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Ten chapters detail the application, from the fundamentals of creating objects and animation to the deeper features of particle systems, texture mapping, and rendering. Although there are no color pictures, each chapter is richly illustrated and the screen shots used in the book are included in color on the CD-ROM. Final renderings of each project are also included.
The author writes clearly, laying out the purpose of each chapter in the first few paragraphs, followed by a step-by-step tutorial towards the final goal. Each tutorial ends with a closing discussion and suggestions for going further with the techniques just covered. Early chapters cover the creation of text and basic shapes, models, and the use of particle systems. The latter half of the book covers texturing and rendering, and creating sophisticated images ready for broadcast.
A veteran of the 3-D animation world, LightWave dates back to the early days when the Amiga ruled and a 16 MHz computer (yes, 16) was considered fast. Now up to version 7, LightWave has been widely used in both television and feature films and boasts a worldwide user base. Contemporary computer graphics artists owe a great deal to LightWave, and new users climbing the LightWave learning curve can't go wrong with The LightWave 6.5/7.0 Project Handbook. --Mike Caputo
Book Description
With The LightWave 6.5/7.0 Project Handbook, you'll explore the best array of features and functionality that make LightWave a tool of choice for the television and film industries. Using a variety of real-world examples and in-depth tutorials, you'll gain all the hands-on practice needed to understand this feature-packed application. From creating objects in the Modeler to setting up scenes in Layout, both new and experienced users will understand the enhancements found in versions 6.5 and 7.0.
The book is packed with information on everything from creating text, logos, and using cameras and lights, to modeling, texturing, surfacing, animation, and more. Self-contained chapters give the book a flexible structure that allows newer users to progress from start to finish, and more experienced users to jump from topic to topic. So whether you are just getting started with LightWave, or are upgrading to the newest release, you'll find a wealth of practical techniques and ideas to move you a step ahead in your creation.
Key Features: - Covers versions 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 - Includes in-depth coverage of the new surface texturing techniques - Details rendering techniques ranging from photorealistic to hand-drawn cartoons - Provides practical uses for weightmaps, morph mixing, and subdivision surfaces - Includes worked-through examples using particle animations and hypervoxels - Covers many frequently asked questions, including how to create raindrop ripples and lightning bolts - Includes a variety of hands-on tutorials written in n easy-to-read, conversational style - Provides in depth examples of popular animation tasks
