#Lightwave 3D? S.O.S
38 messages in this thread
I was really impresed with Lightwave3D at a computer trade show I attended in
Charlotte N.C this week and would like to know what program does one use to
produce Wire frame objects to use with lightwave for animations? Can you scan
an object and then turn it into a 3D object?
John Car
Most models can be created using the Modeler that comes with LightWave
3-D.
There are also a number of useful programs that will convert existing 3-D
objects into LightWave format, and LW will also load a number of formats
including those from popular IBM CAD programs. You can also buy hardware
and/or software that will digitize 3-D objects automatically.
Finally, there are companies (like mine :^) that supply custom made 3-D
objects and scenes.
My recommendation is that you purchase a few issues of Video Toaster User
or Desktop Video World. They'll give you alot of information, and also
have ads for the programs you want.
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Erik
I a have purchased some issues of Video desktop world. Were can I get a issues
of Toaster User ? I am purchasing a mac base video Imaging editing workstation
do you know of any great software products that will let me accomplish on the
Mac what can be done with Lightwave 3D?
John Car
Video Toaster User can be purchased at most Amiga/Toaster retail stores, as
well as Software Etc., CompUSA, TowerBooks, some Waldenbooks and B.Dalton
Stores (not too many yet), and many independent book stores. VTU is also
available by subscription ($36/12 issues), call 1-800-322-2843 if you want to
use your credit card to subscribe. We are also in the planning stages of
publishing an All-LightWave newsletter. It will be edited by John Gross. I'll
post more details on this publication at a later date.
Jim Plant-Publisher, Video Toaster User
Hey, thanks!
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
P.S. Put ME on your mailing list for the LW newsletter. (I already
subscribe to VTU, and you printed some of my LW images in the Feb/Mar
isuue. Keep up the good work!)
We'll be sending a free evaluation copy of the first LightWave Letter to all
subscibers of Video Toaster User. Look for it in the latter half of June. Jim
Plant
I'll be waiting for the LightWave Letter with bated breath. :^)
What I've seen of LW 3.0 is pretty cool!
Keep up the good work!
&
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Have you gotten yer new VTU yet? I got mine today, the Cover Story is
…..
Toaster 4000 of course.
Haven't read it yet tho as I'm VERY Backed up on Magazines at the moment.
I haven't even finished reading about Jurassic Park yet in the last issue
of Fangoria. BTW Sega is working on a Jurassic Park Game for their CDROM
machine, all Graphics are being done with SGI's (Boo hiss get Some
Amiga's/Toaster's at Segawood)
Nope, you East Coasters (that's something you put your beer on right? :^)
seem to get the publications before those of us on the West Coast.
I'll be looking forward to it! Thanks for the teaser!
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Thats pretty Bizarre since VTU is published on the West Coast isn't it?
Thanks Jim for the information I was just at Walden's and did not see your
Magazine but I will ask the clerk next time thanks again Jim.
John car
We're not in many Waldenbooks stores yet. That will change dramatically with
the August/September issue when we will be positioned in a Point-of-Sale
magazine rack in over 1000 Waldenbooks locations. Until then, you're best bet
is Software Etc., Comp USA, and Amiga/Toaster dealers. Please let me know where
you find a copy.
Jim Plant
Jim-
As you look into your crystal ball, what do you see changing in VTU to
make it bigger and better? Would you consider a companion disk as an
addition?
One of your old original subscribers,
–Paul < Motorola Inside >
Publishing in a quickly evolving market just about guarantees an ever-evolving
magazine. I have some definite ideas about how things are going to go, but I
want to hold off on talking about them until I have a chance to bring our new
editor, Phil Kurz , into the loop. He starts June 1 and you can expect some
news on the editorial front soon after that. Stay tuned.
Jim Plant
Phil Kurz, Why does that name sound Familiar? Is he Previously of
Videomaker?
No, He used to be editor of AV Video.
JG
I knew Phil Kurz name sounded familiar I just couldn't place it. Thanx
John.
Phil Kurz was the editor of A/V Video.I think the last issue he worked on was
the May 1993. He's very sharp and I'm\ really looking forward to working with
him.
Jim Plant
I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing VTU with Phil Kurz aboard too. GREAT.
I love AV/Video and VTU.
I can't say I know much about the guy, but I DO admire his decison to put
his family first, and not move them all to New York.
I'd just read his farewell editorial in AV/Video, and thought that it was
nice he was so concenred for his daughters.
I'm glad to hear he'll be joining your team, as I have usually found the
AV/Video coverage of the Amiga to be remarkably strong – even in the P.T.
(Pre-Toaster) era. (Here's hoping he wasn't the only supporter of the
Amiga left on their staff!)
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Howdy Jim. VTU is AWESOME, Shame ya had to sell off AVid, it's become
TRASH now that the new owners took over. This is of course merely an
OPINION. The articles in VTU are useful even for Non Toaster owners like
me.
Thanks for the kind words on VTU. We're working to continue to improve it on a
regular basis. I hope you'll have some patience while the AVG guys get their
feet on the ground. It does take time and they have some good plans that aren't
reflected in their existing product. Remember those original issues of Avid!
JP
Yup, I remember the old issue's of Avid, thats why I haven't cancelled my
Subscription to AVG yet. But I'm giving them 2 more issues and if I don't
see a marked improvement I cancel. Great News on you getting into Walden
Books. Should have even more Folks learning about the Amiga and Toaster's
thru the Casual "Hey this looks like a neat Rag" type purchases.
Well, you can do some really cool 3-D stuff on the Mac, but it always
seems to choke on the rendering speed. I haven't seen anything comparable
to LightWave on the Mac, though there is software on the Mac that does
things just not possible in LightWave (like RenderMan output, etc.)
I don't know of exactly where to look for issues of VTU (Video Toaster
User), but I'll give you their 800 number for subscription. they might be
able to send out a few issues or something.
Their number is: 1-800-322-AVID (2843)
Good Luck & Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Erik
I wonder why the Mac can not render images as fast as the Video Toaster? When
you create 3D objects in Lightwave what type of scanner do you use?
John Car
I don't know why the Mac software is generally slower when rendering. Most
of my info is based on results of other friends, and not first hand
experience. (I know my Dad [he's got a Mac] is always turning up
reflection to the max, and that makes his stuff take forever, though it
does look kinda cool.)
As far as modeling is concerned, it is best likened to Computer Aided
Drafting, where the object is built up in three dimesniosn using a number
of 2-dimensional views of the object on the computer screen.
While there ARE a number of techniques currently used to digitize/scan 3-D
models, their input techniques vary greatly. Some devices scan the object
and create a 3-D model from a number of views of the image, while the more
common forms use a modified 'drawing tablet' technique, where a pen is
used to trace the contours of the object in 3-D, and a complex array of
acoustic, magnetic, or RF sensors determine the position of the pen at
each control point as it is entered into the 3-D database.
What type do I use? A combination of programs that allow me turn turn a
2-D scanned image/FAX into a 3-D object. Organic objects, like the
humpback whale I just finished, are created by brute force. (Lotsa time
spent switching between views of the object and trying to get the points
in the right place. :^)
Keep On Toastin'
Erik Flom
Erik, Netrenderman on the Mac is supposed to have ALOT OF SPEED but then
again it uses a NETWORK of MAC's
The point is that it can fairly TRANSPARENTLY use a network of Macs to
render on. Something not immediately possible with the off-the-shelf LW
package.
Well hopefully Alan Hasting's will add Network abilities to LW3D sometime
soon. Espescially now that it's become the Darling of HollyWEIRD.
Someday my Toaster will come, then I'll……..
The Preceding passage has been censored to avoid Breaking FCC Regulations
we now return you to our regularly scheduled programming already in
progress.
Since you're getting a mac anyway, check out the Sundance editor for the mac.
It will control your decks and Toaster for full A/B roll.
Aki
Were can I get informaiton on the Sundance editor?
John Car
I can't seem to find the number, try Sundance Technology, Irving TX… or maybe
its Dallas proper. They were a very low cost option with great features. The
mac style editing interface irked editors who wanted raw EDLs, but it's easy to
use
I believe in the last issue of Desktop Video world there was an offer to
recieve a free copy of Video Toaster User.
The Toaster comes with a 3D Modelier or you can buy a sperate modeler like
the Animatrix prg by Dubois. Dubois also makes a 3D Digitizer for $80 tho
I still haven;t heard of a single person who has one so I have no idea if
it's any good or not. The Sample Model that I got in their archive was
pretty good tho but they don't mention in the Readme how much Tweaking was
required to get it just right.
Thanks Peter I will check it out.
John Car
Always glad to help.