Composite Photometric Files - Concepts
This command allows the user to create a single photometric file from a Luminaire Group consisting of multiple luminaire locations of variable type. Files can be added together or averaged.
IMPORTANT: This function should only be used by those who understand photometry and the limitations thereof. See the Caveats, Warnings and Disclaimers section below for more information.
Possible uses:
- Combine multiple locations (same or different photometric types) into a single photometric file to speed up design work and calculations
- Create a "custom" luminaire (e.g., combine LED modules)
- Average multiple photometric tests of the same luminaire
- Generate photometric metrics for luminaire arrangements (e.g., BUG rating)
Settings
| [_AGI32_COMPOSITE_DESCRIPTION] | Description for the composite file. If specified, will be added to generated IES file following the [_AGI32_COMPOSITE_DESCRIPTION] keyword |
| Composite Method: Add | Combines (adds) all of the luminaires in the Group |
| Composite Method: Average | Averages all of the luminaires in the Group |
| Factor | (0 < range ≤ 1, default =1.) Allows user to apply a factor to the data. Example: Could apply a light loss due to additional heat generated from adjacent LED modules. |
| Vertical Cutoff Angle | (0 < range ≤ 180, default =180.) Specifies the angle at which the light is cut off when combining the files. Example: Set to 85 degrees to account for cutoff due to the luminaire housing. |
| Allowable Aiming Angle Increment | (0 < range ≤ 45, default =1.) Restricts (rounds) all aiming angles to specified increment. Example: If Increment=5, then 48.5 degrees would be rounded to 50 degrees. |
| Relative Location and Aiming Parameter Constraints | See separate table, below |
| Minimum Calculation Distance |
The distance at which the composite file would be considered a point source. Automatically calculated based on actual X-Offset and Y-Offset and minimum Z coordinate of the luminaire Group: Distance =(Maximum Offset Dimension x 2 x 5) + Minimum Z-Offset Distance. When using a composite file the user should make all efforts to place the luminaire at least this distance from the primary calculation surface. |
| Automatically Load Composite File Once Generated | If selected, the generated composite IES file is automatically loaded into the Define Luminaire dialog. Otherwise, the file is generated and saved as specified and control returns to Define Luminaire. |
Relative Location and Aiming Parameter Constraints
| Allowable | Actual | |
| X-Offset | (0 ≤ range ≤ 6 ft or 1.8m, default =1 ft or 0.3m.) Maximum X-distance (plus & minus) luminaires in Group can be located from Insertion Point. | Maximum X-distance (plus & minus) a luminaire in the group is located from the Insertion Point, considering the farthest extent of the luminous box (maximum X dimension). |
| Y-Offset | (0 ≤ range ≤ 6 ft or 1.8m, default =1 ft or 0.3m.) Maximum Y-distance (plus & minus) luminaires in Group can be located from Insertion Point. | Maximum Y-distance (plus & minus) a luminaire in the group is located from the Insertion Point, considering the farthest extent of the luminous box (maximum Y dimension). |
| Z-Offset | (0 ≤ range ≤ 6 ft or 1.8m, default =0.) Maximum Z-distance (plus & minus) luminaires in Group can be located from Insertion Point. | Maximum Z-distance (plus & minus) a luminaire in the group is located from the Insertion Point, considering the farthest extent of the luminous box (maximum Z dimension). |
| Orientation | (0 ≤ range ≤ 180 degrees, default =180.) Maximum allowable orientation angle; plus (CCW) and minus (CW) from reference angle (0 degrees). Setting to 0 will prevent orientation during file creation. | Maximum orientation angle of any luminaire in the Group. |
| Tilt | (0 ≤ range ≤ 180 degrees, default =90.) Maximum allowable tilt angle. Setting to 0 will prevent tilting during file creation. | Maximum tilt angle of any luminaire in the Group. |
| Roll | (0 ≤ range ≤ 180 degrees, default =0.) Maximum roll angle; plus (CCW) and minus (CW) from local axis. Setting to 0 will prevent rolling during file creation. | Maximum roll angle of any luminaire in the Group. |
| Spin | (0 ≤ range ≤ 180 degrees, default =0.) Maximum spin angle; plus (CCW) and minus (CW) from local axis. Setting to 0 will prevent spinning during file creation. | Maximum spin angle of any luminaire in the Group. |
Resultant Composite IES File
- Composite files are photometric Type C with the following angle set:
- Horizontal: 0 - 360 degrees; 2.5-degree increment
- Vertical: 0 - 180 degrees; 2.5-degree increment
- The resultant composite file uses the descriptive text (keywords), TILT=, and Ballast Factor entries from the photometric file of the last luminaire located in the original luminaire Group
- The following descriptive text (custom keywords and text) are added to the file:
- [_AGI32] File was generated from AGi32
- [_AGI32_COMPOSITE] Composite photometric file created by AGi32
- [_AGI32_COMPOSITE] Recommended Minimum Calculation Distance = <## units>
- [_AGI32_COMPOSITE_DESCRIPTION] <Description from the Composite Photometric File dialog>
- [_AGI32_COMPOSITE_KEY] Filename X Y Z Orient Tilt Roll Spin Factor VertCutoffAngle
- [_AGI32_COMPOSITE_LOCATION] file1, x1, y1, z1, o1, t1, r1, s1, f1, vca1
- [_AGI32_COMPOSITE_LOCATION] file2, x2, y2, z2, o2, t2, r2, s2, f2, vca2
- (with a similar location line for each additional location in the composite file)
- Lumens Per Lamp are set to -1 to prevent any proration of the composite file. (Displayed as NA in the Define Luminaire dialog.)
- Watts: If the composite file is made using the Add method, Watts = Sum (Watts of all locations). If the composite file is made using the Average method, Watts = Sum (Watts of all locations) / # Locations.
- Luminous Dimensions are derived from the X-Y-Z Offsets, with the Insertion Point considered to be at the center of the original luminaire Group:
- Width (along 90-270 degrees) = 2 x Maximum Y-Offset
- Length (along 0-180 degrees) = 2 x Maximum X-Offset
- Height = 2 x Maximum Z-Offset
Caveats, Warnings and Disclaimers
- Be aware that composite files are mathematically derived and should be considered close approximations at best, especially if you plan to use composite files in production (i.e., design) work! There is no substitute for lab-generated photometric files!
- Some of the descriptive information (keywords) may be meaningless or invalid in the composite file! The descriptive data (keywords) from the last location in the original luminaire Group will be used in the composite file. Be sure to examine all descriptive information before using and/or sharing a composite file, and make any needed changes! (Microsoft Notepad or LAI's Photometric Toolbox may be used for this. IES document LM-63-02 should be used as a reference!)
- Luminous Dimensions are derived from the X-Y-Z Offsets in the original luminaire Group (see Resultant Composite IES File section, above), which may or may not be appropriate. You may need to manually change the dimensions and/or luminous shape. (Microsoft Notepad or LAI's Photometric Toolbox may be used for this. IES document LM-63-02 should be used as a reference!)