The Lighting Data Revolution: Rust/WASM Toolkit Tackles Legacy Formats and Embraces the Future In the fast-paced world of lighting technology, the industry has long grappled with a challenge – the need to bridge the gap between legacy file formats and the emerging standards for spectral data. Enter Holger, a developer who has found a way to tackle this problem head-on with a innovative Rust/WASM toolkit. For decades, the lighting industry has relied on two primary file formats – EULUMDAT, introduced in 1990, and IES, which dates back to 1991. These legacy formats have served their purpose well, providing a reliable means to capture and share basic photometric data, such as lumen values. However, as the industry evolves, the need for more sophisticated, spectral-based data has become increasingly pressing. The emergence of new standards like TM-33 and ATLA-S001 have ushered in a new era of lighting data, allowing for the full wavelength distribution of light to be captured and analyzed. This shift towards spectral data offers a wealth of benefits, from more accurate color rendition to improved energy efficiency. Yet, as Holger points out, "the new standards are barely supported by existing tools." This is where Holger's Rust/WASM lighting data toolkit steps in, providing a comprehensive solution that bridges the gap between the old and the new. "I built this to scratch my own itch," Holger explains, "and put it on crates.io and PyPI where nothing like it existed." The toolkit's impressive capabilities extend beyond just handling legacy formats. By leveraging the power of Rust and WebAssembly (WASM), Holger has created a versatile and cross-platform solution that can compile to a wide range of environments, including WASM/Leptos, egui, SwiftUI, and Jetpack Compose. This multi-platform approach ensures that the toolkit can be seamlessly integrated into a diverse range of lighting design and analysis workflows. One of the standout features of Holger's creation is its ability to handle both legacy and spectral data formats. "The old file formats (EULUMDAT from 1990, IES from 1991) still work fine for basic photometry," Holger explains. "But the industry is moving toward spectral data – full wavelength distributions instead of just lumen values." By supporting both legacy and emerging standards, the toolkit provides a crucial bridge, enabling lighting professionals to work with a wide range of data sources and ensure compatibility across their projects. The toolkit's impact extends beyond just data parsing and conversion. Holger has also integrated a 3D viewer powered by the Bevy game engine, allowing users to visualize the lighting data in a interactive and immersive manner. "At one point the generated Swift boilerplate got so large GitHub classified it as a Swift project," Holger adds, highlighting the depth and complexity of the toolkit's capabilities. The significance of Holger's work cannot be overstated. As the lighting industry continues to evolve, the need for robust and versatile tools to manage and analyze lighting data has become paramount. By providing a comprehensive solution that seamlessly handles both legacy and spectral data formats, the Rust/WASM lighting data toolkit empowers lighting professionals to stay ahead of the curve and embrace the future of the industry. Moreover, the toolkit's cross-platform compatibility and integration with a range of development environments underscores its versatility. Lighting designers, researchers, and engineers can now leverage this powerful tool to streamline their workflows, optimize their designs, and explore new possibilities in the realm of lighting technology. As the project gains traction and momentum, the feedback and contributions from the broader community will undoubtedly play a crucial role in its continued development and refinement. Holger's invitation for feedback, particularly on the SVG output and the 3D viewer, highlights his commitment to creating a truly user-centric solution. In conclusion, the Rust/WASM lighting data toolkit developed by Holger represents a significant step forward in the evolution of lighting technology. By bridging the gap between legacy and emerging data standards, and offering a cross-platform, versatile solution, this toolkit has the potential to revolutionize the way lighting professionals approach their work. As the industry continues to evolve, tools like Holger's will become increasingly invaluable, driving innovation, efficiency, and a deeper understanding of the complex world of lighting.