Experimental Validation of Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2009 and Daysim 3.0

This report compares daylight simulation results generated with two simulation programs, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2009 software (3ds Max Design) and Daysim 3.0 (Daysim), to real indoor illuminance measurements in a sidelit space. The sidelit space was in a single location, but was configured with five fenestration and glazing options, and operated under a variety of sky conditions. The measurements form a set of five ‘daylighting test cases’ to evaluate the simulation capabilities and limitations of different daylight simulation programs. Both 3ds Max and Daysim were given external direct and diffuse irradiances as simulation input, from which the programs predicted indoor illuminances on a grid of upward facing work plane sensors and downward facing ceiling sensors.

• 3ds_Max_Design_Exposure_Validation.pdf6 MB