Lumion Support Center

Support for unlicensed users => Post here if you can't find your License Key => Topic started by: Member18266 on January 25, 2012, 11:35:41 am

Title: Lumion Newbie needs big help
Post by: Member18266 on January 25, 2012, 11:35:41 am
Hi
I have quite a few questions, my boss wants us to try the free version before buying, OK.

1. We have a 500 mb FBX city model export I am trying to import into Lumion

2. It worked first time but half the model disappeared into the grass plane BG and was only using only one texture

3. because the scene was using VRay materials, so I changed to Max standard materials (approx 500 materials, many sub object materials).

4. After getting quite long import times (giving up after nothing appeared)

5. I then tried the Open Collada format (half the size at approx 218 mb)

6. I then couldn't get the Lumion import dialog box to appear (it tries then crashes), could I delete the previous imports via Explorer (so to remove Lumion trying to make available models it cannot import, where are these import models stored) ? >:(

7. We also have problems getting models to appear in the Lumion window, what does Lumion use to place the model, Max pivot point ?
If there are many elements in the model is it best to group them to export ? or not ?

8. So, is there potential for the model to be too big ? too many textures ? are meshes better than polys ? is it best to reset the Xform in Max before export ?

thanks in advance

John
Title: Re: Lumion Newbie needs big help
Post by: BMcIsaac on January 25, 2012, 12:39:46 pm
500 MB is a handful.  It would be good to start a little smaller...lol.
If you could show a snapshot of the model it would be helpful.
There are many variables related to Lumion performance with a model that size.
Breaking the model down into bite size pieces....would be a good start.
You know there are layers that could help reduce the overhead. F1 will reduce the display quality while you navigate.....the forum is busy so you will get help....Welcome!!
Title: Re: Lumion Newbie needs big help
Post by: Member1327 on January 25, 2012, 12:59:35 pm
1. We have a 500 mb FBX city model export I am trying to import into Lumion
Thats big. But how many Polys? Which grafix-card? How many RAM in your system?

2. It worked first time but half the model disappeared into the grass plane BG and was only using only one texture
3. because the scene was using VRay materials, so I changed to Max standard materials (approx 500 materials, many sub object materials).
You should move the model up.
Visibility of textures depends on what materials you used in Max. Only standard-material will work proper.

4. After getting quite long import times (giving up after nothing appeared)
5. I then tried the Open Collada format (half the size at approx 218 mb)
6. I then couldn't get the Lumion import dialog box to appear (it tries then crashes), could I delete the previous imports via Explorer (so to remove Lumion trying to make available models it cannot import, where are these import models stored) ? >:(
Have a look at the system-requirements:

Minimum system requirements
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7 (32- or 64-bit) and DirectX 9.0c or later
System memory: 3GB (for simple scenes)
Graphics card: NVidia GeForce 9800 GTX or similar ATI/AMD, with at least 1GB memory

Recommended system requirements
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
System memory: At least 6GB
Graphics card: NVidia 460GTX / ATI 5850 or faster, with at least 1GB memory

7. We also have problems getting models to appear in the Lumion window, what does Lumion use to place the model, Max pivot point ?
If there are many elements in the model is it best to group them to export ? or not ?
Lumion inserts the model using the origin of coordinates 0,0,0. If you placed your model using real Gauß-Krüger coordinates in max, it maybe very far from 0,0,0 and so you would have difficulties to find it.
Place your model near 0,0,0.

8. So, is there potential for the model to be too big ? too many textures ? are meshes better than polys ? is it best to reset the Xform in Max before export ?
Yes, model could be too big depending on your system. Try to split the model and import it in parts. Then align them. The size of the parts you have to check with try and error.
I did this several times...