How to install ClimateStudio (Windows only)

Owned by Andrew Molloy
Last updated: Aug 12, 2024
4 min read

ClimateStudio features full parametric energy modeling via Grasshopper in Rhino. Simulations include illuminance, photovoltaics, sun paths and shadows, multizone, dynamic shading, annual glare, spatial thermal comfort, electric lighting, and natural ventilation.

  1. Please right-click and select Save Link As: Download the ClimateStudio installer (version 2.x).
    1. If you see a message that ClimateStudio can't be downloaded securely, click the small arrow next to the Discard button and choose 'Download anyway', or click the three dots and then 'Keep'.

  2. ClimateStudio runs inside Rhino. Make sure you have the latest service release of Rhino installed. CS does not work correctly under the trial version of Rhino.
  3. Install ClimateStudio using default settings. (It installs to C:\Program Files\Solemma.)
  4. Start Rhino and you should see the ClimateStudio toolbar. In Grasshopper you should see the ClimateStudio tab.


  5. When you first run a simulation using ClimateStudio, it should ask for an activation code. 

     Click here for how to run a quick simulation...

    How to run a simulation to trigger the activation box

    1. Draw a cube in Rhino and then select it.
    2. On the ClimateStudio toolbar, click the second icon (Radiation Map).
    3. On the CS Workflows window, click the third tab and then click the first small icon to add an analysis surface.
    4. Click Ok to add the radiation surface.
    5. Click the play button to run the simulation. The Activate Now box should appear.


    Click Activate Now and enter the following code: 

    Click this link to obtain the activation code (login required).

  6. If you were using the older activation code and ClimateStudio complains about an expired license, but you can't get the activation box to appear, do the following:
    1. Close Rhino.
    2. Open Windows File Manager (yellow folder icon).
    3. Enter the following in the location bar: C:\ProgramData\Solemma\Common\Licenses.
    4. Look for the file license.lic and rename it by changing the extension from .lic to .lix.
    5. Close the file manager.
    6. Start Rhino and try to run a simulation in ClimateStudio. It should now show the Activation box  so you can enter the license code from Step 5 above.

  7. If you can't get the ClimateStudio toolbars to appear, click Tools > Toolbar Layout
    1. If you don't see ClimateStudioRhino under Files, click File > Open and double click Plug-ins. Inside look for ClimateStudioRhino.rui and open it.
    2. If you don't see ClimateStudio appear under Toolbars, click the 'Restore Defaults' button, then close Rhino and restart it.
    3. This should bring back the ClimateStudio toolbar. Then you can run a simulation to bring up the license activation box. If the box doesn't make sure you did Step 6 above.




At some point in the future, licenses will be locked down for checkout only on campus and with a 7-day roaming period.

Updating ClimateStudio

  • Keep CS up to date. Run the command CSVersion inside Rhino to update your notification settings and download new releases.

Common Issues / Troubleshooting

  • You need the latest service release of Rhino to run ClimateStudio. The trial version of Rhino won't work.

  • Crashes or GPU errors can often be solved by updating your graphics card drivers.
  • If you are experiencing crashes when running the Annual Glare function, use the command CSVersion in Rhino and update CS to version 1.7 or higher.

  • ClimateStudio only works under Windows, and is not likely to run from a VM such as Parallels on the Mac.

  • If you try to use the Site Analysis function and receive an error such as "Rhino.Runtime.NotLicensedException", this is because you are using a trial version of Rhino. Parts of ClimateStudio won't work using the Rhino trial.
  • If you were using an older activation code and ClimateStudio complains about an expired license, but you can't get the activation box to appear, see Step 6 above for solution.
  • If you can't get the ClimateStudio toolbars to appear, see Step 7 above for solution.
  • If CS was working recently but suddenly says the license is invalid and you've already tried Step 6 above, make sure you are using a legal edu version of Rhino and not a pirated version.

Resources

labels: climate studio