Smart Symbols

AGi32 utilizes "Smart Symbol" logic to recommend choices for the luminaire symbol when selecting a photometric file. Smart Symbol options are presented considering the luminaire's luminous shape, size and light distribution (from the photometric file). When a symbol is selected, the luminous area of the symbol is automatically scaled to match the luminous dimensions from the luminaire see: luminous box.For details on how specific symbols are selected please see the Smart Symbol Logic topic.

Select a photometric file using one of the avenues provided in the Define dialog. The Smart Symbols dialog as shown above will be displayed.

STEP 1 - Choose the Mounting Type to be used in conjunction with the selected photometric distribution. The Mounting Type selections are available on the left side of the dialog. Once a Mounting Type is selected, the Smart Symbols routine will provide a selection of symbols in the center of the dialog. This is by no means an exhaustive list. You may find additional suitable symbols can be accessed from the main Symbols dialog by searching once the definition is complete.

If you have selected a Pole or Pendant Mounting Type you will have the option to include an Arm (Pole mounting) or Pendant length. This is a check box that you can disable if desired. If checked, enter your Arm or Pendant length in the cell provided. This can be changed at any time from the main symbols dialog.The Arm will be the length from the pole to the symbol insertion point. If a Pendant is selected, its Length is the distance from the symbol upwards where a pendant object will be drawn (a 2' pendant length implies the luminaire will be 2' from the ceiling although you can specify otherwise. the pendant will always be a fixed length).

If the selected mounting type is undefined for the luminaire distribution (e.g., Ceiling Recessed - Indirect Distribution), a message is displayed indicating a different Mounting Type should be selected for this combination or the symbol should be selected manually. To select the symbol manually, click Cancel and select a symbol from the appropriate section in the main Define dialog.

STEP 2 - Select one of the recommended symbols. The symbols shown in the Recommended Symbols section are NOT scaled. The luminous area of the selected symbol will be automatically scaled to match the luminous area described in the photometric file (the luminous box). While the software symbols are not intended to match real products, they are representative and the automatic sizing allows your symbols to take on a real-world scale. The symbol then appears scaled in the representation on the right side of the dialog. The selected symbol is loaded into both the Calculation and Drawing symbol areas in the Luminaire Define dialog.

STEP 3 - Smart Symbols will choose a default insertion point for the symbol marked by the blue arrow in the drawing. The insertion point is attached to the cursor when placing luminaires in Model mode and will correspond to the mounting height value entered in the luminaire Toolkit. The Photometric Center is the location of the photometric file and may vary from the symbol insertion point depending on the symbol selection. The photometric center Offset is shown below the insertion point selections. The insertion point can be changed as desired.

Default Insertion Points for various Mounting Types

Click OK to exit Smart Symbols with your selection and advance to the Define dialog. If you had selected multiple photometric files the Smart Symbol process will repeat itself.

Note: Smart symbols are bypassed if the selected file has an associated custom symbol (e.g., luminaire selected from the Instabase with an associated symbol, or a luminaire from a Collection).