Family data guide

Parameters in a Revit lighting family made from IES

BIMMER uses the IES file for photometric distribution and available measured metadata, combines that with manufacturer-entered product identity and electrical fields, and writes the resulting data into the Revit lighting family. IES is not a complete product datasheet, so fields it does not authoritatively contain remain editable rather than being guessed.

, lighting-product designer and BIMMER developer Updated

Direct support status

InputDirectly accepted?Required action
IES photometric web and declared valuesYesParsed and validated where present in the file.
Manufacturer identity/product codeWith preparationReview or enter it before generation.
CAD geometry dimensionsWith preparationDerived from/imported geometry and checked against the product.
Unstated IP, finish, cut-out or warranty dataNoEnter authoritative catalogue values; BIMMER does not invent them.

The BIMMER workflow

  1. Validate the IES and identify which photometric/electrical values are actually declared for the tested luminaire.
  2. Review BIMMER’s extracted values, then enter authoritative manufacturer fields such as product code, description and other catalogue data.
  3. Generate the RFA and inspect Type Properties plus the photometric web in Revit.
  4. Schedule/tag the fields needed by specifiers, edit permitted values and re-issue when the source data changes.
Revit lighting family containing geometry, light source and editable data
The output must be checked in Revit Type Properties and schedules as well as visually. See the complete BIMMER tutorial.

What IES can authoritatively provide

An LM-63 file primarily provides the luminous-intensity distribution and supporting test metadata. Depending on the file, values such as lamp count, lumens and electrical information may be available. The exact content varies, so a robust workflow parses what is present and flags inconsistencies rather than assuming every laboratory writes the same optional fields.

What must come from the manufacturer

Product code, marketing description, finish, ingress protection, cut-out, mounting, warranty and other catalogue attributes are not reliably encoded in the photometric web. They should be entered from controlled product data. BIMMER keeps relevant fields editable so the family can reflect the authoritative catalogue without pretending the IES contains it.

Type data should remain usable

After generation, open Type Properties and confirm names, units and values. Test the fields in a schedule and tag. A family with many populated strings is not useful if the values are unverifiable, duplicated or impossible to maintain.

Common failures and what to change

IES values disagree with the latest datasheet.

Confirm the photometric file revision and product variant; replace the IES or correct the controlled source before re-issue.

Optional IES metadata is blank.

Do not fabricate it. Enter only manufacturer-authoritative product fields in the editable parameter step.

Units or parameter names confuse Revit schedules.

Review the generated Type Properties and schedule/tag behavior as part of the release checklist.

Questions manufacturers ask

Does IES contain the luminaire’s full product data?

No. It primarily contains photometry and related test metadata. Product identity, finish, IP rating and other catalogue fields must come from authoritative manufacturer data.

Can parameters be changed after conversion?

Relevant family/type fields remain editable. For a controlled catalogue, make the change in BIMMER’s source record and re-issue so the next RFA version stays traceable.

Primary references