Lighting Software
Introduction:
Contrary to the structure and presentation of all makers Photometric Data Files which almost since their inception have not been developed past being an "un-protected" text file, Lighting Design Software has moved forward considerably in Europe and the USA since, where CALA despite being an awkward piece of Software was king.
During then and up to recent times, many software developers along with luminaire manufacturers have tried to gain market share - to the point of "giving away for free" their planning software.
From the early 2000's to now, lighting designers with access to the increasing power of Desktop Computers, were now in a position to learn & work with an emerging "new age" lighting software, which to name a few that we will showcase herewith, include;
(not in order of any actual or perceived greatness)
European origin:
RELUX, DIAL and Calculux (all at NO cost)
American origin:
AGi32, (at a cost)
plus (there are others but mostly they/you are tied to specific Fixture manufactures own software)
RELUX is a leading European software program for the calculation & visualization of artificial & natural light sources in Interior & exterior areas. Their program is provided free of charge at, http:// www.relux.ch
Some main features of their excellent software includes:
DIALux.
Lighting design. It couldn’t be simpler.
http://www.dialux.com
Since many years DIALux is the international market leader for light planning software.
Over 300,000 users value its intuitive user guide and its realistic visualizations as well
as its technical perfection and the easy access to current planning data.
DIALux. Visualization.
* Planning with LED luminaires and other coloured light sources, colour filters and coloured materials
* Interactive 3D visualization allows you to just wander round the room
* Film the camera run through the photorealistic visualization of your planning and send the film by email.
* Realistic textures and furniture
* Integrated ray tracing module for photorealistic presentation
DIALux. Using the software.
* Simple light planning – step by step with DIALux
* Assistants help on request with the planning of indoor and street lighting
* Drag and drop for simple insertion of furniture, surfaces (textures) and luminaires into the room
* Automatic positioning of the right number of luminaires on the walls and in the room
* Intelligent building components always place the wall lights correctly on the wall and the computer on the table
* With one click luminaires are aligned to the illumination point
* Step by step guides help with special questions on light planning
DIALux. Functional highlights.
* The latest calculation methods, now even faster and always accurate
* Energy evaluation according to DIN V18599 and EN15899 takes place as you use the program and is useful for your energy pass
* Integration of 3DS objects in the light planning
* Import and export of .dwg_ and .dxf_ files. These can be read in and exported with the results after light planning is complete. Without additional software
* DIALux automatically finds the optimal product from a list of street luminaires according to performance criteria and explains why
* False colours supply quantitative analyses in complex geometries at a glance
* Emergency lighting according to EN1838. Positioning of the correct number of luminaires
* Sports complex planning with templates for all common sports. Real time calculation, measuring grids and mirroring of most arrangements simplify planning
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AGi32 version 2.0
One of the primary design parameters for the AGi32 version 2.0 release was to improve the workflow of the software. Make it easier for both veterans and new users to move from one task to another and improve the overall fluidity of the software. The result is a gently modified look (don't panic you old hands) that seasoned users will find immediately comfortable and new users will see as much more intuitive and approachable.
With the new look and feel under our belts we added some smashing new capabilites to make your work easier and presentations more robust.
Consider the interactive orbit capability in Model mode accomplished by simply pressing the shift key while you hold down the mouse wheel.
Instantly it is so much easier to see those hidden details. Have you ever longed to navigate in Render mode while calculating, or switch on your textures? Say no more. You can do so seamlessly. You can also stop and start the calculation process at will. Did you ever wish you could visualize ONLY the reflected component of the design? Or, perhaps just direct light? Easy.
To make your model building easier: how about the ability to turn CAD created lines into Objects, Rooms, LPD or Statistical areas? Add to this the new Import XREF capability and the Export to DWG (many flavors) option and we have clearly made life easier for you.
Now, in the odd event that you are not yet salivating, let's add in the ability to superimpose selected CAD layers, point by point calculations, isolines and whatever else looks cool on your rendered view. You now have a whole new presentation tool to make your work more easily understood by your clients. Smashing!
There are many other new features as well, read on and imagine how 2008 will be more productive!
Interface
Tabbed movement between Model, Render & Pagebuilder modes
All entity specific functions in new dockable button Toolkit
Transparent Snap,Ortho, Snap-To toggle switches
Calculation modes and switches grouped in one menu
Navigate while calculating in Render Mode
Function keys aligned with Autocad.
Powerful New Capabilities
Overlay Model Mode with Render Mode
Orbit (Interactive Isometric) in Model Mode
Extrude lines into Objects, Rooms, LPD and Statistical areas
Use European photometric formats directly (TM14, Eulumdat)
Toggle rendered view to see Direct or Indirect illuminance
Daylight Factor on any surface using Automatic Placement
Import XREFs
Export DWG through Acad 2008
Geometric simplification for merging coplanar surfaces of 3D imports
Lots of cool new luminaire symbols, textures and a trees library
Rotate objects about any axis
Daylight exposure correct for interior and exterior environments
Calculation Standards
Extensive support for new Luminaire Classification System (LCS) and Luminaire Efficacy Rating (LER) |