I am still trying to figure this out, but based on feedback through the Radiance mailing list (Feb. 13, 2009 post titled "Exporting file from Ecotect to Radiance" on http://www.radiance-online.org/), I think that the newer version of Radiance for Windows (which I installed using the HEAD snapshot 2008-04-17 installer from http://www.radiance-online.org/) may be missing some files and/or applications that came with the older version (Desktop Radiance, available at radsite.lbl.gov). Whenever I change the directory to Desktop Radiance rather than Radiance-MinGW, I do not get the RGBE read error.
So for now, I will either copy and paste the missing files from the Desktop Radiance folder into the MinGW folder or just stick with Desktop Radiance altogether.
I also had to make sure that the Radiance directory within the image viewer program is set to the correct directory. Below is an excerpt from an NRC document explaining how to get started with Ecotect-Radiance-DAYSIM (available at http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ie/lighting/daylight/daysim_e.html), in which specific reference is made to setting the directory in the image viewer:
Please note: The first time you are trying to generate a falsecolor image you might get an error message stating "RGBE read error". If this is the case, you have to reset your Radiance directory within the 'image viewer' program above under OPTIONS >> SETTINGS (see also Step 30.a).
The NRC document describes how to import/export files from Ecotect/Radiance/DAYSIM. It is very helpful, although parts of it may be slightly outdated.
Edited by: KZ on May 12, 2009 6:23 AM
Edited by: kzelenay@berkeley.edu on May 12, 2009 6:37 AM