Topic: Creating billboard problem in 2.5

[sach]

It's a pain to create Billboard, need clear procedure how to, am working with AutoCAD. I can also create it from Sketchup.  Tried all sort of export image from PS.

Thanks

[sach]

Anybody......come on......

[Morten]

Hi sach,

Here's how to create a 32-bit TGA file with an alpha mask which you can use for your Billboard texture:
http://tutorials.robbiegee.com/ps_tga.htm

In your 3D modelling application place a plane so that the base of the plane, i.e. the midpoint of the lowest edge, is centered at 0,0,0, switch to a Front camera and make sure the plane faces the camera. Apply the texture to the plane and make sure it is positioned correctly on the plane before you export it to Lumion.

In Lumion, add the Billboard material to the plane. If it turns invisible, it means that the plane is facing away from the camera instead of towards it. To fix this, turn it 180 degrees in your 3D modelling application and re-export it. Then use the Re-load model button in Edit material mode to update it.

If the plane turns into a line after you apply the Billboard material to it, it means that it needs to be turned 90 degrees.

Good luck!

[sach]

Thanks a lot Morten, am trying it.

Thanks again

Sach

[sach]

What did i do wrong, the 1.jpg image shows the face and the .tga before transform ito a billboard and the 2.jpg shows the face and the .tga after transform ito a billboard, the billboard is not on the face anymore?

[Morten]

Hi Sach, the midpoint of the base of the plane needs to be at 0,0,0 in AutoCad or SketchUp.

You can see on 2.jpg that the basepoint is currently the lower right corner. This point needs to be at the centre of the lower edge of the plane (basically where her feet are on 1.jpg).

[sach]

Thanks Morten, and by the way, tried exporting the .skp file as .dwg and it doesn't work in Lumion.

[Morten]

Hmm, that's not good - thanks for reporting it (although in practice, nobody probably imports DWG files from SketchUp since Collada and FBX work so well in Lumion).