System Settings

There are a number of behaviors which can be customized to your preferences in the System Settings dialog. You can access this area of the software from the Tools menu in the Viewer/Editor dialog. 



  1. Clone File Suffix - When creating clones of loaded files from the Factor Files tab, the suffix entered here is applied to each clone from 1 - n. You can change the file suffix if desired (even leave blank). We recommend that you do not omit the "{CloneNo}" portion of the suffix as this is what numbers the cloned files when more than one clone is made from a single file. 
  2. Copy File Suffix - When using the Create Copy of All Loaded Files command from the File menu the suffix of "_Copy" is appended to each file copy. Only one copy of each file is created. You can remove the suffix entirely (leave the field blank), or alternatively you can use the Save All Files to New Folder command from the file menu. 
  3. Smart Filename String - When renaming your files in the Factor Files or Keywords, Data & Calculated Metrics sections of the software you can use Photometric Power Tools ability to automatically construct a new filename using the rules established in this section of System Settings. Please see the Smart Filenames topic.
  4. Maximum Line Length - When saving your work all files are formatted to LM-63-2002 best practice with maximum line length of 255 characters. The new LM-63-2019 has eliminated this limitation, however, extend line length with caution. Some software may struggle with files using lines longer than 255 characters. You can enter a zero for an unlimited line length. This allows files using the [MORE] keyword applied to lines of more than 255 characters to be concatenated on a single line (see item 7 below). The normal formatting process on save operations is to apply the [MORE] keyword automatically when lines are broken. You can also shorten the line length if preferred. This could make files more legible on a mobile device for example. Some extremely old software may also expect a maximum line length of 132 characters. Recommendation: do not change the default setting of 255. 
  5. Factor Keyword - When files are factored/scaled using the Factor Files tab, you can optionally select and insert the [_FACTORED] keyword in the descriptive text of each affected file. You can change this keyword if your firm has been using something different. The response to that keyword will vary depending on how the factor was applied to the file. These responses are available for modification in items 5 and 6. 
  6. Absolute Photometry - Lumen Factoring - When the setting in the Factor Files tab is "Apply Lumen Factor to Multiplier" this keyword response will be used. You can change the text as desired but do not eliminate the {FACTOR} portion of the line. This lists the applied factor. If the setting in the Factor Files tab is "Apply Lumen Factor to Candela" this second keyword response will be used. You can change the text as desired but do not eliminate the {FACTOR} portion of the line.
  7. Relative Photometry - Lumen Factoring - When the setting in the Factor Files tab is "Apply Lumen Factor to Multiplier" this keyword response will be used. You can change the text as desired but do not eliminate the {FACTOR} portion of the line. This lists the applied factor. If the setting in the Factor Files tab is "Apply Lumen Factor to Candela" this second keyword response will be used. You can change the text as desired but do not eliminate the {FACTOR} portion of the line.
  8. Concatenate Keywords when Loaded into File Functions (Applies to keywords with [MORE])- When using any of the tabs that load keywords from the File Functions dialog you can elect to place the entire response to a keyword that is longer than 255 characters (uses [MORE]) on one line for easy editing.
  9. Convert Data to Calculate Photometric Type Specific Metrics (Type C or Type B) - When using the Keywords, Data and Calculated Metrics tab from the File Functions dialog to display metrics that are specific to a Photometric Type, selecting this checkbox will convert the file to the appropriate type transparently (not saved) to calculate the requested metrics. As an example: the metrics "NEMA Type (H x V)", "Beam (H x V)" and "Field (H x V)" are only calculated for Type B photometric files. With this box checked a Type C file could request these metrics and Photometric Power Tools will transparently convert the file in the background to provide this data.
  10. Size Units Type - Specifies what units Size Units are to be displayed in. Options are: As Defined (in photometric file which is either Ft or m), Feet (ft), Inches (in), Meters (m) or Millimeters. Size (or Luminous Size) is the overall dimensions of the luminous portion of the luminaire (calculated using the specified Luminous Dimensions in the file)
  11. Selectable File Data - These data elements are available from the Keywords, Data and Calculated Metrics tab in the File Functions dialog. If you prefer certain items do not appear on this tab, deselect them here. 
  12. Selectable Calculated Metrics - These calculate metrics are available from the Keywords, Data and Calculated Metrics tab in the File Functions dialog. If you prefer certain items do not appear on this tab, deselect them here. 
  13. Selectable Keywords - These keywords are available from the Keywords, Data and Calculated Metrics tab and the Factor Files tab in the File Functions dialog. If you prefer certain items do not appear on these tabs, deselect them here.  In addition, you can add your own custom keywords.