Can You Convert Candela to Watt for Your Autocad Renderings?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on converting candela to watt for rendering in AutoCAD, specifically addressing the luminous intensity of light sources. A point light representing a bulb has a default intensity of 1500 candela, which translates to approximately 2.19 watts. To achieve the equivalent brightness of a standard 60-watt bulb, one would need around 41,095 candela. The relationship between candela and watt is defined by the formula where 1 candela equals 1/683 watt per steradian, emphasizing the importance of understanding solid angles in lighting calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of luminous intensity and its measurement in candela.
  • Familiarity with the concept of steradians and solid angles.
  • Basic knowledge of light bulb specifications, including lumens and wattage.
  • Experience with AutoCAD rendering techniques.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between lumens and candela for accurate lighting representation.
  • Learn about calculating solid angles in lighting design.
  • Explore the impact of heat loss on light output from incandescent bulbs.
  • Investigate AutoCAD lighting tools and settings for optimal rendering results.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for architects, lighting designers, and AutoCAD users who need to accurately represent lighting in their renderings, as well as anyone interested in the physics of light measurement and conversion.

nicolasmarie
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I am working on rendering in Autocad and I have came across light. A point light representing a bulb has intensity measured in candela, default value 1500 Cd. I want to represent a normal bulb of 60 watts used for a room. Is there a way to calculate Candela to Watt? Can anyody help me on this please?
 
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From the hyperphysics site http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/photom.html

The candela is the luminous intensity, in a given direction. of a source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 540 x 1012 hertz and that has a radiant intensity in that direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.

Also from hyperphysics,

lumpow.gif


http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/lumpow.html
 
Thanks. If I grasp something out of the definition, the candela is 1/683 of a watt through I totally have no idea about the steradian d even less concerning the lumens. 1500 candela is 2.19 watt i.e for 60 watts, i need 41095 candela. Am i correct?
 
The luminous intensity in candela units is 1/683 per steradian where the steradian is the solid angle of one radian from the illuminating source. So you'll need to find the solid angle depending on what area you are illuminating. Check out this image:

isqrr.gif


http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/vision/isql.html#c1

Note that a 60 watt light bulb doesn't give 60 watts of light; there is going to be a lot of loss from heat. The box for the Philips soft white 60watt bulb I have in my hand says it has a brightness of 860 lumens. That's the value you should be using.
 

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