Press Release

Carmel Completes Phase I of U.S. Department of Energy-Funded Contract

The fact that the U.S. Department of Energy is funding this effort to improve and promote the usage of gbXML is an incredible validation of this schema. This is the type of infusion we need to propel gbXML into the next phase of building design and analysis.
San Rafael, CA
June 23, 2013
Contact: Masha O'Brien
Phone: 800-339-6030
Carmel Software announces that it has completed Phase I of the U.S. DOE-funded contract to improve the Green Building XML (gbXML) interoperability schema. This schema (or language) allows various BIM (building information modeling) authoring and analysis software tools to integrate with one another, enabling building energy modelers to design more energy efficient buildings. The completion of Phase I includes two deliverables:
  1. Test case documentation: A series of documents that instruct users how to create valid gbXML files (Click here to download the test case docs.).
  2. gbXML validation web site: Allows users to upload a gbXML file to perform various levels of schema validation based upon the test case documents described above (Click here to go to the validator website.)
The benefits of these deliverables include providing BIM authoring tool vendors direction on how to create valid and standard gbXML files that can easily be shared across all manner of building analysis tools, whether we are talking building energy modeling, HVAC load calculations, or lighting analysis.

The nine test cases are a series of documents that instruct BIM (building information modeling) authoring tool vendors on how to create valid and standard gbXML files that can be used across all manner of analysis software tools. The test cases for this phase of the DOE project focus on creating valid geometric representations of various building components including walls, windows, roofs, and more. For example, Test Case 1 focuses on creating a valid representation of 2 walls of different thicknesses with parallel aligned faces. The documentation offers a definition of the test case, a visual representation it, and instructions on how to create a valid gbXML representation of the geometry:

The gbXML validation website allows interested parties to upload gbXML files and perform various levels of validation including:
  1. Level 1: Checks for a properly formed XML file
  2. Level 2: Checks for a properly formed gbXML file comparing it to the 5.10 schema version
  3. Level 3: Checks for the 9 standard test cases
After the gbXML file has been uploaded, the validator will display a detailed list of errors and related feedback.

"The fact that the U.S. Department of Energy is funding this effort to improve and promote the usage of gbXML is an incredible validation of this schema. This is the type of infusion we need to propel gbXML into the next phase of building design and analysis, " says Stephen Roth, Principal of Carmel and President of the Board of Directors of gbXML.

For more information on gbXML, goto www.gbXML.org

About Green Building XML (gbXML)
The Green Building XML (gbXML) open schema helps facilitate the transfer of building properties stored in 3D building information models (BIM) to engineering analysis tools. Today, gbXML has the industry support of leading 3D BIM vendors such as Autodesk, Bentley, and Graphisoft. In addition, with the development of integration modules inside major engineering analysis tools, gbXML has become the defacto industry standard schema.

About Carmel Software

Carmel Software Corporation has been a leader in HVAC design software since 1995. In fact, our software currently powers the analysis capabilities of Autodesk's (makers of AutoCAD) 3D modeling software tools. Also, ASHRAE, Mitsubishi Electric, Trane, Johnson Controls, the U.S. Department of Energy, Honeywell, Carrier Corp., large western utilities, and other Fortune 500 building-services companies rely upon Carmel to develop custom mobile and desktop applications for their clients. We currently offer more than 40 iOS and Android mobile apps for HVAC.
Media Contact: Lucy Gooden, Phone: 800-339-6030