DIALux Lighting Design Course

Lesson 1 • Photometric File Formats

Distinguishes IES and LDT photometric file formats and their data structure. Understanding file formats enables correct luminaire import into DIALux.

Lesson 2 • Colour Quality Metrics

Explains colour temperature, CRI, and spectral power distribution. Selecting correct colour metrics ensures designs meet visual comfort and compliance targets.

Lesson 3 • Core Photometric Concepts

Covers luminous flux, luminous intensity, illuminance, and luminance. These metrics form the measurement language used in every DIALux calculation.

Lesson 1 • Software Installation and Setup

Guides installation, system requirements, and initial preferences. Proper setup prevents rendering errors and plugin conflicts in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Project Structure and File Management

Explains project files, backup strategies, and template use. Organised file management prevents data loss during complex multi-room projects.

Lesson 3 • Units, Scales, and Coordinate Systems

Sets correct measurement units and explains the global coordinate system. Accurate unit configuration ensures geometry matches real-world dimensions.

Lesson 1 • Walls, Openings, and Partitions

Teaches adding walls, doors, windows, and internal partitions. These elements affect light distribution and obstruction in the calculation engine.

Lesson 2 • Multi-Story and Complex Building Models

Extends modeling to multi-floor buildings and atria. Students manage building levels and connect spaces for comprehensive project documentation.

Lesson 3 • Importing Architectural CAD Plans

Demonstrates DWG and DXF import, scaling, and layer management. Importing CAD plans accelerates modeling and reduces dimensional errors.

Lesson 4 • Creating Rooms and Spaces

Covers rectangular and polygonal room creation tools and floor-level settings. Accurate room geometry is the foundation for valid photometric calculations.

Lesson 1 • Luminaire Properties and Configuration

Adjusts wattage, dimming level, tilt, rotation, and mounting height. Proper configuration aligns the virtual luminaire with the physical product specification.

Lesson 2 • Luminaire Groups and Scenes

Organises luminaires into groups and lighting scenes for control simulation. Grouping enables scene-based analysis and dimming scenario comparisons.

Lesson 3 • Importing Luminaire Photometric Files

Covers importing IES and LDT files and using manufacturer online catalogues. Correct import ensures photometric accuracy in all subsequent calculations.

Lesson 4 • Placement Methods and Spacing Rules

Applies single, array, and path placement methods with spacing-to-height ratios. Systematic placement achieves target uniformity across the calculation plane.

Lesson 1 • Glare Analysis with UGR

Calculates Unified Glare Rating using observer positions and viewing directions. UGR compliance is mandatory for office and educational space approvals.

Lesson 2 • Horizontal Calculation Planes

Sets up horizontal planes at work surface height with correct grid density. Horizontal planes are the primary tool for verifying maintained illuminance.

Lesson 3 • Reading Isolux and False-Colour Maps

Interprets isolux contour diagrams and false-colour illuminance maps. Visual result maps reveal hotspots, dark zones, and uniformity issues instantly.

Lesson 4 • Statistical Result Tables

Reads average, minimum, maximum, and uniformity ratio values from result tables. Statistical tables provide the numeric evidence required for compliance documentation.

Lesson 1 • Combined Daylight and Artificial Lighting

Merges daylight results with artificial lighting to assess combined illuminance. Combined analysis enables daylight-linked dimming control recommendations.

Lesson 2 • Annual Daylight Metrics

Computes Useful Daylight Illuminance and Daylight Autonomy over a full year. Annual metrics support energy performance documentation and green building credits.

Lesson 3 • Window and Glazing Configuration

Defines glazing transmittance, frame factors, and shading devices. Glazing properties control how much daylight enters and affects the calculation.

Lesson 4 • Climate Data and Sky Models

Imports location-based climate files and selects CIE sky models. Accurate sky models are the basis for realistic daylight factor and illuminance predictions.

Lesson 1 • Exterior Scene Setup

Configures terrain, site boundaries, and surrounding obstructions for outdoor scenes. Correct exterior setup prevents boundary errors in road and area calculations.

Lesson 2 • Road Lighting Calculation

Sets up road segments, observer positions, and luminance calculation grids per road lighting standards. Road luminance and uniformity results determine pole spacing.

Lesson 3 • Area and Parking Lot Lighting

Designs horizontal illuminance layouts for open areas and parking facilities. Area lighting requires uniform coverage without excessive spill to adjacent zones.

Lesson 4 • Sports and Facade Lighting

Addresses vertical illuminance for sports fields and facade wash lighting. Sports lighting requires camera-direction analysis and high uniformity on the playing surface.

Lesson 1 • Luminaire Schedules and BOQ

Generates luminaire schedules and bill-of-quantities data from the project model. Accurate schedules reduce procurement errors and support cost estimation.

Lesson 2 • Report Template Customisation

Configures company logo, colour scheme, and page layout in the report template. Branded reports reinforce professional credibility and client trust.

Lesson 3 • Exporting Reports and Data

Exports reports as PDF and Excel files and photometric data as CSV. Multiple export formats satisfy different stakeholder review and handover workflows.

Lesson 4 • Selecting Report Content

Chooses which result pages, luminaire schedules, and summary tables to include. Targeted content selection keeps reports concise and relevant to each audience.