Trial / Demo
This summer, IES ran a series of lecture-style sessions covering key analyses that can be undertaken using IESVE. With over 1300 questions submitted across the five sessions, addressing each one wasn't feasible. However, common themes emerged within the questions asked.
Read on for the answers to these questions, where we share invaluable advice on how IESVE can be utilised across a wide variety of key analysis areas.
Yes, .DXF files can be imported or exported into IESVE. A file can be attached through the drop-down menu: ModelIT -> Reference Files -> Attach DXF File.
The Pollination Plug-in can be used to import Revit or Rhino models into IESVE. This allows you to use one IESVE model throughout the whole building lifecycle to inform decisions. The plug-in lets you quickly find and fix any geometry errors, whilst improving workflow productivity and enhancing project collaboration. Find out more about Pollination here.
You can use Open Street Maps to quickly generate site data. OSM import works globally, although in some regions it may be required for you to manually draw neighbours. Watch our Tech Tip on using OSM map data within IESVE here.
All circular spaces are created as a series of flat surfaces, so they require the selection of several segments. More segments make the space look more round, but this increases model complexity and simulation time. Usually, 16 segments are enough.
Wall thickness is determined based upon the construction data. Although the geometry appears as a wire frame model, each surface does have a thickness which can be viewed using inner volumes.
However, for most regulations and ratings, we do not tick the option to create inner volumes. Usually, we draw to the interior of exterior walls, and the mid-point of internal walls. The decision of which way to draw will affect floor areas, so should be made before creating geometry, but it can be changed using Tabular Space Data.
For Apache dynamic simulations in IESVE, a simulation weather file is required. You should use the weather file closest to your model’s location, or as per regulation guidance for your specific project. IES has a wide range of weather files available on our portal, including the new CIBSE 2025 Weather Files. This range of files provides global coverage, with free and paid for options available. Find out more here.
The model geometry is automatically created with default constructions. However, these can be edited, or you can create your own construction types, or import from our Construction Database. Constructions can be applied to a single surface, a single room, or the whole model.
Constructions can also be imported from another IESVE model, using our Master Templates Wizard. Watch our Tech Tip on the Master Templates Wizard here.
Annual profiles are used to account for seasonal variation, or any situation where the profile changes throughout the year (e.g. a school with periods of no occupancy during holidays). A weekly profile can be set across the full year, but this doesn’t account for the variation. All weeks can be different in an annual profile. Weekly profiles are built up from daily profiles, but daily profiles cannot be applied for a simulation – they need to be converted into weekly profiles.
These are both technical manuals published for guidance by CIBSE in the UK. CIBSE TM52 is adaptive thermal comfort and is used for non-residential buildings. TM59 is for residential buildings, and although it uses adaptive thermal comfort as its underlying calculation, it has specific differences for residential buildings.
CIBSE Loads performs steady state heating and cooling load calculations. ASHRAE Loads calculates heating and cooling loads using the ASHRAE Heat Balance Method. ApacheSim however performs a full dynamic simulation, simulating your building as it changes throughout the year.
Yes – you can. Saving your initial model, including the results, as a new project, before switching to compliance and re-running the simulation, produces two sets of simulation results which can be compared within VistaPro.
The data in both is the same, but they are formatted differently. The query button looks at a single space, and data is clearly grouped to see all on one screen per tab. Tabular data looks at all selected spaces and data can be imported/exported to/from a spreadsheet.
In SBEM, you can use a construction based on the target u-value. For DSM or other simulations, it’s important to use the correct construction layers along with having the correct u-value so that it can react dynamically, because target constructions do not allow for temperature variation over time.
SBEM is simpler as it uses static calculations. Since DSM is dynamic, it uses different background calculations and thus produces a slightly different (and more accurate) result.
Yes, our software possesses the most comprehensive coverage of code compliance and certifications across the globe. We invest in continuously updating our solutions to reflect changes in regulations, and in accommodating new ones.
Deciduous trees or other seasonal foliage can be modelled as translucent shades, if you have leaf emergence and colouration data to estimate the light transmittance through the tree. Translucent shades can also be used to simulate brise soleil or perforated walls. Find out more about our Translucent Shade feature here.
If you tick the option for SunCast when running the dynamic simulation, this is taken into consideration. The shading will impact upon heating and cooling loads.
Solar radiation incident on building surfaces can be broken down into three main components: direct (beam) radiation emanating from the region of the sky near to the sun’s disc, diffuse radiation from the sky vault, and radiation scattered by the ground. Direct radiation is significantly modified by shading by nearby buildings and landscape features.
Ticking the option to include diffuse solar radiation in a solar exposure study in SunCast, will give you more accurate results in a location which is frequently overcast.
Illuminance is the amount of light falling onto a surface, while luminance is the amount of light reflected from a surface and perceived by the eye.
Available in IESVE 2024 and newer, the Parametric Simulation tool is best suited for early-stage design, allowing architects and designers to test and optimise various scenarios at the whole building level. Find out more about Parametric Simulation here.
With the release of IESVE 2025, it is now possible to easily model Phase Change Materials (or PCMs) in the VE for the first time. This thermal energy storage can offset both heating and cooling loads. Thanks to our partnership with Armstrong World Industries (AWI), these come as standard as part of the release – no additional cost is required to utilise this feature. Find out more about our partnership with AWI here.
We have a vast range of Python scripts that you can download from our Content Store, and run in IESVE. Once you are more confident, you can start to edit these or write your own. Find out more about Python Scripting within IESVE here.
Due to popular demand, this is a feature which is currently under development, and should be released soon.
IESVE has various navigators to address different compliance and rating systems and generate reports, such as ASHRAE 90.1. Find out more about the Navigators available within the software here.
IESVE can pull in live data via iSCAN, our Building Data Analysis tool. Find out more about iSCAN here.
On-Demand Learning provides Training videos to work through at your own pace, with questions to test yourself as you progress. You can access our On-Demand Training here.
Our software is backward compatible; however, we would recommend making a backup of your project before doing this.
Contact our team for more information, or visit our website.
