Lumion makes importing and managing your models a breeze. There are two methods:

• Import files directly as a compatible 3D model format.
• Use our real-time export/import LiveSync plugin in your CAD software.

Here's how each method works in more detail:

Method ① Regular Import

While in Content Library in Build Mode, click on the Imported Models button and then click on Place.

This will bring up your Imported Model Library. Simply click on this button to import your model:

You can select multiple models to import all at once. To do so, simply select the models to import while holding CTRL. You'll be given an option to add a prefix to the models when imported.

Alternatively, you can Drag and Drop the model file into Lumion. After the model is imported, it will be automatically saved in your Imported Model Library, where you can pick it up and place it:

When importing models as files, you get extra options, such as selecting or creating a Category Folder for the model.

This helps you organize them based on their type, such as furniture, vegetation, vehicles, etc., and facilitates model retrieval and reuse for future Projects.

• Knowledge Base:  How can you make your own Categories for the Imported Model Library?

Re-Import:

In case you need to make changes to your model later on, you can easily re-import it in Lumion by selecting it and clicking the ⟳ Re-import button. Holding ALT key while clicking that button will allow you to choose a different file to Re-import.

• Knowledge Base: How do you re-import a model in Lumion 9 and newer versions?

You also have the option to import simple model Animations in .FBX format, enabling the inclusion of dynamic elements in your architectural visualizations.       

See this article for all supported 3D model formats and import guidelines:

• Knowledge Base: How do you import a model from your CAD software?

In case you are using a 3D modeling application that is not officially supported, follow this guide:

• Knowledge Base: Model import guidelines for Other 3d modeling software
  
  

Method ② LiveSync Real-Time Import (Recommended)

LiveSync is a plugin that allows you to synchronize your model into Lumion. While synced, all the changes you make to the model in your 3D modeling application are automatically reflected in Lumion in real-time. This eliminates the need to Re-import the model manually after doing geometry or Material changes.

To use LiveSync, first download the plugin for your 3D modeling software:

• Knowledge Base: Where can you download Lumion plug-ins for your CAD software?

Once it's installed, you'll find the LiveSync toolbar available for the app's interface:

Press the Start button to sync your model. You can also choose to synchronize the camera from your 3D modeling app. 

LiveSync will remember and reconnect your model the next time you press play as long as the name and location haven't changed. To learn more about reconnecting your models, see this article:

• Knowledge Base: How does LiveSync work with existing imported models in Lumion Projects?

We recommend using LiveSync whenever possible as it is faster and uses fewer resources than the regular import method. 

If things are not yet clear, see this short Tutorial video to learn more about the process of importing your models into Lumion:

When you import 3D models into Lumion, they are automatically saved in your Imported Model Library, enabling you to create an easily accessible collection of assets that can be reused in different Projects. 

To open your model Library, click on the Place button while the Imported Models Category is selected. Here, you can view your models, Place them, or delete them. Models in the Library can be sorted by Alphabetical Order or by Import Date as well as have their Thumbnail size adjusted using the buttons on the top right. 

Any Project you load in Lumion will have all its models automatically stored in the Library. And, all models in the Library are updated when you make changes to them on the current Project.

When you place the same model multiple times in a Project, Lumion creates Instances of it, which are lightweight references of the model (rather than full duplicates) to save memory.

When you make changes to one instance of a model, those changes are automatically reflected in all other instances.

This instancing system allows you to efficiently replicate and manipulate Imported Models in your scene while optimizing performance. To take advantage of this system, we highly recommend importing a single model and placing it multiple times in Lumion rather than importing a model that has multiple copies of that model in it. 

Note that instanced models still need to have their 3D data rendered, so placing many of them may impact performance. 

Speaking of performance: In case you see a ⚠ warning icon when hovering the cursor over a model in the Imported Model Library, it means that the model is very complex and may slow FPS down when placing it in the scene. If this happens, it is advisable to optimize the model and re-import it:

• Knowledge Base: How do you reduce the complexity of a model before importing it in Lumion?
  
  

In Windows file explorer, the Imported Model Library is by default created in this location on your Documents folder the first time you start Lumion:

• C:/Username/Documents/Lumion/Library

If you navigate to that folder, you'll find that each Imported Model is split into 4 different file types, for example:

• The .LIB file corresponds to a model's geometry. 
• The .INN file contains the thumbnail of the image.
• The .LMS file corresponds to the Materials and textures added to within Lumion. 
• And lastly, the .TXX file corresponds to the textures that came with the model when it was imported.

More information on this topic can be found below:

• Knowledge Base: Where are Projects and Imported Models saved to in Lumion?

When a model is imported into Lumion, each surface becomes individually selectable in Material Mode based on the material name assigned in the original 3D application. For model optimization and precise Material assignment in Lumion, it is important to have a unique name for each material that you want to have combined in the model.

While in Material Mode:

• Clicking on a highlighted surface will bring up the Material Editor. From here you can select to create a new Material for that surface or select a Material from Lumion's extensive Material Library.
• Double-clicking a highlighted surface will always take you directly to the settings for that Material.

More information on the Material Editor can be found below.

• Knowledge Base: How do you use the Material Editor in Lumion 2023?
  
  

Tutorials

This tutorial video covers assigning and customizing Materials: 

And for a more advanced guide on how to create incredibly realistic-looking textures, follow this Tutorial by Architecture Inspirations:

In Lumion, you can easily generate different versions of a single 3D model, allowing for Variations in geometry or Materials. This feature streamlines your workflow by eliminating the need to import multiple models and helps maintain a clutter-free library.

Using the Variation Control Effect, you can choose which variation to show within your renders. This allows you to seamlessly showcase various design concepts, even in Animations by adding Keyframes.

These features are covered in this short Tutorial video:

To learn more about how to use Variations, follow this article:

• Knowledge Base: How do you make Variations of a model?

You can simplify the scene arrangement workflow by placing Nodes in your model as Proxies. These Nodes can then be used to place elements in Lumion, streamlining the Objects placement process.

For example, you can place Proxy boxes in your model where you want to have Lights. Then, in Lumion you can replace the boxes with Lights all at once. It's a fast and effortless way to add multiple Objects in specific positions.

You can see this feature in action in the following Tutorial Video:

Learn more in this article:

• Knowledge Base: How do you replace imported 'proxy' objects with Library objects?