Essential LightWave v9: The Fastest and Easiest Way to Master LightWave 3D Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, I'll keep this pretty short. I can't really recommend this book enough. I'm fairly new to LW and this book has been a tremendous help. Even on areas where I though I was up to speed I keep on learning new things. The book starts off with a general introduction to 3d, and then has main chapters covering topics such as modeling, lighting, animating, texturing, rendering, etc. Then it moves onto more intermediate and advanced chapters and projects.
What I like best is that each mini-area is followed by a simple illustrated example that makes it very easy to understand and see it in use. Also, the way the book is broken up into sections, if you don't really want to read up on animation right that second you can just move on to the next area without feeling too lost (and hopefully go back to that section later).
I will also point out that the book comes with hours and hours (about 14 I think) of tutorial videos that cover a broad range of topics including new 9.2 features. These videos alone are worth the price of the book. (Just as a note, if there are any videos that don't work on your DVD, go to publishers website for info on how to get them) As this book covers so many areas, especially many 9.2 new features, it really is good for all different levels.
Have fun riding the Wave...

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Includes companion DVD with trial versions of LightWave v9.2!Essential LightWave v9 offers an unparalleled guide to LightWave 3D. Written to help users quickly take control of the software, this book is filled with easy-to-understand explanations, time-saving tips and tricks, and detailed tutorials on nearly every aspect of the software, including the new features in LightWave v9.2!Key features:Learn to model, light, surface animate, and render within the first seven chapters! Master the LightWave v9 Node Editor for advanced surfacing, texturing, and deformations. Learn to model with polygons, Catmull-Clark/Subpatch SubDs, and splines. Uncover the secrets of distortion-free UV mapping and high-quality texturing. Learn to seamlessly composite 3D objects with real-world images. Create professional-quality character animation using FK, IK, and IK Booster. Enhance your animations with expressions, particle effects, and dynamics. Set up a render farm to rip through complex rendering tasks.

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LightWave 3D 8 Cartoon Character Creation, Volume 1: Modeling & Texturing Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this book a few days ago. After going through it and working with it I think it delivers what it promises: Character Modeling and Texturing. It gives you fairly straight forward information (most of which most users of LW may already know) mixed with fresh news for those of us getting used to animation in Version 8 of LightWave. Having used Lightwave in a different capacity and recently wanting to use it for some character animation - this book was a great help to me. Will it be useful for someone already using Lightwave for character animation? I guess that all depends on your level of expertise. This is not a beginner book (even though it says it starts at that level) mainly because it assumes you know your way around LightWave somewhat. However, people with the talent for picking up software programs will have no problem starting out new.
Like almost all software books it comes with a CD containing project files, plug-ins, etc. You load em. Use em. Etc. I buzzed through the tutorals pretty quick and I gotta say they are easy to follow and thorough without being so basic you feel like you waste half a book getting people up to speed. We have all been there with that disappointment. This book does not do that.
It also does a great job on the process of texturing your models. Now, don't confuse that with how to create textures (there are other books that specialize in that.) What it does show you is how to apply textures to your models properly. In addition are instruction on how to test lighting, rendering and creating QuickTime VR files to view model.
Again, this book is exactly as the title says. If you want to learn everything there is to know about LightWave there are different books to help you. This is not a replacement for a LW manual. However, if you want to learn how to setup some characters for animation and avoid hassels and pitfalls...get this book.


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Character design, modeling, and texturing are the fundamental building blocks of character animation. LightWave 3D [8] Cartoon Character Creation Volume 1: Modeling & Texturing includes both general theory and comprehensive tutorials for every aspect of modeling and texturing 3D characters. Learn how, why, and when to use the most efficient techniques so you can have fun creating your own fantastic 3D characters.Find out how to configure LightWave 3D for character creation, and learn the necessary steps of the character concept, design, and planning stages. Discover multiple methods for modeling characters and clothing using subdivision patches. Understand the techniques for creating complex UV mapping. Learn about surface attributes and surfacing characters. Enhance the appearance of your characters through the use of gradients and procedural textures. Explore a variety of techniques for creating image maps and applying them to your characters.

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