Product Description

LightWave 6 is a revolutionary release from NewTek. It promises to have groundbreaking new architecture, revolutionary rendering technologies and amazing character animation and modeling tools for lifelike animation. In order to keep pace with the software changes, New Riders presents its second Inside LightWave book, this one covering all the technology advances that are introduced in LightWave 6. Inside LightWave 6 takes the reader beyond their basic knowledge of the features in LightWave, to learning how to apply that knowledge to create professional-level scenes and animations. Inspirational graphics combined with real-world tutorials and insider tips make Inside LightWave 6 a must-have for every LightWave user. The CD-ROM features the material you'll need to work with the author as he walks you through Lightwave's feature set and capabilities. You also get dozens of sample files and demo versions of plug-ins: explore, create, and expand your skill set!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1366804 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 896 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
NewTek's LightWave has been a dominant player in the 3-D animation tools genre since its origin on the Amiga platform, and the latest version really shows its developers' commitment to keeping it at the head of the pack. Inside LightWave 6 sheds light on the many new features for the experienced LightWaver, and it's also a solid learning tool for new users.

The author is an experienced LightWave user and author--he's written two widely respected books (LightWave Power Guide and Inside LightWave 3-D). His savvy is evident in the construction, layout and content of this guide.

An introduction to LightWave along with workflow and style, makes up the first part of the book. This section also covers features that are new to version 6, but because there is so much that is new (Newtek rewrote the program from the ground up) you won't find a simple list of what's been changed. Instead, the book approaches the program from the beginning, describing in detail how the two separate modules, Modeler and Layout, work together to form a powerful animation system.

Experienced users might find themselves skipping this section, but they might miss out on something important if they do. After all, this section gives a solid background of features particular to LightWave 6--the Surface Editor, Modeler, Layout, Graph Editor and LightWave 6 Cameras.

The next two sections speak to those with some experience. Part II discusses modelling and the features of the modeller, using lights, creating environments and methods of character construction. Part III covers features of Layout, the part of LightWave in which scenes are constructed, including models, lights, cameras, render options, skeletal structures, using kinematics and compositing.

Appendices A and B wrap up the book with discussions, explanations and examples of LightWave's Expressions and LScript features. Expressions are mathematical formulas bound to a section of a model that can be used to free the animator from the mundane task of keyframing every last little element. LScripts are used for automating and repeating a given set of LightWave actions.

For new LightWave users, and for experienced upgraders to LightWave 6, this book is a handy resource and clear guide to most, if not all, of LightWave's features--a must-have reference. --Mike Caputo, Amazon.com

From the Back Cover

LightWave 6 is a revolutionary release from NewTek. It promises to have groundbreaking new architecture, revolutionary rendering technologies and amazing character animation and modeling tools for lifelike animation. In order to keep pace with the software changes, New Riders presents its second Inside LightWave book, this one covering all the technology advances that are introduced in LightWave 6. Inside LightWave 6 takes the reader beyond their basic knowledge of the features in LightWave, to learning how to apply that knowledge to create professional-level scenes and animations. Inspirational graphics combined with real-world tutorials and insider tips make Inside LightWave 6 a must-have for every LightWave user. The CD-ROM features the material you'll need to work with the author as he walks you through Lightwave's feature set and capabilities. You also get dozens of sample files and demo versions of plug-ins: explore, create, and expand your skill set!

About the Author

Dan Ablan is the founder and president of AGA Digital Studios in Chicago. He has been using LightWave for over nine years, and for the past four years, has been an authorized LightWave trainer. Mr. Ablan's clients include Coca-Cola, Kenny Rogers, NBN Navistar broadcast network, Disney and more. Dan is a contributing editor to 3D Design magazine and the author of Inside LightWave 3D and LightWave Power Guide, both from New Riders Publishing.

Customer Reviews

TOP NOTCH STUFF FROM DAN AGAIN!
This book should be on the bookshelf of anyone who owns Lightwave.

The book is very broadranging - it deals with the fundamentals of the programs themselves - how to navigate the interfaces and use the many common windows that are all part and parcel of the Lightwave experience. In this light it is an EXCELLENT choice for the beginner - as the official manual explains the "what's"; but all too commonly not the "why's" and the "how-to's".

There's plenty in there also for the intermediate right upto the professional -

surfacing - lighting - modelling - using expressions and much more - it's all in there to some degree. I guarantee that the only way that you wont gain anything from this book at all; will be because you have already read it!

A must have for all Lightwavers - say no more!

Excellent Lightwave Book !!
I am a 3D Max user, learning to use Lightwave alongside max for many projects. I have never used LW before so I purchased this book. I must express, I probably own around 6 different max books all good in their areas but none of them cover a the package like this LW book. The tutorials are excellent, I mean the chapter on modelling and texturing a head from scratch is fantastic. The chapter shows you step by step the modelling and teuxture stages and I mean step by step. Some tuts just show you a snapshot of diffrent stages and leave the in-experienced user scratching their head ! I have never come accross another book yet with such detail. The whole book covers LW in great depth to get you competent in the app. On the strength of this book, I will definately purchase Inside Lightwave 7 which has all new updates and tuts. I just wish some other books tried to achieve the same level of excellence, especially in the modelling sections.

dan is the man! Buy this book and watch your 3D soar away!
Dan Ablan's book is astounding in its simplicity. He has the knack of breaking the most complex of tasks down into easily digestable fragments. You are led through a series of insightful tutorials, by the end of which (and with a bit of practice) you should be up to the industry standard.The writing style is jargon free and welcoming. The illustrations (So often lacking in 3d books) are crisply reproduced and very clear. In three weeks of concentrated effort i went from being a lightwave novice to a competent character animator , all thanks to this book. The accompanying CD contains helpful files and images. I also found that the format of the book allowed for picking and choosing which bits you wish to use (ie. more competent Lightwave users can cut to the chase without being completely lost.) I could go on for days but wont bore you. Just be rest assured, this IS A BOOK WORTH BUYING. YOUR 3d WORK WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GET BETTER AS A RESULT. Can't recommend it enough really.