Topic: Mac Collada to Lumion

[maeglin1]

I use Sketchup in Mac Bootcamp.... all the programs I use are Windows based. But I'm thinking of converting all my programs to Mac. I noticed that if I export a Collada file from Sketchup (Mac) into Lumion it works. If so, I can convert to Mac with confidence because my life revolves around Lumion and Sketchup in Windows. To get to the point.... can I safely export Collada into Lumion from Mac and will it perform as good as Window Collada files?

Also, I always put music on my Lumion movies.... but I have to do so through Adobe Premiere. Is it possible Lumion could include a music feature in future revamps? It all about timing. Making certain points in the movie respond to specific points in the music. Just a thought. 

[Gaieus]

The Collada exporter for PC and Mac should be the same (at least if you have the same versions on both systems) so although I have never tried it on a Mac, I am pretty sure you would have the same results. But why do not you give it a try (easily with a simple model - then try to change this and that, retexture in SU and reload in Lumion)?

As for music (or generally sounds - which could be much more advanced than just a background music - think of 3D/stereo effects attached to Lumion objects!), I am looking forward to it with great anticipation myself.

[BABE™]

Is it possible Lumion could include a music feature in future revamps?

This is a | MISSION IMPOSSIBLE |......................... isn't that right Morton ?

[maeglin1]

Thanks for the reply.... putting the music on is the final link in the long chain of work.... and (for me) its the weak link. No matter what preferences I use.... and I've used lots of different video editors.... the quality of the Mpeg is diminished once I add music and re-export it. I've tried Adobe Premier, Magix Video Pro X4 and AVS Video editor. Avs is the cheapest and most straight forward of the three.... and surprisingly gives the best quality, especially if in certain scenes slow motion is used..... its still smooth. But, with Adobe Premiere if I use slow motion (which I use to time the music in certain parts of the music) the exported video stutters like its missing frames. I have tried all the different settings in HD and tweaked with it for days on end.... maybe I'm doing something wrong which brings me back to my point..... it would be GREAT if Lumion could find a way to enable music to go along side the MP4 since it is an integral part of the "wowing" process to clients. Without music the final product is bland.
And yes, I think sound effects would be good.... for me, the morning dawn chorus of birds or the sound of night time insects (like in tropical countries) would be good to set a mood.... or the background dim of a cityscape..... or the distant sound of a barking dog..... I could go on.... 

[Morten]

Thanks for the reply.... putting the music on is the final link in the long chain of work.... and (for me) its the weak link.

Thanks for your request for music/sound in Lumion - it's best if you add requests in the Wish List section of the forum, so your ideas don't disappear in the General Discussion area. In any case, the developers have previously mentioned that they would like to add this sort of functionality to Lumion in a future update.

No matter what preferences I use.... and I've used lots of different video editors.... the quality of the Mpeg is diminished once I add music and re-export it.

I recommend that you export an image sequence (IMG) from Lumion instead of an MP4 file. This lets you select a lossless format (BMP/PNG/TGA/TIFF) which Adobe Premiere can import and interpret as a video clip.

Here's how:
http://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/importing-still-images.html#import_numbered_still_image_sequences_as_video_clips

[maeglin1]

Great, thanks for your reply.... I will give it a go.