y32.9-1972. So, what is shown in the workbook is incorrect for the UK dataset. This is an old workbook and I am in the stages of updating the  AECOsim Building Designer Electrical course material and creating new videos to go along with it.

    As far as the space type definitions, this information is handled in the lighting analysis software, it would be input there instead of coming from ABD. The results will still come into ABD on the subsequent import of the lighting calculations.

    If you are still having problems importing and saving the space, keep in mind the spaces for electrical can be created with the electrical tools. There is an exercise on creating a space boundary using the electrical Building Manager. The spaces can be created in the database with the Building Manager and the  Draw Room Shape tool in the Building Manager can be used to define the boundaries of the spaces.