FloorPlan User Forum

If I select Final Render Mode: 3D Rendering your software will crash to desktop with the following errors in OS Event Log:

floorplan2022Render1.jpg

floorplan2022Render2.jpg

floorplan2022Render3.jpg

floorplan2022Render4.jpg   

I contacted your support and Sakhawat Ali provide the following:

1. Kindly uninstall the program from Control Panel
2. Go to C:\Program Files\IMSI Design and delete 'FloorPlan 22' folder
3. Go to C:\Program Data\IMSI Design and delete 'FloorPlan 22' folder
4. Go to C:\Users\your username\ AppData\ Roaming\ IMSI Design and delete 'FloorPlan 22' folder
Here is an example of my path to help you out. C:\Users\Sakhawat\AppData\Roaming\IMSI Design

And a link to download the software.  After downloading the software it was the identical version and byte size to what I already had installed.  Anyway, I persisted with performing the above steps and re-installed from link download.  BUT, the error was exactly the same as before.

Not being able to render any output makes this product useless.  Do you have any working solutions other than what has already been suggested?  If I can't get this to work, I'm affraid I'll have to ask for a refund.

Rob.

Hi there,

I am discussing this issue with the tech team.
Can you send me the PRO file.
To attach the file to the post, please, zip it.

I did some more investigation and discovered the issue seems to be specific to AMD GPU.

I installed FloorPlan 2022 on another PC that is an Intel CPU (12900K) and nVidia GPU (4070Ti) and the crash to desktop did NOT happen.

However, even on my other PC the 3D Rendering - Texture option doesn't really do anything other than render light sources and even that looks pretty bad.

In addition, when using Photo-Realistic to render I get un-rendered pixels all over the image (regardless of render quality settings) and a weird paint brush style image that is definitely NOT "Photo-Realistic" ... it looks terrible and certainly something I can NOT show to any potential client. I also tried the "Final Render" option that took 1 hour to render a single simple scene (bed, night stand, two lights) and it still looked terrible.

I'm coming from a 3DSMax background and was expecting far better render results.

I'm in the office now, but will get you the PRO file tonight, but I don't see how that will help or make a difference?  The issues are:
1.  You don't support AMD GPU for 3D Rendering mode
2.  Even when working "as expected" the final rendered image quality is horrible

Rob.

Hi Rob,

1 - I assume you are referring to AMD and Nvidia video cards: I have both AMD and Nvidia video cards since 2001 and both render without problems.
2 - Photo realistic rendering in FP 2022: it doesn't use video card for Photo Realistic Rendering because LuxCore is Physically Based Rendering. It means that is based on calculations / equations.
3 - Check my website (https://www.punchhelpers.com/) and my galleries (https://www.punchhelpers.com/galleries00.html) to see rendering samples.

I think that there is another problem in the file, so as soon as you send me the file I will check it with one of the programmers and Sakhawat Ali (I discussed the case with them today).

Yes, referring to AMD and nVidia GPU.  But also the machine that CTDs is AMD CPU 7950X.  The CPU that does NOT CTD is Intel 12900K.

Will get you a screenshot of rendered output tonight.  I am familiar with PBR and how good it can look, especially in 3DSMax.

Will get you the PRO file tonight.  I have not yet defined a Roof nor applied materials to the wall/floor but I can't imagine that would have any impact to what I seeing for rendered output.

OK, waiting for the file.

Hi Patricia,

Please see attached file.  Your website doesn't support .PRO files so I zipped it up to a .zip

Rob.
15115 NW Francesca Dr.zip

Quote from: Patricia G. on October 30, 2024, 10:23:53 AMTo attach the file to the post, please, zip it.

Yes, this is why I told you to zip the file

Hi there,

The file worked fine in our computers, so the programmer MH checked the settings and found several issues, detailed below.
First of all, notice that 3D rendering and Photorealistic rendering use different processes that you need to set separately.

Tips and notes
1. Denoiser is off - this needs to be set to high. That is what is causing all the dead pixels.

2. If you have the Photo Render option forget the standard final rendering mode.

3. Don't use the lighting tools if you are going to use Photo Render. You will get better results applying light emission effects to surfaces like light bulbs.
If I just want to brighten up an area I do use point lights sometimes (in ambient mode only).

4. The lower the lighting the longer the render takes to resolve out of that paintbrush look. When I'm ready to present to client I'll set final render time to at least 30 minutes, up to an hour.

5. I turn gamma correction up to 3/4th, or higher for interior shots.

6. Turn object quality down while creating the design. Quality will be automatically set to high when exporting final render image.

In your edited file (attached), MH did the above steps and exported a 10 minute render. You can see also the rendered image (attached).

FloorPlan, as any program, has a learning curve. The best way to learn the program, IMO, is practice + practice + practice => Read and follow the manual (this is important) => try to create elements not related with your project, so you will become familiar with the commands and how to manage the different components and settings.
If you are interested, check my eBooks, exclusive for FP users (https://www.punchhelpers.com/turbofloorplan-win.html)

Hope this helps.

Hi Patricia,

Thanks for the response.

1.  Yes, I discovered Denoiser needs to be at High but that still produces a "fuzzy" image.
2.  Ok, but Final Render mode does seem to take much longer than the "Render Preview", however resulting images is the same with either mode?
3.  Not sure what you mean by "lighting tools", but I do use Lights and place light types (such as bulbs or directional).  What I've noticed is that placement of these lights is critical ... as in the table lights, they need to be placed either just a little above the lamp object or a little below and in some cases I will need two light sources to simulate a single table lamp.
4.  Yes, I'm discovering that more lighting tends to produce faster/better renders.  Will try final render time to 60 min but I had it set to 3000 seconds (50 min) and results didn't look much different from 15 min.
5.  Will try gamma correction values and report back.
6.  Ok will try setting object quality down for test renders

Some issues still pending:
A.  When setting sun position and other values nothing changes for rooms with Windows?  Windows don't seem to allow light into the rooms?  I've adjust the location and time zone etc. but still not getting any light thru windows?
B.  Still get CTD for 3D Texture render when using my AMD PC (pre my original post).  On my Intel PC it works but about the only change I see with doing a render with 3D Texture mode are light and light shadows and they are hard edges.
C.  Since render is all software/CPU intensive, I noticed that only one CPU core is used, my 15 other CPU cores have no activity?  My expectation was to see ALL CPU cores working on a render which would cut a 60 minute job down to just a few minutes.
D.  I still seem unable to create my own 3D objects for use in Floorplan?  I see it defined in the manual but not available in my Pro version?  After looking at your website, it seems Customer Workshop Pro and LuxCore are not a part of my original purchase?

I did notice that when I applied material/paint to walls and flooring (carpet) I get a better render.

I did look at your Floorplan 2024 "upgrade" option, but after looking at your 2024 product videos I don't really see anything new?  Export render to JPG (image file) ... I can do that with a simple screen capture, hardly a new feature.  I didn't see anything mention of 2024 increasing performance by threading out to multiple cores?

In addition, the library of objects that come with my Pro version of 2022 are pretty limited, are there any add-ons for object library beyond what I have in the Pro version?

I'm certainly willing to upgrade to 2024 with Workshop Pro and LuxCore if it will improve my experience, but I need some of my above questions/concerns answered.

Rob

Hi there,

First a very important note: I am not an IMSI employee. I am just a volunteer moderator here. So, in this context, "my website" is www.punchhelpers.com (http://www.punchhelpers.com)
IMSI (https://www.imsidesign.com/products/floorplan) is not my website.

I think that in order to start, you need to verify what elements are included in your current program and then check the User Guide to learn about the available interior/ exterior lighting / rendering processes, options and combinations. I can't answer some of your questions because the concepts are different and belong to different features.

I'd recommend to contact the sales department (https://www.imsidesign.com/contact-us) to see the available options to upgrade your program. I am not authorized to sell programs.

Thanks for your help Patricia.  I took a look at your edited version and the table lamps render well but I'm unable to see what lighting you applied to them?  There lights aren't identified at all.

TableLampButHowIsItLit.jpg

As you can see no light definition in your file but it does render?? 

Here is my original version I sent you:

TableLampRobVersion.jpg

As you can see, the lights are defined and I can select them and adjust as need, can't do that with your file?

I was able to get the 3D Custom Workshop to work.

Rob.

Hi there,

Quote from: Patricia G. on October 30, 2024, 09:57:12 PMDon't use the lighting tools if you are going to use Photo Render. You will get better results applying light emission effects to surfaces like light bulbs.
If I just want to brighten up an area I do use point lights sometimes (in ambient mode only).

Analyze Components vs Light emissions.

I tried Light Emissions but they have some major negatives:

1.  They have no parameters.
2.  The sample images are very poor for showing difference in intensity which seems to be the ONLY option.
3.  When applied to an object there is NO WAY to know light emissions were applied except for doing a render.
4.  To remove the light emission, you have to guess which object part it was applied to and drag the "no effect" over that part.

A lot of trial and error which is very time consuming.  It can look nice, but not a very efficient process.

EmmissiveLights.jpg

I can't find any UI option to show me FX that have been applied ... adding a few hundred light objects and no idea which ones have emission FX seems like a major issue, no?  Or am I missing something?  Does 2024 improve on this?

Rob
 

Quote from: Rob Ainscough on November 01, 2024, 01:33:06 PMOr am I missing something?

Yes, several things.

Please, check User Guide - Page 502

I stand corrected for CPU core utilization, they are ALL being used on render, apologies for mistake:

RenderingOnCores.jpg

I want to love this product, it does some very nice things but also very lacking in other areas.  I've been in contact with sales person Todd who has been helpful, but the upgrade cost seems rather excessive for 2024 product after buy the 2022 version only a few months ago ... I'm just not see a huge amount of development from 2022 to 2024?  For example is there any way to identify what FX have been applied in the 2024 version?

Rob.

Quote from: Patricia G. on November 01, 2024, 01:48:52 PM

Quote from: Rob Ainscough on November 01, 2024, 01:33:06 PMOr am I missing something?

Yes, several things.

Please, check User Guide - Page 502

Not sure what is on your page 502, but mine is about Constructing Wall Templates?

Try page 475

As the User Guide is a PDF, you can use the Search Tool (see image attached)emissions.jpg

Page 475 describes the same process I described earlier ... there is no way for me to know that I have placed a Light Emmissive effect unless I render it ... that's my point.  I have to "guess" where all my FX are as there is NO 2D identification they been applied to a 3D object.

Learn all the uses and possibilities of the Find Applied Tool, including 3D Emissions.

These topics are explained much better in the User's Guide, so it is kind of pointless to retype all here.

The Find Applied Tool doesn't work for Light Emissions, only colors/materials.

I have gone thru the User's Guide.

Quote from: Rob Ainscough on November 01, 2024, 05:07:52 PMThe Find Applied Tool doesn't work for Light Emissions, only colors/materials.

Yes, it does (for several elements)

Find Applied + Space bar (for 3D effects)

Thanks Patricia.  Didn't know about the space bar. 

I know had many questions, but I do appreciate your help and patience while I work thru this.  I did go ahead and buy 2024 Pro with Custom Workshop, LuxCore, and several content packs.  I'll be giving the IMSI folks a 5 star review.

Rob.

 8)