How-to Guides

Practical, expert-led guidance and insights for mastering Lighting Analysts software—from new features and version updates to real-world problem solving.

The Lighting Analysts How-to Guides provide focused, technical insights into AGi32, ElumTools, and other LAI software to help lighting professionals work more efficiently and accurately. This section covers new feature releases, version-specific updates, and essential workflows, along with clear explanations of how and why results are generated.

You’ll find step-by-step guidance for common lighting analysis tasks, troubleshooting tips for frequent errors, and proven workarounds for known limitations. Real-world examples highlight practical applications of key features, helping you optimize photometric calculations, ensure code compliance, and produce reliable, defensible lighting designs.

AGi32

CIE 171:2006 – Errata

Getting It Right Ian Ashdown, P. Eng., FIES Senior Scientist, Lighting Analysts Inc.

AGi32

AGi32 Version 20 Define Dialog Update

A few things have changed in the new version 20 Define dialog since the previous pre-release blog post and video.

ElumTools

Direct Lighting in ElumTools

The latest versions of ElumTools include the ability to perform calculations which consider only the direct illumination component.

AGi32

Optimize Symbol Selection for Speed

When speaking with customers, a common problem we encounter is an AGI file that calculates slowly (or fails to calculate), saves slowly, and takes much longer than expected to post any change to the model.

AGi32

Symbol Flexing

Let’s take a closer look at one of the new features in AGi32 version 20: Symbol Flexing.

ElumTools

Cove Lighting in ElumTools

Architectural features like Coves and Coffered ceilings afford the Lighting Designer an opportunity to light the Space and hide the Luminaries simultaneously.

ElumTools

Lighting in ElumTools vs. Lighting in Revit

“Out of the box”, Autodesk Revit® has the ability to perform “Average Estimated Illumination Calculations” on a Space by Space basis.

AGi32

My Rendering Went Dark!

The majority of these issues appear to happen out of the blue from the user’s perspective; “It was fine and then I made a simple change and the rendering was dark! Help!”.

AGi32

Create a Custom Luminaire Symbol in AGi32

AGi32’s symbols library is by no means able to cover the variety of shapes encountered in today’s modern luminaire design market.

ElumTools

Managing Design Alternatives

When doing design work, it is often handy to develop several design alternatives and have the ability to easily present each alternative side by side.

ElumTools

The Anatomy of a Daylight Calculation

If you’ve ever tried to do daylight calculations, using any piece of software, you’ve likely run into questions and perhaps even problems.

ElumTools

Calculation Points on Stairs

Stairs present an interesting challenge when placing calculation points in ElumTools.