[acquiesse]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of Desktop Radiance? I'm going to need to do some lighting analysis and was recommended it.

I've been trying to download it from

http://floyd.lbl.gov/deskrad/download.htm

But all i get is an error message:

http://floyd.lbl.gov/misc/downloadr2_page.html: unable to receive data: No Error

Would anyone know of a mirror site, or have a copy I could download?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[jomaga]

If you don't have any experience with Radiance, try better with another application, Radiance (linux version) is very hard to learn. Windows version is far from stable and have less control over some functions.
I made some light analisys some years ago with lightscape. Now it's integrated (one of the worst integrations I ever saw) in Autodesk Viz, so you can make a false-color light analisys using Advanced lighting / Radiosity, Environment/Exposure control/Pseudo color exposure control and Lighting analisys.

[acquiesse]

Hi Jomaga

Thanks for that... The reason I have come across it is that I am using ecotect to do some indicative illustrations of how my light will be bounced down into a courtyard. Aparently Ecotect isn't sophisticated enough to do this accurately, but integrates with Radiance which does...

I've done a few googles on lightscape but the home page isn't apparent...
If I was using Lightscape, could this analyse it for me? I have Max 7 here, is it a seperate plug in I need to download?

P.S. It would be the radiance windows version...

[aitraaz]

Lightscape ended at 3.2, and was discontinued by Autodesk. You'll have to fish around abit to find a copy of it, but as Jomaga says, its still a pretty easy & efficient app for lighting analysis.

You don't need a plugin to do it in 3d max, its an integrated feature with the native radiosity engine, although its a bit more sloppy than lightscape.

Yup, it looks like the desktop radiance server is temporarily down, it should come back up, if not, probably if you look around enough you'll find a mirror download somewhere.

As Jomaga says, Desktop radiance, even under windows (autocad frontend) can been a bit rough on the nerves. Definitely a powerful app, but quite a PITA...

[jomaga]

If I was using Lightscape, could this analyse it for me? I have Max 7 here, is it a seperate plug in I need to download?

Max have Lightscape integrated, but don't have some little things that Viz have, like Radiosity Lighting analisys (Iluminance/luminance data analisys, see previous image), and one material with reflectance control like Lightscape had.
But I think you can do it with max 8 (you don't need any plugin, it's the default instalation), but you'll only have the pseudo-color image with a luminance range to determine the amount of luminance/iluminance in a certain point.

Btw, I have a Live-cd (without instalation in HD) of linux LEARNIX (knoppix) with radiance and some other tools integrated: http://luminance.londonmet.ac.uk/learnix/index.shtml

[acquiesse]

Aitraaz,

Thanks, the solution from max would be enough for me, and as I have a basic knowledge it would probably be the best solution for me. I'm searching for a lighting analysis tutorial, but not having too much luck.

Jomaga,

That looks interesting, I'm trying to download now...

[acquiesse]

Hi all,

I didn't manage to get the files to write to a CD properly, there were hints about ISO files?...

I have the Max system with the pseudo-colours and its a useful tool... Is it possible to use this with Maxwell? That would be powerful...