About the model
SkyHelios uses modern graphics hardware as a general-purpose vector computer to calculate the continuous sky view factor for every point in a complex area, based on a digital elevation model, urban obstacles or other digital input files. Using the graphics processor keeps computing time short, development time short, and costs low through the use of open-source frameworks. Various raster and vector data formats can be imported and processed, and results can be visualized directly on screen, stored and exported. SkyHelios can be seen as a further development of the RayMan model, and results can be interlinked with RayMan for the calculation of mean radiant temperature and thermal indices.
Supported data formats
Raster files
- GDAL formats, e.g. GeoTiff (*.tif)
- Tab-delimited text files (*.tab)
- CSV files (*.csv)
- Text files (*.txt)
- ASCII grid (*.asc)
- Portable network graphics (*.png)
Vector files
- CityGML (*.gml, *.xml)
- RayMan obstacle files (*.obs)
- OGR formats, e.g. shapefiles (*.shp)
- Collada meshes (*.dae)
Application and use areas
Application
- Applied and urban climatology
- Sky view factor and shading analysis
- Solar access and sunshine duration studies
- Combined with RayMan for thermal comfort assessment
Uses
- Education and teaching
- Academic research
- Urban and regional planning support
Selected publications
- Matzarakis, A., Matuschek, O., 2011: Sky View Factor as a parameter in applied climatology – rapid estimation by the SkyHelios model. Meteorologische Zeitschrift 20, 39–45. Find on Google Scholar →
- Fröhlich, D., Matzarakis, A., 2018: Spatial Estimation of Thermal Indices in Urban Areas – Basics of the SkyHelios Model. Atmosphere 9, 209, 1–14. doi:10.3390/atmos9060209 →
- Fröhlich, D., Gangwisch, M., Matzarakis, A., 2019: Effect of radiation and wind on thermal comfort in urban environments – application of the RayMan and SkyHelios model. Urban Climate 27, 1–7. Read on ScienceDirect →
- Matzarakis, A., Gangwisch, M., Fröhlich, D., 2021: RayMan and SkyHelios Model. In: Palme, M., Salvati, A. (eds) Urban Microclimate Modelling for Comfort and Energy Studies. Springer, Cham, 339–361. Read on SpringerLink →
- Matuschek, O., Matzarakis, A., 2010: Estimation of sky view factor in complex environment as a tool for applied climatological studies. In: Matzarakis, A., Mayer, H., Chmielewski, F.-M. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th Conference on Biometeorology. Ber. Meteorol. Inst. Univ. Freiburg No. 20, 535–540. Find on Google Scholar →
Request SkyHelios
SkyHelios is available free of charge. Please register using the form below – you will then receive the download link by email from Prof. Matzarakis.
Submitting opens your email program with a pre-filled message to Prof. Matzarakis. Please review it and send the email from there.
Or write directly to: andreas.matzarakis@meteo.uni-freiburg.de