17+ years · ★ 5.0 GoogleOver 17 years designing & supplying lighting · since 200965+ years' combined team experience★ 5.0 from 71 Google reviewsLondon & Bristol020 3773 7530

BIM, IES and LDT files: what specifiers need from a lighting supplier

By , 299 Lighting · Published · 5 min read

In short

Which digital files architects and lighting designers need for linear LED lighting: BIM objects, IES and LDT photometric files, and datasheets.

BIM, IES and LDT files: what specifiers need from a lighting supplier

Modern specification runs on data. Before a linear luminaire can be designed into a scheme, the design team needs the right digital files.

Photometric files: IES and LDT

IES (common in the UK and US) and LDT/EULUMDAT (common in Europe) describe exactly how a luminaire distributes light. They are loaded into lighting design software such as DIALux or Relux to calculate illuminance, uniformity and UGR.

BIM objects

BIM families place the luminaire in the building model with accurate geometry and data, so it can be coordinated with ceilings, structure and services and included in schedules.

Datasheets and installation guides

Datasheets confirm performance and options, and installation guides help contractors plan fixing, suspension and wiring.

What to ask for

  • Photometric files for the exact variant specified
  • BIM objects in the required format
  • Lighting calculations for your layout
  • Full specification text for the tender

We supply all of these for our linear systems. Request files.

Specifying a linear scheme?

Send us your drawings or brief. We'll come back with a shortlist, photometrics and LG7 calculations.

Start a project →

Frequently asked questions

What is an IES file?

A photometric data file describing how a luminaire distributes light, used in software such as DIALux and Relux for lighting calculations.

Do you provide BIM models for linear lighting?

Yes. 299 Lighting provides BIM models and photometric files for its linear systems.