#LightWave Purchase
9 messages in this thread
Hello to all LightWave users. I am new to LightWave but am anxious to purchase
the 4.0 version for PC. I came from the 3DS world. I like what 3DS can do but
the cost of keeping up with all the plug-in modules are just getting ridicules.
I hope all of you LightWave Pro's out there can help out another rockie! By
the way, can any of you suggest a good source to purchase LightWave? Thanks in
advance…Mikey
Where do you live? I'm in S. Calif. I could recomend out here.
Also for good Lightwave discussion, you can also go Amigaven (New Tek).
You will lots of long time users and New Tek support.
Thanks for the response. I also live in S. Calif., in Diamond Bar as matter of
fact. Do you know of any good LightWave user group in this area. I've been to
the 3D Art Forum meeting several times. But they don't meed very often, and
they charge $15 for entrance! As far as purchasing LightWave, I've check with
Anti Gravity here and they want $895 for it. I thought I've seen it for a bit
lower price. Oh well, it still is cheaper than 3DS.
By the way, can you recommend any third party books on LightWave?
Can't wait till I get my hands on a new LightWave package. Thanks again.
Regards.
>By the way, can you recommend any third party books on LightWave?
I don't know of books at this point. But there are videos.
Desktop Images 1(800) 377-1039 Net:http://www.desktopimages.com/desktop/
In focus 1(800) 930-anim
Wait, I found a book. Exploring Lightwave 3D release 4.0 1(818) 892-9595
Also there is a magazine called Lightwave Pro. It has tips from Amblin Imaging,
and Foundation Imaging (the guys who make Babalon 5).
Call 1(800) 322-2843
Also their is Video Toaster User magazine. You can find it in most book stores.
I does not have all Lightwave stuff, but enough to make you happy (getting more
PC stuff too.)
Hope this helps.
>>I've been to the 3D Art Forum meeting several times. But they don't meet
very often, and they charge $15 for entrance!<<
Mike,
Watch what you say about the 3D Art Forum here, bub. The walls have
ears. <g> I'm one of the coordinators for the group. The $15 might seem a bit
high for ordinary user groups, but 3D Art Forum ain't “ordinary''. Rental for
the space at the Gene Autry and Projection system runs about $800 by itself,
not to mention the cost of mailings, etc. And It takes an enormous effort to
put together our unique multi-platform multi-program presentations.
Remember at our last meeting we had the best of Foundation Imaging's B5
LW FX, with Mojo telling all (even to 3DS users), Viewpoint scanning people
with their Cyberware scanner, an expert on Wavefront, demos of KPT Bryce,
BlobSculptor, the Reality Lab API, and a preview of KineModelz, and lots of job
contact info and announcements, all in one afternoon. That's not exactly the
sort of program you'd see at your neighborhood SIG.
However, if you want to be a cheap-o <g>, and need something more
LW-specific, get in touch with the Video Toaster User group. They have good
programs too for about $5. To get on their mailing list I believe you should
talk to James Noack at 818-504-6337. There are a list of LW dealers that
advertise in their newsletter. Also if you call New Tek, I'm sure they can give
a referral to a dealer in your area.
But start saving your money, because we want to see you at future 3D
Art Forum meetings as well. Ciao.
-Tim
I appoligize for my comment toward 3D Art Forum if it sounded like I was
complaining about the cost. (well, just a little) I can imagine the level of
effort and expense it must of took to pull off a meeting of that magnitude.
Unfortunetly, I could not make it to the last meeting, and I've heard it was an
excellant one. I guess my concern is that, being an intermediate level user, I
was really looking for helps and tips to advance my skills to the next level.
The past meetings I attended felt like an exposition of the latest and greatest
animation packages, hardwares, and professional users such that little guys
like me can only dream about. Maybe that is the intend of the meeting, but
what I feel coming out of the it is a sense of being left in the dust. The gap
between me and the next level just seemed to be getting larger. Not a very
encourging sight! Anyway, here's my $.02. Hope I got my point across. Maybe
I should save it for the next meeting. 😎
Say, Mike, if I can jump in, I'd highly encourage you to take advantage of any
and all local user groups that are available to you… the benefits in meeting
people face-to-face alone dwarf any contributions to keeping such meetings
going. The people you meet there you may know for a long time.
Even better, please do consider volunteering your time with a local user group.
The benefits greatly outweigh the labor. As paradoxical as it sounds, time
spent volunteering with people who share your interests will advance your own
technical skills… s'true.
I'm speaking from personal experience here… I learned a lot from local user
groups, but it wasn't until I volunteered and gave it my best effort that
things started paying off for me. If you are looking for best value, then I can
commend this path highly to you.
Regards,
John Dowdell
Macromedia Tech Support
Thanks for the advice. I have thought about volunteering a lot, and I agree
the experience gained will probably outweight the effort put in. The only
obstacle for me is time. With a full time job and spending all my spare time
learning about animation packages, there is not much left for volunteer work.
Plus I am sort of timid about volunteering since I don't think my skill level
is there yet. Well, I wouldn't whine anymore. I know the road to become a
proficient animation artist is paved with hours and hours of computer time.
And what I need to do now is pay my dues. Thanks again for the advice. It is
nice to know that I can always find supports here. Later….
Mike,
PMFJI,
Check out the Los Angeles Video Toaster Users Group. We meet once a month in
North Hollywood at the North Weddington Center about two blocks from
Universal/MCA. The meeting is from 12 noon to 5:30 the second Saturday of every
month. We regularly feature LightWave as part of our meeting and often devote
2-3 hours to it. We also cover editing techniques and paint/graphics tips and
showcase members and other's works. The admission is 5 dollars. Membership
information is available at the meeting.
Cheers,
Stan Shumlick LA VTUG Flyer SIG director
2 Tall Video Productions
Glendale, CA