I am hoping to identify something that would allow for working interchangeably both with the IDF text files and in a graphical user interface. I haven't been able to find anything so far. Thanks in advance for any advice!
IDF Editor can read and write IDF files directly and uses the Energy+.idd file directly to describe, populate, and link various fields. This approach has the advantage of being able to support the latest version of EnergyPlus as soon as the Energy+.idd file is updated by the developers. Strictly speaking IDF Editor is a GUI but it does not contain any graphical representation of the building layout of HVAC interconnections.
I believe a similar approach is also being used by IDF+.
It's maybe not what you are looking for, but the legacy OpenStudio plug-in for SketchUp can import and export complete IDF files. However, only the geometry can be modified from within SketchUp.
A different question would be: Is there a GUI for EnergyPlus that can import, MODIFY, and export a complete IDF?
I believe the answer to this question, short of the IDF-Editor, is no. Though I am not fully familiar with the ins and outs of DesignBuilder ( @Dave ?) and Simergy.
UPDATE:
Simergy cannot import complete IDF files:
The email I got the other day announcing the roll-out of Simergy v1.9 included this 'feature' (for the Professional version, no less!): "Import of nearly all IDF objects". And that's EnergyPlus v8.1 objects. So maybe they're a bit further ahead than your screenshot would indicate, but still not a 'complete' idf - my attempt to find documentation of what is supported and not was in vain (albeit short-lived).
Is anyone having problems with Simergy? I'm having a lot of problems with the latest release v1.9
@vero_wh If you have specific questions about Simergy, you might want to create a new question instead of commenting on an existing question.
Hi Neal, At the minute DesignBuilder can only export IDF, however, we are hoping to have the import functionality developed in the not too distant future. Regards, Dave
Comments
IDF-Editor not graphical enough for you? Just kidding! Simergy or DesignBuilder may be able to do this, not sure. OpenStudio cannot.
Symergy get version gap while Openstudio supports lastest E+ release.i am not sure that all E+ objects are able to be imported, viewed and modified in DB. until 2013 DB doesn't not support IDF import. Import IDF is limited with OS and Symergy . It depends on your purpose. If you want to work with GUI so there is no reason to work with IDF text :). If you want to see and simple geometry adjustment - OSLegacy+ IDF editor. There some other GUIs but don't think have an ultimate GUI for all purpose.