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3 Dimensional Chat / Lightwave - Is it any good for DBP?

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Scraggle
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Posted: 21st Sep 2003 17:35
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A very good (and very wealthy) friend of mine bought Lightwave 7 a few months ago with the intention of learning to model (obviously!).
However, he couldn't be arsed and so he has given it to me .
Of course I wasn't going to argue about recieving over a grands worth of software for nowt.

But now I am wondering is it worth the time and hassle of trudging through 1000+ pages of the lightwave manual to teach myself modelling for DBP or would I be better off with milkshape or similar.

I know, of course, that lightwave is a far superior product but it comes laden with features that a DBP modeller will never use and that is why I ask.

Perhaps I should also point out that as of now I know absolutely nothing about 3D modelling other than - it aint easy.

Thanks
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John H
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Posted: 21st Sep 2003 17:51
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Lightwave is grand for DBP As long as you dont go crazy with polies, any modelling program is good for DBP!

Look for

Brent_Sepherhim (sorry if I spelled the last name wrong )
and
WindTech

They both use Lightwave, and are both very good at it!

RPGamer

Current Project: Eternal Destiny
Porting all files to my new computer
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MikeS
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Posted: 21st Sep 2003 21:27
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I wish I had friends like yours.

Lightwave is definitly a good choice for DBP. Very powerful, and I havn't really heard of any compatibility issues around here. Like RPGamer said, we have 2 good lw'ers at the community.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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actarus
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Posted: 22nd Sep 2003 00:47
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I suggest checking out Newtek.com for the spinshift video tutorials by user delta,it doesn't get as good as thatw ith lightwave.

Everyobdy wants to be loved,But no one loves everybody...

HEY!!! I'm the one who had 'Cyberspace' in his location on the older black forums,shame on you Rich j/k
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Scraggle
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Posted: 22nd Sep 2003 01:01
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OK ... so lightwave is good for DBP.

I was almost hoping that it wasn't because now I have no excuse for not getting down and dirty with the (very) hefty manual.

Thanks all.
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Bangla
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Posted: 22nd Sep 2003 13:50
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There are many things covered in the manual (obviously, it's frikkin _huge_) but if you have any experience at all in 3D-modelling, you rarely have to look in it. The most basic tools are basicly the same as any modeling-package (extrude, bevel, move, knife, spline, ect) so it shouldn't take long before you can do some hefty modelling.

I only had problems remembering where all the functions where situated, the standard interface is... well... huge. The training-DVD's didn't come with the LW box by any chance? They are good if you have them, but they aren't divided into chapters so you haveto fast-forward or see it all if you watch them.

2,4 Ghz, 512 Meg, gForce FX 5200 - and then some...
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richardneail
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Posted: 22nd Sep 2003 14:28
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Hi,

I use Lightwave 7.5 for all my models in both DB and DBP without any problems

Personally I think its a great package and easier to learn that MAX.

Rich

You might never win but if you give in will you ever know ??????
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SimonDR
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Posted: 22nd Sep 2003 16:31
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I have used Lightwave for modelling for a few years now and it is the best 3d programme out there.

I have had no problems with using it for DBPro as i use the DStorm plugin for converting to .x objects.

Anything you animate will convert with no problems.

I even tried getting a model, attaching a motion capture setup to it and converting it and it worked great.

The manual is heavy but it is worth learning if you really want to use it.

Below are a couple of sites that you may be interested in.

http://www.flay.com/start.cfm loads of free plugins and info

http://members.shaw.ca/lightwavetutorials/Main_Menu.htm best site for tutorials.
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Scraggle
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Posted: 25th Sep 2003 10:04
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@Simon

Quote: "I have had no problems with using it for DBPro as i use the DStorm plugin for converting to .x objects."


Could you tell me where I can get hold of the .x conversion plugin please.

A Google search didn't reveal anything usefull.

Thanks
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SimonDR
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Posted: 25th Sep 2003 14:35
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http://www.dstorm.co.jp/dslib/dx3d/DX3D_132.zip

If you goto the Flay website they have a search engine there for the plugins which is very good.

When you have the file, unzip it into your Lightwave plugins folder or anywhere safe on your hard-drive then run Lightwave (layout) then goto Layout\Plug-ins\Add Plugins and goto the folder you unziped to and open the DX3D_132\Windows (this is for the latest version 1.3.2) folder and select all 3 plugins that you see, and click ok and it will come up that you have loaded 6 plugins. What i normaly do now is close layout then open it again as this will save the info of the plugins being loaded incase your programme crashed and you would have to do this again.

Now, to make it easier to find the plugin what i have done is create a tab for it on the Items menu so it is easier to use, so, to do this:

Goto layout\interface\edit menu layout (or press Alt + F10)and the configure menus window will open, on the right side open the Main Menu tree then open the Items tree, clickon the bottom item (should be IK) then click on New Divider on the right, then click on the new divider you created so it is selected and on the left window open the File tree and select Export DirectX(.x), you should have 2 things selected now, all you have to do now is on the right side click on Add then click on Done and you will see the new tab on the bottom left of your screen. (hopefully )

When you goto use the plugin, when you open the window where it says Version put this to DirectX 8 and stick the Format to Text.

I don't believe there is any english docs for it but any problems with it just let me know or ask someone else on the forums.

Hope this is of help to you.

Cheers.

My main site
My Virtual Sailor model site
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Scraggle
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Posted: 25th Sep 2003 20:15
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WOW!!!

That is a lot more help than I was expecting, thank you

I haven't tried it yet but I am about to. I will let you know how things go.

Thanks again - you're a star!
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SimonDR
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Posted: 25th Sep 2003 23:16
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No problem, glad to help.

My main site
My Virtual Sailor model site
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AlecM
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Posted: 25th Sep 2003 23:54
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lightwave sucks for DB and all development. its not even a good package. You should send it to me and Ill get rid of it for you.

Goto http://www.shellshockede.com
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John H
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Posted: 26th Sep 2003 00:30
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Uh ya, what Frog said - I'll take that off your hands if you dont want to learn it

Lol - good luck. Ive only heard good things about LW

RPGamer

Current Project: Eternal Destiny
We need a texture artist!
If your interested email me - [email protected]
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Preston C
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Posted: 26th Sep 2003 02:26
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I'm fine with wings3D for now, but if Lightwave can animate and import/export .3ds or .x, I'd take it


Dark Basic Pro has arived! I can feel the power!
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MikeS
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Posted: 26th Sep 2003 03:13
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If Lightwave was in the $500 dollar range, I'd jump on it. I guess I'll have to find a reseller somewhere. (Heh, I'll add it too my birthday list, lol)



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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John H
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Posted: 26th Sep 2003 05:51
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Make sure you get the commercial lisense I wish I could find it for $500 with license Id be all over it too.

RPGamer

Current Project: Eternal Destiny
We need a texture artist!
If your interested email me - [email protected]
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WindTech
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Posted: 27th Sep 2003 15:51
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Hey all, glad to see another LW post
Simon...email me or something, we gotta talk ;p

LIGHTWAVE 4 LiF3

Lightwave 8 effectively sh!ts all over any autodesk/discreet product ;p

Live as if to die tomorrow...
Learn as if to live forever.
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actarus
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Posted: 29th Sep 2003 16:46
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That's obviously your opinion,on that matter,Softimage basically does the same to any software

Where did you buy Lightwave and how much did the commercial license cost you?

Everyobdy wants to be loved,But no one loves everybody...

HEY!!! I'm the one who had 'Cyberspace' in his location on the older black forums,shame on you Rich j/k
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DrReaper
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Posted: 30th Sep 2003 19:19
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If you think it's too hard I will give you 100.00 for it. lol

It should be more than enough for DBP... I like the learning edition. The fact you can render part of you model in realtime is great.
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Brent_Seraphim
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Posted: 1st Oct 2003 00:35
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Actarus:

I bought a Full Version of lightwave7.5c for $400 at a student discount! Saved me a good 1000+ dollars.

I'm working on that commerical license..

"Laugh to scorn the power of man..."
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Digital Awakening
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Posted: 4th Oct 2003 22:57
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I got LW 7.5 and used it for everything exept the ground in The Magic Land. Even the sky is rendered in LW =) I just made a topic about texture baking where I have modeled and textured an object using only LW and then loaded it directly into DBP. And LW is so easy to use compared to other packages if you ask me.

I got 10 tutorial DVDs when I bought LW7.5. Sure makes it easier then looking into the manual =P IT'S HUGE!!!

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