Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), a world leading provider of integrated performance analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building design, today announced the availability of its most significant upgrade. Version 5.9 of the full IES <Virtual Environment> suite encompasses more major developments than ever before. IES's worldwide users will benefit from both local and global enhanced technical capabilities, major graphical input and output developments, and more visual, interactive and flexible reporting.
IES <Virtual Environment> v5.9 offers a comprehensive package of building performance analysis tools that enable designers to look at how key design and climate factors influence the sustainable performance of a building. Many of our key customers are at the cutting-edge of sustainable building design and use our tools extensively to help them achieve significant energy use reductions and ensure occupant comfort. The full <Virtual Environment> is the most detailed level of engagement offered by IES, with VE-Ware and VE-Toolkits acting as lower rungs to the ladder.
Global3D model, reporting and technical developments
Major refinements to the drawing and visualisation capabilities of IES's central 3D data model builder have been made for the global market – the ability to record camera path animations, change the sketch styles and add textured rendering being key developments. IES has also made significant changes and additions to its reporting functions. In particular, unique new 3D model result visualisation options are offered –bulk airflow through openings, and room colour coding according to result/input data thresholds. While, new Swirl Diffuser technical enhancements to IES's CFD airflow analysis mean that Underfloor Air Displacement systems can now be modelled in greater detail.
Total UK and Republic of Ireland Regulation Compliance
New Dynamic Simulation Model (DSM) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Republic of Ireland Building Energy Rating (BER) compliance capabilities mean that IES now offers the most comprehensive regulation software on the market – software that has been validated and approved by CLG and the other relevant bodies. Within <VE Compliance> IES is unique in offering both SBEM and DSM EPC options with versions suitable for England & Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland – as before CO2 calculation capabilities are also covered. Our SBEM link has also been adapted for BER use in the Republic of Ireland. See the associated press release for more information on this development.
US and Australian technical enhancements
IES's dynamic thermal simulation engine has been upgraded to include localised fuel mix data for the US and Australia, which gives additional accuracy to carbon performance calculations. While, the ability to deal with waterside economizers has been enhanced, and unitary cooling functionality added.
Dr Don Mclean, the founder and managing director of IES commented: "These enhancements further increase the functionality and user experience offered by the IES <Virtual Environment> suite, which is already the most comprehensive integrated suite of building performance analysis tools in the world. Close links with key customers at the cutting edge of sustainable design mean we're confident that the release of V5.9 brings to the market what architects and engineers want and need to help them design 'green' better informed and more efficiently."
A comprehensive list of the new features in IES <Virtual Environment> V5.9 is given below:
New Drawing Capabilities (ModelIT):
- 'Drag Face' ability
- Generate sub-zones or separate zones with 'Partitioning' function
- Internal and external 'Texture Assignment' options
- Mouse driven pan, zoom and rotate functionality
- Ability to 'Auto Highlight' different rooms and surfaces
New Visualisation Capabilities (ModelIT):
- Move through the building and record your location as a 'Camera Path' animation
- 'Goto Room' to view internally and check model integrity
- 'Sketch Style' and 'Textured Rendering' options available (end point/extension line addition, set level of sketchiness, add depth and shininess)
New Reporting Capabilities (Apache):
- Colour code rooms on 3D model to visualise results and input data
- Ability to view weather data as wind rose
- Interface enhancements – more intuitive and flexible (tick box tree and integral calendar)
New Reporting Capabilities (MarcoFlo & MicroFlo):
- Unique ability to view MacroFlo bulk airflow on 3D model as arrows
- Ability within MicroFlo to interrogate air change effectiveness, local mean age of air and carbon monoxide levels
New Technical Capabilities (MicroFlo)
- Introduction of swirl diffusers – enables Underfloor Air Displacement modelling in greater detail
- Other surface boundary condition option enhancements (Fan one-way airflow openings, porous media openings, pressure boundary definition)
- Ability to track how source Carbon Monoxide is dispersed in the air stream
New Technical Capability (ApacheSim)
- Fuel factors have been upgraded to include N. American and Australian localised fuel mix data, increasing accuracy of carbon performance calculations.
New Technical Capabilities (ApacheHVAC)
- Waterside Economizer enhancement
- Unitary Cooling Systems
- Mouse zoom and pan control
New UK Compliance Capabilities (<VE Compliance>)
- England & Wales DSM EPC route
- ROI SBEM BER route
- Auto generation of Notional, Reference and Typical building
- Incorporation of final NCM guidance
IES <Virtual Environment> v5.9 offers a comprehensive package of building performance analysis tools that enable designers to look at how key design and climate factors influence the sustainable performance of a building. Many of our key customers are at the cutting-edge of sustainable building design and use our tools extensively to help them achieve significant energy use reductions and ensure occupant comfort. The full <Virtual Environment> is the most detailed level of engagement offered by IES, with VE-Ware and VE-Toolkits acting as lower rungs to the ladder.
Global3D model, reporting and technical developments
Major refinements to the drawing and visualisation capabilities of IES's central 3D data model builder have been made for the global market – the ability to record camera path animations, change the sketch styles and add textured rendering being key developments. IES has also made significant changes and additions to its reporting functions. In particular, unique new 3D model result visualisation options are offered –bulk airflow through openings, and room colour coding according to result/input data thresholds. While, new Swirl Diffuser technical enhancements to IES's CFD airflow analysis mean that Underfloor Air Displacement systems can now be modelled in greater detail.
Total UK and Republic of Ireland Regulation Compliance
New Dynamic Simulation Model (DSM) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Republic of Ireland Building Energy Rating (BER) compliance capabilities mean that IES now offers the most comprehensive regulation software on the market – software that has been validated and approved by CLG and the other relevant bodies. Within <VE Compliance> IES is unique in offering both SBEM and DSM EPC options with versions suitable for England & Wales, Scotland and N. Ireland – as before CO2 calculation capabilities are also covered. Our SBEM link has also been adapted for BER use in the Republic of Ireland. See the associated press release for more information on this development.
US and Australian technical enhancements
IES's dynamic thermal simulation engine has been upgraded to include localised fuel mix data for the US and Australia, which gives additional accuracy to carbon performance calculations. While, the ability to deal with waterside economizers has been enhanced, and unitary cooling functionality added.
Dr Don Mclean, the founder and managing director of IES commented: "These enhancements further increase the functionality and user experience offered by the IES <Virtual Environment> suite, which is already the most comprehensive integrated suite of building performance analysis tools in the world. Close links with key customers at the cutting edge of sustainable design mean we're confident that the release of V5.9 brings to the market what architects and engineers want and need to help them design 'green' better informed and more efficiently."
A comprehensive list of the new features in IES <Virtual Environment> V5.9 is given below:
New Drawing Capabilities (ModelIT):
- 'Drag Face' ability
- Generate sub-zones or separate zones with 'Partitioning' function
- Internal and external 'Texture Assignment' options
- Mouse driven pan, zoom and rotate functionality
- Ability to 'Auto Highlight' different rooms and surfaces
New Visualisation Capabilities (ModelIT):
- Move through the building and record your location as a 'Camera Path' animation
- 'Goto Room' to view internally and check model integrity
- 'Sketch Style' and 'Textured Rendering' options available (end point/extension line addition, set level of sketchiness, add depth and shininess)
New Reporting Capabilities (Apache):
- Colour code rooms on 3D model to visualise results and input data
- Ability to view weather data as wind rose
- Interface enhancements – more intuitive and flexible (tick box tree and integral calendar)
New Reporting Capabilities (MarcoFlo & MicroFlo):
- Unique ability to view MacroFlo bulk airflow on 3D model as arrows
- Ability within MicroFlo to interrogate air change effectiveness, local mean age of air and carbon monoxide levels
New Technical Capabilities (MicroFlo)
- Introduction of swirl diffusers – enables Underfloor Air Displacement modelling in greater detail
- Other surface boundary condition option enhancements (Fan one-way airflow openings, porous media openings, pressure boundary definition)
- Ability to track how source Carbon Monoxide is dispersed in the air stream
New Technical Capability (ApacheSim)
- Fuel factors have been upgraded to include N. American and Australian localised fuel mix data, increasing accuracy of carbon performance calculations.
New Technical Capabilities (ApacheHVAC)
- Waterside Economizer enhancement
- Unitary Cooling Systems
- Mouse zoom and pan control
New UK Compliance Capabilities (<VE Compliance>)
- England & Wales DSM EPC route
- ROI SBEM BER route
- Auto generation of Notional, Reference and Typical building
- Incorporation of final NCM guidance
