Synopsys announces new version of LightTools illumination design and analysis software

Synopsys, Inc. has made available an enhancements to its LightTools illumination design and analysis software. The LightTools version 7.1 is targeted to deliver new analytical capabilities that speed the development of luminaires, particularly for general lighting and automotive applications.

"With version 7.1, LightTools continues to deliver significant new enhancements to assist designers in visualizing and optimizing luminaire performance," said George Bayz, vice president and general manager of the Optical Solutions Group at Synopsys. "Powerful new analysis features, combined with a more flexible user interface, will help accelerate the process of validating a system's color quality, light distribution and other key performance metrics."

LightTools 7.1 supports IES photometry types A and B for orienting intensity data for both far-field and surface receivers. This simplifies the analysis of sources with non-rotationally symmetric output, such as automotive headlamps, tail lamps and interior lighting. LightTools 7.1 also contains a utility for automatically generating photometric reports in the standardized IES format.
The new analysis feature in LightTools 7.1 allows users to superimpose illuminance data on any user-defined plane in the 3D model.
A new CIE color difference capability provides a mechanism for calculating and optimizing spatial or angular color differences in a system. This analysis aids designers targeting even color distribution across an entire display, for applications such as flat panel displays and projectors to display backlights and LED-based luminaires.
The new improvements to the user interface in LightTools 7.1 provide new ways to organize and maximize desktop workspace. 3D design views and analysis charts can be presented in tabbed or floating windows thus giving the users the flexibility to make a 3D view as large as desired while still having rapid access to other windows via tabs.

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