AGi32 Photometric Study Guide: What It Is, What It Includes, and Why It's Required

An engineering reference for facility designers, electrical engineers, athletic directors, and procurement teams specifying LED sports lighting photometric studies. Covers what AGi32 modeling produces, what deliverables to demand, and how to evaluate a stamped photometric study.

An AGi32 photometric study is the engineering proof that a sports lighting design will perform as specified. It’s the document that validates foot-candle delivery, uniformity ratios, glare rating, vertical illuminance, and property-line spill before fixtures are purchased and poles are erected. Specifying a stamped AGi32 study in the bid is the difference between a validated design and an unverified guess.

What AGi32 Is

AGi32 is the leading commercial photometric design software for outdoor lighting projects. It models a 3D site geometry (poles, fixtures, playing surface, surrounding structures, property boundaries) and calculates illuminance at any specified point or grid in the model. The output is a complete performance prediction of how the lighting system will behave once installed.

DIALux is the European equivalent and produces equivalent output. For US sports lighting projects, AGi32 is the de facto standard.

The Eight Required Deliverables of a Photometric Study

A photometric study missing any of these is incomplete. Bids that price a project without including all eight are mis-specifying the deliverable.

The Modeling Inputs

AGi32 modeling requires the following inputs to produce accurate output:

·Site geometry — exact playing surface dimensions, pole positions, surrounding structures (bleachers, dugouts, fences)

·Fixture photometric data — IES file from the manufacturer, validated against ANSI/IES test procedures

·Mounting heights — for each pole, including any variation across the layout

·Aiming angles — tilt and azimuth per fixture (or assumed targets to be solved for)

·Surface reflectance values — turf, dirt, ice, asphalt, hard court — affecting reflected light contribution

·Property boundary geometry — for spill calculation

·Viewing positions — for Glare Rating calculation

Inaccurate inputs produce inaccurate output. Verify site dimensions and existing fixture photometric data before modeling.

What a Compliant Photometric Study Looks Like

For an HS varsity baseball field (Class III, 6-pole layout, 36 fixtures):

·Horizontal grid — 10x10 ft grid spacing across infield and outfield, with average and minimum FC tabulated

·Vertical grids — at 30, 60, and 90 ft above playing surface, infield and outfield separately

·Uniformity — Max:Min and Avg:Min reported separately for infield and outfield

·Aiming diagram — numbered fixture-by-fixture sheet with tilt and azimuth, indexed to the pole layout

·GR map — at batter position, outfield positions, and any specified viewing positions

·Spill — vertical illuminance at every property boundary point

·BOM — 36 fixtures by model number, with CCT, wattage, and BUG rating

·Stamp — lighting design engineer’s seal on the cover sheet

This is the deliverable spec. Anything less is incomplete.

How to Spot an Inadequate Photometric Study

Red flags to watch for:

·No vertical illuminance grids (only horizontal)

·Foot-candle averages presented without point minimums

·Uniformity ratios not committed in writing

·No aiming diagram for the install crew

·No Glare Rating calculation

·No property-line spill calculation

·Bill of materials with model numbers different from the modeled fixtures

·No engineer’s stamp or signature

·Photometric data older than 5 years (IES files should be current)

·“Estimated” or “approximate” language in the deliverable

Pre-Bid vs Post-Award Photometric Studies

Some bidders provide pre-bid photometric studies; others promise to provide them after award. Pre-bid is significantly preferable because:

·The bid can be evaluated against quantitative performance, not just price

·The buyer can compare bids on photometric quality

·Mid-project performance gaps are exposed before commitment

·Permits can begin in parallel with bid evaluation

Demand pre-bid photometric studies whenever possible. Post-award studies expose the buyer to performance surprises after commitment.

Photometric Study Cost

Free photometric studies as part of the bid response are a meaningful differentiator. They reduce the buyer’s upfront cost and signal that the manufacturer stands behind the design.

Validating a Photometric Study Post-Install

After installation, the design should be verified against the photometric study with on-site measurements:

1.Foot-candle measurement at 10–20 grid points across the playing surface

2.Vertical illuminance measurement at appropriate heights

3.Property-line spill measurement at multiple boundary points

4.Comparison against modeled values; deviations >10% indicate fixture or aiming issues

Most utility custom rebate programs require this post-install verification step. It also serves as project acceptance documentation.

Specifying AGi32 in a Bid

Standard language:

“Bid response shall include a stamped AGi32 (or DIALux) photometric study including: (1) horizontal illuminance grid; (2) vertical illuminance grids at sport-appropriate heights; (3) uniformity ratios (Max:Min and Avg:Min) committed in writing; (4) aiming diagram with tilt and azimuth per fixture; (5) Glare Rating calculation per ANSI/IES at all primary viewing positions; (6) property-line spill calculation; (7) bill of materials matched 1:1 to modeled fixtures; (8) engineer’s stamp and signature. Photometric data shall be current IES files (within 5 years) for the specified fixture model.”

For sport-specific photometric considerations, see Vertical Illuminance Modeling, Uniformity Ratio Calculation, and Photometric Compliance Validation. For broader IES standards, see IES RP-6 Sports Lighting Standards.

Need an AGi32 photometric study? Request a free 24–48 hour AGi32 photometric study with full deliverable package →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AGi32 photometric study?

AGi32 is the leading commercial photometric design software for outdoor lighting. An AGi32 photometric study models the 3D site geometry, fixture photometric data, mounting heights, aiming angles, and surface reflectance to predict foot-candle delivery, uniformity ratios, glare, vertical illuminance, and property-line spill. It’s the engineering proof that a sports lighting design will perform as specified.

What should a sports lighting photometric study include?

Eight required deliverables: horizontal illuminance grid, vertical illuminance grids at sport-appropriate heights, uniformity ratios (Max:Min and Avg:Min) committed in writing, aiming diagram with tilt and azimuth per fixture, Glare Rating calculation per ANSI/IES, property-line spill calculation, bill of materials matched 1:1 to modeled fixtures, and an engineer’s stamp/signature.

How do I evaluate the quality of a photometric study?

Red flags include: no vertical illuminance grids, only horizontal; foot-candle averages without point minimums; uniformity ratios not committed in writing; no aiming diagram; no Glare Rating calculation; no property-line spill; bill of materials with model numbers different from modeled fixtures; no engineer’s stamp; photometric data older than 5 years; “estimated” or “approximate” language. A compliant study covers all eight required deliverables with stamped engineering documentation.

How much does a photometric study cost?

Standalone engineering consultants charge $2,500–$8,000. Most LED manufacturers charge $1,500–$5,000 separately. Duvon provides free 24–48 hour AGi32 photometric studies with every quote at no charge. Free pre-bid photometric studies materially differentiate manufacturer responses and signal that the manufacturer stands behind the design.

Should I demand a pre-bid or post-award photometric study?

Pre-bid is significantly preferable. Pre-bid photometric studies allow bid evaluation against quantitative performance (not just price), comparison of bids on photometric quality, exposure of mid-project performance gaps before commitment, and permitting in parallel with bid evaluation. Post-award studies expose the buyer to performance surprises after commitment.

How do I verify a photometric study post-install?

After installation, perform on-site measurements: foot-candle at 10–20 grid points across the playing surface; vertical illuminance at appropriate heights; property-line spill at multiple boundary points. Compare against modeled values; deviations >10% indicate fixture or aiming issues. Most utility custom rebate programs require this post-install verification, which also serves as project acceptance documentation.