Skip to main content
JMathews
Community Manager
Community Manager
July 26, 2024

Adobe Dimension 4.0 is now available!

  • July 26, 2024
  • 76 replies
  • 57329 views

Hello everyone!  Adobe Dimension 4.0 is now available for download from Creative Cloud!

 

Adobe Dimension 4.0 is being updated to incorporate some of the same underlying code components as Adobe Substance 3D Stager, particularly in areas like rendering, lighting, and material handling. This update puts Dimension on a more modern and maintainable codebase, ensuring the application is more stable and secure for users. Consequently, users will see some changes in the software – most notably in rendering capabilities and material workflow, as well as minor functionality and quality improvements throughout the application.

 

Here is an FAQ with more details on the changes:

https://helpx.adobe.com/dimension/whats-new.html

The Adobe Dimension and Substance 3D Stager comparison FAQ page has also been updated:
https://www.substance3d.com/dimension-stager-faq/

 

    76 replies

    Known Participant
    January 11, 2025

    Hi, I was surprised how many new things appeared in the 4.x version of Dimension - great!

    But then I come across one issue, which really annoyes me. I cannot place a gradient (shadow) that fades to 0% opacity. There is always some sort of grayish nebula around it instead of a clean black gradient that fades out.

    Will that issue be optimized soon? I got several client models/renderings which are affected by that issue.

    I attached an example which shows the problem.

    Known Participant
    January 11, 2025

    How are you placing the gradient, is it created in illustrator? I see you have a PNG, try using .ai format, Adobe illustrator.

    I did a test, I applies Zero opacity to a greadient created in illustrator, the one on the left is the PNG and the right is illutrator native file .ai. the cube was a model from Dn

    here ar esome notes to check

     

    This issue often occurs in Adobe Dimension due to how the program handles gradients and transparency in shadows. Here’s how you can address it:

     

    Steps to Fix the Gradient Shadow in Adobe Dimension

    1.Check the Shadow Opacity:

    •In the “Properties” panel, ensure that the shadow opacity is set to 100% and that the gradient fade is applied correctly. If the shadow fades to gray, it may be blending with a background or environment color.

    2.Adjust the Environment Lighting:

    •Shadows in Dimension can pick up colors from the environment lighting. Go to the Environment tab in the “Scene” panel and reduce the intensity or color saturation of the lighting. This ensures the shadow remains neutral.

    3.Use Transparent Background for Post-Processing:

    •Sometimes, the issue lies in Dimension’s rendering. Export your scene with a transparent background by enabling PNG Export with Transparency in the Render tab.

    •You can then refine the shadow in Photoshop using a gradient mask to achieve a clean fade-out.

    4.Set Shadow Color to Pure Black:

    •Ensure that the shadow color is set to black in the Material Properties or Light Properties. If it’s picking up colors from elsewhere, it may appear as a grayish nebula.

    5.Increase Shadow Blur:

    •In the Light Properties, increase the shadow blur to make the shadow transition smoother and avoid harsh edges that might look like a gray overlay.

    6.Render in Higher Quality:

    •In the render settings, choose a higher-quality render option. Low-quality previews can make shadows look inconsistent.

    7.Switch to Custom Background Colors:

    •If you’re using a custom background, make sure the color matches the shadow fade. If the background is white or bright, the shadow may appear gray instead of fading naturally.

     

    If the issue persists, you might need to composite the shadow externally (e.g., in Photoshop), as Adobe Dimension has limitations when it comes to advanced shadow rendering.

     

    Known Participant
    January 12, 2025

    Thank you so much for your effort in answering my question - I appreciate it!

    Nevertheless your rendering still has this grayish something in the black gradient. Try to set the cubes' material to glass and you will see what I mean. 

    It is getting a bit better as you said by setting the material color of the glass to pure black. But the gradient still is not as clean as it was in version prior to 4.x.

    Participating Frequently
    December 9, 2024

    Hi there, it looks like Dimension does not support macOS Sequoia. There will be an indicator beneath the app icon in the dock when i launch it, but other than that, it does nothing.

     

    I've tried all the usual things like reinstalling, removing all app prefrences, etc. but that doesn't seem to help.

     

    Am i doing something wrong?

    Known Participant
    December 9, 2024

    I contacted Adobe tech today to check on few other bugs I reported since 4.0 was released, and I mentioned the one about the measuring tool as well the lock icon on the layers - you can't tell if they are locked or unlocked-  after a long discussion. The tech rep told me in two weeks. There will be 4.0.6 with bug fixes, and he said not to upgrade to sequoia because they are working off some of the Bugs. I don't know whether I should believe that or not but that's what they told me. Not sure why they are skipping 4.0.5 ?

    Participating Frequently
    December 16, 2024

    Dimension 4.1.0 dropped recently, it still doesn't support macOS Sequoia. I also contacted Adobe a couple of weeks ago, i think the screenshot speaks for itself.

     

    Adobe support has never been helpful to me. So, if i'm not paying for great apps or amazing support, what am i paying for exactly?

    ABCollinsworth
    Participating Frequently
    December 6, 2024

    Has anyone else noticed the measurement tool is not accurate.
    If you change your measurement to inches under properties, it still measures and exports in centimeters.

    I found this out after exporting to a 3d printer and everything came out very small.
    I had to convert inches to centimeters in order for it to give me a 12 inch cube.

    Adobe calls it 304.8 inches but it is actually only 12 inches.

     

    This also caused the objects I created in the older version to shift and shrink.
    Basically all of my older work is useless. Some of these projects took me months to complete

     


    Where do I report bugs? How do I get the previous version back?

    Known Participant
    December 6, 2024

    Yes you can download the previous version go to your creative cloud account and select dimension, and there are the three horizontal dots select other versions, but a word of warning, it will delete the newer version. Unlike other Adobe apps you can have two on your desktop at the same time.

    it is too bad that the Adobe tech is not noting these bugs that we are reporting here, I have reported the lock icon on each layer you can't tell if it's on or off they need to be an icon to show you a lock is unlocked, II called for that and nothing happened so far. 

    ABCollinsworth
    Participating Frequently
    December 6, 2024

    I agree. I really like the new look and textures but I'm not going to convert every object I have to make into cm.
    The work I do is to spec, so that would be a pain.

    I don't see version history as an option.

     

    Participant
    November 15, 2024

    Hi J!

    Could You tell me how to add physical light in latest Dimension version? Below is the link how to do this, but I don't see this possibility. There is no physical light in application (only enviroment lights). In scene panel - light section - I can only add enviroment light. No point light, no dircet light, nothing. I have M1 mac mini with 16 GB RAM. I'll be apreciate to find solution witha a little help of You. Regards.

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/dimension/objects/physical-lights.html

    Known Participant
    November 15, 2024

    Here is a video that has a quick explanation on lights. The lights in Dn are unde environment 

    It starts at 1:45 into the video. I might have some more later. 
    https://youtu.be/ZOKdtY1xvFU?si=P3bU1AkuT1AX59Tx

    Participant
    November 15, 2024

    Hi Yasir. I don't see a video You've mentioned?

    Participant
    November 14, 2024

    Since using the new version I can no longer work at the same level as before!
    When I duplicate an element, for example a cube, that has a graphic (sticker) and I try to change the color of the cube of the duplicated element, the graphic (sticker) disappears when I Save. The same thing happens to 4 friends who use the same version of Adobe Dimensions

     

    Known Participant
    November 14, 2024

    Jep, this is the nightmare of Adobe improvements...

    Known Participant
    November 8, 2024

    I can't see a Food Bag, in new Dn 4.04.

    Also, I see few models are missing that used to be in Dn 3.11.4. If I install the older version and retrieve those models and save them to be use in Dn 4.04.

    Does anyone know if this works. In adobe illustrator I can design a bag of chips with mesh tool, but can't export .obj files?

    or maybe use Photoshop version 22.2, it is fully 3D capable.

    Participant
    October 29, 2024

    The new versions of Dimension simply do not work, every time I try to import a model or open a previously created file it freezes and stops working. It's frustrating not being able to work anymore.

    Known Participant
    October 29, 2024

    Can you please provide more info, Mac, PC, M1 chip, and where the models where created. 

    Participant
    October 29, 2024

    The files were created in version 3.4.11 and I had to go back to that version, working on a Mac Chip M3 Pro.

    Participating Frequently
    October 22, 2024

    Great. But when is the Apple Silicon version ready?

    Known Participant
    October 22, 2024

    OMG. How naive... It's a pity, but I think never..

    Participating Frequently
    October 22, 2024

    Oh, I know... It's that gentle reminder for them... But if Apple Silicon was some AI gimmick, they would push it tomorrow.

    Known Participant
    October 7, 2024

    Unable to import an .OBJ file...the proper way to report this issue, according to the dialog that pops up is to simply describe the issue in this forum which I haven't been able to get an Adobe Employee to reply to...okay.

     

    I really don't want to put our company's IP or models that we've had to purchase on this public forum.

     

     

    Known Participant
    October 7, 2024

    There was an update, Dimension 4.0.4

    is this what you are using?

    Known Participant
    October 7, 2024

    Yes

    Participant
    October 4, 2024

    Hello,

    Congratulations on this update. I would like to know if you have made it compatible with Apple's M1, M2, and M3 chips.