I’ve installed a “free” extension submitted by Lumings/Whatsit that is exactly the kind of tool I’m looking for to do projection mapping design in a 3D environment. This extension is signed and installs fine but when I try and use it it prompts me for a license key. I’ve reached out to Lumings both through the extension warehouse and directly at their web site and no response.
Has anyone else tried using this extension? Anyone have a suggestion for an alternative projection design for SketchUp (besides SimProj…I’ve used it and it needs alot of work to be useful)?
The Extension Warehouse has a major problem and has had this since it was first implemented in 2013. And this problem is that paid extensions do not say “paid” or “commercial”. They say “Free” if the transaction and licensing is done outside of the SketchUp Warehouse. These are called “Listing Pages”.
In this case WhatsIt has decided to let the EW distribute the extension, but will be handling the licensing itself. So (apparently) the extension itself is “free to downlaod” but will require a license.
Going to the Lumings – WHATSIT page shows that there is a “Buy License” link, but that page is a work in progress and we cannot yet purchase a license.
The main page also has a section at the bottom that reads:
How to access Lumings?
Lumings works as a subscription, which simply provides the user with very frequent updates.
For your customers, a subscription-free version of Lumings is available. It does not allow “manipulation” of the project, modification of the layout of the projectors, but offers the same visualization possibilities as the complete plug-in.
A free version for academic entities is also available on request.
So it seems that is is really not a free extension.
I suggest you contact them directly via the Contact Us link at the top of the main webpage, just below the Warehouse and License buttons.
Thank you Dan and Atelier! This is really a shame 'cause it looks like a great tool. I’ve reached out out Lumings four different times now and can’t seem to get a response… Oh well.
(I really wish there was a directory of who is responsible for what as I can never remember who is “in” and who is “out”. I might have confounded the warehouses in my thoughts.)
Thanks for the additional digging and info! Given that the Cosmo web site doesn’t advertise the plug-in, and this company could be considered a direct competitor of my company, they may not be willing to share this technology.
And FWIW, this extension should definitely be removed from the Ext Warehouse. The amount of time we have collectively wasted on this is unacceptable.
I have an update!!! I finally heard from Lumings/Whatsit from Adeline Chausson, their Deputy Director General. It is available for purchase at the following levels:
1,300 euro/year/user for full license (access to full database of projectors, about 850 and climbing)
360 euro/year/user for single brand license (only one brand in the database)
130 euro/month/user for a full license.
the second company I named is listed as the entity in charge of the liquidation of assets of the first one.
since it’s the same guy, I’m not surprised, looks like his partner decided to stop. it’s a way to get a clean start, I won’t elaborate because I would certainly end up saying something stupid. I have a friend that is an accountant. and another is a legal aide. they help me on these topics.
so in the end, the assets were probably transferred to the new company.
