What this book covers

Chapter 1, Getting Ready for Lumion 3D, focuses on preparing a 3D model to be used in Lumion 3D. A special section is used to explain why materials are a key aspect to ensure a smooth and fluid workflow when importing 3D models into Lumion. Common problems and how to solve them will ensure you start with the right foot.

Chapter 2, Creating a Project in Lumion, puts the 3D model in standby while you prepare a scene in Lumion. This involves creating a project and tweaking the terrain to accommodate the 3D model. Layers and workflow optimization are covered to help you get useful and practical professional habits.

Chapter 3, Importing 3D Models, explains how to import an external 3D model and place it inside Lumion. A time-saving feature is explained to enable the reload of new geometry, avoiding importing the same 3D model multiple times.

Chapter 4, Applying and Creating Materials, focuses entirely on how to improve the 3D model's look using Lumion's realistic materials. There are at least three possibilities that are covered giving you the insight to choose the one that best suits the project.

Chapter 5, Creating Your 3D World, is one of the high points in the book because it is entirely dedicated to explain how to use Lumion's native 3D models and completely control them in order to start populating and creating a 3D environment.

Chapter 6, Lighting in Lumion, is a small yet powerful chapter to improve and optimize lighting in Lumion. Exterior lighting is usually covered by Lumion's Sun and Sky system. However, for interior scenes, lights need to be used. Global illumination is explained to create perfect interior scenes.

Chapter 7, Creating Realistic Visualizations, starts explaining how to use Lumion's effects in the Photo mode to produce believable visualizations by mimicking what is present in the real world.

Chapter 8, Non-photorealistic Visualizations with Lumion, explores an almost unknown side of Lumion's effects. This chapter explains how to produce conceptual and technical illustrations.

Chapter 9, Animation Techniques, brings life to a project by exploring the Lumion's animation system. Step-by-step examples are provided to master this difficult stage.

Chapter 10, Creating Walk-through Visualizations, is the final step where final techniques are explained to enhance the quality of an animation and a movie by using not only sound, but also realistic effects.