Topic: Creating Light Maps - without 3d studio max

[Architectural Innovation]

I would like to experiment with using Light Maps but i am still not sure what the most efficient and cost effective solution would be.

I see many mentions of using 3d studio max, which we own, but i am deliberately trying to avoid that because the ultimate goal is to keep eliminating these huge, expensive software packages and achieve as much as possible with lumion and other, smaller specialized packages until Lumion is able to do it all on its own.

Questions:
1. Does anybody out there currently create lightmaps for import to Lumion WITHOUT using max? If so, how?

2. Has anybody tried the "LightUp" plugin for sketchup, and is it able to produce files compatible with Lumion? I found a thread addressing lightup's output but i am not sure what that means for Lumion...

excerpt from thread:
"LightUp exports Autodesk FBX files with multi-texture materials - which is typically what lightmapping game engines use. So depending on your target game engine, you'll need some sort of importer that honors the 2 texture per material that FBX specifies."

full thread:
http://www.lightup4sketchup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=558

3. Does anybody know anything about AwingSoft "Light map Maker" software and potential for use with Lumion?
link:
http://www.awingsoft.com/LightMapMaker/lightmapmaker.htm

4. Does Lumion ever plan on developing any plugins for sketchup to allow things like export and light placement? It would be great for sketchup user workflow.

Thanks in advance,

bob

[Architectural Innovation]

does anyone have any information or opinions regarding light maps and Lumion?

Thanks,

Bob

[Morten]

2) Simon did some tests with LightUp a few months ago, so you probably already saw this thread:
http://lumion3d.com/forum/index.php?topic=1442.0

I can't tell you how to make the lightmaps in LightUp, nor do I know which settings to use when exporting the FBX/Collada model, but if you do it correctly and import it in Lumion, you'll then need to apply a Lightmap material to each object in order to specify the blending amount (material texture vs lightmap overlay texture).

Perhaps there's a demo version that you could try first?

3) As far as I can tell, "Light map maker" isn't a great choice as it "bakes" the lighting into each texture instead of maintaining the original textures and blending the lighting onto those using a second texture layer for each surface. The latter will give you a better result (ie, a better resolution), and as far as I can tell, this is the method employed by LightUp.

[Architectural Innovation]

thanks a bunch. really appreciate the info. i had not seen that forum post before but will look into it and hopefully be able to report the experience soon.

bob

[RT-Visualization]

You could try pureLIGHT

I bought it 2 years ago and its quite interesting.

Downside is that you have to export your entire scen into this "engine" and then export again and reassing the lightmpas

You have 2 options:
- Make large lightmaps ( for example and entire kitchen set ) and generate a single lightmap for it
- Make indipendent lightmaps, where you'll have a single lightmap for each object

Give it a shot, is already integrated with Torque(RIP) and Leadwerks

http://www.purelighttech.com/

[blendman]

I'm told it can be done using Blender, but never done myself!

Regards,

blendman

I would like to experiment with using Light Maps but i am still not sure what the most efficient and cost effective solution would be.

I see many mentions of using 3d studio max, which we own, but i am deliberately trying to avoid that because the ultimate goal is to keep eliminating these huge, expensive software packages and achieve as much as possible with lumion and other, smaller specialized packages until Lumion is able to do it all on its own.

Questions:
1. Does anybody out there currently create lightmaps for import to Lumion WITHOUT using max? If so, how?

2. Has anybody tried the "LightUp" plugin for sketchup, and is it able to produce files compatible with Lumion? I found a thread addressing lightup's output but i am not sure what that means for Lumion...

excerpt from thread:
"LightUp exports Autodesk FBX files with multi-texture materials - which is typically what lightmapping game engines use. So depending on your target game engine, you'll need some sort of importer that honors the 2 texture per material that FBX specifies."

full thread:
http://www.lightup4sketchup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=558

3. Does anybody know anything about AwingSoft "Light map Maker" software and potential for use with Lumion?
link:
http://www.awingsoft.com/LightMapMaker/lightmapmaker.htm

4. Does Lumion ever plan on developing any plugins for sketchup to allow things like export and light placement? It would be great for sketchup user workflow.

Thanks in advance,

bob

[Michael Betke]

Yes just use blender. Its first choise if you want a budget tool with lots of power. I sue it too but for compositing sometimes only. Have no clue how to model (3dmax user).

[blendman]

I'm a little mystified by the thread, and I assume the next update Version 2 will resolve the need to Light Map.  I assume the question i coming from ome one immediately lokking for an alternative way t oLight Map using v.1!

Regards,

blendman

[Morten]

Yes, it's probably wise to wait a few more days to see what sort of lighting we'll have in Lumion 2 before spending time (and money) on 3rd party lightmapping tools.

[blendman]

A few more days!!  Man, have you let the cat out of the bag,  hehehehe.  So I might be downloading V.2 very, very soon!!