Comparison of different Daylight simulation softwares
What is Daylight Simulation?
A computer-based calculation of the amount of <b>daylight</b> available inside or outside of a building under one or several sky conditions. <b>Simulation</b> outputs may be discrete numbers (illuminances and luminances) under selected sensor points within a scene or visualizations of a scene.</p>
<img width="570" height="522" src="https://dcsgroups.in/temp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/graph-EUI-3.png" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/graph-EUI-3.png?w=570&ssl=1 570w, https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/graph-EUI-3.png?resize=285%2C261&ssl=1 285w, https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/graph-EUI-3.png?resize=150%2C137&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px" />
<h5>Basic Tools used for Daylight Simulation</h5>
<p>Most of the software used today are based on radiance but have different interface. While there are a number of options available for daylight simulation, there are certain criteria that you should ask yourself before choosing the simulation software for daylighting.
- What do you want to calculate?
2. Has the software been validated?
3. How easy is the software to learn?
Following are some tools widely used for Daylight simulation. There are other tools that exist too but these softwares are the most latest softwares used
Ecotect/Radiance
Autodesk Ecotect is an environmental analysis tool that allows designers to simulate building performance.
DesignBuilder
DesignBuilder comprises a core 3-D modeller and 11 modules which work together to provide in-depth analysis for any building.
Diva for Rhino
DIVA-for-Rhino is a highly optimized comprehensive daylighting and energy modeling plug-in for Rhinoceros 3D.
OpenStudio
Open Studio is a cross-platform collection of software tools to supports advanced daylight analysis using Radiance.
Comparision
Following comparison is based on different parameters such as ease of use, availability, daylight metrics used, compliance etc.
Parameters
Ease of use
(Modeling)
Ecotect is an easy to use software, modeling can be done in the software including additional external shading
Designbuilder is an easy to use software. It is more flexible in designing shading a
Diva is a Rhino plugin, hence it gives flexibility of using the same complex architectural model for daylight simulation.
Open studio is a sketchup plugin, modeling in openstudio is simple and easy to learn.
Daylight metrics
- Daylight Factor (DF)
- Daylight Autonomy (DA)
- Daylight Factor (DF)
- Spacial Daylight Autonomy(sDA)
- Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE)
- Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI)
- Daylight Factor(DF)
- Daylight Autonomy(DA)
- Useful daylight Illuminance (UDI)
- Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE)
- Glare Analysis
- Daylight Factor (DF)
- Daylight Autonomy(DA)
- Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI)
Simulation Speed
Fast
Fast
Fast
Fast
<h5>Availability of software</h5>
<p>Paid Software by Autodesk</p>
<a href="https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Ecotect-Analysis-Discontinuation-FAQ.html" role="button">
Know more
</a>
<p>Paid software<br /><br /></p>
<a href="https://designbuilder.co.uk/download" role="button">
Know more
</a>
<p>Paid software<br /><br /></p>
<a href="https://solemma.com/Diva.html" role="button">
Know more
</a>
<p>Open Source software</p>
<a href="https://www.openstudio.net/" role="button">
Know more
</a>
<h5>Graphics</h5>
<img width="321" height="250" src="https://dcsgroups.in/temp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/day-lighting-modeling-01.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/day-lighting-modeling-01.jpg?w=321&ssl=1 321w, https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/day-lighting-modeling-01.jpg?resize=160%2C125&ssl=1 160w, https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/day-lighting-modeling-01.jpg?resize=150%2C117&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 321px) 100vw, 321px" />
<img width="342" height="273" src="https://dcsgroups.in/temp/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DAYLIGHT.png" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DAYLIGHT.png?w=342&ssl=1 342w, https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DAYLIGHT.png?resize=171%2C136&ssl=1 171w, https://i0.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DAYLIGHT.png?resize=150%2C120&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 342px) 100vw, 342px" />
<img width="595" height="403" src="https://dcsgroups.in/temp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Examples-of-daylight-simulation-in-DIVA-for-Rhino-The-picture-on-the-left-presents-a.png" alt="" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Examples-of-daylight-simulation-in-DIVA-for-Rhino-The-picture-on-the-left-presents-a.png?w=595&ssl=1 595w, https://i2.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Examples-of-daylight-simulation-in-DIVA-for-Rhino-The-picture-on-the-left-presents-a.png?resize=297%2C201&ssl=1 297w, https://i2.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Examples-of-daylight-simulation-in-DIVA-for-Rhino-The-picture-on-the-left-presents-a.png?resize=150%2C102&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px" />
<img width="259" height="194" src="https://dcsgroups.in/temp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/index.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/index.jpg?w=259&ssl=1 259w, https://i1.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/index.jpg?resize=129%2C97&ssl=1 129w, https://i1.wp.com/www.firstgreen.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/index.jpg?resize=150%2C112&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 259px) 100vw, 259px" />