DESIGNER’S TOOLS

I-Valo provides designers with a comprehensive range of file formats for use in designing. These objects speed up and facilitate the planning of rooms and help to observe their functional characteristics.

BIM objects

BIM or Building Information Modeling refers to information models related to construction. BIM objects are so much more than simply 3D models. They can contain information about the dimensions, materials, technical specifications of objects, related costs, schedules and even information needed for maintenance. The information is linked to the object and can be updated and shared in real time between various stakeholders, such as designers, builders and maintenance operators.

BIM objects facilitate project management, designing and construction, because the objects facilitate sharing accurate information and cooperation between parties. They can also help detect potential problems as well as optimize designing and building processes. Use of BIM objects is becoming increasingly widespread in construction projects around the world, contributing to improved efficiency and lower occurrence of errors.

BIM objects not only facilitate designing, but are also useful when the building is completed, such as with lighting maintenance. All the required information is available in the BIM object.

The majority of I-Valo products have ready Revit files (.rfa) for use in data modelling. The basic requirement of a BIM object is the light weight of the file. We have taken this into account in producing the models and have simplified these to make the use of the model as smooth as possible. Too heavy objects are slow and make it difficult to load the project.

Files can be executed at different levels of precision, i.e. LOD levels (Level of Development). There are six levels: LOD 100, LOD 200, LOD 300, LOD 350, LOD 400 and LOD 500. At LOD 100 level, the geometry, such as the shape, size or exact location of the object is not presented. The files offered by I-Valo are mainly LOD 350. LOD 350 is very detailed and accurate in terms of geometry and includes full product details.

DWG files

A DWG file (AutoCAD Drawing) is a file format that is mainly used in AutoCAD software and other CAD (Computer-Aided Design) related programs. A DWG file contains a 2D or 3D drawing or model that may contain various geometric shapes, textures, and other data related to drawing.

AutoCAD is one of the most popular CAD software, and DWG is a file format developed by it. DWG files make it possible to create and share accurate technical drawings, designs, and models among engineers, architects, designers, and other professionals. DWG files can also be used with other CAD software; however, it is important to verify compatibility between different software, as DWG file versions may vary.

STEP and STP files

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) files are intended for creating, editing and sharing 3D models in different CAD/CAM programs. It is a standardized file format that makes sharing models much easier. The STEP file is most commonly used with architectural, mechanical engineering and manufacturing designs.

ULD files

ULD files are used in the lighting design program DIALux, which is available free of charge. In addition to the light distribution, the file contains a simplified 3D model of the lighting fixture. The file also contains the product image printed on the calculation and the technical data of the luminaire.

LDT files

LDT files are used in lighting design programs. The file contains the light distribution file of the luminaire (Eulumdat Formatted Luminaire Data File), but not the 3D model of the luminaire.