Outdoor Photometric Calculations

Design Master is able to display point-by-point foot candle values and contour lines at user-specified for outdoor lighting systems. The foot candles are determined by the specifications of the light fixtures, the area to be calculated, and any light obstructing shapes.  This section outlines how to use Design Master to display outdoor photometric calculations.

The foot candle (FC) level at each point is calculated using the IES file for each light fixture. If a light fixture does not have an IES file, then it contributes 0 light to the calculation. (The IES file was attached to the light fixture when it was defined in the light fixture schedule.) Only one light ray is cast during this calculation. No reflections from surfaces are accounted for. The depreciation factor of the light fixture as defined in the light fixture project schedule is included. If the path between a point and a light fixture is blocked by a light-obstructing solid, then 0 light from that fixture is included at that point.

The basic unit for the drawing is assumed to be an inch. If your background is scaled in feet, you will need to scale the xref up by 12 when inserting it.

In addition to the IES file, the mounting height or elevation of the light fixture must also be defined in order for outdoor photometric calculations to be completed. This can be done by querying photometric information or editing the photometric information for multiple fixtures.