The use of lighting software has always been one that interests me, because for most lighting applications it’s so integral to what we do. Note the word MOST; you would have to be slightly potty to think you can create a cool, cutting edge residential or retail lighting design through just painting with numbers, but for everything else, at some point, you will probably be using a lighting calculation program.
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The two market leaders in our industry for me would be Relux and DIAlux, so if you had to choose between them, which would it be? What are the pros and cons, and what might the future hold?
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.An example of DIAlux Evo
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An example of Relux
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In this article we ask three people working in the industry what they think, (well four actually if you include myself) and hopefully by the end, the proverbial early morning mist will have cleared, and your choice of program will be clearer (ish).
SO . . . . .
Personally, throughout my career, in order of sequence, I have used Calculux, Relux, DIAlux, AGI, DIAlux evo, Relux, (and Photoshop for renderings, which we won’t be covering here). Agi is more or less obsolete now, being 32 Bit. Funny comments like ‘chill-out dude you’re working to fast’, and other quips put a smile to your face, but did nothing to stop the feeling that – well – the product was a bit too crashy making it . . . sub-optimal, shall we say.
I have experienced the sinking feeling twice where someone has told me they use DIAlux and would like me to use it when I work for them. Why? – because, as I like to say, programs are similar enough to be different. Whether switching from Relux to DIAlux or vice versa, the speed of work slows down to a crawl, as you swear at the screen and promptly do a google search for what button does that thing that in your program of choice you didn’t have to even think about.
You can generally find your way around for a basic calculation but, for me, you must stick to one or the other. DIAlux of old had the advantage of it importing the 3D shape of the luminaire into the calc, which is great, where the product aesthetic is of importance, an Artichoke in an atrium for example. When I worked at Louis Poulsen you could see the advantage of DIAlux there, but Relux is the winner for everything else . I find the program more intuitive, simple, and for the majority of work quicker. The emergency calculations are great, and being able to underlay from googlemaps has been a useful addition when dealing with exterior obtrusive light calculations, alongside the real-time renderer.
DIAlux evo is obviously a large improvement on DIAlux, the 3d iso-colour contour renders are very slick, with Relux tending to be more blocky. The aesthetic difference between the two programs has always seemed to be a continuous theme when making comparisons between the two.
Richard Hayes – Director 42 Partners – Former Relux Distributor and Relux Trainer For LIA
For the majority of users both programs will do everything the average user needs. Mostly they are used as complicated quantity estimators; only a very small percentage of users rely on the advanced functions. Both do Emergency calculations, allow the import and export of 2D CAD files – and have many other features that 90% of users never use or know exist.
Both have a free version that only allows users to use lighting data from member companies. DIAlux has about 170 members Relux has about 80 members, and there is duplication with some companies appearing on both platforms. The total number of member companies is a tiny fraction of existing lighting companies, of course.
To import non-member LDT and IES files and have all the manufacturer data show in the project, both platforms now charge users. Relux’s Third Party licence is about £55.00 per annum, DIAlux Unlock is about £8.55 per month (both charge in native currency Euro or Swiss Franc, so Sterling cost varies with exchange rates).
BIM
Relux has a plugin ReluxCAD for Revit (design software for architects) which allows Revit users to have Relux functions embedded in the host program. This Plugin costs around £430.00 per annum
DIAlux Pro allows direct import and export of IFC files. Revit and other BIM software can export and import IFC data. DIAluxPro costs about £310.00 per annum and is billed monthly.
Choices.
If your favourite manufacturer is only on one of the platforms, then this would be the obvious choice of program. For BIM users, if you are a Revit user, Relux seems the obvious choice. If you are not tied to Revit then DIAlux would seem to be the better bet.
For the vast majority of users wishing to import LDT and IES files from non-members, then it is down to which program you find easiest to use. Personally, I find Relux easier to use, but as I have 23 years’ experience on Relux and used to be the UK distributor, and still training people in Relux via the LIA, this is hardly an unbiased view.
Faye Robinson: an architectural lighting designer with over 20 years experience
Faye has worked in lighting consultancies as well as in luminaire manufacturing, design & supply teams. She has recently started working with the talented team at UNIBOX as their business development executive, helping to build the brand and luminaire range for the architectural sector.
‘I’ve swapped between both Relux and DIAlux as I’ve moved through my career, though for me the interface of Relux still works best.
As BIM and the use of Revit started to be adopted in the construction industry, the race was on between the two programs to see who would be the first to integrate the Revit plugin and improve the rendering capabilities.
At this point I was using DIAlux on a day-to-day basis, but I’m not going to lie, I found the transition of moving from DIAlux to DIAlux evo really quite challenging, especially when trying to perform the simplest of illuminance calculations. As a result, I defaulted back to Relux, and from that point, with Relux I’ve stayed.
Playing devil’s advocate, to make that shift to Revit was quite a big jump in development for two programs that were essentially a user interface for an Excel spreadsheet calculator, so the switch over was going to be clunky.
Though I am a Relux person I will turn my hand to DIAlux evo if needed, but working on the two programs at the same time can get very confusing. I’m always sceptical of the LENI calculator in Dialux evo too, which I believe is not adjustable to the UK performance requirements, though I understand that it’s on its way?
Post “Revit gate” I’ve not really delved into the Revit plug-in versions for either of the software just yet. This is mostly due to the prohibitive cost of Revit for a small business and the necessary training (only a few courses exist, and they are for electrical training only in Revit). Then there is the added cost of the Revit Relux plug-in as well. In respect to plug-in suitability, I would have to have to open the floor up to my more affluent corporate peers, I suspect a lot of them have shifted to AGI32 or Elumtools, where the intelligence of working in 3D and radiosity was inherent and has been expanded to work within Autodesk Revit package.
I’ll stick with Relux for now, but I’ll always have my eye on the next option.
H.S. Randhawa – Managing Director At Onlight
In the realm of lighting design, two standout software solutions, Relux and DIAlux evo, have undergone significant evolution to offer designers and engineers sophisticated tools for calculating and simulating complex lighting projects. Imagine having at your fingertips not just the ability to visualise designs, but also to conduct precise lighting calculations.
DIAlux evo boasts an extensive array of modelling features, empowering designers to create intricate interior and exterior scenes or a seamless blend of both. Conversely, Relux places its emphasis on calculations, energy efficiency, and sustainability, offering the flexibility of generating 3D renders through ray tracing or Realtime rendering.
While both platforms are user-friendly and facilitate the import and export of CAD drawings alongside detailed lighting result reports and rendered visuals, they each possess their own distinct characteristics. Relux stands out for its customisable interface, allowing users to tailor the screen theme, ribbons, and quick access toolbar to their preferences. Conversely, DIAlux evo offers a sleek interface but lacks the same level of customisation.
Relux extends its offerings with a variety of add-ons, including third-party data licenses for non-member luminaire manufacturers. DIAlux evo provides similar option on a subscription basis, including a pro feature for personalised lighting report presentations.
Relux streamlines the process of building rooms, objects, and measuring grids using CAD plans, saving considerable time compared to DIAlux evo, which requires manual tracing. However, DIAlux evo provides invaluable assistance through positioning guides for luminaires; a feature Relux lacks.
One notable advantage of DIAlux evo is its treatment of ceilings, automatically adding false ceilings by default to create voids for recessed light fixtures. It also offers a wider selection of roof options for entire buildings, unlike Relux, which has a more limited selection applied only to individual rooms.
For specific tasks like light sensor layout planning, Relux excels with its user-friendly interface. However, for detailed renders that seamlessly combine interior and exterior elements, DIAlux evo is the preferred choice.
In conclusion, both Relux and DIAlux evo offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Relux is favoured for its simplicity and comprehensive lighting analysis capabilities, while DIAlux evo impresses with its intuitive interface and detailed rendering capabilities. Both platforms could benefit from workflow enhancements and bug fixes to ensure a smoother user experience.
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.An example of Relux Quick Realtime (landscape plan view)