Ladybug Tools
A collection of free computer applications that support environmental design and education.
Overview
Ladybug Tools is a collection of free, open-source plugins for Grasshopper (a graphical algorithm editor for Rhino) and Dynamo (a visual programming tool for Revit). The tools connect 3D modeling software to validated simulation engines like EnergyPlus, Radiance, and OpenFOAM, enabling a wide range of environmental analyses.
✨ Key Features
- Climate data visualization (Ladybug)
- Energy modeling and thermal comfort analysis (Honeybee)
- Daylighting and glare simulation (Honeybee)
- Urban-scale energy modeling (Dragonfly)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for airflow analysis (Butterfly)
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Free and open-source
- Highly flexible and customizable through visual programming
- Direct connection to a wide range of validated simulation engines
Unique Value: Provides a free, open-source, and highly flexible platform for a wide range of environmental design analyses, empowering users to create customized workflows and perform in-depth parametric studies.
🎯 Use Cases (5)
✅ Best For
- Academic research in environmental design
- Performance-driven design in architectural practice
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Users who are not familiar with visual programming environments like Grasshopper or Dynamo
- Projects that require a simple, standalone energy modeling application
🏆 Alternatives
Offers a much higher degree of flexibility and customization than most commercial tools, but requires knowledge of visual programming and has a steeper learning curve.
💻 Platforms
✅ Offline Mode Available
🔌 Integrations
💰 Pricing
Free tier: Full-featured, open-source software.
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