The current lighting solutions, both in terms of design process and later implementation, are becoming more and more intelligent. It mainly arises from higher opportunities to use information technology (IT) processes for these purposes. Designs cover many aspects, from physiological to including technical. The paper describes the problems faced by any designers while creating, evaluating them, and presenting the final results of their work in a visualisation form. Development of virtual reality (VR) technology and augmented reality, which is now taking place before our eyes, makes us inclined to think how to use this reality in lighting technology. The article presents some examples of applying VR technology in various types of smart lighting designs, for interiors and outdoor objects. The performed computer simulations are compared to reality. Some surveys, in terms of visualization rendering, were carried out. In the article, the current capabilities and main limitations of virtual reality of lighting are discussed, as well as what can be expected in the future. The luminance analysis of the virtual reality display is carried out, which shows that this equipment can be used in lighting technology after the appropriate calibration. Moreover, an innovative lighting design system based on virtual reality is presented.

The paper presents the opportunities to apply computer graphics in an object floodlighting design process and in an analysis of object illumination. The course of object floodlighting design has been defined based on a virtual three-dimensional geometric model. The problems related to carrying out the analysis of lighting, calculating the average illuminance, luminance levels and determining the illuminated object surface area are also described. These parameters are directly tied with the calculations of the Floodlighting Utilisation Factor, and therefore, with the energy efficiency of the design as well as the aspects of light pollution of the natural environment. The paper shows how high an impact of the geometric model of the object has on the accuracy of photometric calculations. Very often the model contains the components that should not be taken into account in the photometric calculations. The research on what influence the purity of the geometric mesh of the illuminated object has on the obtained results is presented. It shows that the errors can be significant, but it is possible to optimise the 3D object model appropriately in order to receive the precise results. For the example object presented in this paper, removing the planes that do not constitute its external surface has caused a two-fold increase in the average illuminance and average luminance. This is dangerous because a designer who wants to achieve a specific average luminance level in their design without optimizing the model will obtain the luminance values that will actually be much higher.

The article describes a new author's method of floodlighting designing of architectural objects. The method is described and the advantages and limits are shown. The method allows to create a multivariate concept of illumination without the need of usage of complex visualization tools. It is based on projections on the real object of the 3D model or two-dimensional grid, the luminance distribution image. This distribution can be implemented by currently produced lighting equipment, as well as by the modification of this equipment or the new one, not produced yet or being in production phase. The luminance distribution is created by a lighting designer in real time. The image display is realized by system comprising a PC, computer application and a multimedia projector. The luminance distributions modified in application or new created, allow to generate a computer application photometric files. These files are the basis for selection from the lighting equipment base luminaires carrying out luminance distributions similar to the intended ones. It is also possible to design new luminaires, which fulfill required luminance distributions. The result of this method is complete technical documentation of lighting equipment used for the specific lighting solution.

This paper addresses issues with computer simulation involved in designing illumination for architectural structures. In particular, the reflectance and transmittance of materials were studied with respect to their influence on luminance values, thus directly the power levels for luminaires applied under particular projects. Raster images derived from digitally processed daytime pictures were used to precisely define material properties. Bitmaps were tested with regard to measuring and editing materials with a widely used graphic application. A real architectural object, the Basilica of the Dormition in Jerusalem, served as the test object. A floodlighting design was performed following a complete analysis of all electrical and photometric parameters. Luminance distributions were analysed comprehensively. Hence, the data allowed for an assessment of the lighting design compliance with guidance given by International Commission on Illumination (CIE) for floodlighting objects and its required standards. The floodlighting utilization factor of the lighting solution developed was also verified, as it is the input parameter for evaluating not only the energy efficiency for the installed lighting system, but also the impact it has on the surroundings, in this case, the project that is to be implemented.