Luminaire data in 2D and 3D formats

Even in times when building plans were still drawn manually, TRILUX provided scale models which enabled technical drafters to insert luminaire bodies into the building layout.

In contrast to photometric design and visualisation, the technical purpose of the luminaire, meaning its photometric effects, is not relevant here. The matter at hand is solely the installation of the luminaire in the room as well as the required electrical connection and, in that, particularly the avoidance of collision with elements of other trades.

Today, many software programs for building planning are available, the most common of which in professional applications is AutoCAD with its data format DWG. It facilitates two- and three-dimensional views of the geometric make-up of the planned building. According to the planning task at hand, the luminaire data in DWG format contains outer dimensions as well as all technical data relevant for technical installation such as fixation points and openings for electrical connection – however, photometric data is not included.

A non-proprietary data format for geometric construction structure is DXF. TRILUX also provides this format in the online catalogue. Where it is required, users do not have to convert from DWG format themselves.

The format 3DS, which stems from the 3ds Max software, is a format more often used in rendering programs. The geometric information here is essentially limited to shape and surface of the luminaire body.

The format RFA for the Revit program, which is also displayed in figure 3.46 showing the available data in the TRILUX online catalogue, features the biggest data volume. It combines photometric and geometric data of the luminaire and is an example for the requirements of the planning method BIM, which is explained in more detail in the following section of this chapter.