How to create a VR walkthrough using Lumion? [2026]
- Team SENTIO VR
- Jul 16, 2021
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 17
When it comes to sharing photorealistic designs, thousands of architecture and design firms globally use Lumion to create walkthroughs for clients during the design process — using images, videos, and 360 panoramas.
With the popularity of standalone VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and 3S, architects, designers, and stakeholders are looking for new ways to communicate beyond static renders and videos — with a shift toward cloud-based, immersive collaboration tools.
In this guide, you will find everything you need to create VR walkthroughs using Lumion — viewable on the web and in VR headsets like the Meta Quest. We will cover how to export 360 panoramas from Lumion, compare your options for sharing them, and show you how to get your designs into VR using SENTIO VR.
Table of Contents
Is There an Official Lumion App for Meta Quest?
No, there is no official Lumion app for Meta Quest as of March 2026. Lumion is a desktop application for architectural visualization, and it requires a powerful PC to create renders, panoramas and videos.
There is no direct way to connect Lumion to a VR headset and view 3D walkthroughs natively. However, there is a simpler method: export 360 panoramas from Lumion, then use a cloud-based VR platform like SENTIO VR to view them on the web and in VR headsets — without any cables or manual file transfers.
How to Create 360 Panoramas in Lumion
360 panoramas are image files (JPG or PNG) that Lumion can render in just a few clicks. Once you have imported your model and applied materials, you can export panoramic images from any camera position. Think of each panorama as a separate viewpoint in your virtual tour — similar to how you would set up views for a client presentation.
Steps to Render 360 Panoramas for Lumion 2023 and newer:
1. Set up your scene, choose your camera positions, and apply effects.
2. Click the "Panorama Rendering" button in the render toolbar.
3. Set your render configuration:
Output quality: Higher quality takes longer to render. The difference between 3-star and 5-star quality can range from minutes to over an hour depending on your PC.
Projection Type: Select Equirectangular. This is the standard format compatible with Meta Quest headsets and most VR viewers. (In older Lumion versions 8–12, this was called "Generic Device".)
Stereoscopic: Turn this ON if you plan to provide a VR experience. Stereoscopic renders create separate left/right eye images for true 3D depth. For web-only sharing, monoscopic is sufficient.
Horizontal Slices: A quality setting — higher values produce better results but increase render time. Fewer slices may show slight mismatches near close objects.
Resolution: Select your desired resolution and save the file in .JPG format.
4. Download the rendered 360 panoramas to your desktop.
Tip: For the best VR experience, render in stereoscopic mode at the highest resolution your hardware allows. This creates the most immersive experience when viewed in a Meta Quest headset. Reference: For detailed render settings, see the official Lumion support article: "How do you render 360 Panoramas in Lumion for use with Meta Quest headsets?" https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/en-us/articles/360018987019 |
How to Export from Lumion to VR
The most popular and easiest method to get your Lumion designs into VR is through 360 panoramas. Based on our experience with thousands of users, here are your two main options:
Option 1: Manual Transfer (Basic)
Lumion recommends using the Meta Quest TV app for viewing panoramas. This involves:
Connecting your Meta Quest headset to your PC via USB cable
Navigating to Quest > Internal Shared Storage > Pictures
Manually copying your rendered panorama files to the headset
Opening the Meta Quest TV app and selecting "Your Media"
Limitation: This method requires a USB cable, manual file management, and does not support interactive tours, hotspots, floor plans, or collaboration features. Each time you update a design, you need to repeat the entire transfer process.
Option 2: Cloud-Based VR Platform (Recommended)
The alternative is to export 360 panoramas from Lumion to your desktop, then use a cloud-based virtual tour platform like SENTIO VR to upload, customize, and share your designs on web and VR headsets — with no cables or manual transfers required.
Why we recommend Option 2: With SENTIO VR, there are no USB cables, no manual file transfers, and no headset setup needed. Simply upload your panoramas, create your tour, and use a 6-digit code or QR code to instantly view your designs in VR. Updates sync automatically through the cloud. |
Comparison: MyLumion vs. SENTIO VR
Once you have your 360 panoramas, you need a platform to share them. Here is how MyLumion compares with SENTIO VR:
Feature | MyLumion | SENTIO VR |
Upload panoramas to cloud | ✔ | ✔ |
Share link with clients | ✔ | ✔ |
SketchUp & Revit integration | ✔ | ✔ |
Customize tours (hotspots, floor plans, video, audio, 2D pop-ups) | — | ✔ |
Dedicated VR app on Meta Quest (Quest 3 & 3S) | — | ✔ |
Share via QR code or 6-digit code (no license required for viewers) | — | ✔ |
Downloadable 360 panoramas offline | — | ✔ |
Multi-user VR meetings (remote collaboration) | — | ✔ |
For basic requirements like creating a shareable link with limited panorama sets, MyLumion is a reliable option. For more advanced features — including a powerful 360 tour editor, a dedicated VR app for Meta Quest, client-friendly sharing with no license required, and remote collaboration in VR — SENTIO VR simplifies your team's entire Lumion-to-VR workflow.
How to View Lumion 360 Panoramas Using SENTIO VR
Export panoramas to your desktop
In Lumion, render your 360 panoramas using the steps described above. Export them locally as JPG or PNG files. You can export one or multiple panoramas at a time.
Supported formats and resolutions:
File formats: PNG, JPG
Mode: Mono, Stereo
Resolution: 2K (2048 x 1024) to 16K (16384 x 8192)
Upload to your SENTIO VR account
Log in to SENTIO VR, click "Create Tour," and drag and drop your panorama images in the order you want for your virtual tour.
Customize your virtual tour
Add hotspots, floor plans, notes, audio, and video to create an interactive experience. The tour editor lets you build a fully customized walkthrough that goes far beyond a static panorama viewer.
View in VR on Meta Quest
Download the SENTIO VR app from the Meta Quest Store. Enter your unique 6-digit access code or scan the QR code to instantly view your panoramas in VR. No USB cable, no PC connection — everything syncs through the cloud.
Collaborate in VR with clients and stakeholders
Your VR tours are available not just for individual presentations but also for collaborative meetings where multiple people can remotely join and review designs together in real time.
A Dedicated VR App Built for Architecture
Unlike generic 360 viewers, the SENTIO VR app for Meta Quest is purpose-built for architectural VR walkthroughs. Key features include:
6-digit access codes & QR codes: No manual file transfers. Enter a code or scan a QR code and you are instantly inside the design.
Cast to a URL: Share your VR view on any screen via a URL — perfect for client presentations or team reviews where not everyone has a headset.
Offline downloads: Download tours to your headset so you can present on construction sites or in locations without internet.
Multi-user VR meetings: Multiple people can join the same VR space remotely to review designs together.
Share VR Designs with Anyone — No License Required
One of the most common challenges in architectural VR is getting clients and external stakeholders into your designs without making it complicated. SENTIO VR solves this with view-only mode.
Every design in SENTIO VR has its own individual access code. When someone enters this code on an unlicensed headset, they get view-only access to that specific design. They can look around, walk through the space, and experience the design at full scale — without needing a licensed account.
Licensed vs. View-Only Access
Capability | Licensed Headset | View-Only (Unlicensed) |
View 360 tours | ✔ | ✔ |
View 3D walkthroughs | ✔ | ✔ |
Access via QR code or 6-digit code | ✔ | ✔ |
Full project library | ✔ | — |
VR tools (measurement, markup, etc.) | ✔ | — |
Multi-user collaboration | ✔ | — |
Offline downloads | ✔ | — |
This makes SENTIO VR ideal for client presentations, design reviews with external consultants, and on-site walkthroughs where you want to hand someone a headset and say "take a look" — with no setup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I view Lumion designs directly in VR?
Not directly. Lumion does not have native VR headset support. However, you can render 360 panoramas in Lumion and view them in VR using platforms like SENTIO VR, which offers a dedicated Meta Quest app.
What is the best VR headset for viewing Lumion designs?
The Meta Quest 3 and 3S are the most popular standalone headsets for architectural VR as of March 2026. They offer high resolution, no PC tethering requirement, and are supported by the SENTIO VR app.
Do I need a powerful PC to view Lumion panoramas in VR?
No. You need a capable PC to render the panoramas in Lumion, but once exported and uploaded to SENTIO VR, you can view them on a standalone Meta Quest headset with no PC connection required.
Can clients view my designs without a SENTIO VR license?
Yes. SENTIO VR supports view-only access via a 6-digit code or QR code. Clients can view your specific design on any Meta Quest headset without needing a licensed account.
What is the difference between monoscopic and stereoscopic panoramas?
Monoscopic panoramas render a single image shown to both eyes — they appear flat in VR. Stereoscopic panoramas render separate left and right eye images, creating true 3D depth perception. For the best VR experience, use stereoscopic rendering.
Can I use Lumion with other VR workflows?
Yes. SENTIO VR also supports 360 panoramas from Enscape, Twinmotion, V-Ray, and other rendering tools. The workflow is the same: render panoramas, upload to SENTIO VR, and view in VR.
Conclusion
Creating a VR walkthrough from Lumion is straightforward: render 360 panoramas, upload them to a cloud-based VR platform, and share with your team and clients. With SENTIO VR, the key benefits include:
No cables or manual file transfers — everything syncs through the cloud
A dedicated Meta Quest app — purpose-built for architectural VR walkthroughs
6-digit codes and QR codes — for instant VR access without licenses
Interactive tours — add hotspots, floor plans, notes, and multimedia
Multi-user VR collaboration — review designs together in real time from anywhere
Cast to a URL — share VR views on any screen for team presentations
Whether you are presenting to a single client or running a remote design review with your entire project team, SENTIO VR makes the Lumion-to-VR workflow simple and professional.
Ready to bring your Lumion designs to VR? Try SENTIO VR free and experience your architectural visualizations in immersive virtual reality. |
