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Model import guidelines for Autodesk FormIt

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Formit GIF v2 for Guidelines.gif

 

1. Install the Lumion plug-in (if required)

1.1: Please follow the instructions in section 1 in the article below to download and install the plug-in for your version of Lumion and Autodesk FormIt (if required):

1.2: Alternatively, use the Cloud-install option in FormIt:

  • Open the 'Plugin Manager'

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  • In the list, find 'Lumion LiveSync' and enable the switch next to it:

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  • For more information, clicking the blue symbol below the switch will redirect you to the Github page.

 

2. Method A: LiveSync export

2.1: With Lumion LiveSync for Autodesk FormIt and Lumion 12.0 and newer, you can immediately set up a live, real-time visualization of your Autodesk FormIt 2022.1 model:

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If you are using an older version of Lumion, please see Method B or Method C below.

 

3. Method B: Lumion .DAE file export (Lumion 8.5 and newer)

3.1: If you prefer to export your model via a file and you are using Lumion 8.5 or newer and Autodesk FormIt 2022, you can export a Lumion Collada file (.DAE) using the Lumion LiveSync for Autodesk FormIt Export button in the palette:

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However, please note that we recommend exporting the model via LiveSync (Method A) rather than via .DAE format as it is faster and requires fewer resources.

 

4. Method C: .FBX and .SKP file export (FormIt 2022.0 and older)

4.1: If you are using Lumion 8.3 to 11.5.1, please export the model to .FBX format and use the relevant settings:

File -> Export -> Locally... -> .FBX

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4.2: Select these options in the export options window:

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4.3 For SketchUp select 'SKP' from the list. The model will be exported in SketchUp 2018 format and can be imported in Lumion 8.3 and newer.

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5. Tips & Troubleshooting

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

  • The Insertion Point for the Imported Model in Lumion corresponds to 0,0,0 in the World Coordinate System in Autodesk FormIt.
  • If a model is far away from the Insertion Point in Lumion, you need to move the model closer to 0,0,0 in Autodesk FormIt, before exporting it to Lumion.
      1. Right-click in an empty space in the FormIt scene.
      2. Choose Reset Axes.
      3. Alternatively, type 'R Z'.
  • Using Custom Coordinates will export the 0,0,0 World Origin instead of the user-set Origin

See also:

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

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

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

5.4: Why are some materials automatically converted in Lumion?