 Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ’s
Installing/Uninstalling and Authorizing GENESYS III
Q: Will GENESYS III software run and install on Windows 7?
A: Yes, in both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7.
Installation of the program must be installed and licensed by an administrator. Insert the CD and follow all the steps making sure to use the defaults for each step. Once complete you will need to make some additional Windows Compatibility changes:
Access the Control Panel -> Programs -> Under Programs and Features heading select “Run Program Made For Previous Versions of Windows” .
Screen 1 – Program Compatibility Wizard -> Click next
Screen 2 – Check “Launch GENESYS” from list -> Click next
Screen 3 – Select “Try recommended settings”
Screen 4 – Select “Start the program” -> Click next
Screen 5 – Select “Yes, save these settings for this program”
Screen 6 - Select “Close”
All done!. Start GENESYS
NOTE: If when starting GENESYS you get the “User Account Control” permission window, select “Change when these notifications appear”. Slide the bar to the bottom where it says “Never notify”. Close up the windows and your ready to start GENESYS with no nag screens.
Q: Will GENESYS III software run and install on Windows Vista?
A: Yes, in both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows Vista.
Use typical installation and authorization instructions outlined in our FAQs for each specific product. The program must be installed and licensed by an administrator. The following steps will temporarily enable the full administrative rights that are required to complete licensing:
Access the Control Panel (make sure you are on Control Panel Home view) -> Programs -> Under Programs and Features heading select “Use an older program with this version of Windows”.
Screen 1 – Welcome to the Program Compatibility Wizard -> Click next
Screen 2 – Check “I want to Choose a Program from a List” -> Click next
Screen 3 – Pick the program name you wish to license -> Click next
Screen 4 – Check “Do not apply compatibility mode” -> Click next
Screen 5 – Do not select any Display Settings - Click next
Screen 6 - Check “Run this Program as an Administrator” - > Click next
Screen 7 –Test the Compatibility Settings -> Click next to launch program
>>>Windows security message will appear –> Click Allow –> Run program and license it. Close when you are finished.
Screen 8 – Check Yes, set this program to uses these compatibility settings.
Screen 9 – Do not send Program Compatibility Data to Microsoft-> Click Next
Screen 10 – Click Finish
The program only needs to run as an Administrator for licensing, so if you wish to run the program with only standard user privileges after licensing, you can follow the above steps and uncheck the “Run this Program as an Administrator” box.
 Q: What permissions do standard users require for Windows Vista and 7?
A: Standard users need Full Control over the folder which contains the GENESYS program they are trying to access. Identify the program location; for example, C:\Program Files\GENESYS, which is the default location for GENESYS III. Select the folder containing the program, right click for the popup menu, and select Properties. Go to the Security tab and choose the “Users” account. The users permissions will populate a list. Check Full Control and Apply the settings. Close the screen and test under the user account.
Q: How do I install and authorize a full version of GENESYS III?
A: If you have valid site license for GENESYS III, please follow the instructions outlined below:
- If you have Windows NT, 2000 or XP as an operating system, make sure that you are logged on as Administrator.
- Close all other applications that may be open.
- Insert the GENESYS III CD. If the setup screen does not automatically come up, go to Start | Run, and type in "x:\setup" (replace "x" with your CD drive name).
- Follow the setup directions on each the screen.
- Computer will restart.
- Run GENESYS III from Start | Programs | GENESYS | Launch GENESYS.
- You will need to e-mail the computers Site Code in to obtain a license. To do this go to Help | About Licensing and click on the E-mail button. If you are using a laptop you will need to toggle the laptop box before selecting the E-mail button.
- Make sure the E-mail form is filled in completely and send it.
- When you receive your Site Key from us, open GENESYS III, go to Help | About/Licensing, enter your Site Key by copying and pasting, and click on "Submit".
- You are now licensed!
CAD / Model Creation
Q: What are GENESYS default layers?
A: GENESYS default layers are those layers that are predefined and on every design. You should not delete them as much of the necessary content is stored on each by default. These layer names are:
0, Area, Background, Ceiling, Floor, Grid, Luminaire, Object, Project, Wall, and Window
Q: Why can I stretch some walls, but not others?
A: Once a wall (mesh) has had a Window placed on it (been punched), it may not longer be stretched. The Window itself cannot be stretched.
Calculations
Q: When should I use the Calculator button to calculate and when should I use the Auto Recalculate button?
A: Easy. If you are working indoor use the Calculator button and if you are working outdoor use the Auto Recalculate button (outdoor designer section). The Calculator takes into consideration reflectances where the Auto Recalculate does not but is much quicker because of it and just as accurate otherwise. There are more reasons but this is the easiest explanation.
Q: Why do the calculations look asymmetric or strange when they should be even?
A: If you open up a newer version of your design with an older version of the software this would be a sign. You really shouldn’t do this. The best solution is to update your software to the version the design was done with of above. If you do not have this choice you can correct the calculation grid calculation type by following these steps:
- If your Metric column on your stats section of your screen indicates Metric as the calculation type continue on otherwise this is not the problem.
- Edit the calculation grid by double clicking on the Entire Grid button.
- Go to the Calculation Metrics tab. Notice the Name column says “Metric”. We want to add a proper calculation then remove this one. Click on the word Perpendicular on the right side of the screen to add another calculation grid.
- Remove the first grid by highlighting it then clicking on Delete Meter. Click OK to finish.
- On the main screen double click on the word Perpendicular Illum... to turn the display on.
- Calculate!
 Q: Why are the calculations slow and how can I speed them up?
A: GENESYS III calculates very detailed spaces and sometimes on larger areas less detail is required while still maintaining accuracy. If you have a fairly large area and your calculations are taking quite a long time its because the Minimum and Maximum Patch size is too small and way too much detail is being put into your calculations. By making these changes (right) your calculations will zip along. You be judge to the size of the Minimum and Maximum patch size. If you have quite a bit of detail/objects reduce the size of the patches to something suitable. i.e. A plant measuring 400,000 sqft took 2 hours with default settings and only 30 seconds after the changes. The results were within 1%
DXF/DWG Files
Q: Once drawing is imported only some of the drawing is shown?
A: This usually happens if one of the following is true:
- The original drawing is miles away from 0x, 0y. To fix this open the drawing in AutoCAD and move the whole contents to 0x, 0y. Exploding and purging will help too. Save it then import that drawing.
or
- The original drawing has nested blocks. This means there is a block within a block within a block. To fix this open the drawing in AutoCAD and enter the command Explode All several times. Save it then import that drawing.
Q: Once drawing is imported nothing shows but a blank screen?
A: This usually happens if there are bits of the drawing all over the place making the zoomed out image huge therefore it looks as though nothing is there. To fix this...
- Open the original drawing in AutoCAD
- Select the contents that you want and Copy it to the clipboard.
- Open a new drawing and Paste the contents near 0x,0y.
- Use the Explode and Purge commands the ensure everything is clean.
- Save it and import that drawing.
or
- Once imported into GENESYS Zoom Extents. The drawing will look blank but it’s not. Zoom into the Origin 0,0. Keep zooming until it appears. Once you found it you know it’s there. Zoom Extents again.
- The next step is to delete layers one at a time until when you Zoom Extents that it shows your drawing. You can delete layers on the Layer Manager (second tab on the right vertical menu). Select a layer other than 0, Area, Background, Floor, Ceiling, Walls, Project, Grid, Luminaire, Window or Object. These are GENESYS layers. Once selected click on the RED X button and delete the layer.
- Zoom Extents and if you drawing zooms in then you’ve done it. Otherwise repeat steps 2 and 3 until you get the drawing full screen.
- If you have deleted layers of information that you will need then make a note of the layer that was causing this problem and start and new design, import and delete just that layer. That’s it
Q: When opening a DWG or DXF format file exported form GENESYS parts are missing?
A: This happens only if you had something selected when exporting as it assumes that is what you want exported. If this happens simply press ESC to deselect everything in GENESYS then export again. This will export everything.
Light Levels
Q: Light levels lower than expected?
A: Lighting levels can be thrown off my many factors. Some things that to check for are:
- Luminaire. Selecting the right luminaire, number of lamps, lamp lumens and light loss factor can change the results significantly.
- Mounting. Mounting height and orientation can play a big part in your results.
- Surface Reflectances. If just one of your walls, ceiling, floor or objects are off this may change your overall results.
- Missing Surfaces. If you view your space in a solid view, orbit around to make sure all of your surfaces are there and not missing. If they are missing sometimes it would be easier to create the area from scratch however you can add a missing surface quite easily.
- Surface Orientation. All exterior room surfaces are single sided and if you happen to draw the room boundary clockwise instead of counter-clockwise the reflective surfaces of the room will face outwards. To fix this use the Surface Orientation button in objects and reverse all the surfaces otherwise change the properties of the surfaces to Double-Sided.
- Grid. Placing your analysis grid at the correct height and facing the correct direction will make a difference.
Luminaires
 Q: Unable to place luminaire on design?
A: When inserting luminaires in your design and they don’t stay, look at the command line to see what it says. Chances are it will say something to this effect “Unable to calculate luminaire placement for specifed point.” If you are working with a room this means you have no ceiling to mount the fixtures to. Turn it on or create one or change the mounting type. If you are working on an exterior design, this means the mounting type is incorrect. Check your Z-Adjustment Setting and make the change (see right).
Q: When I try to access the luminaire library, I get this error message: "The product library was not found. Please install the product library." What should I do?
A: To keep the installation size manageable, and make the most current luminaire product databases available, GENESYS III enables you to choose and install only the libraries you need after installing the main program. You also have the option of switching between databases (e.g. North American and European databases) from within the software. Here are the steps to install luminaire product databases:
1. On GENESYS III’s Main Menu, click Tools > Product Library Manager.
2. Click Install Lighting Library.
3. Browse the \Library\ directory of the GENESYS III CD or the folder you downloaded into from the LTI web site.
4. Select the .MDB database from which you want to specify, e.g. LTI NA 2003.mdb
5. Click Yes to install the Product Database locally, or to a network location so all users in your office can access it.
6. Specify a new path for the database, (We recommend: C:\Program Files\Common Files\LTI\Shared\Library\Lighting Products\)
7. Click Save. The database is now copied to that new location.
8. Under Installed Libraries, select the database you want to view in the Luminaire Search screen.
9. Click Close. Now you will be able to build a Luminaire Schedule in GENESYS III.
Luminaire Database
 Q: No luminaire photos and spec sheets are shown when browsing database?
A: Most likely you have a 64 bit version of Windows installed and part of your data has been installed on the 32 bit directory and some in the 64 bit directory. GENESYS is a 32 bit program but upon installation on a 64 bit machine some files are installed in the improper directory. To fix this follow these steps
- Open Windows Explorer.
- Copy files from the Program Files section to Program FIles (x86) section as shown in fixture 1 (right)
- Ready to start GENESYS,
Materials
Q: Explain diffuse factor, specular factor, and mirror factor (Reflectance Tab)?
A: On the Reflectance tab within the Material Editor, you may see "diffuse factor", "specular factor", and "mirror factor" depending on the current material type you have selected. These factors can often be confusing - especially the difference between specular and mirror.
Diffuse factor corresponds to the amount of light reflected in a diffuse manner - a Lambertian reflection. Keep in mind, that this is a multiplying factor. For example, if the current color of the material (for example "Beige") has a reflectance of 0.6 (60%), a diffuse factor of 0.50 will make the effective reflectance 0.3 (30%). You'll note that the color of the material becomes darker to indicate this. Setting the diffuse factor to 1.0 is valid, and would result in an effective reflectance of 0.6 (60%) in this example.
Specular factor corresponds to the amount of light reflected in a specular manner (much like a glossy or mirrored surface). This too is a multiplying factor based on other current material properties - much like the diffuse factor. Mirror factor represents the contribution of light reflected directly along the mirror angle. In practice, the mirrored contribution is a portion of the specular reflectance - just along the mirror angle. The use of mirror factor separate from the specular factor allows you to control how much a material will preserve "images" in reflections.
This issue of three reflectance components is also described in the following NIST article by Kelley, Jones, and Germer. In the article, the three components are described as diffuse, specular haze, and specular. The latter two correspond to specular and mirror within GENESYS III.
Grids
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Q: Grid points are upside down or sideways.
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A: Calculation grids are directional based on your first line you draw for your grid, room or area. In example 1 you will see the origin or start location is in the lower left and the drawing direction is counter clockwise. This means the first line is horizontal to the right and as you can see the grid text is also that same direction.
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This next example shows if you start in the upper left and draw counter clockwise the grid text will face sideways. This is all based on the direction of the first line drawn. This is considered to be your “Base Line”.
If you have create a grid and did not like the angle then erase it and create it again with the correct base line direction.
A good rule-of-thumb would be to always start in the lower left and draw counter clockwise.
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Q: Grid points and values show but stats do not?
A: Calculate your design and the stats will show.
Q: How do I display decimal points?
A: Select the calculation grid of choice by left clicking on it. On the properties window (right) change the Precision value to 1 for 1 decimal point.
Q: How do I add a calculation grid to a different surface, and how do I move an existing calculation grid?
A: Generally, calculation grid placement is determined by the position and orientation of your CPlane. Wherever your CPlane is, you can draw a calculation grid. In this way, you can add a calculation grid to any surface, or at any position and orientation in space.
To simply shift the CPlane up or down (perpendicular to the Z axis), click Tools > Shift CPlane Z > then type a distance on the Command Line. This will enable you to add calculation grids at different heights parallel to the floor plane.
Alternately, you can use OSnaps to add a calculation grid to any surface.
Once you have added a calculation grid to your model, you can always select it and move it using the Move function.
Please reference the online help topics 'Adding Calculation Grids' and 'Creating and Changing CPlanes'. The options for using these functions are available in the Tools and Add Menus.
Rendering / Visualization
Q: How do I add an image to geometry?
A: You need to create a new material that includes your image. To do this, access the Material Manager (View > Material Manager). Add a new material and rename it as appropriate. Next, go to the Color tab in the Material Editor (bottom left of the screen). Under the Shader type, select Wrapped Image. Click on ... button to browse to the image file you'd like to use. This cell will then contain a path to the image file. To add the material to your geometry, you can select the material for any layer (via the Layer Manager) or select the material at the geometry level using its properties (after selecting it in CAD).
You can also vary the size and position of the image by going to the Texture tab and selecting ST Layout as the Shader type. You can scale and position the graphic by changing the values. Often times this requires some trial and error. Note: Run a simple calculation (direct only) and render the material on your geometry. Change the ST Layout settings and re-render. You do not need to recalculate.
Q. Why is the rendering in my existing design now black when I try to render it?
A. Likely, the rendering just needs to be refreshed. There are a number of ways in which to refresh the rendering. One example is to select Display Rendering Mesh Preview in the Visualization Center. After the mesh preview has completed select the Radiosity Rendering.
Graphic Cards
Q: Display does not regenerate correctly or acts strange?
A: GENESYS III software utilizes OpenGL graphics libraries. Different graphics cards and graphics drivers work with these libraries to various levels of success. When the graphics driver settings are incompatible with the manner in which our software needs to communicate with the graphics card.
These types of problems are generally solved by one of the following:
1. Updating the graphics driver to the latest version produced by the card manufacturer. Graphics drivers can be obtained from the card manufacturer's website.
or
2. Turning down or off driver optimization (acceleration) settings. To do this, from your desktop right-click your mouse on your wallpaper, select PROPERTIES >SETTINGS > ADVANCED > TROUBLESHOOTING and slide the slide bar to “Disable All But Basic Acceleration....”. Click OK and close all the windows up. Now you are ready to go.
Q: nVIDIA Quadro graphics card recommendations:
A: There are 2 possible configuration options that allow this card to work with GENESYS III. If the card is not configured with one of these options, then GENESYS III is likely to crash as soon as anything is done in a CAD view.
1. The first option is the preferred method. This involves setting the card's Custom OpenGL settings to be compatible with SolidWorksTM. Even if you are using a different CAD program, this setting seems to be compatible with most other CAD software as well as GENESYS III. To do this, follow these steps: Start menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button -> This brings up a new dialog with 6 tabs. They are General, Adapter, Monitor, Troubleshoot, Color Management & Quadro. Select the Quadro tab. An additional window should pop up to the left of the dialog. Select a link that says “Additional OpenGL Settings.” Now at the bottom of the main dialog with the Quadro tab, you should see an option labeled Custom OpenGL Application Settings. Select SolidWorksTM from the drop down list.
2. The second option is to turn off all card optimizations. This is not ideal however, since it could have a negative impact on other applications. To do this, follow these steps: Start menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Display Properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button -> This brings up a new dialog with 6 tabs. They are General, Adapter, Monitor, Troubleshoot, Color Management & Quadro. Select the Troubleshoot tab and slide the slider bar all the way to the left, so the optimization settings are set to None.
Known Issues
Q: All of the luminaires and everything else in the room showing up as ellipses?
A: To correct this and any other issues go to Tools/Maintenance Utilities/Repair Validity on the top menu.
Q: Properties are missing that should be there.
A: Save design, exit software and open the design again. Everything will be proper now.
Q: Why do the rooms I create in GENESYS III appear as 2D (two-dimensional) outlines, instead of 3D model spaces?
A: For users whose operating systems are set to certain international settings, e.g. French, Spanish and Italian, the problem lies in the use of commas to denote decimal points ("," vs "."). The fix is to click Start (on the Windows toolbar) > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Regional Options tab > Customize > Numbers tab > Decimal symbol field = . (Change the comma to a period). This is the path in Windows XP, and may be different in other MS operating systems/versions. This is a high-priority issue that we will be addressing in an upcoming maintenance release of GENESYS III. Note that this will affect other applications that use regional and language settings as well.
Q: On Windows XP, how can I change my command line from "black" to white? "(I can't see my command line")
A: This issue is specific to the Windows XP "Silver" color scheme. We recommend changing your color scheme to "Default" or "Olive". To do so, go to the Control Panel > Display > Appearance and change the Color Scheme.
Q: The text on my GENESYS Start Menu and GENESYS Shortcut Menu is not aligned with the buttons. How can I fix this?
A: Please change your DPI setting. Right-click on your Windows Desktop > click Properties > Settings tab > Advanced > General tab > set DPI setting to Normal on the drop-down menu > click Ok. (You may need to be logged on with administrative privileges to do this)
Photometry
Q: Does GENESYS accept absolute photometry?
A: Yes GENESYS version 1.3.60 and newer will accept absolute photometry.
Printing
Q: When printing none of the grid text displays?
A: It would seem that a font is missing from your Windows version that is used to display analysis grid text when printing. To correct this problem is easy.
- Start by downloading the font file needed and save it to your desktop.
- Open your Control Panel and click on Fonts. This will list all of the fonts on your system.
- To add this new font go to File then click on Install New Font. Using the folders and drive windows point to the desktop directory where it was saved. You will see the font listed on this window once the directory is correct. Click on the font name “monotxt_.ttf” and click OK to install it. Close this window.
- Now restart GENESYS III and try printing. All set!
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Q: When printing the calculation values are faint?
A: The font that comes with GENESYS can be faint at times. If you update your font to this newer font this will correct the problem.
- Start by downloading the font file needed and save it to your desktop.
- Open your Control Panel and click on Fonts. This will list all of the fonts on your system.
- To add this new font you must first close all applications and delete the existing font.
- On the Fonts window right click on Monotxt and selecting Delete.
- Once deleted you can drag and drop the new font file to the font window or go to File then click on Install New Font. Using the folders and drive windows point to the desktop directory where it was saved. You will see the font listed on this window. Click on the font name “monotxt_new.ttf” and click OK to install it. Close this window.
- Now restart GENESYS III and try printing. All set!
Quick Keys
Q: What are the quick keys for different functions?
A: Here is a list of quick keys for various functions:
- Dynamic Pan: Hold mouse scroll wheel down
- Dynamic Zoom: Hold ESC & mouse scroll wheel
- ESC: Cancel selection or command.
- Function Keys
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F1 = Help
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F2 = Pan
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F3 = Orbit
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F4 = Dyn, Zoom
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F5 = undefined
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F6 = Zoom In
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F7 = Zoom Out
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F8 = Ortho
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F9 = Snap
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F10 = undefined
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F11 = undefined
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F12 = Print
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- Mouse Buttons: Left = Select Right = Enter
Selecting and Changing Items
Q: Select luminaires and it says Ellipse in the properties window not Luminaire.
A: At some point your project got corrupted but can be fixed.
- Go to TOOLS -> MAINTENANCE UTILITIES -> CHECK PROJECT VALIDITY
- This will tell you if your design is corrupt or not. If NO there is no need to go to the next step.
- Go to TOOLS -> MAINTENANCE UTILITIES -> REPAIR PROJECT VALIDITY
Done!
 Q: When selecting items the properties window does not display?
A: If you select more than 100 items you will notice that the properties window will not display. By default the configuration settings within GENESYS are set to 100. Therefore if you pick more than 100 items it will not display. You can change this default setting to whatever number seams reasonable.
- Go to FILE -> Application Settings -> CAD.
- Change the default “Property Limit” to say 250, 500, 1000.
- Click CLOSE
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