Topic: Can't load previous versions of models v5

[priskorn]

We have an educational license of Lumion 5 (not Pro) (Windows, 64 bit, network).  My students have been working on projects from class to class.  After several sessions, they are starting to get error messages that will not allow them to open a previous version of the project so they can continue working.  A window pops up saying the program must close.  Prior to this, they (and I) were getting models where materials showed up black and all materials had to be re-done within the scene.  Our IT folks suspect this is a memory issue, but several attempts have been made without a solution.  PLEASE HELP!  If we can't resolve this, I may have to give up on Lumion and I (and my students) really would like to keep it.  These problems make classwork impossible.
Please advise asap.

[peterm]

Hi priskorn

We'll need some more details about your environment and the scene:

1. Are you using Lumion V5.3 or Lumion V5.0?

2. What are the specifications of the Pc's being used?  Attach a Lumion DXDiag Report (Files --> System Speed Summary Chart --> Run DXDiag).

3. Are you able to open and edit materials of one of the Sample scenes such as Villa Wegner?

[priskorn]

Hi peterm:
We're using 5.0 educational, not pro.
yes, we can change materials in the examples.
I've attached two diag reports, one from my login (csp) and one from a student (as).  The student can load an scene he created before, but the building (a sketchup 2014 model) does not show up.
Very strange.  Need some quick help please.

[priskorn]

student file didn't seem to upload.  see attached

[peterm]

Hi priskorn

Thanks for the DXDiag reports and further details.

Have you upgraded to v5.3?

So the model was showing in the scene, but after some updates using Reload, the model started getting all the materials going black, and now it's not even displayed in the scene.

We will need to test the SketchUp model and the scene. Instructions here: HOW TO UPLOAD FILES FOR ERROR REPORTS.

Note, if there are many different scenes or models in the folders mentioned in those instructions, please just include the relevant scene and model files: 
  Scene files: Documents/Lumion 5/Scenes: 2 files per scene: *.spr, *.sva
  Imported Model files: Documents/Lumion 5/Library: up to 4 files per model: *.lib, *.mtt, *.inn, *.txx

Also, and important, please arrange to update your graphics drivers.  They are out of date being February 2014.

[priskorn]

Thanks, peterm

No, we haven't upgraded to 5.3 yet.  We are mid-semester and software updates are not normally done during a semester (network load).  We'll upgrade before fall.

"So the model was showing in the scene, but after some updates using Reload, the model started getting all the materials going black, and now it's not even displayed in the scene".

Yes, that's the case.  I've had this happen to two students over the past couple of weeks.  It seems like the early process of development was fine, but a some point these situations occurred.  I had this happen to my file (materials all black) and our IT guys increased the storage capacity in my folder and that seemed to help.  One student had the same thing happen, but both students building models wouldn't load.  Their storage capacity has been increased also, and that seems to have helped on the material side, but not the "missing model" situation.

The HOW TO UPLOAD FILES FOR ERROR REPORTS link in your posts seems to be broken.  Got an error message.  As soon as I can find how to upload, I will upload the student skp models, scenes and Library files.  If you could somehow get me the upload process, I'd appreciate it.  I have put in a request to our IT folks to upgrade graphics drivers as well.

As a wish list, I really wish there was some direct online or phone connection that could be arranged for situations like these.  As I noted, we like the software, but we are losing precious instructional time with the back and forth on the forum.  Hope we can get this resolved soon.

Thanks

[peterm]

Hi priskorn

The first thing is to check that the models have not been applied with a material (called 'Metal_Rusty_007_1024') that caused things to go black.  This was a known error in v5.0, reported and fixed for V5.3.

If that is not the cause then you will need to see if it's another material that's causing it, then set the Relief slider value to 0 for the material and press the U key to update the Reflection Control object.  Metal was however the only known problem material.

How much is the storage capacity your folder and those of the students?

If a model does not load, then usually there is an Error Message from the import process.  Do you recall seeing that?  Are they importing direct from SketchUp or via exported Collada DAE?

re uploading files, apologies my bad, forgot you have no access to that section.  Please follow instructions here: HOW TO UPLOAD FILES FOR IMPORT/EXPORT ISSUES.

[priskorn]

Hi peterm

I don't think the rusty metal was used.   Actually, with the increased available memory, (I'm waiting to hear how much) the "Black" materials don't currently seem to be an issue.

Our IT folks responded:
"I am pretty positive that the issue with the two students is because both ran out of storage space while working on a drawing or just before causing a corruption while saving the data files."

However, I had one of the students open his file today and before it fully loaded, an error message did come up and would not allow opening and forced shut down of the program.  I've attached a 3-part view of the detailed error window for your use.

Normally, students are importing models directly from SketchUp (not a Collada DAE export).

Haven't had the chance to separate students files/scenes to upload yet.   Will forward as soon as I can.

Thanks

[priskorn]

uploaded error message images

[peterm]

hi priskorn

Thanks for the update.  (Almost) sounds hopeful  .

Users will need at the very least, 10GB free on C drive (under user profile) to allow for model and application running, preferably 20GB, but for comfort's sake 30GB.

I must admit, it's the first time I have seen a case where (possibly) lack of harddrive space resulted in material issues, but it may explain the model not actually showing.  I would expect the sort of error you did get today, as Lumion will simply not be able to load everything to system and the GPU.

The error message indicates, and I quote

So, what is an access violation, a C0000005? This is the translated #GP code the fault handler raises, which the operating system displays as an 'Access Violation', whos numerical form is c thousand 5. Its the operating system telling you that a program has malfunctioned and tried to reference no mans land. It has nothing specific to do with any particular program, or a brand of software, this is straight from the CPU and kernel of the operating system.

So it could be a range of possibles, from lack of useable memory, poor or bad RAM, or other hardware issue.  I can't rule out problems or corrupted model files, especially if lack of file space meant the files at an earlier stage were not saved properly by the system.  If that is the case, we can give you some steps to take.

1.  Send us by email or attach to a post the following Windows Event log files:
  a) Application Log,
  b)System Log. 
These can be found using the Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Event Viewer --> clicking on Windows Logs to expand list --> click on Application, then (right hand side) Save All Events As.  This will create an evtx file, zip that and send.


It's critical that the graphics driver be upgraded.  Can this be arranged as soon as possible by your IT support?

Even more critical is that you are using Lumion V5.0.  I understand the issue of upgrading, however, it does make it difficult to analyse and eliminate potential problems.  There were some issues with the materials system (given the extensive changes that V5 involved) that were for some models only, or for some of the workflows for materials editing which have since been fixed.  You can read more here: Lumion 5 release notes.  Upgrading will benefit everyone as there were also lots of enhancements done.

Even if it's arranged for just one PC so you can test the student files against current versions, that would help greatly, then see where that takes us. 

Will await the student files.  Once received we can test, and doing so on other PC environments, will give us a good indication of things to look at.  Thanks in advance.

[priskorn]

thanks, peterm:
I'll check with our IT to see what's feasible.

If we were able to upgrade to 5.3, would 5.0 files be able to open/compatibility?

[peterm]

Hi priskorn

Yes, 5.0 files can be opened by 5.3.  And, although 5.3 scenes can be opened in 5.0, that would not be recommended due to the fixes that resolve problems found in v5.0.

All 5.0 files will be in the user documents folder, that v5.3 will read and open.

When models are Reloaded for the first time from 5.0 to 5.3 there's a small re-indexing step (sometimes) needed, see below.

See also MIGRATING SCENES in LUMION 5.3: RELEASE NOTES.



-----------
Materials Reloading for Models from V5.0 to V5.3

If materials seem to disappear on a reload then:

..

All you need to do is to assign an "Imported material" (Material Editor -> Custom tab -> Imported material) to a random surface that already has a material in your model.

Once you've done this, the gaps in the material index list that was caused by 5.0 will be repaired and you no longer have to worry about this issue again.
...

This is only required to be done once, and only for some models, not all.