Convert IES to RFT

Understanding the IES and RFT file formats

IES files are photometric data files created by the Illuminating Engineering Society. They contain information about the light distribution of a specific lighting fixture, commonly used in architectural lighting design and simulation software. RFT files, on the other hand, are Rich Text Format Template files, typically used by Microsoft Word and other word processors to store document templates with formatting, styles, and sometimes macros.

Why convert IES to RFT?

Converting an IES file to an RFT file is an uncommon process, as these formats serve entirely different purposes. However, you might want to embed photometric data or lighting specifications from an IES file into a formatted document template (RFT) for reporting or documentation purposes.

How to convert IES to RFT

There is no direct converter that transforms IES photometric data into an RFT template file, as they are fundamentally different. The best approach is to extract the relevant data from the IES file and insert it into an RFT template manually or with the help of a word processor.

1. Open the IES file using a text editor (such as Notepad or Notepad++).
2. Copy the required photometric data or specifications.
3. Open Microsoft Word or another word processor that supports RFT templates.
4. Go to File → New and select a template or create a new document.
5. Paste the copied IES data into the document where needed.
6. Save the document as an RFT file by selecting File → Save As and choosing Rich Text Format Template (*.rft) as the file type.

Best software for the conversion

The most reliable software for this process is Microsoft Word. It allows you to create and save RFT templates and easily insert data from IES files. For advanced formatting, you can use LibreOffice Writer as a free alternative, which also supports RFT files.

Summary

While there is no automated tool for direct IES to RFT conversion, you can manually transfer photometric data from IES files into RFT templates using a word processor. Microsoft Word is the recommended software for this workflow.