VE

Virtual Environment

Improve the performance of any building

Integrated Software for Whole-Building Performance Simulation

Used by building design experts around the globe, the Virtual Environment (VE) is a suite of integrated analysis tools for the design and optimization of buildings. The IESVE platform leverages the world-leading simulation engine (APACHE) to allow cross-team collaboration between architects, engineers and contractors, from Schematic Design to Post-Occupancy.

A world-leading simulation engine at your fingertips

For whole-building performance insights you can trust, look no further. Tried and tested over three decades, our unrivalled APACHE simulation engine sits at the heart of the IESVE software to provide accurate analysis across a range of performance metrics and decarbonisation options. Encapsulating the intelligence of building physics to truly understand how your buildings will perform, now and in the future.

VE Applications

Explore the capabilities of the VE's multiple integrated applications and build your own custom quote.

HVAC & Loads

Perform calculations for industry standard heating and cooling loads calculations, including options for the ASHRAE Heat Balance method or CIBSE Admittance method. Include minimum ventilation requirements for sizing HVAC equipment and simulating sub-hourly energy performance. Automated loads & sizing reports allow for efficient HVAC design.

  • ApacheHVAC

    Uses a flexible schematic component-based approach that enables you to quickly assemble HVAC plant and control systems.

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  • ASHRAE Loads

    HVAC Loads Sizing Calculations based on the ASHRAE Heat Balance method. ASHRAE Loads can be linked with SunCast for solar shading and ApacheHVAC for System and Plant sizing.

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  • CIBSE Loads

    Calculate heat loss and gain calculations based on the CIBSE Guide.

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  • ApacheSim

    Central simulation processor which enables you to assess every aspect of thermal performance as well as share results and input across a wide variety of other VE applications.

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  • ModelIT

    The single central 3D data model at the heart of the VE provides geometry and data shared by all applications.

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  • SunCast

    Calculate the position of the sun in the sky, track solar penetration throughout the building interior and calculate shadows.

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  • MicroFlo-CFD

    Undertake internal or external air flow and thermal studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

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Assess daylight metrics for LEED & BREEAM such as Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI). Evaluate visual comfort by simulating glare metrics such as Daylight Glare Probability (DGP). Perform electric lighting calculations and generate illuminance images with luminaire manufacturers fixtures and furniture layouts. Co-simulate electric lighting annually with sub-hourly daylight harvesting controls.

  • VE-Navigator for LEED v4

    Automated LEED rating system credit assessments for LEED v4 version.

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  • RadianceIES

    A detailed 3D simulation tool designed to predict daylight, and the appearance of internal spaces prior to construction.

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  • FlucsDL

    Offers the daylighting only capabilities of FlucsPro, allowing you to perform point-by-point analysis to determine daylighting levels within a room, or group of rooms.

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  • FlucsPro

    Sophisticated tool for analysing combined artificial and natural light-levels for daylight harvesting.

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  • LightPro

    Allows you to place light fittings anywhere in a room for subsequent analysis using FlucsPro or RadianceIES.

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  • ApacheSim

    Central simulation processor which enables you to assess every aspect of thermal performance as well as share results and input across a wide variety of other VE applications.

    Learn More

Compliance

Use our internationally validated tools to streamline the regional compliance requirements, automate workflows and generation of reports. IESVE Navigators offer built-in QA and collaboration options when targeting global green-building certification ratings or local code-compliance.

  • VE-Navigator for ASHRAE 90.1

    Time-saving facilitation and automation tools for ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G PRM (LEED Energy Modeling) and ECB (Energy Cost Budget Method).

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  • VE-Navigator for LEED 2009

    Automated LEED rating system credit assessments for LEED 2009 version.

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  • VE-Navigator for LEED v4

    Automated LEED rating system credit assessments for LEED v4 version.

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  • Title 24

    IESVE is the only approved software provider in California to combine holistic design and commercial building compliance in one software package.

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  • IECC 2012 Navigator

    A dedicated Navigator for the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2012 performance path (Chapter 4).

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  • NECB Navigator

    Navigator to demonstrate compliance with NECB 2011, 2017, 2020 standards.

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  • VE-SBEM (FREE)

    A front-end interface that provides a 3D graphical route to the non-dwelling UK compliance SBEM engine.

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  • VE-DSM

    Dynamic Simulation software tool for UK compliance approved by DLUHC, Scottish BSD and DFPNI.

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  • VE-Navigator for UK Compliance

    Guidance and facilitation in undertaking SBEM and DSM methodology analyses for Part L2 compliance checks and EPC generation

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  • VE-Navigator for UK Compliance: Overheating

    Guidance and facilitation in undertaking overheating analyses for Approved Document O (England and Wales) and Section 3 (Scotland) compliance checks.

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  • UK-Dwellings + JPA-SAP

    A unique 3D graphical interface to JPA SAP 2012 (9.92) that links directly to SketchUp and Revit.

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  • BER Assessor

    Integrated 3D tool for Part L and Building Energy Rating calculations in Ireland.

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  • ApacheSim

    Central simulation processor which enables you to assess every aspect of thermal performance as well as share results and input across a wide variety of other VE applications.

    Learn More

Architecture

Create the building architecture natively or import model geometry as an integral part of the design process. Use this building analysis model to predict performance from a range of metrics including solar shading, daylighting, energy use, and thermal comfort. Optimise the façade design and add furniture to evaluate glare and airflow (CFD) in the 3D model.

  • ModelIT

    The single central 3D data model at the heart of the VE provides geometry and data shared by all applications.

    Learn More
  • BIM Navigator

    The IES BIM Navigator brings all information and import settings into one step-by-step workflow, facilitating import from a variety of modelling tools.

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  • ApacheSim

    Central simulation processor which enables you to assess every aspect of thermal performance as well as share results and input across a wide variety of other VE applications.

    Learn More
  • Simulex

    Simulex enables you to define a building and its occupants, and simulate how they move around a building day-to-day and evacuate during an emergency.

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  • SunCast

    Calculate the position of the sun in the sky, track solar penetration throughout the building interior and calculate shadows.

    Learn More
  • FlucsDL

    Offers the daylighting only capabilities of FlucsPro, allowing you to perform point-by-point analysis to determine daylighting levels within a room, or group of rooms.

    Learn More
  • RadianceIES

    A detailed 3D simulation tool designed to predict daylight, and the appearance of internal spaces prior to construction.

    Learn More
  • MacroFlo

    Simulate air flow driven by wind pressure and buoyancy forces using a fast multi-zone thermo-fluid solver.

    Learn More
  • MicroFlo-CFD

    Undertake internal or external air flow and thermal studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

    Learn More

Perform minimum ventilation calculations and evaluate outdoor air supply from mechanical HVAC systems or natural ventilation design. Integrate operational windows with annual energy simulation and include window actuator controls. Use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) airflow simulation to evaluate occupant comfort and overheating potential.

  • MacroFlo

    Simulate air flow driven by wind pressure and buoyancy forces using a fast multi-zone thermo-fluid solver.

    Learn More
  • MicroFlo-CFD

    Undertake internal or external air flow and thermal studies using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

    Learn More
  • ApacheSim

    Central simulation processor which enables you to assess every aspect of thermal performance as well as share results and input across a wide variety of other VE applications.

    Learn More
  • ASHRAE Loads

    HVAC Loads Sizing Calculations based on the ASHRAE Heat Balance method. ASHRAE Loads can be linked with SunCast for solar shading and ApacheHVAC for System and Plant sizing.

    Learn More
  • CIBSE Loads

    Calculate heat loss and gain calculations based on the CIBSE Guide.

    Learn More
  • ApacheHVAC

    Uses a flexible schematic component-based approach that enables you to quickly assemble HVAC plant and control systems.

    Learn More

Energy & Carbon

Evaluate any range of passive or active Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) for rooms, HVAC systems, buildings and sites. Evaluate predictive metrics for site energy, source energy, energy cost and carbon emissions by using the world-renowned APACHE simulation engine.

  • ApacheSim

    Central simulation processor which enables you to assess every aspect of thermal performance as well as share results and input across a wide variety of other VE applications.

    Learn More
  • ApacheHVAC

    Uses a flexible schematic component-based approach that enables you to quickly assemble HVAC plant and control systems.

    Learn More
  • MacroFlo

    Simulate air flow driven by wind pressure and buoyancy forces using a fast multi-zone thermo-fluid solver.

    Learn More
  • SunCast

    Calculate the position of the sun in the sky, track solar penetration throughout the building interior and calculate shadows.

    Learn More
  • RadianceIES

    A detailed 3D simulation tool designed to predict daylight, and the appearance of internal spaces prior to construction.

    Learn More
  • ModelIT

    The single central 3D data model at the heart of the VE provides geometry and data shared by all applications.

    Learn More
CASE STUDIES

Some examples of using the VE

Explore how leading innovators like you are harnessing the power of the VE with our interconnected ICL platform.

VE for Students & Educators

IES offer a range of discounted software and training packages to educational institutions that use our software in their teaching. Students can also buy a student version of the VE for just $70!

Find out more
RESOURCES

Some useful resources for VE

Introduction to IESVE

New to the VE and need help learning the basics? Our free on-demand course introduces IESVE and some of its key features.

Technical Information

Take a technical tour and get FAQ answers in the Knowledge Base. 

On-Demand Learning

Discover our range of free on-demand courses designed to enhance your knowledge and application of our software

Request a Quote

Tell us what you want to achieve and we'll build you a bespoke quotation.