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What's LTB-LIGHT
Let There Be-LIGHT is a Mac OSX application specialized to perform lighting calculations, such as monitoring the amount of energy, fixtures layout by type, quantity and power, control and verification of compliance with the law of the plants, etc.. The simplicity of use and the interface modeler should not be fooled; LTB LIGHT is not a classic CAD, but has similar tools in order to obtain a simple and effective input. CAD tools are used to create the scene to perform subsequent calculations. Applying the "sources", the set will be complete. We must start calculations and wait for the results. Then continue to verifications, both visually (on the virtual space generated by the program) and technically (through the amount of developed data). Calculations proceed on any surface both flat or not (eg biconvex surfaces such as spheres and ellipsoids), architectural objects, streets, monuments, galleries, exhibition halls, and any other setting, geometrically complex, difficult to outline and calculate through the use of the usual tables and/or diagrams. LTB-LIGHT, has an implementeable internal database containing:
The working window projects objects within a three-dimensional space that displays the axial reference system and a plane of virtual modeling. The rationalization and intuitiveness of the available commands allow the acquisition of the graphics tools provided by the program, minimizing the learning curve. Moreover, UNDO and REDO command, and automatic recording of files on disk in case of system crash or power failure allow the possibility of control and security in the work developing. Powerful LAYER management, intelligent PASTING options (the program allows to copy the attributes of an object and paste only those that is possible to transfer on an object with different characteristics), rectangular and polar ARRAY, EXTRUSION, online HELP for the execution of commands: these are some of the possibilities offered by the program. The light sources, calculated as volumetric sources, are managed entirely by the program, which allows you to import, display, edit and format IESNA LM-63 (ASCII text files normally used by manufacturers of lighting fixtures-North Americans), EULUMDAT (formed by European standards) and even drawings DXF (the program converts drawings photometry!) data files; photometric solids are summarized in 36 azimithal C-curves and 180 zenithal gamma-angles, while the color of the lamps is given by the color temperature or real RGB color. The program can export to RTF a complete list, formatted according to user needs, of the installed products and special items, full of economic computing and installed electrical power. LTB-LIGHT provides users with powerful tools for design optimization: a window of pre-project for rectangular rooms, L or cutted-corner, with the CIE method, the correct number of sources to achieve a certain value of illuminance on the working surface. There is also a utility for the road projects optimization: given the width of the seat, through the choice of a variety of sources, distance and height of the poles, brackets, inclination, ..., LTB-LIGHT builds a database for each configuration with all the performed simulations. Through the use of filters you can choose from all the simulations carried out those that meet the parameters of law, the minimum installed capacity per kilometer, the configuration with maximum average luminance, .... After creating or DXF-importing the scene,the method used for calculations, is the radiance one. The objects of the scene to calculate, are divided into finite elements which assess the amount of direct illumination due to natural sources (sun and sky) and/or artificial. The method involves the calculation of multiple reflections (for the interior) until the complete redistribution of the illuminance (unless the user do not stop the calculation). In the event that the calculation has been interrupted, the user can resume from where it was suspended to take it to completion. The information available when calculation is done are both visual (screen image) and numerical for the required verifications. The final real view is built in real colors or in 8-colors scale. Video output The individual surfaces of the object subjected to calculation are editable and can be projected on a plane and presented with the actual colors on both faces. Furthermore, the entire scene appears on the screen and and can be modified in real time, because the program keeps all lighting information previously calculated. This means that the calculation time is long, but still proportional to the complexity of the scene and the number of the arranged light sources but, by counterpart, once completed, allow a total control of the scene, in real time and from whatever point of view we choose. LTB-LIGHT has also a tool section which shifts the normal plane of the lens (the plane of the screen) forward or backward from the observer cutting, always in real time, the scene to verify the illuminament of interior spaces that are not visible. Numerical output The outputs of numerical type can be plotted on the surfaces projected on the plane and shown in isovalue curves:
What's the use It is clear that, after this introduction, the use of LTB-LIGHT is wide but targeted on well defined problems. LTB-LIGHT is a flexible, fast and simple tool to address and solve problems related to various professional activities as well as to different purposes of practical application. It is also a powerful and intuitive verification tool to assess the compliance of systems to specific laws. Finally, it allows the economic computation of the entire plan, including lighting fixtures, electrical wiring and special pieces selected from an user-implementable database in more currencies. LTB-LIGHT is, therefore, the ideal tool for:
Who needs it LTB-LIGHT is a program dedicated to professionals working in the industry, architects, engineers, designers, builders, and their professional needs. To large industries who design lighting, institutions that determine the sites of application, the engineers charged in audits of facilities and verification of compliance of plant. |