Two new software tools for the evaluation of daylighting strategies and technologies are currently under development at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Desktop Radiance and Building Design Advisor (BDA).

Desktop Radiance is a Windows 95/98/NT version of the Radiance lighting simulation and rendering software, with links to an AutoCAD-based front end complimented with libraries of materials, glazings, electric lighting luminaires and furniture. Desktop Radiance is currently in Beta testing. The 1.0 version of Desktop Radiance is scheduled for release later this year. For more information please visit http://radsite.lbl.gov/Radiance.

The BDA is a Windows 95/98/NT computer program that facilitates the use of multiple simulation tools by automating the preparation of the required input and integrating their output in graphic displays that support simultaneous evaluation of multiple design options with respect to multiple performance criteria. The 1.0 version of the BDA is linked to two simplified simulation tools, one for daylighting analyses and one for energy analyses. It is available free of charge from http://kmp.lbl.gov/BDA.