Visual Lighting

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.5 / 10
• Pricing
  From $300/user/yr · 30-day trial
• Best for
  Photometric analysis of interior and exterior spaces
• Free plan
  No
• 3D visualization
  Yes
• Facts checked
  4 Oct 2026

• Where it wins

  • Radiosity-based 3D analysis supports interior and exterior work.
  • Daylight tools use window, location, sky and time-of-day inputs.
  • Imports and exports DWG/DXF files and includes multiple lighting design tools.

• Where it doesn't

  • Annual pricing starts at $300 per seat or license.
  • Cloud licenses require internet access; simultaneous use needs additional seats.
  • Fixed licenses are limited to one Windows machine and require annual renewal.

Our verdict on Visual Lighting

Visual Lighting is a Windows desktop application for lighting design and analysis in interior and exterior architectural spaces. It is aimed at lighting professionals who need to model spaces, calculate illumination and develop designs for projects such as interior, roadway, floodlight and wallwash applications. The vendor offers a 30-day trial, followed by annual licensing. Its scope is centered on lighting rather than general architectural modeling, so it suits users whose work depends on photometric analysis more than broad building design workflows.

The analysis toolkit combines 3D modeling with radiosity-based calculations, illuminance contours and daylight inputs for window openings, location, sky condition and time of day. A Unified Glare Rating calculation zone, illuminance recommendation database and light loss factor calculator add specific evaluation tools. Designers can select lighting products from cloud-based product data and exchange DWG/DXF files. That makes it a fit for workflows that need both lighting calculations and coordination with drawing files; teams seeking a wider design suite may prefer a broader application.

According to the vendor’s pricing pages, both listed license options cost $300 annually: Visual Lighting 2020 R2 — Cloud License is internet-based, and one seat can be shared among multiple users, though simultaneous use requires additional seats. Technical support and software updates are included during its subscription. The Visual Lighting 2020 Fixed License is a Windows download for one machine and does not require an internet connection, but annual renewal is required. Choose the cloud option for shared access when users do not need concurrent sessions, or the fixed license for a single offline workstation. The product is less suitable if a team needs concurrent access from one seat or a non-Windows desktop workflow.

Visual Lighting pricing

All 2 Visual Lighting plans and prices →

Visual Lighting fact sheet

Alternatives to Visual Lighting

• VSVectorworks SpotlightAn end-to-end CAD workflow for lighting design, from drafting to DMX previsualization.9.2
• DIALuxA Windows lighting design tool with a free core and paid BIM and export features.8.8
• VVVectorworks VisionA console-connected 3D workspace for reviewing production lighting before load-in.8.7

See all Visual Lighting alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Visual Lighting is listed in our Lighting Design Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 4 Oct 2026 · How we research and update