Lighting Design Assistance

[rockford33]

Just throwing this out there for everyone. As part of my job, I have been lucky enough to learn some lighting design and have a lighting design program installed on my computer at work. While I do street lighting layouts for residential subdivisions, the program also does interior lighting.

Since garage lighting seems to come up very frequently, I was thinking of purchasing the program and providing anyone here with a photometric layout of their garage for a small fee ($10 or $15 max to cover time and cost of program, depending on size and complexity of garage). What I would need from you would be garage dimensions (length, width, and height), any sloped ceiling particulars, height above floor of where you would like the lights, make and model of lights (so I can get the proper files from the manufacturers website. If you aren't sure or they don't offer the files, I can usually find a generic file version), and any areas where you may want more lighting (workbench, etc.).

I have played around with the program for designing lighting in my hallway, living room, and garage (although with a newborn I have yet to actually install anything!!). PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT A LIGHTING DESIGNER!!! This is just something that I am very interested in (call it a hobby) and have learned some stuff on the job. I attached a jpeg of my garage with 5 4-foot twin tube fixtures (Lithonia's I believe) for you guys to see what type of product you may receive. I am still working out how to make it presentable since I know most people don't have AutoCAD or Microstation, so the jpeg isn't the best looking. I can also provide a hard copy if desired. As far as lighting recommendations, I would simply follow IESNA guidelines unless you specify otherwise.

Let me know if this is something that people would be interested in. I am not trying to make any real money off of this, but love doing lighting. Also note that figuring out the wiring is up to you (or your electrician).

Thanks,
Neil

 

[PAToyota]

I'd say that print to PDF would probably be the most useful format - we do that all the time with CAD drawings to send to people that don't have CAD.

How exact is the program? If I send you specifications on a certain fixture can you use that exact fixture in the calculations?

I'd also say that you are likely pricing your services way too low - even if you aren't trying to make money.

 

[rockford33]

I'd say that print to PDF would probably be the most useful format - we do that all the time with CAD drawings to send to people that don't have CAD.

How exact is the program? If I send you specifications on a certain fixture can you use that exact fixture in the calculations?

I'd also say that you are likely pricing your services way too low - even if you aren't trying to make money.

Unfortunately, the PDF was too big too attach to my message . the program has very basic CAD capabilities, and only exports plans in AutoCAD format.

As far as I know, the program is exact. It is a professional lighting software program. If you noticed the grid on my attachment, they are spaced every 5 feet I think. I can vary that (every 1 foot, 10 feet, etc.), as well as place the lights a certain distance from the ceiling, figure the lighting at different heights off the floor (i.e. at the floor, 3 feet above where your workbench top is, etc.). It is far easier to have the exact make and model of the fixture and find the IES file off the manufacturer's website. I believe I can add in specs if you know all of them (light loss factor, wattage, lumen output, size, etc.), but I haven't messed with that a lot.

Maybe my prices are too low. I was just shooting from the hip, and now that I think about it, my simple 1 car garage layout took about 10 hours total, including getting the files from the web, laying out the garage, laying out the lighting, etc. What do you guys think is a fair price? Maybe a per square foot cost, since a larger garage would take more time and most likely be more complex? The program itself isn't extremely expensive, it is just the time to do the layouts, etc.

I am open to suggestions, as well as what people are willing to pay out for this kind of service. Like stated before, lighting is something I love to do, but I can't afford to switch career tracks and go back to school for lighting, lol. Just something I would like to do on the side and help people out.

-Neil

 

[bmwpower]

Sounds like a good idea, but you may want to be careful how you go about this. People have been fired for doing outside work at work on their work computer.

 

[rockford33]

Sounds like a good idea, but you may want to be careful how you go about this. People have been fired for doing outside work at work on their work computer.

Oh no, I am not going to be doing this at work. I was just lucky enough to have the program installed on my computer at work to learn street lighting as part of my job. I actually plan on purchasing it for my home computer now that I know where to get it and how to use it and do the work at home. Definitely don't need to be getting in trouble at work doing other things, cruising the internet, etc. lol.

 

[tubeman]

Most places that sell industrial lighting will do it for free.

 

[rockford33]

Most places that sell industrial lighting will do it for free.

Really? I know that at Dominion Electric in my area you can meet with a lighting consultant, but you need an appointment and it doesn't state if it is free or not. I would also be curious to know if the fixtures they sell are more $$$ than at HD or Lowe's and that is how they make up for a free service. Again, this is just something I enjoy doing and I am not looking to outfit my garage with a new Porsche off of it. Just enough to cover software and time spent. If nobody finds it a valuable enough service, my feelings will certainly not be hurt .

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Most places that sell industrial lighting will do it for free.

Yes, but what about people like me who cannot afford new industrial or commercial lighting, and end up buying used lighting, but are not sure what I need or how well its going to illuminate the area?

See my previous post on this.........

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6807

Charles

 

[VvvJRvvV]

Not sure where you are in MD. A few places to try would be United Electric, Dover Electric and Hagamyer. They all do it for free. Also, if you go to Lithonia's Website, there is photometric software, basic edition you can download for free, this is a timed trial. This will allow you to put in lights of all shapes and sizes and see what the output is.

 

[mas]

what is the name of the software you are using?

 

[rockford33]

what is the name of the software you are using?

Visual Pro by Acuity Brands Lighting.

 

[rockford33]

Not sure where you are in MD. A few places to try would be United Electric, Dover Electric and Hagamyer. They all do it for free. Also, if you go to Lithonia's Website, there is photometric software, basic edition you can download for free, this is a timed trial. This will allow you to put in lights of all shapes and sizes and see what the output is.

I'm on the west side of Baltimore. United Electric isn't too far, maybe a 1/2 hour. The software on Lithonia's site is the same software I use, the Visual Pro version. Lighting design is something I like doing and have enjoyed learning, so I will probably buy the software anyway. I just thought I would help people out who may not know how to use the software, or don't wish to learn it, etc. I am certainly in favor of anyone who wants to learn it on their own for free.

 

[DynoDave]

Lighting design is something I like doing and have enjoyed learning, so I will probably buy the software anyway. I just thought I would help people out who may not know how to use the software, or don't wish to learn it, etc. I am certainly in favor of anyone who wants to learn it on their own for free.

I'd be interested in this, but I don't know what fixtures I want to use yet.

 

[rockford33]

I'd be interested in this, but I don't know what fixtures I want to use yet.

Dave,
If you figure out what fixtures you want to use, shoot me an email. I would be more than willing to help you out.

-Neil