As I mentioned in this post, Introducing the MEPPP Universal Lighting Fixture Family for Revit, we recently rolled out an updated version of CTC Software's MEP Productivity Pack (MEPPP). One significant development on the electrical side is around lighting fixtures. In this post I want to share another new feature/workflow added related to managing light level design intent and visualizing preliminary results using analytical views.
Most of the following information is from the MEPPP User Guide, which can be downloaded for free via a link in this post: Promoting Industry Standards for Revit MEP plus Free User Guide, Shared Parameters & More.
Keep reading to learn more...
In the Lighting Analysis – Working schedule a “Room Type” can be selected, which is a list generated from the schedule key shown above, which then populates the adjacent parameters which correspond to the schedule key. As the lighting fixtures are added to the model, and photometry selected, Revit’s build-in functionality will list a preliminary average illuminance (based on the zonal cavity calculation method). Note: For absolute photometer (i.e. LED lights) this feature only works in Revit 2019 and higher).
At an early stage in the lighting design process this information can be used as a rule-of-thumb check. However, it is recommended that a formal calculation be done using a professional lighting analysis tool like ElumTools (by the makers of AGI32).
Here is a video I created showing how all this works in the context of the sample project shipped with the MEPPP.
For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn
I also write blog posts for Enscape - a new paradigm in rendering, animation and VR for AEC.
Most of the following information is from the MEPPP User Guide, which can be downloaded for free via a link in this post: Promoting Industry Standards for Revit MEP plus Free User Guide, Shared Parameters & More.
Preliminary Illuminance Calculations
Target Illuminance levels can be selected for each room using the Schedule Key shown below. This schedule can be manually edited for a firm’s own standard. Additional rows may be added by clicking the Insert Data Row command.
In the Lighting Analysis – Working schedule a “Room Type” can be selected, which is a list generated from the schedule key shown above, which then populates the adjacent parameters which correspond to the schedule key. As the lighting fixtures are added to the model, and photometry selected, Revit’s build-in functionality will list a preliminary average illuminance (based on the zonal cavity calculation method). Note: For absolute photometer (i.e. LED lights) this feature only works in Revit 2019 and higher).
At an early stage in the lighting design process this information can be used as a rule-of-thumb check. However, it is recommended that a formal calculation be done using a professional lighting analysis tool like ElumTools (by the makers of AGI32).
Here is a video I created showing how all this works in the context of the sample project shipped with the MEPPP.
For BIM Chapters updates, follow @DanStine_MN on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn
I also write blog posts for Enscape - a new paradigm in rendering, animation and VR for AEC.
