Lumion

Lumion is an advanced 3D rendering software built from the ground up to serve the needs of the world’s top architects and designers. Its core function is not to only enable the design of brand-new architectural models, but to help architects and designers to take their pre-existing models and place them in a local context, where they will be furnished and surrounded with thousands of high-quality models, rendering and lighting effects.



This focus in bringing to life your simple basic architectural models have enabled Lumion for PC to become one of the most popular 3D rendering solutions for architects and designers.

Itcomes with full support for furnishing interiors and exteriors, with a large library of household objects, outside fauna, realistic environment rendering, and full support for raytraced visuals that showcase the full impact of light and shadows. All that is accessible via a streamlined interface that promotes experimentation, quick iteration, easy integration into your personal workflow, and faster rendering times than many competitors.

The result of your work is often a stunning render that can be immediately used for client presentations, marketing meetings, architectural brainstorming, design development, and more. As a special feature, the app also has built-in support for rendering static VR-ready images that can perfectly showcase the immersion, scale, and visual spectacle of your design to co-workers and clients.



Because of its focus on high-end customers and uncompromising approach on delivering high-end design and rendering tools, large content library (of both materials and objects),  access to fine-detail nature models, realistic skies, environments and environmental effects (rain and snow), photo-matching tools, heightmap importing, high-quality people models, and more, it remains available for use as a premium application. The app can be purchased in two packs, cheaper the app which restricts the size of the model library to 1/3, and fully featured and more expensive Lumion Pro.

To see if your PC can handle the rendering load of the tool, you can download the FREE 14-day TRIAL, that features a restricted set of tools, 15% of content library and the inability of (watermarked) scenes saved in trial version to be loaded in other versions of the software.

What's included in the free trial

• Complete access to all the latest features and content of Lumion Pro
• Compatible with all major CAD software
• Works for any project: residential, commercial, interior, landscape, urban, and more
• Tutorials to help you get started
• Expert technical and customer support
• No credit card required to sign up
• Free for 14 days

Highlights

• Famous modeling and rendering software built for architects and designers.
• All-in-one solution for presenting architecture, engineering, and construction in the best possible light.
• Enhance your models with incredible environments, interior/exterior furnishings, natural objects, and more.
• Fast deployment and experimentation with streamlined tools and fast rendering.
• Quickly make your architecture objects presentable for clients and co-workers.
• Showcase your 3D model in the context of the real world.
• Access to a large library of thousands of high-quality models, materials, and effects.
• Full simulation of day/night cycle, atmospheric effect, raytraced lights and shadows, and more.
• Built-in support for the creation of stunning static VR-ready images.
• Also available in a FREE Trial app with limited tools/services access.

Installation

In its current version, this program can be downloaded as a 12.6GB archive. Because of its size, the app requires a fairly substantial amount of free space on your local storage. In addition to that, you will also need an Intel/AMD processor with a single-threaded CPU Mark score of 2000 or higher, graphics card with a G3DMark score of 6000 or higher, at least 4 GB of video memory, 16 GB or more of RAM memory, and a fast SATA3 SSD drive. These are just minimum requirements, and for comfortable use, you will need to aim much higher and use high-end gaming and productivity hardware.

Features

Real-time Rendering: It offers real-time rendering capabilities, allowing users to see their designs come to life instantly as they make changes.

Vast Content Library: Access to a vast library of high-quality models, textures, and materials enables users to quickly populate their scenes with realistic elements.

Advanced Lighting and Effects: It provides a range of lighting options, including global illumination and atmospheric effects, to enhance the realism of rendered scenes.

360-Degree Panoramas and VR Support: Users can create immersive experiences with 360-degree panoramas and virtual reality support, perfect for showcasing designs to clients.

Intuitive Interface: With a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use tools, it makes it simple for both novice and experienced users to create stunning visualizations.

How to Use

Import Models: Start by importing 3D models into the app from software such as SketchUp, Revit, or 3ds Max.

Set Up Scene: Arrange imported models within the scene, adjusting their positions and orientations as needed.

Apply Materials: Customize the appearance of models by applying materials from Lumion's extensive library or creating custom materials.

Adjust Lighting: Fine-tune lighting settings to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere for the scene.

Render and Share: Once satisfied with the scene, use Lumion's rendering tools to generate high-quality images, videos, or interactive experiences for sharing with clients and collaborators.



FAQ

Can Lumion handle large-scale architectural projects?
Yes, the program is capable of handling projects of varying sizes, from small-scale residential designs to large-scale urban developments.

Is Lumion compatible with other 3D modeling software?
Yes, it supports import of 3D models from popular modeling software such as SketchUp, Revit, Rhino, and others.

Does Lumion require powerful hardware to run smoothly?
While teh app can benefit from powerful hardware for optimal performance, it is designed to run on a wide range of systems, including mid-range workstations and gaming PCs.

Can I create animations with Lumion for PC?
Yes, it offers animation capabilities, allowing users to create dynamic visualizations with moving objects and camera paths.

Are there educational discounts available for Lumion?
Yes, it offers discounted pricing for educational institutions and students. Contact their sales team for more information.

Alternatives

Enscape: Known for its seamless integration with BIM software like Revit and SketchUp, Enscape offers real-time rendering and virtual reality capabilities.

V-Ray: Widely used in the architectural visualization industry, V-Ray provides powerful rendering tools and advanced lighting options for creating photorealistic images.

Twinmotion: Developed by Epic Games, Twinmotion offers real-time rendering and visualization tools, with a focus on ease of use and interoperability with popular 3D modeling software.

Pricing

It offers several pricing tiers, including perpetual licenses and subscription options. Pricing varies depending on the edition and additional features included. Educational discounts are available for students and institutions.

Standard Plan - €62.42/ month

• Limited time offer
• Includes 3,900+ models and materials
• Limited rendering effects
• Use on multiple computers
• Free upgrades to the latest version
• Expert support included

Pro Plan - €124.92/ month

• Limited time offer
• Includes 9,100+ models and materials
• Fine-detail nature assets
• Complete rendering and atmospheric effects
• Merge team project files
• Use on multiple computers
• Free upgrades to the latest version
• Expert support included
• Personalized onboarding session (on demand)

How does the 1-Year Subscription work?

• Renews after one year
• Always up-to-date on the latest version
• Install and use on multiple computers
• Easy to scale-up new seats
• You can cancel anytime

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 11/10, 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5 with 3.0 GHz base speed or higher
• RAM: 16 GB or more
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or AMD equivalent with 6 GB or more VRAM
• Storage: SSD with 30 GB available space
• Additional: Internet connection required for license activation and online services

PROS

• Real-time rendering for instant feedback
• Extensive content library for quick scene creation
• Intuitive interface for ease of use
• Support for virtual reality and 360-degree panoramas
• Regular updates and improvements

CONS

• High hardware requirements for optimal performance
• Some advanced features may require additional learning curve
• Limited platform support (Windows-only)

Note: 14 days trial version.