--- title: Electric Lighting in Revit and Enscape Explained description: To create accurate electric (artificial) lighting using Revit and Enscape, first, you need to understand how lighting works. Read this post to learn more. image: https://blog.chaos.com/hubfs/2022/Blog/Lighting%20in%20Revit%20and%20Enscape%20Example%20Custom%20Lighting.jpg --- [Chaos Logo](https://blog.chaos.com/) - Products - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape) - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray) - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona) - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras) - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits) - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender) - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena) - Industry solutions - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub) - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students) - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators) - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions) - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture) - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization) - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design) - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning) - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising) - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive) - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games) - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design) - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers) - Learning & Community - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning) - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/) - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect) - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery) - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/) - Support - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us) - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us) - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) [Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - Products - [Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape) - [V-Ray](https://www.chaos.com/vray) - [Corona](https://www.chaos.com/corona) - [Veras](https://chaos.com/veras) - [Cloud](https://chaos.com/credits) - [V-Ray Blender](https://www.chaos.com/vray/blender) - [Arena](https://www.chaos.com/arena) - Industry solutions - [Education](https://www.chaos.com/education/educational-hub) - [Student](https://www.chaos.com/students) - [Educator](https://www.chaos.com/educators) - [Institutions](https://www.chaos.com/educational-institutions) - [Architectural design](https://www.chaos.com/architecture) - [Architectural visualization](https://www.chaos.com/architectural-visualization) - [Interior design](https://www.chaos.com/interior-design) - [Landscape rendering](https://www.chaos.com/landscape-architecture) - [Urban planning](https://www.chaos.com/urban-planning) - [Film and television VFX](https://www.chaos.com/film-vfx) - [Virtual production](https://www.chaos.com/virtual-production) - [Advertising](https://www.chaos.com/advertising) - [Automotive](https://www.chaos.com/automotive) - [Games](https://www.chaos.com/games) - [Product design](https://www.chaos.com/product-design) - [Software development](https://www.chaos.com/developers) - Learning & Community - [Learning](https://chaos.com/learning) - [Chaos Academy](https://academy.chaos.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.chaos.com/) - [CGconnect](https://chaos.com/cgconnect) - [Gallery](https://chaos.com/gallery) - [Forum](https://forums.chaos.com/) - Support - [Contact Support](https://chaos.com/contact-us) - [Help Center](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us) - [FAQ](https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/categories/360003671518-FAQ) - [Documentation](https://documentation.chaos.com/) - [Pricing](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) - English - [Deutsch](https://blog.chaos.com/de/elektrische-beleuchtung-in-revit-und-enscape) [Try](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) [Buy](https://www.chaos.com/pricing) [\< All Blog Posts](https://blog.chaos.com) Dan Stine Last updated: December 19, 2025  •  7 min read # Electric Lighting in Revit and Enscape Explained Lighting plays a key role in making architectural visuals feel vibrant and immersive. This article focuses on mastering electric lighting (which means artificial lighting) in Revit and Enscape. It underscores how lighting choices influence mood and perception and shows how the same realistic lighting techniques apply across platforms like SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, and Vectorworks. Featuring real-world context from Lake|Flato’s workflow and their project work, it highlights how effective lighting—both natural and electric—can inform better design decisions and enhance presentation in Enscape. --- In architecture, lighting is one of the most important design elements to get right. Whether natural or electric, proper lighting can make a space more vibrant and mentally stimulating. Therefore, lighting should be analyzed as much as possible during the design stages of a project. This post will focus on developing accurate electric lighting (aka artificial lighting) using [Revit and Enscape](https://www.chaos.com/enscape/revit-rendering). Although this covers lighting in Revit, the same results (in Enscape) are also possible in the other supported design platforms; SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, Vectorworks. At [Lake|Flato](https://www.lakeflato.com/), we consider lighting in many ways, including: - Visualize daylight and shadows: Revit/SketchUp/Rhino + Enscape - Visualize electric lighting: Enscape - Visualize light in VR: Enscape - Analyze annual daylight (UDI, sDA, ASE): Rhino + Climate Studio - Analyze electric lighting: Revit + ElumTools - Physical analysis: building models in our shop The image below, of the AIA COTE 2020 award-winning [Austin Central Library](https://www.lakeflato.com/civiccultural/austin-central-library), in Austin, Texas, USA, shows many of these techniques employed during design and construction. Austin Central Library design by Lake|Flato I have been involved in various aspects of lighting design and analysis for several years. Currently, I am the chair of the national [Illuminating Engineering Society](https://www.ies.org/)(IES) committee on BIM Standards. You can learn more in this BIM Chapters blog post: [IES BIM Standards Committee](https://bimchapters.blogspot.com/2021/02/ies-bim-committee-new-member.html). The IES seeks to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public. **Illuminating Engineering Society (mission statement)** Table of contents 1. [Revit light source types](https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape#revit-light) 2. [Analysis-ready lighting fixtures](https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape#analysis-ready-lighting) 3. [Free Enscape IES sample file](https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape#free-enscape) 4. [Generic light sources](https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape#generic-light-source) 5. [Emissive light sources](https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape#emissive-light) 6. [Additional reading](https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape#additional) ## Revit light source types There are two types of light sources possible within a Revit family: generic and photometric. For generic, there are three light distribution types: sphere, hemispherical, and spot. These options are not based on any real-world lighting fixture. Early in a project, these may be used to imply electric lighting, but in most cases would ideally give way to a more accurate option defined next. For photometric, the light source is mathematically defined based on light distribution as measured from an actual lighting fixture in a lab. The resultant definition is captured in an IES file. Revit can host these files and use them to define the light source within a lighting fixture family. The following image is a section within Revit, with the lighting fixture’s Light Source sub-category turned on. Notice two fixtures have a photometric web (green checkmark), and two have a generic (red x) light source associated with them. Families with a photometric web will have a unique light source shape that describes the fixture's actual distribution. Photometric [IES files](https://blog.chaos.com/top-visualization-tools?hsLang=en) are available from most lighting fixture manufacturers. Either from their website or by request to one of their product representatives. It should be pointed out that there may be many IES options for the same catalog item based on an array of options. For example, lens options, power, LED count, color temperature, and more. TIP: Once an IES file has been imported into a Revit family, the original file is no longer needed as the data is now embedded into the family. Autodesk provides a folder with sample IES files, mainly for testing by new users, which should never be used. They are outdated and do not correlate to any contemporary lighting fixture available on the market. Revit section with light sources visible ## Analysis-ready lighting fixtures The possibility of point-by-point illuminance calculations is an added benefit to developing Revit content to use accurate photometry. While Enscape cannot do this type of analysis, it can be helpful to appreciate what this means. Thus, I will share a workflow I use to verify light levels are correct for a given space and activity. This example will use a professional lighting analysis add-in for Revit, called [ElumTools](https://lightinganalysts.com/software-products/elumtools/overview/) by Lighting Analysis, Inc. Let’s look at the art wall example from the previous section. The second image below shows a partial section of a product specification, indicating the expected light levels in foot candles for various positions and angles. Cutaway view highlighting light fixture Lighting fixture specifications example Within the ElumTools Luminaire Manager, notice the information listed on the right, which was extracted from the photometric IES file; including lamp count, total lumens, color temperature, etc. ElumTools Luminaire Manager Finally, after reviewing surface reflectance values, a calculation is run, and the results are presented, as shown in the following image. Notice the meter readings in the center are 48 and 51 FC, which matches the manufacturer’s literature. ElumTools calculated results Here is an example of this lighting fixture family and the proper light source definition selected. It is important that the light source is positioned/aimed/rotated properly. The Emit from Shape option is not as critical as the Light distribution option, but you typically pick the one that matches your fixture and adjust the dimensions in properties. Light source definition example in Revit family Unfortunately, Revit does not extract the Initial Color (i.e., color temperature) or Initial Intensity from the IES file (like ElumTools did). It is important to set these manually so that they look correct in Enscape. The default values for a new lighting fixture family are not very bright, and the color is too yellow. This will have a negative effect on the overall quality of your Enscape rendering. The following image shows the settings adjusted to match the data shown in the ElumTools image above (color temp and total lumens). Revit family properties within the project environment Here is an example of how this fixture looks in Enscape. The time of day has been sent to nighttime to emphasize the electric lighting. Tip: For SketchUp users, you can load an IES profile via the Enscape objects window by clicking Load IES profile (for specific tips on lighting in SketchUp, see [Enscape Best Practices: Lighting In SketchUp](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-lighting-in-sketchup?hsLang=en)). Rendered example within Enscape ## Free Enscape IES sample file To demonstrate the many results possible with IES files associated with Revit families, you can download the free Revit sample file from Enscape via this link [IES Light Gallery](https://enscape3d.com/downloadable/SampleProjects/Revit/Enscape_IESGallery.zip) (19 MB zipped Revit file). Notice, in the image below, that the same three recessed lighting fixture families look completely different based on the IES file applied. Comparing three IES files ## Electric lighting always on in Enscape Lighting is always on within Enscape. During daytime hours, electric lighting may appear off or washed out due to Enscape’s automatic exposure system. However, using Enscape’s Artificial Light Brightness slider, we can overpower these lights to make them stand out more. Notice the difference between the default setting and then maxing out the intensity. Adjusted artificial light brightness in Enscape ## Generic light sources For custom lighting fixtures or something that uses a simple light bulb, the generic light sources are used to define the light source in Revit. In the image below, notice the simple lightbulbs within a glass dome. Notice Enscape is reflecting the light sources in the window glass beyond… which is a good reason to avoid trying to add this effect manually in post-processing (i.e. Photoshop). Custom light fixture with generic light source. Image courtesy of Lake|Flato Since Revit only allows a single light source to be defined directly within a Revit family, the use of nested families is required for this example. This makes editing the light source information, intensity, and color more challenging as the nested family must be opened and edited. Custom light fixture with multiple light sources defined with nested families     The following image highlights the Light Source Definition settings and the material definition for the glass dome. Nested light source family details   ## Emissive light sources For any light source in Revit, the actual source is not automatically illuminated to indicate where the light is coming from. Thus, applying an emissive material, aka self-illuminating, will help for things like an exposed bulb, lens, or lampshade. The previous generic light source example also uses an emissive material for the lightbulb geometry. If the glass dome were frosted, it may not be necessary to add the lightbulb geometry. It may not even be necessary to add the light source as self-illuminating materials not only appear to be a light source, they actually are a light source. The next two images show the same light fixture with two Luminance levels selected for the self-illumination. Since this glass dome is not fully enclosed, it is still helpful to have the light source defined within it. Custom light fixture dome with ‘dim glow’ illuminance. Image courtesy of Lake|Flato   Custom light fixture dome with ‘Lamp Shade’ illuminance. Image courtesy of Lake|Flato ## Additional reading Check out this Enscape blog post: [Best Practices for Emissive Materials in SketchUp](https://blog.enscape3d.com/best-practices-for-emissive-materials-in-sketchup?hsLang=en) On a somewhat related note, you may find this post interesting: [Calculating Light Levels for LED Strip Lights in ElumTools](https://bimchapters.blogspot.com/2020/12/calculating-light-levels-for-led-strip.html). ## Conclusion There are many ways to improve the [realism of an Enscape rendering](https://blog.chaos.com/7-essential-steps-to-creating-realistic-renderings?hsLang=en), including accurate [grass](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-grass-in-architectural-design?hsLang=en), [glass](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-glass-in-architectural-design/?hsLang=en), [assets](https://blog.chaos.com/best-practices-asset-library?hsLang=en), and even electric lighting described in this post. Each of these items are not particularly difficult to implement but can produce incredible results. These improved images will certainly impress your clients and project stakeholders.   ### Ready to try Chaos products? Start your free trial today and explore all features. [Start Free Trial](https://www.chaos.com/free-trial) Share [mailto:?subject=Electric%20Lighting%20in%20Revit%20and%20Enscape%20Explained&body=Electric%20Lighting%20in%20Revit%20and%20Enscape%20Explained%20https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape](mailto:?subject=Electric%20Lighting%20in%20Revit%20and%20Enscape%20Explained&body=Electric%20Lighting%20in%20Revit%20and%20Enscape%20Explained%20https://blog.chaos.com/electric-lighting-in-revit-and-enscape) [Enscape Tips](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/enscape-tips) [Revit](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/revit) [Lighting](https://blog.chaos.com/tag/lighting) Dan Stine Dan is an author, blogger, educator, design technologist and Wisconsin-registered architect. He is the Director of Design Technology at Lake | Flato architects in San Antonio, Texas. Connect with Dan on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/danstinemn/). [bimchapters.blogspot.com](https://bimchapters.blogspot.com/) ## Related Articles ### [September 7, 2026 Exterior Architectural Rendering: Lighting Setups That Make Buildings Read Correctly Andreea Lipan  •  16 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/exterior-architectural-rendering-lighting-setups?hsLang=en) ### [September 3, 2026 From CAD Model to Finished Render: How Architectural Rendering Actually Works Teodora Mircheva  •  9 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/cad-rendering-workflow-architecture?hsLang=en) ### [July 29, 2026 Veras 4.7 is now available: Edit videos with Gemini Omni Benjamin Guler  •  3 min read Read more](https://blog.chaos.com/veras-4.7?hsLang=en) [Visit the blog for more articles](https://blog.chaos.com) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Get the best tips and articles delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletter. Learn all about the latest news, company updates and recommended content, cherry-picked for you. 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