Topic: Lumion 3.1 FREE - water mark

[endpoint]

Hi L-team... I just downloaded and took a test drive of the 3.1  FREE version... as I realised that the old Lumion FREE logo is replaced by an overall pretty distracted tiled water mark... Why not keep the original Lumion FREE logo in the top left corner?

J-P.

[RAD]

Because you can crop it out and use the software for free to earn $$$$ maybe?

[endpoint]

yeah... hmmm... I also thought that that could be the reason... but then Act 3d should rename the Free version to Evaluation version.

This would then indicate that you have a complete version working for a certain time (xxx days) with some minor output options and a banner/water mark on the final output.

IMO a FREE version, on the other hand, is a complete working version just like the 2.5 FREE version... so with only the Lumion FREE logo and some standard lumion objects.

J-P.

[RAD]

As I've become more aware of how to use this software - The FREE version that was handed out earlier truly became FREE for professional use - because you can make that Logo go away.  Lumion is Awesome and they should mark up any free output because you can truly learn about how to use it and what it does from a Marked UP output version.  I support their move to mark up all free version output.  It's smart and I don't blame them one bit.   

[Morten]

Lumion Free was always meant to be for evaluation purposes only. Unfortunately, as RAD alteady pointed out, some people ignored this and used it for commercial projects, so we were forced to take action as we don't want our customers to have to compete with people who don't pay.

We also offer a time-limited trial version without the full screen watermark to large companies/institutions. I believe this version is only available from local resellers, and each 'applicant' is vetted to ensure that they are serious potential customer.

[IdeaImmagine]

Wouldn't it be better a single big transparent logo instead of many small ones?

[Morten]

Hi IdeaImmagine, it is possible that the watermark is too visible - we'll obviously adjust this if it puts people off Lumion when they test it for the first time. We are also looking forward to getting this kind of feedback from our resellers who deal with customers every day.

[IdeaImmagine]

if it puts people off Lumion when they test it for the first time

That's the point, Morten!

What a difference with version 2.5... anyway, that small small in the upper left corner was too easy to "bypass" by cropping images. Maybe a less "invasive" one won't "put people off"!

From my point of view, this is a feedback that forum users could focus better than resellers.
Who's contacting a reseller, in fact, is already on the way to buy a license, rather than giving Lumion a try. So here is my humble contribution.

[RAD]

Yeah it puts people off because they can't use it to make money for free.   
They certainly can learn all its benefits and limitations with a marked up version. 
That will not stop anyone from realizing Lumions environment and how it runs.
With Lumion coming on-line and ironing out the little errors the newest version will be in hot demand.  Better make the overlay logo's even bigger.

[Aliki_N]

That's the point, Morten!

What a difference with version 2.5... anyway, that small small in the upper left corner was too easy to "bypass" by cropping images. Maybe a less "invasive" one won't "put people off"!

From my point of view, this is a feedback that forum users could focus better than resellers.
Who's contacting a reseller, in fact, is already on the way to buy a license, rather than giving Lumion a try. So here is my humble contribution.

Hi Ideaimmagine, can you post one of your rendered videos and still images just so that we can all see how intense the water mark is? I think I kind of agree with the complainant that if the water mark is too strong, it becomes too difficult to actually evaluate the quality of the render and often if there are other competitors one can easily be put off. It is often individual evaluators that influence corporate decision to buy or not to buy the application. On the other hand, under-protection of the application is detrimental like was the case with the previous versions, where free users even won the competition. Lumion team just needs to apply the right amount of protection. In addition to this, I think lumion needs to throw out competitions more often, as the publicity that the app has got through this, over the net is humongous, as competitions often brings out the best of what can be achieved with an application. Notable in this case was the 2011 competition and Ronnen's competition.

Regards,

Alickn

[IdeaImmagine]

Here it is! Now I'll be waiting to read your opinion...

[BABE™]

If that is the FINAL-RENDER-OUTPUT , thats fine

i presume build-mode displays the same , because of SCREEN-CAPTURE-ABUSE
some company's use a HEAVIER W.M.

After a while , you dont notice it, a bit like the chair your sitting on.

[cadmunkey]

It is the watermark within the editor that I find very distracting, it puts me off using the software now which is a shame. I wouldnt mind if the watermarks were just plastered all over the final videos and render outputs as I understand you guys have to protect your product, but to have them all over the screen while trying to edit a model is just very distracting to me.

[Morten]

Thanks for your feedback. I personally think the watermark in Build mode is quite discreet.

Here are some comparison screenshots/renderings:

[BABE™]

The build-mode W.M looks about 50% reduced    PURR FECT