Topic: LUMION 5: Frequently asked questions

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHERE ARE MY LUMION SCENES AND IMPORTED MODELS SAVED?
Your Lumion scenes and imported models are saved in these folders:

• Documents/Lumion 5/Scenes: All scenes saved in Lumion 5 (2 files per scene: *.spr, *.sva)
• Documents/Lumion 5/Library: Models imported in Lumion 5 (up to 4 files per model: *.lib, *.lib.mtt, *.lib.inn, *.lib.txx)

The Documents/Lumion 5/ folder is on the C: drive by default.

As with any other important data on your harddrive, we recommend regular backups of the Documents/Lumion 5/ folder.

The only way to get Lumion to save in a different location is to move the entire Documents/ folder (which contains the Lumion 5 folder) to a different location. Instructions on this procedure are available on the Microsoft website. And a video showing the steps (also applies to Win 8+/10):




HOW DO I LOAD A LUMION SCENE ON ANOTHER PC?
If you need to load a Lumion scene on another PC, you need to copy the Documents/Lumion 5/Scenes & Library folders to that PC. These folders contain all of the scene and imported model files. Be careful not to overwrite existing files, and remember to restart Lumion after copying the folders.

Alternatively, if you have Lumion Pro, you can also export the scene as an LS5 file which includes imported models. This makes it a lot easier to move scenes between PCs.


HOW DO I LOAD A LUMION 4 SCENE IN LUMION 5?
If you need to load a Lumion 4 scene in Lumion 5.x, you need to copy the Scenes & Library folders in Documents/Lumion 4/ folder to Documents/Lumion 5/. Remember to restart Lumion after copying the folders.

Alternatively, if you have Lumion Pro, you can also export a Lumion 4 scene as an LS4 file which includes imported models. The LS4 file can then be imported in Lumion 5.x.

WARNING: Lumion is not backwards compatible, so if you save a scene or an imported model in Lumion 5 you can't load them in Lumion 1, 2, 3 and 4.


RED QUESTIONMARKS
If you notice a red questionmark in one of your scenes, it means that the files for that model are missing in the Documents/Lumion 5/Library folder.



Move the mouse cursor to the small circular object icon of the questionmark to see what the missing model name is called. Although Lumion displays the missing model name as "ModelName.lib" there are up to 4 files per model that are missing.



To get the missing model to appear again, please search your harddisk and network drives to locate the missing files. Then move the files to the Documents/Lumion 5/Library folder and restart Lumion.

If you have saved a scene that contains a red questionmark model, it is not possible to move the files back to the Library folder in order to make the model appear again. Instead use the following Context Menu function:

1) Select the model you want to replace the red questionmark model with in the Imported Model browser.

2) Context Menu mode -> Click on the red questionmark icon -> Selection -> Library... -> Replace with Library selection


HOW DO I LOCK MODELS SO THAT THEY DON'T MOVE WHEN I MODIFY THE TERRAIN?
Select models -> Context menu -> Transformation -> Lock Position -> On


HOW DO I MAKE MY OWN THUMBNAIL IMAGES FOR MY IMPORTED MODELS?
Select the object and make sure that its thumbnail image is displayed in the lower left corner. Move the camera until you're happy with the way the model appears on the screen. Hold down (CTRL) and then left-click on the thumbnail image to update it.


WHAT DOES THE 'LIMIT ALL TEXTURE SIZES' OPTION DO?
'Limit all texture sizes' on: Textures that are bigger than or equal to 1024x1024 pixels are automatically reduced to 512x512 pixels in all modes. This applies to built-in materials as well as Movie/Photo mode effects, textures used by all models (stock and imported models) and the Lumion terrain. There is no override function.


HOW DO I IMPORT ANIMATIONS?
It is possible to import move/rotate/scale animations from some 3rd party modelling 3D applications, e.g. 3DS Max and Maya. The frame rate has to be set to 25 frames per second and the preferred export format is FBX file. Collada format (DAE) also works but the interpolation between keyframes will be linear.

It is not possible to import vertex animations, morph animations or bone animations in Lumion.


HOW DO I ORGANISE MY IMPORTED MODELS IN GROUPS SO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN TABS IN LUMION?
Go to Libraries/Documents/My Documents/Lumion 5/Library and create one or more folders for your models - the limit is currently 14 custom folders.
For example: Libraries/Documents/My Documents/Lumion 5/Library/My Furniture



Once you've done that, move the relevant model files to the new folders (note that there are up to 4 files per model). The folders and any model files that you have moved to the custom folders will appear in the numbered tabs in the Imported Model browser after you have restarted Lumion:




WHY DOES THE CAMERA ANGLE NOT CHANGE WHEN I HOLD DOWN THE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON?

1. This issue is either caused by an external input device such as a joystick or tablet pen which you'll have to disconnect while using Lumion to prevent the mouse cursor from freezing.

2. Or you accidentally turned on the Toggle Tablet Input button on the Settings screen.  (It needs to be off if you're not using a tablet pen)