Raydirect Plug-In for Rayfront

How it Works

Technology

Raydirect is based on the mktis software by exergia. It makes it possible to integrate certain types of daylight redirection systems into simulations with Rayfront. This includes profile shaped geometries with mirroring or refracting surfaces. "Profile shaped" means that the cross section of the system doesn't change in one direction (usually horizontally).

Input Data

Mktis works on data that is prepared by other software (the Osim forward raytracer, not available for sale), based on the geometry and material properties of each system. This software determines the relation between the amount of incident and exiting light depending on the vertical angle of each ray. A data file is then created for each system, that informs Rayfront about its specific behaviour.

A number of system data files is included with Rayfront, more will be available for download free of cost in the future.

Output Data

Raydirect is applied to rectangular polygons in the model geometry. The original polygons will get replaced in two ways. Geometry representing the actual system (profiles or panel) will be inserted for direct viewing. This geometry will have a larger volume than the polygon (which has zero thickness) and will be arranged so that it is centered over the plane of the polygon. If the polygon was the outermost element in the bounding box of the octree, then this increase in volume will cause an error.

In addition to the system geometry, a polygon will be inserted a small distance away from it towards the inside of the room. This invisible polygon is responsible for the distribution of the light emitted by the system to the room.