LumenRT laundry list of issues, problems and concerns

Ron,
out-of-topic question, but what was / were reasons you went for LumenRT? when you say you do not use MicroStation, there are other options for software capable to do same things and maybe even better I guess.
thanks

Peter,
Simple answer to your question. I was not that aware of other applications at the time and was a little familiar with Vue, which was also created by e-on Software. I was impressed by what Vue could create and was looking for a more appropriate architectural solution. LumenRT was marketed as that solution. I was also looking for an application that could work on a Mac and with the applications I was using, one of which is Vectorworks. Prior to purchase, I had a detailed conversation with Lee from e-on and another with a representative at Bentley who was responsible for LumenRT since Bentley just acquired it. Both told me that is has the equal capacity as both an integrated solution and stand alone product. Also, the LumenRT site advertises on one of its pages (I sent a screen shot of this to David Burdick) the ability for it to be used with Vectorworks as well as Cinema 4D, both applications that I use. Although through those applications by using the right export mode, it is possible to import models, however it is now discovered through the help of Dave, they are not good methods.

I also chose LumenRT because it was advertised as being equally capable on both Mac and Windows platforms, which was verified by Lee at e-on. I have since discovered through Dave, using LumenRT on the Mac is inferior to what it can do on the Windows platform. I am also experiencing that taking a file that I work on in Windows, shows up as a corrupt file when I try and open it up on the Mac.

I Like the idea of what LumenRT can create. Unfortunately I am finding it is not delivering on the promise as an well engineered product, because of much instability as well as limited functions to it's toolset or the design of them. I also get the feeling it is not as supported an application as marketed. The lack of postings related to LumenRT in this forum as well as your response being the only one related to my post, seems to enforce that perception. I hope I am wrong and I hope the application can be quickly improved on both platforms, better supported with manuals/tutorials and valuable tips. If I felt it would have enough influence toward these improvements, I am happy to support that process with input. I would rather become a strong user, supporter and advocate of LumenRT as opposed to dumping it.

Thanks for your questions and hopefully you and others have some strong suggestions to share.

Ron

Ron,
Did you receive any feedback on the issues raised? I would echo many of your comments. It can be an extremely valuable tool, when it works, but the learning curve is fairly steep. Primarily because most of the learning is self taught. The tutorials and documentation available is difficult to find and then often only applies to specific situations. I too was only able to get the full potential of what I was seeking after working with Dave Burdick and using the e-on forum.

I'm coming from a GIS perspective and use LumenRT as an extension of ESRI City Engine. The support for City Engine is much more robust and I know that ESRI is a well established market leader in GIS but I would think that Bentley's resources are comparable, yet their treatment of LumenRT is abysmal. Information about the acquisition and how it affects the end user has been either confusing or non-existent. I can't, for example, find where to download the newest version. I've seen links for the Technology Preview edition but that's it. It seems odd too, the lack of posts concerning LumenRT. The old forum wasn't the most active I've ever seen but I've hardly seen anything since they migrated over. Not really sure where to turn.

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for your enlightening feedback. You validate that it is not me or lack of my reasonable understanding of how Visualization/Graphic/CAD software should work. After what required an extensive number of exchanges with David Burdick, I was eventually told that all my communications and issues would have to go directly to the engineering team in France. My prior attempt to communicate with that team proved difficult as well. I have already created a long and fairly detailed list of problems and requested features/fixes to provide Bentley. Even stil,l there are more things I identified beyond that list and because I am so busy still trying to catch up, have not yet sent what I feel is an incomplete list. Part of me wonders if any of it would even be considered to implement based upon the lack of product support from Bentley. This forum, lack of updates of US based support seems to support my reaction. I had purchased a maintenance license with my product and have yet to see any upgrade that was promised.

I welcome input from others as well on this topic and the LumenRT product. I am about to test out TwinMotion which is a like product from a competitor to see if that experience is better that what I endured here. Without Dave Burdick's assistance in trying to use LumenRT, I would have accomplished nothing with the product and would have deleted it off my drive. I know the help I needed from him had to be a distraction and burden to what he is probably supposed to be doing. Hearing that you needed the same support tells me that the 2 of use were probably the tip of the iceberg.

So that you and others can see the list I have created so far, I will list it here:

LumenRT Problems
Bugs
These are functions that are either not working properly or incidences of crashes or freezes
1. When taking a still picture the cube displays as overexposed and then very often will freeze up and crash.
2. Placing people characters often results in uncontrollable strange objects being placed and hard to move or edit. They have to be eliminated and selecting them is very difficult. I have been able to isolate the problem as occurring when both the character and plants layers are active together.
3. When modifying the material of the roof, the layer for it cannot be turned off anymore as well as many of the other layers that were previously working. I was able to replicate this bug in another file to verify it.
4. While navigating through a scene, the whole cube with whiteout. Sometimes it will pass and other times it freezes.
5. Have had problems with .lrt files that I have worked on my PC and not open when running it on my Mac.

Missing or poorly engineered features/functions
Regardless of being on a Mac or Windows device, the following are needed functions in order for LumenRT to be effectively productive. Without these functions or features, exponential time and effort has been necessary to create the desired scenes intended.
1. COPY, CUT and PASTE! These are the most basic and fundamental functions that over and over again have been needed in the execution of my project. There is no suitable or even close to equal solution around the need for these 3 functions. I could probably fill a page with substantial reasons it is important to have these functions and in pursuit of completing this project, I have needed these functions over and over again. If you need further explanation from me, please let me know and I will give more description.
2. Ability to create and edit layers within Lament and not be dependent to create these in Microstation or other application. Some of the many reasons are as follows;
a. Creating optional scenes within the cube that involve the placements of different objects such as trees, Automobiles, people doing different activities…
b. Ability to import objects that can become LumenRT objects without the need to have another Bentley product. It should be possible to have a translator function that will allow the user to import


3. Many objects randomly do not cast shadows in best quality render mode. Cacti and trees intermittently and items such as bikes.

Scott,

I forgot to mention, I never really received any response to address my issues. This forum does not seem to support LumenRT or its users and I do not see any other forum that does sufficiently.