FAQ

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about DIALux

What is DIALux?
DIALux is a comprehensive planning tool that provides you with all the necessary functions for professional lighting design free of charge. With DIALux you can calculate and visualize lighting for indoor and outdoor areas. From entire buildings and individual rooms, to parking spaces and road lighting, with artificial lighting, daylight and emergency lighting. DIALux supports you in verifying regional or international standards and helps you to document this verification. Learn more about the capabilities of DIALux here.

What is the latest version of DIALux?
The latest version is DIALux evo 11.0 Patch 4 (5.11.0.63836 released 2023-01-25). Learn what’s new in DIALux evo 11.0. You can find a detailed version history here.

Is DIALux really a free software?
DIALux is free of charge for users. Anyone can use DIALux for personal, educational and commercial purposes. Luminaire manufacturers can present their brand in DIALux and offer detailed product data for planning. To do so, manufacturers need to buy a DIALux membership and these membership fees fund the development of the DIALux software. Additionally, since 2020, we also sell extensions/add-ons for DIALux to users by subscription. Learn more about our business model here.

What is a DIALux ID and where can I register?
Starting with DIALux evo 11, you need a user account to log in when starting the software, your DIALux ID. Registration is possible directly in DIALux. It is done rapidly and, of course, free of charge. With your DIALux ID, you will also be able to use other DIALux services in the future, such as the DIALux Community, our user support or Lightshift. More information about the DIALux ID is available here.

If you have already tested or subscribed to a DIALux Pro Feature or registered at my.dialux.com, you can continue to use these login credentials. They simply become your DIALux ID without you having to do anything.

Where can I get luminaire data for planning in DIALux?
We cooperate with all leading brands in the lighting industry. You can download their catalogues here to use the products in DIALux. DIALux is open to standard photometric file formats like EULUMDAT *.ldt or *.ies. You can support DIALux by using products and data from DIALux members. Learn more about our business model here.

What are the hardware requirements for DIALux evo?
As DIALux evo is a 3D CAD application, you benefit from a powerful multi-core CPU and graphics card and a sufficiently large main memory (RAM). The RAM should be at least 4 GB, we recommend 8 to 16 GB for the professional use. Your graphics card should support OpenGL 3.2 and a large memory is also useful here: at least 1 GB, 2 GB+ is recommended. Furthermore, your graphics card should have "own memory" and not use a "shared memory". In our experience, there are often problems with (new) drivers of Intel graphics cards so we recommend a graphics card from Nvdia or AMD. Please hold your drivers as up-to-date as possible. DIALux evo runs in 64 Bit on Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Is it possible to run DIALux evo on a Mac?
We develop DIALux evo for Windows environments and have currently no plans to provide a Mac version in the future. We know that it is possible to run DIALux evo on a Mac by using virtualization software such as Parallels or Fusion. Check out Google and you will find some first-hand information from users who have successfully done so. Please understand that we do not provide support for problems on Mac systems.

In which languages can I use DIALux evo?
DIALux supports the following languages for GUI and documentation: Čeština, Dansk, Deutsch, Eesti, English (UK/US), Español, Français, Italiano, Magyar, Nederlands, Norsk, Polski, Português, Română, Slovenščina, Suomi, Svenska, Türkçe, Ukrainian, Ελληνικά, русский, 한국어, 简体中文, 繁體中文, 日本語.

Which regional and international standards does DIALux evo support?

I have been working with a different lighting design software. Is it hard to switch to DIALux?
Welcome and good to have you here! If you’ve been working with RELUX or AGi32 switching to DIALux is easy and you won’t regret this step, promised! Of course, you will have to get used to it because DIALux, for example, works with entire buildings and is not limited to individual rooms like Relux. Of course, this seems complicated at first, but the mental leap is quickly mastered.
Also, we have a very vibrant and active community around DIALux, which you can access on Facebook, Linkedin or Instagram. At Youtube you can find our DIALux channel and many users around the world providing you with tutorials and a helping hand. If you are completely stuck and need help fast contact our support team at any time. For free, of course.
And an online course is a thousand times better than any PDF manual: A good start is our Free DIALux Basic Course in which Ariane explains a complete planning workflow in DIALux and offers you a lot of learning material such as example projects to download, so you don’t have to start from scratch and can get to know the capabilities of DIALux quickly and easily.

Can I still use DIALux 4.13?
Sure, you can. However, we strongly recommend using DIALux evo. As the successor to DIALux 4, DIALux evo offers a lot more features, a more convenient interface and uses the latest technology. DIALux 4 is technically outdated; it was limited to single rooms and therefore unsuitable for contemporary BIM workflows. The calculation of DIALux 4 is based on outdated standards. We do not maintain the version any further. We also do not offer DIALux 4 for download any longer. Please also keep in mind that Microsoft gradually phases out the Windows versions supported by DIALux 4.

Is it possible to import DIALux 4 projects (*.dlx) into DIALux evo?
Yes, but you can only import interior scenes to DIALux evo created with DIALux 4 from version 4.12 onwards. Unfortunately, it is not possible to import outdoor scenes. In addition, a room-based design from DIALux 4 cannot be converted properly into a building during import. As before, it will be composed of simple objects. Likewise, calculation results may differ because DIALux 4 is working with outdated standards and calculation surfaces or value specifications may have changed.

How do I archive DIALux 4 projects for future reference?
Our recommendations: Create a comprehensive documentation of the project as a PDF with all important views, plans and values. Make sure that you store any luminaire data (e.g. ULDs), textures or 3D objects that you have used in the project as well. You may also export the geometry as an *.STF file. This way you have your results fixed and a good basis if you have to rebuild the project in DIALux evo.

Is there any material available to help me switch from DIALux 4?
Don’t worry: DIALux evo is much more powerful than DIALux 4 and is easy to use. Of course, the interface and the workflow will be unfamiliar to you if you have worked with DIALux 4 up to now. In 2020 we offered a webinar you can still watch on YouTube: DIALux evo for DIALux 4 users. If you need a detailed introduction to DIALux evo, you can find a free, multi-part DIALux basic course on our website that explains the complete workflow: Free DIALux Basic Course.

But, DIALux evo does not support sports lighting, right?
Yes and no. With the current version of DIALux evo, most of the calculation surfaces required for sports lighting can be created, with the exception of running tracks. You can also calculate camera-oriented illuminance. So there is no reason to stay with DIALux 4. DIALux evo is to support sports lighting even more in the future, of course, but no specific extension is planned at present.

What exactly are DIALux Pro Features?
With DIALux evo 9, we have introduced extensions/add-ons to DIALux for special users or applications, so-called "DIALux Pro Features". These allow, for example, workflows for large planning departments to be optimised by tailoring DIALux documentations 100% to the corporate design of the company. Or users can export their documentation from DIALux directly into different file formats, which saves them a lot of time and digital paperwork. The DIALux Pro Features are available in a monthly subscription. You pick what you need. Learn more about DIALux Pro Features here.

What do I need to consider before using DIALux Pro Features?
To use DIALux Pro Features you need an installation of the latest DIALux evo version, DIALux evo 9.2 or higher, and an internet connection. Please note that it is not possible to use DIALux Pro Features on virtual machines. You need to register at my.dialux.com to purchase a subscription. But don't worry: you can do that right before the checkout process. Our offer is directed exclusively to commercial customers.

How can I pay for my subscription?
You can either pay for your subscription with your credit card (American Express, Mastercard, Visa) or via a SEPA direct debit mandate.

How can I manage my subscription?
Please login to your account at my.dialux.com. There you can manage your licences and contracts, make or cancel subscriptions for yourself or team members.

How can I cancel my subscription?
Don't worry: we won't hide this from you. You can easily cancel your subscription. Please login to your account at my.dialux.com. Access your licences and contracts. Here you can find all licenses assigned to you and also the options to edit or cancel them separately.

I cannot activate my free 14-day trial. What is wrong?
Please keep in mind that you can sign up for only one free 14-day trial of each Pro Feature. If you are not sure whether you have already had a trial, please check your profile on my.dialux.com. If you have never had one in the past and are still having problems signing up, please contact our support.