My primary lighting rep is an LC and uses Visual exclusively. He doesn't use or is able to manipulate AGI drawings. Because he uses Visual Pro he is very adept at it and can send me very skilled drawings, however the drawings he sends I feel are lacking the detail that AGI32 provides. It seems to me that AGI32 is the gold standard in lighting design software and when I speak with other companies whether they are engineering firms or manufacturers we are able to speak the same language. AGI32 can do amazing things. I will never come close to doing all that AGI32 can do and it makes me sad to know that I will never do some of the cool things that AGI32 can do, but that is because of me, not because of AGI32!

When I first came to my present employer I was using Visual and quite happy with it. However my company used AGI32 exclusively so I had to start using it. It was easier than I had expected to learn to use it, and I am an old dog. New tricks are hard! My company sent me to the various training classes. Mostly I would be doing roadway lighting and so the training was most helpful. I also was able to take home the training materials for reference.

The only con to me, and this could be just me as I will never be more than a neophyte user is that much of the training material seems very convoluted and often times it is difficult to figure out who to do certain simple things. It's hard to give an example as the issues pop up as you are using them. But it seems to me that the issues I run into are simple problems that should have simple solutions and I hate to have to send an email to support for every small issue I run into. Also it would be nice if there was an easier way to contact support rather than having to send in a ticket and wait for a response. Often times it might be a simple problem that an advanced user can solve quickly and easily but then the user has to articulate the issue in an email and send it in and wait causing undue delays in their own work. This is in no way a knock on the support team, they are amazing. It just seems to me that a faster way of getting simple support could be created and if the issue is more complex, THEN a support ticket can be issued.

This tool helped me understand the physics of lighting and made me a better lighting designer. It was easy to select from several different fixtures and design to the best performance and not over-light or under-light an area. Using AGI32 helps me provide the best solution for my customer with the most efficient effort in my day.

AGI32 is the most versatile lighting program that I have used to develop accurate and difficult lighting designs that consider all environmental variables . This design tool can quickly calculate the lighting values on any required surface and take into account, daylighting, complex surfaces, and obstructions to generate calculations/renderings to provide a "real world" representation. Simple to hard areas are quickly built and manipulated without having to do major changes to the program. It is very intuitive to use and with regular use you can pick up more effective ways to do lighting design.

Depending on the size of the project and the complexity of the area, it requires a pretty powerful computer to run all the calculations. If using a typical computer you might have several minute delay from when you hit "calculate" to when they are completed. If you are running several different versions or making final changes this might require extra patience during the process.

I liked working in AGI32 environment, the ease of commands, rendering, navigation. I just wish that they would remain competitive in terms of pricing compared to the other lighting software that engineers use.

This software is so easy to use, nice rendering and you can be creative with it.

Noticed that the price is always increasing everytime we renew it. My manager might encourage me to use a different software down the road.

I have personally used AGI since the days of DOS , around 2000 I remember started training on the new windows version of the AGI program. I also took the training courses offered by Lighting Analysts to better my understanding of the intent and capabilities of the program, as I would need to actually use it in our daily operations of the company. Every few years we have to fight to keep the AGI as our primary photometric software with someone always trying to introduce some new software, or something we use in Europe into our US based company operations.

The program is straight forward and simple if you want to do simple things, yet has the ability to take it to a higher level if you need to be more detailed in your outputs. Both with presentation and calculation capabilities.

I do not have any real complaints of the software, but I do have issues with my hardware when I try to use the Adaptive Subdivision option, but I think it is more memory/hardware related.. at least that is my guess, but I am unable to do detailed renderings because of that as well.

The major solutions I've experienced is responding to the client with a visual representation of the real world appearance in a meaningful and easily understood way giving the client a better understanding of my proposed design such as when I am tasked with the design of a colored lighting effect on a major bridge such as the Pont Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, Canada. I have used AGI32 since it was first conceived and presented to me for use when I was first introduced to it in the Microsoft operating system in the early 1980s.

In setting up a project, I find that the capability for AGI32 to import both 2D and 3D models is a very time-saving feature. with the simplicity built in to the application, it saves a bundle of time in creating the model since it can be created in AutoCAD and directly imported with the necessary attributes already embedded in the AGI32 model.

Occasionally, I find that implementing a specific pole/fixture layout is not possible since the definition of the location of the fixture on the pole is limited. The height of the pole and the height of the fixture could be more effectively defined since I find many times in creating the model, my fixture height, mast arm length, and mounting arrangement, cannot be well defined such as when mounting a fixture on an arm at some distance below the top of the pole.

we are able to do comparative analysis , we are able to prove our product, we show our customer things that keep them out of hot water, like environmental issues, light trespass, municipality specifications, code requirements.

The feature that sits best with me is the support from the company. its fast , very helpful and hits the nail on the head when it comes to being the best in the industry.

nothing! yea the only limiting factor is the owners hardware

AGi is the primary software for my lighting design department, we deliver over 2,000 designs annually to our clients.

AGi is the best-in-class software to create accurate calculations of lighting designs. Well organized toolkits make it accessible for beginners, and the robust tools can handle complex architectural geometry to ensure the right amount of light exists in each space.

For very complex models, I want Revit-like navigation features to carve out sections of 3D space - the current 3D toolset is more limited. It would be helpful to have better import tools from Sketchup to capture the graphics of surfaces.

Miscommunication is minimalized by the clients being able to see their project in a model mode and all of the different lighting options (dim, aiming, grazing, color schemes, etc).

Being able to layout, design, render and deliver plans in a timely manner. When creating a delicate or intricate lighting job such as Art, Bldg renders, signage, etc., nothing is better than the finished product for all of the teams involved.

I don't care for the new upgrade AGi 20.2 definition toolbox. It's changed up and is more mundane to find the correct symbol configurations and to create tandem fixtures.

I have been a user of AGi32 for over 15 years. It has been great. I have learned so much and become a better designer with the use of this software.

Integrating renderings are easy to use. This program is multi-functional as I do work in the Roadway Lighting design industry too. I can complete all of my design calculations in one program.

The least ideal feature of this software is that all of the elements (drawing, calculation points, luminaires, and 3D models) cannot be moved all together. They have to be moved individually.

Extremely good. I am personally still running legacy software before subscription was available so some of my comments may have even been addressed in the more recent versions.

Easy learning curve, especially if you already are proficient in Autocad.

Importing 3d items from most of the softwares we use is not possible. The render environment is also difficult to get good, usable screenshots with the more complicated spaces. I.E. theaters

Since shifting my focus from a sales to design services to the rep, mfr., and distributor markets, AGi32 has given us an opportunity to provide a service to these respective industry channels whom often have limtied skills in using the software.

Having used AGi32 since 1995, I have found it a useful daily tool in imparting a better lighting performance story beyond the mere empirical.

My limited skills using ACAD sometimes handcuffs me in updating projects. This isn't necessarily an AGi32 issue, but easier integration (at least for me) would be useful.

Like I said above, I love AGi. I use it for simple room calculations, building calculations, site calculations (that is an important one). It does give me backup when trying to explain to a client that we need more light or have too much light.

I love AGi, I use it weekly, if not daily at my job. I learned it in school and it has been valuable ever since. To me it is easy to use, but I have been using it for a long time. I rely on it for most of my projects.

My least favorite about AGi is sometimes it can be really slow importing things, it is not always intuitive (like when your Revit/CAD export is an advanced year) and the interface is pretty outdated, although so are many software products I use for electrical engineering. AGi looks the same as it did when I was in college, which on one hand is nice that it hasn't changed, but on the other hand I think it could use a facelift.

I have modeled every type of project I could imagine including simple parking lots, train paint facilities, roadways with bridges over rivers, exterior facades, offices, residences and creating an aurora effect in a medical facility corridor.

AGi32 is the industry standard for accurate modeling fixture performance in every type of application from stream culverts to multi-story buildings.

I wish some of the rendering features were more intuitive.

I love using and learning this software. I'm a manufacturing agent so being able to show my customers lighting is essential to my business.

Customer service/tech support is exceptional. They are quick to respond and explain in an understandable way. Software is easy to use and numerous trainings are available.

Sketch Up used to have an add-on to integrate with AGI32 but no longer does. Projects with numerous fixtures/lots of modeling bogs down AGI32.

I have been using this software from it's inception and have 12 full time employees using it everyday. It works.

This software will be obsolete soon. We live in a 64 bit world and this is a 32 bit program It is a struggle to get it to work many times without crashing. Elum Tools is a joke that has little to offer the normal agi user that has little or no revit knowledge nor the need to learn it.

Overall, it is a good program, and it helps my business to confidently recommend the products that I run calculations with in the program.

This is a valuable tool in lighting deign and specification. I like that it helps me to recommend lighting products and validate light levels.

The program does seem to have a fair amount of glitches, especially when new versions roll out. It sometimes gets frustrating when the program crashes and you have to spend a lot of time troubleshooting the issue.

Erg makkelijk mee te werken. Dus erg vriendelijk voor de gebruiker

Het leren werken met dit programma ging niet super soepel

AGI32 makes lighting design seamless. The Instabase makes finding many fixtures for your project easy. If a fixture is not there, it is also simple to pull the ies files from a manufacturer's website to add them to your project. Building rooms or buldings are also very easy.

After using the program for 20 years, all the things I would have listed as a "con" have been fixed.

Have been using Lighting Analysts since 1984 when [SENSITIVE CONTENT] and [SENSITIVE CONTENT] came to demonstrate their software (Point). My company purchased and the rest is history. Other manufacturer software is good but have their limitations.

with the option to import Google Earth for exterior is a game changer. When a bug is found in the software, a fix is quickly in the works.

No cons at this time. Software has performed as advertised.

I love the ease of use of importing CAD, pdf, and image files. And creating lighting families to use on future projects.

Since the latest version was implemented, I've experienced a lot of crashes. And file naming usually doesn't happen correctly. Otherwise the product is amazing!

I have been using this software for the lighting design requiring to meet challenging project specifications using specific luminaires for the applications such as roadways, tunnels and bridge lighting, sports lighting, building facade, garage and parking area lighting etc.

Easy to use, suitable for the all lighting applications, easy interface between CAD software, allow to create lighting report and presentation within the software.

I wish this software can allow more 3D CAD commends (within the software) for creating 3D models with lighting properties assigned which can be used in the lighting calculations.

the interface is good and calculations are most accurate its good.

more options to lay the model and easy the interface.

the key board shortcuts not present . and 3d modeling must a bit more realistic

Over the past 15 years, I have used AGi32 to analyze lighting solutions for a wide variety of building types. AGi32 has been an indispensable tool.

AGi32 has set the standard for complete and accurate lighting calculations for three decades. Luminaire data is easy to import and analyze from any industry standard photometric data format Room geometry can be created quickly and even traced from imported cad or PDF backgrounds. A variety of rendering options including pseudo color allow the results to be analyzed visually. Images of renderings are exported in standard image formats, and calculation results can be exported in CAD and Excel.

The modeling tools are limited and lag far behind 3D modeling software standards. It is difficult and awkward to model complex 3D geometry. The ability to import models from Sketchup is a saving grace, but individual surface properties still need to be set one at a time. The with button Icons are reminiscent of Windows 3.1 shareware programs from the 1990's.

I know that when I use AGi32 I will get the most accurate renderings of my calcs. I've used the program for over 10 years and rely on it daily.

One feature I'd like to see added is the ability to rotate a group of fixtures at one time.

Excellent

This is the best program to use for photometric calcs

Unfortunately it cant read your mind... At least not yet..lol