You get this message when opening Lumion:  "Unable to access your Documents folder"

1. Here’s why

Lumion must be allowed to read and write data (for example, Imported Models) in the following folder:

• Documents\Lumion [VERSION]\

Occasionally, something on your PC or network might prevent Lumion from saving data in that folder. 

This problem is usually caused by one or more of the following:

• Lumion is unable to locate the required folder location.
• A lack of free space on the hard-drive that the Documents folder is located on.
• Insufficient Windows User Account permissions.
• Overzealous anti-virus/security software.

Please follow these instructions to ensure that Lumion is allowed to read and write data in the folder.

2.  How To Resolve the Issue and Message:

2.1: Correct Folder Access:

2.1.1: Change the Lumion-Documents folder location - Lumion 2023.1.2 and newer

In Lumion 2023.1.2 and newer versions, you can change the location of the Documents folder in the settings of the software as explained in the article below:

• Knowledge Base: How do you change the location of the Lumion-documents folder?

2.1.2: Changing the Documents folder location - Versions older than 2023.1.2

You can change it via Windows and it applies to all of the My Documents folders not just for Lumion.  

• External Link: Configuration of the Documents folder

2.1.3: A change in location occurred

If, for example the Documents folder was shifted by some change such as OneDrive being allocated to backup the Documents folder to OneDrive online then it is possible the location might not exist.

Another example is if the Document folders have somehow been deleted.

We will need to help you investigate the exact folder information and steps to resolve this issue.  Please contact us:

• Knowledge Base:  Contact Lumion Technical Support

2.2: Administrator

Please right-click on 'Lumion.exe' in the folder that you installed Lumion in, usually [install drive]\Program Files\Lumion (Version), and select 'Run as administrator:

2.3: Correct Permissions

If that does not resolve the problem, please right-click on Documents\Lumion (VERSION), select Properties and click on the Security tab. Your Windows User Account must have full read/write permissions for this folder and for all sub-folders.

Example:

2.4: Not Enough Free file space

Then confirm that there is at least an absolute minimum of 30GB, and preferably at least 50GB, of free space on the drive that the Documents folder is located on, usually C:\ drive.

• Knowledge Base: What file space do I need to download, install and use Lumion?

2.5: Check if there is Back-up, file sync or file share software operating

Check if the Documents folder or any of the Lumion folders inside the Documents folder are being backed-up by back-up, file sync or file share software, e.g. OneDrive, GDrive, Dropbox or similar. The back-up software might 'lock' the imported model file before Lumion is done saving it which can result in file corruption or the file will be prevented from being saved. To check if this is the case or not, please temporarily disable the back-up software and try again.

• Knowledge Base:  How can you fix Error code 0x4c8 message when saving a file?

2.6:  Exclusions in anti-virus/security software

And lastly, please add exclusions for 'Lumion.exe', the installation folder (Usually C:\Program Files\Lumion) and also the folder Lumion saves files to (Documents\Lumion) on your anti-virus/security software:

• Knowledge Base: How do you resolve anti-virus and firewall problems?