Topic: Version 5 Demo???

[3dmk]

Hi & thanks for your time to read this

Just wondering when there will be a demo version of Lumion 5?
I contacted my reseller for a 7 day demo of the LATEST version only to find out after downloading it that is was only version 4.5    The reseller then told me he has no idea when 5.0 demo will be available.
The problem is that all the features I am interested in are ONLY in version 5.0 so it's pointless for me to try the 4.5 version [I have already tried the free version extensively. I would also never buy such expensive software without testing all the latest features first, as I do with all the software I purchase.
I am really frustrated at wanting to buy a piece of software, yet not being able to test it.

Thanks again for your time
Jamie

[RAD]

Hello 

What are your goals and objectives with the software?   

[3dmk]

The plan is to use it for Archviz, which I have been doing for the last 8 years professionally. I have spent many thousands of dollars on software over the years and some of it was good & some of it was bad. One thing I have understood from this is to test new software thoroughly before buying it. Especially when it is as expensive as Lumion. It's such a pity I can't do that.

 I am also interested in providing custom tree and plant options for Lumion artists but that really seems impossible at the moment considering you must use the out-dated and ridiculously expensive speedtree 5.1 
Unique and species specific tree/plant models are becoming more and more important to archviz productions and it appears from what I have read on this forum that users are constantly asking for more new plants/trees than the developers could ever hope to come up with. Seems to be a big gap there that is only going to get wider.

Cheers
Jamie

[RAD]

What software do you currently use?   

[3dmk]

I currently use Vray..
but I don't see what that has got to do with a Lumion 5 Demo [sorry but I am just trying to keep the post on track]

[Morten]

Hi Jamie, there are currently no plans to offer a demo version of Lumion 5, but I will let you know if that changes.

As you know, Lumion uses SpeedTree 5.1, so if you wanted to create trees for Lumion users you would need a license from IDV that would allow you to do that. However, I have yet to see a license for any of their products (including SpeedTree for Unity, SpeedTree for UE) that allows you to sell trees made in the SpeedTree Modeler to other people, unless those people also happen to have a license. This not only applies to compiled .srt files but also to static meshes (exported as FBX files). This is why you never see SpeedTree trees/plants on TurboSquid etc.

That being said, I would recommend contacting Kevin Meredith at IDV to discuss your options though (unless you already did that ). In recent communication, he mentioned that there are currently no plans to make it possible for non-IDV staff to sell trees on the UE Marketplace or on the Unity Asset Store, but that they are interested to hear from potential tree/plant modellers to gauge the level of interest in such a license (and how to share the revenue).

[3dmk]

Thanks for your time Morten
I eagerly await any news you have, as I just can't commit at this stage without any testing of these new features.

[I answered more about the speedtrees in this post http://forum.lumion3d.com/general-discussion/version-5-0-is-it-still-using-speedtree-5-1/

Cheers
Jamie

[Morten]

I eagerly await any news you have, as I just can't commit at this stage without any testing of these new features.

That's fair enough, Jamie.

[A H M E T]

hey 3dmk..
I just suggest if you can look for any users of Lumion around you, so you can test the product if you got their help..

[3dmk]

hey 3dmk..
I just suggest if you can look for any users of Lumion around you, so you can test the product if you got their help..

Thanks for the idea.  Not sure I will find someone though, as I live in a small town, rather far from the city.

Cheers
Jamie