SketchUp Plugin - Integrated Environmental Solutions

The IES VE plugin is the SketchUp plugin which enables the user to make a direct transition of the design models for design performance analysis within any kind of design tools, including VE-Toolkits VE-Gaia, VE-Ware, and VE-Pro. A wide range of design model building tools has been offered by this SketchUp plugin, which has been designed to create ‘best practice’ geometry for the performance analysis.

Discuss the design features of the IES VE SketchUp plugin

Parametric simulation feature

The IES VE plugin offers a parametric simulation feature, which helps to empower the users to compare a large range of design possibilities. The parametric simulation feature of this plugin has access to a large number of design model variables.

The parametric simulation setup of this SketchUp plugin is easy to use and has auto-sequencing of actions. Numerous design parameters are offered by the IES VE plugin, including HVAC design feature, envelope design feature, renewable design feature and design geometry feature. The simulation resolution feature of this SketchUp plugin helps to optimise the speed and space of the disk.

Integrated analysis feature

The IES VE plugin helps to access energy, thermal comfort, HVAC, light and compliance within a single tool, and in this context, there is no requirement for purchasing or learning multiple solutions. The IES VE plugin also helps to accelerate the project delivery process along with a streamlined cross-team workflow.

Higher profitability feature

The automated workflow and intuitive tools of the IES VE plugin help to reduce time spent on repetitive modelling tasks, enabling design team members to focus more on the high-value analysis task, and thus, high high-quality design project outcome has been achieved with the help of the IES VE plugin. Thus, the IES VE plugin helps to improve the design profitability by reducing manual input and the rework process, and automating the key modelling and reporting procedures. The IES VE plugin also helps to boost the design team's efficiency, along with an interoperability pathway from major BIM platforms.

Accurate HVAC loads calculation feature

The IES VE plugin enables the quick, easy and accurate heating and cooling load calculation process from the design energy models. This feature of the IES VE plugin helps to produce detailed HVAC load reports with the help of just a few clicks by using the HVAC System Design Wizard option. The model complex or customised system feature of the IES VE plugin is available for the loads, energy and compliance, along with unparalleled flexibility.

Scalable feature

The IES VE plugin is also able to robust product development process along with continuous updates, thus ensuring practice stays ahead of the industry demands. This SketchUp plugin helps to scale the design seamlessly from the parametric modelling process to the detailed simulation process.

Key advantages of the IES VE SketchUp plugin

➢ The IES VE plugin for the SketchUp software is compatible with both the SketchUp Free and Pro versions.
➢ The IES VE plugin helps to model complex geometry within a very short time, along with solar shading and Brise soleil features.
➢ The IES VE plugin enables users the directly translate the design models for the design performance analysis.
➢ The IES VE plugin is also able to assign important required data quickly.
➢ The IES VE plugin is also used to edit the design model properties in detail, which helps to undertake a more advanced design analysis process.
➢ The users are able to combine the design models from the SketchUp software and the IES VE plugin together.

How to download the IES VE plugin for the SketchUp software

To download the IES VE plugin for the SketchUp software, the users have to follow several steps, which are as follows:

1. At first, the users have to visit the IES VE download page and has to log in to their account.

2. In the next step, the user has to download and install the full IES VE application suite. In this case, the IES VE SketchUp plugin has been installed automatically if it detects the SketchUp software on the computer.

3. While the user opens the SketchUp software, the IES VE toolbar will appear automatically.

4. In the case of not appearing the IES VE toolbar, the user has to restart the SketchUp software after the installation process. Then, they have to go to the Window option, and then they have to go to the Extension Manager in the SketchUp software.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Zoe Mia

Download IES VE SketchUp plugin

In the next step, the users have to find the IES VE plugin in the list, and they have to ensure that it is enabled.