Lumion is a rendering software that helps architects communicate their designs with clarity, emotion, and expression. For more than a decade, one can find new features, workflows, control methods, and enhanced scene rendering settings with each new version of Lumion. The designer can create a model in software such as Revit, SketchUp, or other BIM programs and import the model in Lumion for rendering to generate appealing and realistic visuals.
Here is a list of 10 tips that are helpful for Lumion rendering.
1. Craft the Surrounding Environment | Rendering with Lumion
Crafting the surrounding environment and a beautiful render helps in creating a photorealistic image. The different environmental backgrounds present in Lumion – Plain, Beach, Mountain, Tropical, Desert, Forest, Sub-urban, winter are ideal to select for each distinct type of project. If it is an exterior image, then adding unique landscapes -trees, water features, shrubs and plants, landscape furniture, sculptures, human figures, etc adds depth to the render and creates a realistic effect.
2. Determine a Viewpoint that emphasizes what you want to convey
Adjust the camera angle to emphasize what you are displaying in the correct position. Set the camera position so that the standpoint draws your attention. Whether you want to highlight a facade/ interiors / surrounding landscape/ pool/sculpture or the entire structure with the urban surroundings, etc., the viewpoint should give a complete picture of what you want to convey to the users. Setting the height to the human eye level and a fair perspective leads to a visually appealing viewpoint.
3. Setting up an idealized Daylighting Scene
Set an ideal rendering setting for daylight scenes. Enabling and adjusting the brightness for skies, modifying the position of the Sun( by using the sun-study effect), and precisely moderating the location, time, date of the project you are working on. Adjust the shadows, brightness, and contrast according to the scene. The exterior daylight, skylight, and sun settings complement the image making the rendering more attractive. It should not overwhelm the picture or add blurring to the rendered image.
4. Create an ideal atmosphere with Light Fixtures
Lighting plays a vital role in feeling and understanding space. The various colors, textures, and materials are identified by the presence of light. A blend of different light fixtures of wall lights, ceiling lights, spotlights, etc., creates a well-defined lighting atmosphere for the design and renders. Lumion also includes striking lighting effects such as color correction, bloom, volumetric spotlights effect, lens flare, and prominent properties.
5. Utilize Color Correction to perceive the feel of Color | Rendering with Lumion
Color and its combination of distinct colors play an essential role in an image. The regulating of the settings such as the temperature, tint, vibrance, brightness, contrast, saturation, and other aspects can be controlled using the color correction effect. The variation of colors, composition of diverse colors used, illumination, and contrast can enhance or diminish the scene.
6. Add Depth to the image by Blend of Effects
Adding a mix of effects not only adds depth to the image but also enhances the brightness and quality of the render. Here are a few tips for visual effects that supplement the renders in Lumion.
Color correction effect: It balances the color tone and adds shadows for an image.
Chromatic Aberration effect: Include this effect a little only where it is necessary.
Sharpness effect: setting to low value makes the picture flatter as a print.
Reflections: Adding reflections to transparent materials and water.
7. Adjust views with Two-point Perspective
Adjusting the view with a two-point perspective will eliminate any distortions with the focal length in the end results. The sidelines will be straight and give a precise angle so that the slant lines will be eliminated. It defines the horizon line and gives a clear distinction of lines for the ground, building, and the sky.
8. Addition of Supplementary Details
Adding extra details such as furniture, cars, people models, background sceneries, etc., not only fills up the entire picture but also indicates a function-based design relationship between the user and the building. The car, two-wheeler, and the people for the exterior fill up the empty spaces in the image. Adding the furniture and people for the interior spaces also mentions the scale and displays the function of a room wherever relevant. For instance, the scale and purpose of a double-height central lobby are clearly defined if the furniture and people are placed rather than left unfilled.
9. More Realistic Effects that stand out
Appropriate use of styles and effects in Lumion can change the look of the render.
Hyper Light: increases the brightness of the image.
Skylight:enhances the planar and reflected projections.
Shadow: Adds depth, orientation, and ambient atmosphere to the scene.
Reflections: for more realistic renders and subtleness.
Weathering feature: adds more realism to the materials.
Atmospheric effects: adding fog, precipitation, etc., adds realistic effects when seasons are important for a design.
10. Use Materials that are clear with Color and Texture | Rendering with Lumion
Lumion includes a materials library of various indoor and outdoor materials with adjustable properties of colorization, reflectivity, glossiness, relief, map scale, etc. Although the default settings are ideal for a better-rendered image, fine-tuning the properties of materials that are clearer with color and texture will create a more customized picture-perfect render. The appearance can be livelier by adjusting the brightness and darkness, color map, etc. These adjustments also indicate the angles at which different surfaces of a material blend.
For full details and downloading trial version, please visit: http://www.lumion.hk
References:
- “Tip: 5 Steps to Great Renders from Lumion (2019 Update) – 3D Rendering.” Lumion, 7 Oct. 2019, https://lumion.com/blog/tip-5-steps-to-great-renders-from-lumion.html.
- “Tips to Make Your Lumion Renders Look More Realistic | IRender.” IRender Cloud Rendering Service, https://www.facebook.com/iRenderOfficial, 23 Mar. 2021, https://irendering.net/tips-to-make-your-lumion-renders-look-more-realistic/.
- Inspirations, Architecture. 5 Levels of Interior Rendering. YouTube, 15 Dec. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSotgtZDXWc.
