Lighting Simulation Software 7S630 2010

Simulation and calculation

Light simulation is becoming increasingly
more important as a method for

Design

Evaluation

Note the differences between rendering and

simulation

Rendering, e.g., 3D Studio Max

Simulation, e.g., RADIANCE, DIALux, Calculux

Light rendering

Rendering
 Essence of physically-based rendering
 Basically is an energy balance equation
 Often approximated by splitting diffuse, specular,

and glossy (shiny) components

emitted

Lo (x, o ) = Le (x, o ) +
reflected
outgoing
r r
r
r
f r (x, o , i ) Li (x, i ) cos i d i

Transport of Energy

Now we have a model of the light-surface
interaction (the rendering equation)

How do we transfer energy from light sources
to all surfaces in a 3D scene?
 RayTracing method
 Radiosity method

Transport of Energy

RayTracing (forward or backward)


Tracing the path of light through

pixels in an image plane and
simulating the effects of its
encounters with virtual objects

Assumptions
 Bidirectional reflectance-transmittance distribution function

(BRTDF) model
 Opaque and transparent surfaces
 Light follows geometric (linear) paths between surfaces
 No interference, diffraction, polarization

Transport of Energy

Radiosity
 Following the paths which leave a

light source and are reflected

diffusely a number of times
before hitting the eye

Assumptions
 Opaque surfaces
 Vacuum between surfaces
 Purely diffuse surfaces

The difference

(Backward) RayTracing follows all rays from
the eye of the viewer back to the light sources
 RADIANCE

Radiosity simulates the diffuse propagation

of light starting at the light sources
 DIALux

DIALux

Software developed by DIAL for professional
light planning

Open to luminaires of all manufacturers

Main (first) focus on electric lighting

The DIALux User Interface

Interface is divided into work areas
 Project manager and project tree
 Visualization
 The Guide

Use of DIALux

Location and orientation

Geometry and characteristics

Set light scenes
 Luminaire plug-in

Download from manufacturers

 Daylight

Calculation and output

Use wizards and the manual

Use of a Wizard

Wizard selection

Enter dimensions

Choose material properties

Maintenance factor

Choose luminaires

Define luminaire

Define light level and distribution

Define spacing

Finish wizard

Include luminaires in calculation

First result

Location on earth

Orientation

Add light scenes e.g., with daylight

Daylight

Overcast Sky

Averaged Sky

Clear Sky

CIE-Name

Overcast Sky

Averaged
Intermediate Sky

Clear Sky

Description

Complete
Overcast Sky,
rotationally
symmetrical
luminance
distribution

Developed from a
long period of
measurements,
described average
weather
conditions

Cloudless Sky

 Clear sky

Direct sun possible

No

No

Yes

 Overcast sky

Number of
possible zenith
luminance

 Mixed sky

In DIALux used
zenith luminance

Krochmann

Sky models

Windows

Krochmann

Plan, zoom, and view options

Adding windows, doors, roof lights

Assign window properties

Calculation again

More extensive room and lighting

design

More extensive room and lighting

design

Additional calculation grid

Additional calculation grid

Calculation view 3D on screen

results

False color

Output

Report

Export as pdf

DIALux

More results

DIALux

Additional information
 http://www.dial.de/CMS/English/Articles/DIAL/DI

AL.html

Special thanks to

Laurens Zonneveldt

Jan Diepens
and all the other people whos material is
used in this presentation