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Model import guidelines for Rhino

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Arthur Roodenburg
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1. The best export method for your version of Rhino and Lumion

Rhino Lumion Export method
Rhino 6.10 or newer Lumion 9.0 or newer Lumion LiveSync for Rhino 6.10 or newer
Rhino 5 SR 10 or newer Lumion 5.0 or newer File -> Save As -> Collada (*.DAE)
Rhino 4 or older Lumion 5.3 or newer File -> Save As -> SketchUp (*.SKP)

 

2. Method A: LiveSync export 

2.1: With Lumion LiveSync for Rhino and Lumion 9.3 and newer, you can immediately set up a live, real-time visualization of your Rhino 6.10 (and newer) model:

 

3. Method B: Lumion .DAE file export

3.1: We recommend exporting the model via LiveSync rather than via .DAE format as it is faster and requires fewer resources. However, if you prefer to export your model via a file, you can export a Lumion Collada file (.DAE) using the Lumion LiveSync for Rhino Export button in the palette. Then import the .DAE file in Lumion:

 

4. Tips & Troubleshooting

4.1: Why are some materials automatically converted to water and glass in Lumion? 

The Glass material in Rhino is automatically converted to a special glass material in Lumion when using LiveSync (or .DAE file format when using Lumion 10 or newer) to export the model via the Lumion LiveSync for Rhino plug-in.

If your Rhino material name begins with one of the words for water in the table below and is followed by a space, it will be converted to a special water material in Lumion when using LiveSync (or .DAE file format when using Lumion 10 or newer) to export the model via the Lumion LiveSync for Rhino plug-in.

  • The automatic conversion only takes place when you start the LiveSync function (or when you import the .DAE file in Lumion 10 or newer).
  • Please note that these special material types cannot be edited in Lumion.
  • If you want to edit a converted glass or water material, you should assign a new Glass Material or Water Material from the Material Library to the surface.
Language Water
Chinese 水
English Water
French Eau
German Wasser
Italian Acqua
Japanese 水
Korean 물
Polish Woda
Portuguese Agua
Russian вода
Spanish Agua
Swedish Vatten

4.2: Why can't you see the model after importing and placing it in your Scene?

  • The Insertion Point for the Imported Model in Lumion corresponds to 0,0,0 in Rhino.
  • If a model is far away from the Insertion Point in Lumion, you need to move the model closer to 0,0,0 in Rhino, before exporting it to Lumion.
  • If the model is imported into Rhino from other 3D/CAD software, e.g. from AutoCAD via .DWG format, the CPlane coordinate system in Rhino might have been moved away from the origin point (0,0,0).
  • To reset the coordinate system in Rhino please follow these instructions:
    - Type _4View twice in the command prompt in Rhino to reset the CPlane.
    - Then move the model to 0,0,0 with the 'Move' command and re-export or LiveSync the model.

4.3: How do you reduce the detail level of Rhino models?

4.4: Why can't you assign a Lumion material to individual surfaces?

Lumion will always combine surfaces that use the same material in Rhino. If you want to assign a Lumion material to a specific surface, you must assign a unique material to that surface in Rhino before importing the model.

4.5: Can you import materials assigned to layers?

  • Yes, in Rhino you can either assign a material to an object or to a layer:

        

  • If you assign the material to a layer, all objects on the layer will then be identified by that material name when imported in Lumion:

        

  • Any Rhino layers or objects that share the same material name will have the same combined surface and material name in Lumion.
  • If no material is assigned for a Rhino layer or object, it will not have a unique material name and will be part of a catch-all material/surface name in Lumion.

4.6: How do you update a model in LiveSync when the file name or folder location of the Rhino file has changed?

 

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