Of the many aspects involved in the design of an environmentally sound, energy-efficient and sustainable building, the use of LEDs is one of the easiest to implement physically. However, many designers and architects still haven't seen the light when it comes to LED technology.

CHICAGO - Of the many aspects involved in the design of an environmentally sound, energy-efficient and sustainable building, the use of LEDs is one of the easiest to implement physically. However, many designers and architects still haven't seen the light when it comes to LED technology.

As bad as the pun may be, in most cases it is the literal truth. While architects and designers give many reasons - ranging from not knowing the standards to not being sure how to specify LEDs - it all comes down to wanting to know how the LED light will interact with and enhance the spaces they design. Seeing an LED luminaire on a showroom floor gives only a limited idea of how the light will look in the designed space - poor mental visualization skills and an unfortunate light choice can be costly.

3D designers have seen this lack of vision as an opportunity to create renderings which are lit by LEDs. This is done by photo-realistically rendering out a space and then placing the ies information (photometric information which can be read by some 3D software) given to them through lighting companies' Web sites into the scene. This helps the architect or designer “see” the ambience of the space and convey that feel to their clients. It also helps lighting experts explain why they made the choices they did in a very simple manner, without having to go into hard-to-translate technical detail. The great thing about a 3D rendering is it gives the designer or architect and their client the chance to achieve the same vision for the project before changes become physical and expensive.

3D visualizers are hoping that these images will turn into sales for both the architect and the lighting companies, not to mention advancing green building. For more information, visitinfo@studiorendering.