VE Tech Tip: The Impact of Translucent Shades in IESVE

When it comes to striking the right balance between solar gains, daylighting and energy efficiency, shading systems are critical. One powerful and often underused tool within the IESVE is the Translucent Shade feature, ideal for modelling complex, semi-opaque shading elements in a streamlined and flexible way.

What Are Translucent Shades?

Translucent shades are used to represent mesh structures, perforated panels, or any semi-transparent shading device, whether attached to the building or positioned nearby. These systems allow you to simulate the solar impact of glazing integrated shades or free-standing shading elements without requiring overly detailed geometric modelling.

They’re particularly valuable when simulating brise soleil, perforated walls, or even seasonal foliage, helping you capture dynamic interactions with solar radiation in an efficient and realistic manner.

Translucent Shades Used to Model Brise Soleil

Why Use Translucent Shades?

Translucent shades simplify complex shading geometry while significantly reducing simulation time and enhancing visual and energy performance accuracy. When paired with dynamic blind or shutter controls, they can replicate the behaviour of automated or seasonal shading strategies with impressive precision.

Four Flexible Modelling Methods

IESVE offers four ways to define Translucent Shades:

1. Construction Based - Uses a constant transmission percentage as set in the construction definition.
2. Annual Setting - Applies a single transmission value across the entire year.
3. Monthly Setting - Lets you specify different transmission levels for each month; perfect for simulating seasonal shading shifts.
4. Profile Control - The most advanced option, enabling hourly modulation using custom profiles. This allows you to simulate dynamic changes in shading based on time of day, sun position, or occupancy.
   
   

Advanced Applications and Real-World Relevance

By linking translucent shading to occupancy profiles or environmental triggers, you can model:

• Smart façade technologies (e.g. thermochromic glass)
• Time or angle sensitive shading controls
• Automated glare control systems

In retrofit scenarios, they can be used to assess the effectiveness of:

• Perforated films or mesh installations
• Partially shaded façades where structural interventions are limited

You can even model seasonal foliage using translucent shades. If data is available for leaf emergence and colouration, this is a valuable tool for long-term daylight planning. It is also useful for trees where the foliage is not dense, so that they only cast a dappled shadow.

Translucent Shades (left) Used to Model Shading from Trees

Translucent Shades offer a powerful, flexible, and time-saving approach to modelling solar shading in IESVE. Whether you're designing a cutting-edge smart façade or assessing retrofit potential, this feature helps bridge the gap between conceptual simplicity and simulation accuracy.

To learn more, be sure to check out our full library of Tech Tips videos for expert guidance on unlocking the full potential of IESVE.