LightWave 3D 8 for Windows & Macintosh [Paperback]

Arthur Howe (Author), Brian E. Marshall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 5, 2004

When simple 3D models aren't enough--when you want to put hair on your character's chest, add soft-body dynamics, include particle effects, and more--NewTek's 3D powerhouse LightWave 8 is the software you need. Instead of lengthy tutorials, you'll find task-based, step-by-step instruction and concise explanations that lets you get down to the serious business of creating 3D graphics and animation with a minimum amount of fuss and a maximum amount of enjoyment. If you're an advanced user, you'll be able to go straight to the new features that interest you most: workflow and user interface enhancements, improved character-animation tools, tighter integration with other production tools and third-party add-ons, and more. And if you're new to LightWave, you'll be able to get your feet wet without being intimidated. With plenty of visual aids and tips to ease the way, you'll soon find yourself creating animations, working with vertex maps, editing geometry, rendering projects, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When simple 3D models aren't enough--when you want to put hair on your character's chest, add soft-body dynamics, include particle effects, and more--NewTek's 3D powerhouse LightWave 8 is the software you need. Instead of lengthy tutorials, you'll find task-based, step-by-step instruction and concise explanations that lets you get down to the serious business of creating 3D graphics and animation with a minimum amount of fuss and a maximum amount of enjoyment. If you're an advanced user, you'll be able to go straight to the new features that interest you most: workflow and user interface enhancements, improved character-animation tools, tighter integration with other production tools and third-party add-ons, and more. And if you're new to LightWave, you'll be able to get your feet wet without being intimidated. With plenty of visual aids and tips to ease the way, you'll soon find yourself creating animations, working with vertex maps, editing geometry, rendering projects, and more.

About the Author

Arthur Howe first began working with LightWave 3D in 1994, creating animations for televisions commercials and corporate videos. From 1996 to 2002, her served as NewTek's software testing coordinator and then as product manager, helping develop LightWave 3D. He is now a partner at H2MW Consultants, LLC, a technical direction firm. Brian E. Marshall has been working with LightWave 3D for nearly nine years. He's worked as writer for NewTek's documentation team, a Senior Artist/Technical Director at Midway Games, and a Lead Artist at Knowware, Inc. Currently he's a partner at H2MW Consultants, LLC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press (July 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032123295X
• ISBN-13: 978-0321232953
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,487,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars There might be useful information hidden in here some place, May 25, 2005

By 

Bjorn (Renton, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LightWave 3D 8 for Windows & Macintosh (Paperback)

I am fairly new to 3d, and brand new to Lightwave. I am not new to computer art nor technical books.

I bought this book hoping to learn how to better use my new toy, and I am very disappointed. Not in Lightwave, but in this book.

The back cover says "need to learn lightwave fast" it should have continued "get a different book". Simply put, I've gotten free tutorials on the web that were more informative, more helpful and infinately more readable. For example, the first 42 pages are a recitation of what buttons there are without any context on why I want to know this. Nor any thing to do with said buttons and menus. A droneing list of pointless details and useless items that is really beyond description for dullness. There is a menu called 'x'. There is a button called 'y'. This continues for 42 pages, and is the introduction to the book; this is just strange. This is the sort of pointless writing that children engage in when trying to pad their homework to the required number of words engage in; it is the most useless introduction I have read in 25 years of reading these sorts of technical books.

Layout (chapter organization, topic selection, chapter order): F- (Is there a grade worse then F?)

indexing: C- (bad, but just barely passable)

Writing: D (Very bad. Reading this is like listening to a monotone lecturer reading his or her notes rather then speaking)

Over all useabiltiy: F

I wasted my money on this one, and am back here looking for another. Before you buy this book, check it out from the library or something. There may be useful reference material for intermediate users of Lightwave hidden in here, but beginners should look else where. The very bad writing, and worse organization has me kicking myself for this purchase.

4.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was expecting from a peachpit book., June 18, 2005

By 

Shane Z. Whilden "modent" (nj) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LightWave 3D 8 for Windows & Macintosh (Paperback)

Let me start off by saying that there is no quick way to learn Lightwave. I have been using lightwave for more than two years and i finally feel like I have explored all of the program. The fastest way to learn 3D is by following online project tutorials. Having this book around is a nice little reference for beginners. I would not suggest it for the intermediate or advanced user since it just covers the basics.