Topic: custom made objects

[endpoint]

hi all,
last week i finally got a new videocard so that i can play with the free version of lumion.
I'm in love...

now, I have this question;
One of my clients is an architect who does a lot of showroom designing for Audi en VW.
In the library of the free Lumion I only see 2 Audi objects. I converted some Audi models from SketchUp to Lumion and placed them in the scene but can I re-use them in other projects? If so, how?

JP

[peterm]

Imported objects are saved into Lumion files that can be accessed via the Imported Object Library.

You can access any objects imported into other projects by opening the Imported Object Library and selecting the object from the thumbnail image of the object to make it the current object, then placing it in any other scene.

Note that as the object is a library object it can be used multiple times, but each of those are instances of the library object.  That means if you change the materials, then that object is updated in the library and all that use that object would then be updated to the change.  If you need unique objects, simply re-import the object with a new name and change that one.

[endpoint]

Thanx for the answer. It was indeed a helpfull but nontheless I still need to import the same model (fbx or dae) to just alter the color/material. That's a lot a work/time. I hope that the guys (and girls) at Lumion will incorporate the possibillity to change a color/material from a custom made/imported object without changing the colors of copies of that model in the scene like the standard objects in Lumion.

grtz.

[RAD]

Peterm covered the process as it works.  Good explanation.

I get your point Endpoint.  I've wondered the same thing before - but I "get it" (Lumion wise)  now and all this is easily confronted with pre-planning about how you are going to build your model with the software options that you have.

I like the fact that library imports stay the same.  Once you tweak an object to perfection it stays that way until you personally change it.  Great for dropping in imported items that one labored over materially and having the option to use it over and over quickly is nice.  Saves time on that side of the equation - but not on yours.

You need (for example) 30 different colored cars that are going to change in one showroom- right?

For you, One can either change the colors of the car for each "picture" or movie....
(which you will have to do anyway if you want all these different colors)
or for example
Import the car model 30 times and label it 30 different names and have 30 options of color changing cars which is infinite in combinations.  Yeah it will take you a little more time. 
PeterM covered this.

Perhaps for the import menu selection area in Lumion they could make it where you CAN copy one menu item and paste it back into the import menu area and THEN have the option to rename it another name.  That is what would be helpful for you and others.

How many different combinations of Audi are there really?  White, Black, Silver, Yellow, Red

[peterm]

Guess its a case of swings and round-abouts.  Get the advantage of having a master that if you change it will change all others, and that can be a real time saver, but there's times one needs to change individual items of the same 'type'.

A Duplicate in the library as CRhoades mentioned (copy and paste) would be a useful enhancement ot the Library features, although it only takes sort of 2 seconds to import the same model and give it a new name.  I gather the Lumion dev team are looking at the file management and library etc as part of future changes.

The other way is to dig into the My Documents\Lumion version\Library and copy the required files and rename them there, but that's much more of a hassle than simply doing another import.

For changing materials what would be useful then is to have a simple flag "Apply to this object only' or perhaps as any object is effectively a master, then when duplicating, have the flag, 'this object retains own materials' type thing.

[RAD]

The other way is to dig into the My Documents\Lumion version\Library and copy the required files and rename them there, but that's much more of a hassle than simply doing another import.

Have you done that Peterm?  It works?
That might be a quicker route if your imported models are BIG.

Good stuff    

[peterm]

Yes, as far as know in the few times have tried seems to work OK.

The main pain is that you then need to suitably name the file-which is up to 4 files for any library item as you have .lib, .inn, .mtt and .txx, but still only a few seconds I guess.

And perhaps also change the library thumbnail as well to reflect the different library item.

[Aaron]

Copy-paste then rename files in your \mydocuments\Lumion is currently actually the best way to go about version-administration regarding your own creations.
Also keep in mind you can create subfolders! These will then show up as 1,2,3 etc. in your browser. It's probably best to make your own naming convention so all you have to do is rename a 1,2,3 suffix etc. per variation.

[Brian Hengelsberg]

Have you thought about laying the cars in location in your modeling software, color to what you want..import them as a group (the car placement separate from the rest of the model). Once that is complete, import into Lumion...align the models, materialize in Lumion.  Rename using the options mentioned by others above above, then on the next model, rearrange the cars in your modeling software, export, and then grab the new name you created and reload in Lumion.  The materials will stay the same so they will be Lumion edited, but the locations will be where you need them to be (you might need to align again).  Next model, do the rename above... repeat.  This allows you to truly place the objects where you want them to be as they are more than just typical entourage... they are a focus.  The good thing is that you would have 4 files for a multitude of cars, not 4 files for EACH car. I have not tried this technique, and would be curious if it would work.

[endpoint]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the input and suggetions. I will take a look at all and see what best suits me.
I would like a function flag as peterm explained. Something like SketchUp's option to alter a component (the "Make Unique" option).

J-P.

[endpoint]

I copied the 4 library files of 1 audi to my desktop and renamed them with an extra suffix "-02". After that I copied these newly named files back to the library. Opened a new scene but there was only one Audi (the old one).

I also tried to place these 4 new files in a sub folder in the library. Thsi also didn't work.

Did I miss something?

I guess I have to wait then when the Lumion team comes up with the new file system update. Till then I have to import about 4 times the same model and give each another name and apply materials as wished.

[Morten]

Each imported object consists of up to 4 files in Documents/LumionFree/Library:

Name.lib
Name.lib.inn
Name.lib.mtt
Name.lib.txx

After duplicating and renaming the files, I assume that you now have the following additional files in the Library folder:

Name-02.lib
Name-02.lib.inn
Name-02.lib.mtt
Name-02.lib.txx

Important: Restart Lumion after adding the duplicates to the Library folder, otherwise they won't appear in the object browser.

Please let me know if it still doesn't work.

[endpoint]

Hi Morton,

Strangely enough now I succeeded. YES!!!
Thanx to all input.

J-P.

[Morten]

Looking good, endpoint! Glad to hear you got it to work.