It's a completely rebuilt plugin. There are very few similarities from 2 to 3. I'm not sure if this is the best way to learn. Any reason for not just using 2 for now to learn and then upgrade to 3 when you are comfortable with the features.

I think you will have to run a script to turn the VRay materials into standard materials because when you export to OBJ it will not recognize the VRay maps.

As of right now, I am not sure there is a very good solution. I spoke with Bryce directly and he told me, "It seems that something is going on with how terrain data is served and how the resolution of the grid is determined. We're going to try to make some improvements but I don't know when you'll see them."

Thats the best they can offer right now.

I agree with Pixero on this one. This is the best workflow. I have been doing the same for years on many projects. Also, when your client sends an updated Revit export, you can just use the method above and then use ThomThoms replace material from the old model to the new model. The entire process is very quick.

The one caveat with working with Revit imports is that I always find that SketchUp tends to run very weighed down, so try to replace as much Revit garbage as you can such as railings, fixtures, furniture, etc. with SU components that are clean.

Jut yesterday I imported a model with terrible columns that had millions a tiny little triangles. They were so heavy and the 10 min it took to swap them out was well worth it.

10 YEARS I have been asking for this tool and its finally here!!! TAKE MY MONEY!!!!

@pugz1983 said:

Hi Everybody,

We are planning to do an animation in Lumion 7. It's an exterior infrastructure animation. It will be our first large project in Lumion. Are there any tips and or tricks you guys can think of? The modeling will be done in SU.

Greetz

Twan

Be aware of your render times for your final export. Just because its Lumion, doesn't mean it will render fast. If you want the highest resolution and quality and turn on a bunch of effects, you can be looking at hours and hours and hours of cook time. The first animation I did, I just piled the effects on and then hit render and it came back with 60 hours... I needed it the next day, so I had to scale back a little bit.

Also be conscious of your workstation specs. Lumion over the last couple of years has become very demanding on your CPU and GPU (multiple GPUs are not supported either.

@solo said:

@rich o brien said:

@Pete

Did you not get latest eon press release? they've new stuff coming.

Plant Factory and Vue got updated. Lumen planned later this year.

Probably in my spam folder, I did see something about an update to Vue 2016, seriously? it's 2017 now!

I once was a huge Vue and LumenRT fanboy, no longer as I feel we were ignored and no improvements for years.

I too was very excited by Vue several years ago and dropped hundreds on the program and assets and learning tools/videos. Only to be disappointed with it all.

Glad thats its not just me. I will report it to Trimble I guess.

I have seen this happen a couple of times on various models and have never been able to pin point what does it. It usually happens on complex models with a lot of components imported from various sources (FormFonts, Warehouse, etc.) At some point in the later stages of modeling I lose my Red Green Blue plane snapping. No matter what I try it does 'see' those axis anymore.

Sounds like a mapping issue. Maybe it wasnt set to Environment mapping?

Yes. Just control them with layer visibility in each scene. Should work.

Not sure an HDRI can have a virus like that. What render engine?

So Google owns and controls all high resolution aerial and topo data on Earth?

I sent an email direct to Trimble which was forwarded to Bryce. It's just crap and to even suggest that this is an ok replacement is a slap in the face of all SketchUp users. They should have honestly cut a deal with Google and told us that we would have to pay a fee for the service.

Is anyone still fuming over this? I am trying to get site information for a model and SketchUp was always the go to. Now I don't know what the heck to do. These topo models that import from DG are useless. The grid is WAY to spread out. In some cases 100-200' grid. That's ridiculous.

@dave r said:

@Valerostudio, where in Providence is the terrain data missing? I picked a couple of spots at random and they showed both the Location Snapshot layer and the Terrain layer.

It turns out that it was importing terrain, I just didn't realize it because the grid is 10X larger than Google and is now complete GARBAGE. Trimble - if you are listening, call up the boys at Google and get this feature back... PLEASE!!!!

There are other discussions about this. It's complete crap - email Trimble and voice your concerns.

@andybot said:

I just tested out the new maps, and also found the resolution is much lower than before. Blech! Really disappointed with this change @Trimble.

I agree with Andy on this one. This is one of the biggest features which is now lost. These aerials and topo meshes are a useless heap of steaming garbage (sorry Trimble but they are).

Maybe Placemaker is the answer?

SketchUp PlaceMaker - A SketchUp Extension and Instant 3D City Builder

PlaceMaker is a SketchUp extension that lets you instantly build 3D cities into your model! Import buildings, trees and forests. Place 3D roads, paths and water. Use our affordable BuildingMaker 3D modeling service. Model directly onto 3D terrain and export your model to Revit. Learn more.

SketchUp PlaceMaker (www.suplacemaker.com)

Providence RI not importing 3D terrain and the aerial imagery is total crap! This is hands down one of the biggest features for me to lose!

Displacement in your file?

Seriously though, 2.0 is garbage. Upgrade to 3.4 as soon as you can.