1.8 Daylight simulation tools

Daylighting simulation tools make it possible to evaluate the quantity and distribution of daylight in a room, while taking into account key influential parameters such as window placement, building geometry, external obstruction, interior divisions and material properties.

Most CAD visualisation programs used today are capable of generating images that look realistic, but they do not provide information about the quantity and quality of daylight in the rooms. Simulation tools like Daylight Visualizer enable professionals to make informed decisions about daylight performance and building design, and get an accurate impression of the appearance of daylight in the rooms. Figure 1.8.1 below shows a luminance rendering with photo-realistic and false colour images.

Figure 1.8.1 Luminance rendering of Sunlight House shown with photo-realistic and false colour images.

VELUX Daylight Visualizer

VELUX Daylight Visualizer is a professional and validated simulation tool for the analysis of daylight conditions in buildings. It is intended to promote the use of daylight in buildings and to aid professionals by predicting and documenting daylight levels and the appearance of a space prior to realisation of the building design. The program’s simple user interface makes it accessible, quick and easy-to-use.

Figure 1.8.2 Section views of a luminance rendering showing the effects of VELUX Modular Skylights in the atrium space of an office building.

1.8.3 Screenshots of VELUX Daylight Visualizer output viewer showing a daylight factor rendering (top), an illuminance rendering (left) and a luminance rendering in false colour (right).

Key features

• Any project, any scale Daylight Visualizer can be used to evaluate daylight conditions in any type of project, including residential, commercial and industrial projects of any scale.
• Photo-realistic and false colour images Visualise and quantify the amount and distribution of daylight (luminance, illuminance and daylight factor) in buildings with false colour and photorealistic images.
• Daylight factor calculations
  Daylight factor (DF) is a one-step simulation - the most commonly used performance indicator to evaluate daylight availability in buildings.
• Results report
  A report can be generated of simulation results, presenting the daylight performance by zone for each room/space in the building. Results include average, median, minimum, maximum and uniformity values for each zone.
• Create/import projects
  Use the embedded modeling tool to generate 3D models in which roof and facade windows can be freely inserted. Or simply import 3D models directly from your CAD program Autocad, Revit, SketchUp, Archicad and more) with the following supported 3D file formats DWG, DXF, SKP and OBJ.
• Fast and accurate
  Daylight Visualizer is a validated daylighting simulation tool based on state-of-the-art rendering technology capable of simulating the complex character of daylight in building interiors. For more information about VELUX Daylight Visualizer, please visit the official website viz.velux.com