VE-Ware

Craig Wheatley · 29 Oct 2008, 15:19

~ Hey folks, New to the forum. I'm a Director at IES, Ltd. in Scotland and we recently released a free SU plugin for building performance analysis. You may have already heard of it or tried it, but I'd be curious to hear your thoughts. It's a beta release and we're always looking for feedback. The plugin and basic analysis is free, although we do have pay-for higher level versions of our software for professionals.

http://www.iesve.com/SketchUp

Thanks,
Craig

linea · 31 Oct 2008, 14:07

Hi Craig,

Welcome to the forum.Looks like a good product. Thanks

dtrarch · 31 Oct 2008, 14:50

Hi Craig

Looks interesting but the download link for SU plugin does not work.?

dtr

Craig Wheatley · 17 Nov 2008, 23:00

@dtrarch said:

Hi Craig

Looks interesting but the download link for SU plugin does not work.?

dtr

Hi dtrarch;

are you already a VE user - and want to link sketchup to the VE; or are you wanting to simply use VE-Ware?

If you are already a VE user click the link in section 2b of the webpage http://www.iesve.com/sketchup:

@unknownuser said:

 The Full <Virtual Environment>
The entire set of <VE> tools; including VE-Ware, VE Toolkits, and the full <Virtual Environment> suite of advanced thermal simulation, shading and bulk airflow analyses, <VE Compliance>, and much more...

Recommended for: Existing <VE> Users and Engineers/Architects who want advanced performance calculations.
Install Process: You’ll need 2 downloads, in the following order (472 Mb total):
a. <VE> v5.9 (Log into the support section , and click “Download the VE”)
(You’ll need to have either existing licences, request a trial license, or pay for licenses for this software)
b. The IES VE SketchUp plug-in

If you simply want to use VE-Ware then click the link in section 1 of the webpage http://www.iesve.com/sketchup:

@unknownuser said:

 VE-Ware
Free software for yearly energy, carbon and Architecture 2030 Challenge assessment. You can also try a licence for the easy-to-use VE Toolkits, but not the whole <VE> suite.

Recommended for: New Users and Architects etc. who want straight forward performance calculations.
Install process:You’ll need to register and Download VE-Ware (54Mb) here
(For ease of deployment, a single file installs VE-Ware with both the SketchUp and Revit Plug-ins)

NOTE: You will have to do a bit of form filling if you want VE-Ware.

I've just realised how convoluted this seems so we are amending the website (tomorrow) to make the choice of downloads easier!! Let me know how you get on.

Thanks

Craig

Sekta · 23 Nov 2008, 08:50

Craig,

I have been familarising myself with the VE-ware on and off for a few months now. Haven't managed to use it on a particular job just yet but am planning to give it go on a laboratory project I have under-way. I have spoken to my mechanical engineer and Greenstar professional I normally use for projects. They are both a bit envious that the Architect with the Sketchup or revit model can undertake basic analysis of the concept at a very early stage. I get the feeling that they are both feeling like I am encroaching on their turf as they have always tended to charge the client heavily for what they always made out to be highly specialized work. I see this fantastic tool opening up new opportunities for my practice in the future. I am starting to pitch this service to clients who are responding very well And I see this as another step towards the Architect winning back the control of the building project from the Project managers of this world How does the saying go....he or she who controls the building information model and the information coming from and going to the model is in the best position to control the project.

I will definitely look at upgrading to the VE-Toolkit

I am trialing the Synchro 4D program at the moment which supports SKP files. I have spent this Sunday looking at it and am getting quite excited by its potential.

Stan

whitebungalow · 28 Nov 2008, 00:45

Hi Craig

Downloaded your VE plug-in.

Very buggy, crashed Sketchup continously to begin with. Managed to work round most problems by reading your forum, but not a particularly user-friendly experience.
Had a small query about the units in the programmes output. Thought the resulting answer may benefit others so posted the question to your forum - still no answer after 14 days and your tech guys have definitely logged in during this period.

Not too impressed so far...

Stuart

Kenny · 2 Dec 2008, 22:35

I also have problems getting it to work. After running the install I get a bugsplat (on Windows XP). Then next time Sketchup opens ok but there is no sign of the V-E Ware tools. I've looked under toolbars, plug-ins and tools and also extensions. Is there something I'm missing? I sent a message via the company's contact form on the website nearly a week ago but didn't get a reply which is a bit disappointing.

Kenny

Craig Wheatley · 3 Dec 2008, 14:47

Kenny / Stuart,

I'm sorry to hear that you guys are having a few problems.

Firstly (Stuart) your question has now been answered on our forums.
Secondly (Kenny) VE-Ware works by installing into the Google 6 or 7 (we support this too) Plugins directory - it may be worth initially checking that this has been installed correctly. Can i ask a favour that you log this problem on our Forum - so once we resolve the issue - it can be used as a reference for others?

The forum is located: http://forums.iesve.com/

We have also released the second public Beta with support for components and groups. This can be downloaded from: http://www.iesve.com/content/default.asp?page=s181

Click here http://www.iesve.com/downloads/beta/SU7-IESVE-Terrain/SU7-IESVE-Terrain.html for groups / terrain modelling / Google Earth connection video.

Click here http://www.iesve.com/downloads/beta/SU7-IESVE-ConCompare/SU7-IESVE-ConCompare.html for a quick movie of the basic process of analysing design options from the Sketchup plugin.

These movies are silent, and uncaptioned at the moment. Over the next day or two, we’ll probably add captions.

Click here http://www.iesve.com/content/mediaassets/pdf/Sketchup-Plugin-Beta2-Features.pdf for a list of new features in Beta 2.

Kenny · 4 Dec 2008, 15:19

Craig, thanks for replying. I've downloaded the latest version via the link you gave but still the same problem. I've posted it to your forum.

I did find that if I temporarily moved all my plug ins out it did install so there must be a conflict with other plug ins. This issue has been reported on your forum which the new version was intended to fix. One thing however, what is the new version number? I still get VE-Ware59 as the installer the same as before.

Kenny