Page 1 of 22

IES Toolbar for Revit ArchitectureUser Guide

<Virtual Environment> 5.9

Page 2 of 22

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 31.1. How to Access the IES Toolbar?.......................................................................................................... 31.2. IES Toolbar and Menu Options ............................................................................................................ 42. Working with the IES Toolbar ................................................................................................................ 62.1. Set Model Properties ............................................................................................................................ 72.2. Toolkit ................................................................................................................................................. 132.3. Settings............................................................................................................................................... 21

Page 3 of 22

1. IntroductionThe IES Toolbar Plug-in for Revit Architecture is a free Plug-in that provides alink between Revit Architecture and both the IES Sustainability Toolkits and theIES <Virtual Environment>. The Plug-in provides an easy interface between RevitArchitecture and the IES suite of tools that is close to that of the Revit MEP 2008connection via a Toolbar with three buttons and a menu bar option.

1.1. How to Access the IES Toolbar?

When the IES Toolbar plug-in has been properly installed you will see 3 buttonsbelow the Revit Toolbars at the top of the Revit Architecture screen and anIES<VE> dropdown added to the menu bar.

Page 4 of 22

These buttons allow data to be easily assigned to the model so that SustainableAnalysis using the Sustainability Toolkit or full <VE> can be performed at anystage in the design process.

1.2. IES Toolbar and Menu Options

1.2.1. Set Model Properties

This launches the Set Model properties dialog and exports a gbXML of thecurrent Revit project. This gbXML will be saved in the same folder as theRevit project and will have a name of the form “’Revit project name’iesve.xml”.

For changes to the Revit model to be updated in the gbXML then the Revitproject must first be saved before Set Model properties.

1.2.2. Toolkit button

This launches the <VE> Toolkit for the current project.

Note: This can only be used after Set Model Properties.

Page 5 of 22

1.2.3. Launch <VE>

This launches the full <VE> with the current project.

Note: This can only be done after Set Model Properties.

1.2.4. IESVE.Com

This launches the IES website www.iesve.com.

1.2.5. Model Guidance

This launches the Autodesk Building Performance Analysis Using Revit pdf.

Page 6 of 22

1.2.6. Help

This opens the IES Toolbar for Revit Architecture User Guide pdf.

1.2.7. Settings

This launches the IES Toolbar Settings dialog.

2. Working with the IES ToolbarSustainability Analysis can be used at any stage of the Building design cycle andthe earlier it is implemented the greater the benefits will be in the final design.

No matter what stage of development the building is in the same basic steps arerequired to get realistic results for the building. First, Set Model Properties isused to pass the model to the <VE> and apply the basic data required forcalculations. Then it is easy to either run fast Sustainable Analyses using theIES Sustainability Toolkit or to use the full <VE> suite to launch the <VE> withthe model already prepared for calculations.

The next section gives further instruction on how to apply data to the project andthen how to use the Sustainability Toolkit.

Page 7 of 22

2.1. Set Model Properties

This is always the first step when using the IES Toolbar to perform calculationson a Revit Architecture model.

When this button is pressed the current Revit model is exported as a gbXMLand the Set Model Properties dialog is opened. It is not possible to launch theToolkit or <VE> until this has been done and the gbXML model has beenchecked to confirm it imports to the <VE> without any problems.

The Set Model Properties window allows the imported model to be viewed withthe Modelviewer controls (for further information regarding the Modelviewerplease see the ModelIT User Guide). Template data can be set to rooms or thebuilding as desired.

2.1.1. Check Model

Following the advice given in the Building performance Analysis Using Revitdocument (available by selecting Model Guidance from the IES <VE> menu)the gbXML should be of a high quality but it is still very important to check themodel has been properly exported before any analyses are performed.

Click the Check Model button to generate the IES Model RoomCheck Report. This report gives information regarding the geometry of eachroom in the model with any values outside expected bounds highlighted.

Missing Surfaces shows rooms that may have gaps where surfaces do notjoin correctly. It is important these problems are identified and corrected asthe missing area may allow light, solar radiation and air flow thermal transferbetween zones. This would affect the accuracy of calculation results.

Ratios and areas of walls, floors etc should be compared to original designs toensure all data has been correctly transferred to the <VE> model.

When the model data has been checked and confirmed then the IES Reportcan be closed and the check box can be ticked.

It will not be possible to Set Model Properties until this has been done.

Page 8 of 22

2.1.2. Building Data

Early in the design process room layout and usage may not yet be known.Analysis can still be performed, however, by assigning more general data tothe entire building on the Building Tab of set Model Properties.

Simply by defining usage, constructions, an HVAC System and the location ofthe entire building it is possible to start using the Sustainability Toolkit to getearly Energy, Carbon and Daylighting assessments and compare differentarchitectural design options.

Building Type is used to apply thermal template data including Heating andCooling Set Points, Internal Gains and Air Exchanges. Simply define the mainuse of the building from the list which includes Office, Hotel andUniversity/School amongst others.

Building Constructions is used to apply constructions from the ConstructionsDatabase to surfaces and openings in the building.

Click the Constructions Button to open the Building Construction dialog.

Page 9 of 22

The only Construction Type available to edit here is for the whole building.Simply choose a construction for each Surface and Opening in the model fromthe extensive lists and these are applied to each occurrence of that surface inthe building.

It is very important this is done as Construction data is not passed directlyfrom the Revit model.

Building Service can be used to select a System for the building by choosingan option from the list. No other input data is required here.

Place and Location allows the building geographical position to be set. Thisdefines the Weather and Climate data that is used in SustainabilityCalculations.

Latitude and Longitude information about the current location can be viewedby clicking the Place and Location button.

Page 10 of 22

To change location click the Select button. This opens the Select SiteLocation dialog which shows the locations available in each Continent.Choose the location which is nearest to where the building will be constructed.

2.1.3. Room Data

Later in the design stage when more detailed information about the building isavailable data can be applied to individual rooms to obtain more accurateanalysis results.

To enter Room data click on the Rooms Tab.

Page 11 of 22

Data is applied to each room similar to the way it was applied to the building inthe Building Tab. The Level, Select and Isolate buttons make it easier to checkthe data is applied to the correct room.

Level – Select a Storey from this dropdown to display only the rooms that havetheir base on that floor.

Select button

When the Select Button is pressed the Modelviewer will display the building asan x-ray with any selected rooms highlighted Red.

Isolate Button

When the Isolate Button is pressed the Modelviewer only displays the roomsthat are selected on the list.

Room Type, Room Construction and Room Service can be used to apply datato the selected room(s). This will override the Building Type data applied for theselected rooms.

Page 12 of 22

Room Type is used to apply thermal template data including Heating andCooling Set Points, Internal Gains and Air Exchanges. Define the use of theroom by selecting an option from the list.

Select <Building> to make the Room Activity the same as is set for theBuilding.

Room Constructions is used to apply constructions from the ConstructionsDatabase to surfaces and openings in the rooms.

Click the Constructions Button to open the Room Construction dialog.

Note: this differs from Building Construction as multiple Construction Typescan now be created and applied to different rooms.

New button - adds a new Construction Type with default constructions.

Delete button – Deletes the currently selected Construction Type.

Page 13 of 22

Duplicate button – Copies the currently selected Construction Type.

Building Service – If any rooms use a different HVAC System from the oneselected for the building this can be specified here. Select <Building> to usethe same system as the Building.

2.2. Toolkit

Further information regarding the Toolkit can be found in the SustainabilityToolkit User Guide.

The Sustainability Toolkit allows users to quickly and easily perform ASHRAEand CIBSE Loads Calculations, ApacheSim: Dynamic Thermal Simulations andFlucsDL: Daylighting Assessments on their models. Also Sun’s View Moviescan be created of models.

Currently the LEED Toolkit is additionally included which allows a LEEDDaylighting Credit 8.1 report to be produced.

Page 14 of 22

2.2.1. Tools Available

There are 4 modules available in the sustainability toolkit that can be used toanalyse models.

These can also be found in the Virtual Environment.

The LEED Daylighting Credit 8.1 report can be produced using the LEEDToolkit button.

2.2.1.1. ASHRAE/CIBSE Loads

By pressing the button users can select if they want to calculateASHRAE or CIBSE Loads.

2.2.1.2. ASHRAE Loads

ASHRAE Loads carries out heat loss and heat gain calculations inaccordance with the ASHRAE Heat Balance Method.Please refer to the Apache Loads User Guide for further information.

When this button is pressed an ASHRAE Loads calculation is performed withthe following default settings:

Page 15 of 22

Page 16 of 22

A results sheet will be produced, detailing Heating and Cooling Loads for theentire building and a breakdown for each individual room in the building. Thissheet may be saved or copied for future reference.

2.2.1.3. CIBSE Loads

CIBSE Loads performs heat loss and heat gain calculations according toprocedures laid down in CIBSE Guide A.Please refer to the ApacheCalc User Guide for further information.

When this button is pressed a CIBSE Loads calculation is performed with thefollowing default settings:

A results sheet will be produced, detailing Heating and Cooling Loads for theentire building and a breakdown for each individual room in the building. Thissheet may be saved or copied for future reference.

Page 17 of 22

2.2.1.4. ApacheSim

ApacheSim performs simulations of building thermal performance based ondynamic thermal analysis.Please refer to the ApacheSim User Guide for further information.

When this button is pressed an Apache Simulation is performed with thefollowing default settings:

Page 18 of 22

The simulation results sheet details Building Systems Energy and CarbonDioxide summaries, Peak Hourly Room Loads and Room EnvironmentalConditions. This sheet can be saved or copied for future reference.

Page 19 of 22

2.2.1.5. FlucsDL

FlucsDL performs daylighting analyses on models using the point-by-pointmethod.Please refer to the FlucsDL User Guide for further information.

When this button is pressed a FlucsDL daylight analysis is performed on thebuilding with the following default settings:

Page 20 of 22

This will produce a Threshold Table Results sheet showing, for each room,the Floor Area of the room, the Average Illuminance and the PercentageIlluminance Above Threshold. It also displays the Area Weighted PercentageAbove Threshold for the whole building. The Threshold value is set to 300 lux ifCIBSE is selected and 25 footcandles (269.098 lux) if ASHRAE is selected. Thisresults sheet can be saved or copied for future reference.

Page 21 of 22

2.2.1.6. Sun’s View Movie

Sun’s View creates videos from the view of the Sun as it passes through thesky.

Select a month then press the button to create the video.

Suncast generates a series of images of the model taken from the position ofthe Sun in the sky at each hour between sunrise and sunset on a default dayin the selected month (the 21st). These are then used to create a videoshowing the model as the sun passes through the sky.

2.2.1.7. LEED Daylighting Credit 8.1 Report

FlucsDL analysis data is used to calculate the daylight illuminance level ineach room of the model.

The report details the floor area of each room and the area that receives adaylight illumination level of at least 25 footcandles. The building will Passthis credit if at least 75% of all regularly occupied areas receive this minimumthreshold daylight illuminance level.

2.3. Settings

Settings should only be changed if you are experiencing any problems using theIES Toolbar.

Page 22 of 22

If ‘Automatically Generate gbXML’ is unchecked the Set Model properties willnot export and save a gbXML of the current project. In this case the user willhave to manually export the gbXML and save it in the same folder as the Revitproject with the naming convention “’Revit project name’iesve.xml” so that it canbe used with the <VE> or toolkit.

The Export, Save and Yes controls should not be changed without firstconsulting support@iesve.com.

These represent the keystrokes invoked to Export a gbXML and Save It, as isrequired to pass the Revit project to <VE>. If the keyboard shortcuts in Revithave changed, then the IES<VE> settings must be updated accordingly.