The "new" DIALux Pro also marks a significant business model shift. While DIALux remains free for basic versions, the "Pro" tier has moved to a subscription-based license. This change has been met with mixed reactions, but it brings tangible benefits: users gain access to priority technical support, cloud storage for collaborative projects, and continuous, automatic updates without waiting for major version releases. For firms, this subscription model transforms the software from a capital expense into an operational one, with predictable annual costs.
While DIALux is independent software, it supports plugins from over 150 lighting manufacturers (e.g., Philips, Zumtobel, ERCO, Osram). Designers can download specific luminaire data (LDT and IES files) directly within the software via the DIALux community.
Beyond visualization, the core of DIALux Pro remains its scientific calculation accuracy. The new version introduces a multi-threaded calculation engine that can handle complex geometries and millions of calculation points with unprecedented speed. It natively supports the latest standards from the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE). Critically, the software expands its analysis beyond traditional metrics like illuminance (lux) and uniformity. It now includes robust tools for:
Dialux GmbH has already hinted at features for the next point release (v15.2):
The current Dialux Pro new release is the foundation for these innovations.
DIALux evo is free. The core software is available for download at no cost. It is funded by the lighting manufacturers who pay to have their luminaire plugins and logos integrated into the software ecosystem.
DIALux Pro (Premium Features): In recent updates, DIALux has introduced DIALux Pro, a paid subscription service for professional users. This tier offers:
No software is perfect. Here is what early adopters of Dialux Pro new complain about:
DIALux evo includes a powerful rendering engine that produces photorealistic images and videos. This allows designers to present the mood and atmosphere of a lighting concept to clients before installation. Features include: