Specifying an IES File for a Light Source

An IES file is a text file that describes the intensity of a light source at points on a spherical grid. It provides more photorealistic lighting effects in rendered images than other types of light distribution. See Photometrics and IES Files.

Specifying an IES file for a light source is a 2-step process. First, in the light source definition, you must specify Photometric Web for its light distribution. (To perform this step, you edit the lighting fixture family.) Second, you must specify the particular IES file to use. (You can perform this step when editing the lighting fixture family, or when modifying type parameters for particular lighting fixture in a project.)

To specify an IES file for a light source

1. Obtain the desired IES file.

   You can obtain an IES file directly from the manufacturer, or use an IES file provided by Revit. The Revit IES files reside in the following location:

   %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Autodesk\<product name and release>\IES

2. Specify Photometric Web light distribution.

   How?

   1. Open the lighting fixture family in the Family Editor.
   2. In the drawing area, select the light source.
   3. Click Modify | Light Source tabLighting panel (Light Source Definition).
   4. In the Light Source Definition dialog, for Emit from Shape, select the desired shape.
   5. For Light distribution, select (Photometric Web).
   6. Click OK.
   7. Save changes to the lighting fixture family.
3. Specify the IES file to use.

   How?

   1. If you want the IES file to define light distribution for the entire lighting fixture family, keep the lighting fixture family open in the Family Editor. Click Properties panel (Family Types). For Name, select the family type to modify.
   2. If you want the IES file to define light distribution for selected instances of the lighting fixture family, open a project that uses it, and select a lighting fixture in the project. Click Modify | Lighting Fixtures tabProperties panel (Type Properties). Click Duplicate, specify a name for the new family type, and click OK.
   3. In the list of parameters, scroll down to Photometrics.
   4. For Photometric Web File, click in the Value column.
   5. Click (Browse).
      
      Note: The Browse button displays after you click in the field.
   6. Navigate to the desired IES file, select it, and click Open.
   7. Click OK.
   8. Save changes to the project or the lighting fixture family.

In the drawing area, the shape of the light source reflects the specified IES file. (To see the light source in a project view, you must make light sources visible. See Displaying Light Sources in a View.)