EULUMDAT file format query

[JB]

Regarding the EULUMDAT file format, I still find it difficult to believe
that such a widely used format here in Europe, is so sadly lacking in
supporting documentation. All there seems to be on the web is from Ian
Ashdown's most excellent website www.helios32.com where even Ian states that
there is no formal online resource for this file format.
It's annoying when you have .LDT files sent to you by customers that will
work with Relux but not with some other commercial lighting design packages.
(Syntax errors, incorrect symmetry codes etc seem to be the most common). It
would be easy to 'fix' the files if there was proper documentation
available. Come back TM14, all is forgiven.
Anyone out there have any more detailed information they can share?
Thanks in advance,
JB

 

[Georg Mischler]

Regarding the EULUMDAT file format, I still find it difficult to believe
that such a widely used format here in Europe, is so sadly lacking in
supporting documentation. All there seems to be on the web is from Ian
Ashdown's most excellent website www.helios32.com where even Ian states
that there is no formal online resource for this file format.

The document published by Ian is the most "official" specification
you'll ever find. The Eulumdat format is established by use, and
not endorsed by any autoritative institution. However, as a software
developer I can say that it's the most well organised format among
those in current use (the TM14 you wish back is simply incomplete).

If you find that certain software doesn't read certain files,
then the error may be with the software or the files. I have used
a variety of programs, and I haven't met any systematic problems.
Maybe you can give more specific information where your software
fails, and we can try to figure out what's wrong.


-schorsch

 

[JB]

The document published by Ian is the most "official" specification
you'll ever find. The Eulumdat format is established by use, and
not endorsed by any autoritative institution. However, as a software
developer I can say that it's the most well organised format among
those in current use (the TM14 you wish back is simply incomplete).

If you find that certain software doesn't read certain files,
then the error may be with the software or the files. I have used
a variety of programs, and I haven't met any systematic problems.
Maybe you can give more specific information where your software
fails, and we can try to figure out what's wrong.

Thanks for the reply George. I agree wholeheartedly about the TM14 format;
that comment was meant in jest! It was however at least always easy to fix a
TM14 file syntax error, or a file which would not open in a particular
viewer. EULUMDAT errors are not quite as obvious however and not quite as
straightforward to fix without a good .LDT format editor such as Lumbase.
Do you know of any other EULUMDAT editors/converters that perform as well as
Lumbase?

JB