Advanced lighting simulation and rendering package; calculates
spectral radiance values (illuminance & color) and spectral irradiance
(illuminance & color) for interior and exterior spaces considering
electric lighting, daylight and interreflection. Used by architects and
designers to predict illumination, visual quality and appearance of
design spaces. Used by researchers to evaluate new lighting and
daylighting technologies and study visual comfort and similar quantities
related to the visual environment.
Keywords
lighting, daylighting, rendering
Validation/Testing
N/A
Expertise Required
High level of computer literacy required; 4 days training, minimum.
Users
Over 200.
Audience
Daylighting, lighting, and architectural designers.
Input
Geometry and materials of design space, including luminaire photometry and surface reflectance characteristics. Translators are available for DXF, Architrion, and IESNA standard luminaire files. Additional translators have been written by third parties for ArchiCAD and others. A third-party (shareware) CAD program, Vision3D, can prepare Radiance input directly.
Output
Luminance and illuminance values, plots and contours, visual comfort levels, photograph-quality images and video animations.
Computer Platform
UNIX-compatible workstation, e.g. Sun, Silicon Graphics, Hewlett Packard, DECstation, NeXT, Mac II running A/UX; 8- or 25-bit color display, 20 megabytes of free disk space, 8 megabytes of RAM, and math coprocessor recommended. IBM 386-compatible DOS port has been produced but is not currently being distributed.
Programming Language
C (Kernnigan and Ritchie standard)
Strengths
Physical accuracy in a graphics rendering package, reliability and source code availability; arbitrary surface
geometry and reflectance properties.
Weaknesses
Lacks a graphical user interface, comprehensive documentation, and examples; too few CAD formats
supported.
Contact
Availability
Version 2.4 (1994) available free of charge from technical contact via posted tape cartridge (media exchange).
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