topic Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison? in ArcGIS CityEngine Questions

How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

MicahTaylor — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 14:58:49 GMT

I have the LumenRT GeoDesign plugin for CityEngine, but it does not seem to work in CE 2016. I am happy with CE 2016, but I need to open a scene with 2015.1 long enough to use the plugin....However, when I try to load my .cej file from 2015.1....it just shows a blank viewport with no layers and gives me an error of having the wrong version of a cej file. How can i revert back to the old version?

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

deleted-user-OlpHy1NoMNug — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:54:04 GMT

Micah,

I'm in the same boat. Have you tried the lumenrt script? It'll give you an export but it won't let you control any of the variables.

As an aside, I'd be curious to know your thoughts on lumenrt moving forward. I've found it to be quite robust and will produce some really nice images/videos but it can be buggy and difficult to use at times. I've also been pretty underwhelmed with the whole process of the Bentley acquisition.

Scott

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

MicahTaylor — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 18:51:18 GMT

I cannot seem to get the script to work. I really needed to export the scene this morning so I can render a video by the end of the day for a website. I am just going to have to use the old video with a disclaimer until I can either open my scenes in CE2015 or LumenRT makes the export plugin work for CE2016. I can rebuild my scene in 2015, but I dont want to do that because it will take too long.

I agree...I have made some really cool videos with LumenRT, but I have learned to save often. It crashes or freezes a lot (especially when generating lights). A strong computer and decreasing the quality during editing seems to work fine for me, but I wish they would make the editing mode work better and faster (maybe a textureless wireframe view, bookmarks, zoom to, a better animation path editor that works faster, faster video render, etc..). One of the most annoying things I have found is that if I select an object to bring in the scene...sometimes it just freezes that object and I cant place it and select another. haha

Maybe Bentley will improve it over time.

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

ThomasFuchs — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 16:57:33 GMT

Hello Micah and Scott,

CEJ files from the CityEngine 2016 are not backwards compatible to 2015.2 and earlier.

According to our contact at eon-software, CityEngine 2016 is supported with LumenRT 2016 (Connect Update 1) which is due out in a matter of days. The plugin will also work with LumenRT 2015.

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

deleted-user-OlpHy1NoMNug — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 15:58:33 GMT

Micah- Have you been able to download the new LumenRT? Do you have a maintenance license with Bentley?

Thomas- CityEngine is much more robustly supported and has more frequent updates than LumenRT and so it seems that for the ongoing future we'll continually be dealing with compatibility issues (for example does LumenRT 2016 work with CityEngine 2016.1), do you have any thoughts or comments on this?

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

timrobinson — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:51:15 GMT

Hi Thomas,
Thanks for confirming.

Can I suggest that this is an important issue that needs signalling in every Release Notes summary for future upgrades?

This is a mission-critical piece of knowledge for working offices, but it's not even mentioned in the 2016.1 notes (http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/cityengine/latest/get-started/cityengine-release-notes.htm#ESRI_SECTION1_9B00F30B5EE140CC8D3B1965D7193AAF).

Thanks!

Tim

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

ThomasFuchs — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:03:08 GMT

Scott- The problem was created by the incompatibility between CEJs (scene file) from 2015.2 to 2016.x . The introduction was a necessary step, that could not be avoided.

Normally, users can go back to a version of CittyEngine that is working with LumenRT.

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

ThomasFuchs — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 15:08:13 GMT

Tim - The new CEJ version is mentioned in CityEngine 2016.0 release notes—Esri CityEngine | ArcGIS for Desktop .

But you are right, that the implications for 3rd party users (like this case shows) where not made obvious.

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

NatanMicheletti1 — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 10:40:05 GMT

Hello everyone,

I take the occasion to ask a quick question in this thread, since it is related, but I couldn't get the answer from your discussion.

Can anyone please tell me if CityEngine 2016.x can export directly to LumenRT 2015 as CityEngine 2015.1 does or LumenRT 2016 is necessary?

Thank you in advance,

Best wishes

Natan

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

deleted-user-OlpHy1NoMNug — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:44:31 GMT

Natan,

I want to say yes but I can't actually remember. Either way CE 2016.0 is a separate install so you could try it and revert back if not.

Did you have a maintenance agreement with e-on? If so you can get a free upgrade to LumenRT Bentley Select (terrible name but essentially just LumenRT 2016) which does work with CE 2016.0. However LumenRT 2016 doesn't work with 2016.1 or atleast it didn't when I tried a few weeks ago.

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

NatanMicheletti1 — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 14:01:12 GMT

Thank you very much for your answer, Scott. Strange to hear that Lumen works for 2016.0 but not with 2016.1. I will check with our support to see how to proceed.

Best regards,

Natan

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

ThomasFuchs — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 16:13:09 GMT

Update:
LumenRT 2016 (Connect Update 1) has been released:

New version available - Bentley LumenRT CONNECT Update 1 - Tech Preview - Getting Started with Bentley LumenRT Technolog…

Re: How can I convert my CEJ file version from the new 2016 to the old 2015.1 verison?

Anonymous User — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:50:36 GMT

Is this also the case for CityEngine 2018.1 and CityEngine 2016?