Lightwave Pro
26 messages in this thread
John,
I just got the first copy of Lightwave Pro, and I noticed it was
mostly focusing on LightWave 3.0. I'd like to subscribe, but only if
it will be dealing with 2.0 also. I don't forsee being able to cough
up the cash to upgrade to the new version for quite a while. Are you
planning on dealing with both versions ? Thanks.
Jim,
LWPro will be dealing mostly with 3.0, but many of the articles will apply
equally to earlier versions. Things such as spline controls, keyframing
and lighting will apply to both, but there will be an emphasis on the
newer version's tools.
JG
Lighting! Great, I think that's my weakest area. Looking at some
stuff other folks have done, it seems to be a common area of concern.
Just got LWPro today. The format and such look as to be a success.
So, did you get a tan?
Semi Tan.
On, the LightWave Pro Newsletter — Any possibility of including disks
with the tutorials with objects, scenes, etc.? Or if not including
them how about available to order at an additional cost? I feel it
would cut the time spent on each project greatly allowing more of the
projects to be tackled. I hope other subscribers have a demand for
such a disk as I do. BTW, 1st issue is great, practical stuff. Keep
it coming.
We have been discussing both options for a disk and you may see
something in future issues.
Any chance of an article dealing with the basic design of the 3d
universe, like how reflection maps are implemented (projected) and
other subtleties like that that don't appear in manuals? (I know
that example is poor because it has been covered in other articles,
but I'm sure there are other things, perhaps relating to the the
difference in spot vs distant lighting etc. Oh I just thought of one
I discoverd long ago that others might not be aware of: Image mapped
backgrounds always remain perpendicular to the camera eve if the
camera moves. That kind of stuff is very useful info that I've not
seen written down anywhere.
Included in that would be a techical discussion of how the
antialiasing is handled (like are the 'levels' just telling how many
terms there will be in a smoothing polynomial or is something else
going on?)
All of what you mentioned will be covered in future issues.
John, saw you at the Toaster Training in Paradise, from the back of
the room during the advanced lightwave class. I am still kicking
myself for not saying "hi" when we were in the same room! Geez.
I really enjoyed the classes…learned a TON o stuff, and will
definitely be subscribing to Lightwave Pro. By the way, do you know
the source of Ken Stanahan's skeleton object for his Bones article? I
need some well modeled vertebrae for a project I'm working on.
Keep up the good work. Seaquest is looking good…most impressive
and inspiring to an aspiring lightwave gremmie. Hope you can make it
back to Hawaii next year.
You should have said hay! The skeleton object started out as a #D
Studio object from viewpoint. It is the same skeleton I used in the
opening of the pilot for seaQuest.
Yeah, I should have said "hay". But I was seeing double by the third
day of the seminar. 7 hours a day seated in a dark room, gets
uncomfortable after a couple of days. Sorry for not speaking up
though. 🙁
By the way, some disks with xtra material relating to the articles
would be a great idea for Lightwave Pro, even if they were optional.
Hope to get a DPS PAR soon. Any suggestions as to where they are
available on the west coast? As you may have found out, there is
very little dealer support available in Hawaii.
You could try T.S. or Creative Computers in LA.
I'm trying to get at least an optional disk available for certain
issues…
JG
John,
I'm real interested in seeing LightWave Pro, but none of my local dealers
carry it and it's probably going to be a few months before any of them
start. I'm thinking of getting a subscription, and I'm hoping it won't be
one of these VT user/Avid type subscriptions where you get 1 issue 2
months after it hits the store shelves and never hear from them again.
Do you have a phone number for the publisher's subscription department?
The LWPRO newsletter is only going to be availabe thru subscription. you
can call 408-366-8220 or 800-322-AVID (2843)
JG
>The LWPRO newsletter is only going to be availabe thru subscription.
John, I have seen the newsletter and I have to hand it to you, it
does have lots of valuable information and tips. However, the price
of the subsciption has kept me from subscribing, for now. $72.00 for
12 issues of a newsletter seems VERY steep (or $48 for VTU
subscribers) to me at least. I know you're target audience are
professionals (and someday I hope to be one, like next week maybe)
but there are those of us who want to become one that would find your
newsletter informative, yet expensive.
I noticed that there are considerations to include a disk with future
issues, I think this would be a GREAT idea.
Nothing personal about the price, I just wanted to voice my opinion.
Starting with the next issue, a disk will be available with certain
issues. I have heard some people complain about the price. I
understand the complaints, but at the same time, I feel that the
price you have to pay to get good LW information is well worth it the
very next time you use something that you learned from the
newsletter. Knowledge is power! And it's tax deductible!
>Starting with the next issue, a disk will be available with certain
>issues.
Great! I am sure my friends will be glad to hear that.
>Knowledge is power!
I agree, I am probably complaining because I am in a position where I
need to keep in control of my money. Barely enough money to make ends
meet.
The price of LightWave PRO is expensive only if you think of the
subscription price in terms of magazine subscription prices.
LightWave PRO is a newsletter, and the economics of newsletter
publishing (and newsletter subscription prices) are vastly different
from magazine publishing. Most of the newsletters I subscribe to cost
hundreds of dollars per year (and they are worth every cent!)
Magazine subscription prices are relatively low because advertising
subsidizes the cost. We don't have that luxury with LightWave PRO (we
do have a single sponsor who covers the cost of the four-color
insert.) Considering the specialized nature of LightWave information,
the relatively small market, and the expertise of the LightWave PRO
contributors, $48/year is, in my opinion, a very reasonable price to
pay.
Jim Plant, Publisher Video Toaster User Magazine LightWave PRO
Howdy Jim, any idea when we'll see those Video Toaster 4000 Video's????
Thanx for the info. BTW OI LOVED the 101 tips and Tricks for the Toaster
and the 5 things you can't do with a Toaster and How to do them Video's
>The price of LightWave PRO is expensive only if you think of the
>subscription price in terms of magazine subscription prices.
You are right, I was comparing it to magazines that have LOTS of
advertizing which help lower the cost. I hadn't thought about that, I
am sorry. I am probably going to get it someday but I just can't
afford it for now. Maybe if I can get a job animating, hopefully.
You'll notice next to no advertizing in LWPro. That does 2 things:
all proceeds come from readers instead of having readers be
"subsidized" by advertisers; allows the contributors and editors to
be more honest and blunt about what does and does not do the job. I
personally don't mind footing the real cost of my subscription in
that cirumstance. I would prefer no ads in LWPro in favor of more
up-front info regarding viable tools etc than one gets from
advertising dependend journals like AmigaWorld and Amazing etc.
Huh? You think that a regular, advertising-laden magazine won't be
"honest and blunt about what does the job and what doesn't"? I think
they should *strive* for that. I'm not saying they all achieve that,
but I wish they would try.
But if the same writers who won't talk about bugs in VTU are now
writing for LW Pro, and it's published by the same people, then why
do you expect different editorial policy?
If you're curious about editorial policy at VTU and LW Pro, why not
ask Jim Plant directly? He's here.
>You'll notice next to no advertizing in LWPro.
I hadn't really thought about this, and I agree that less advertizing
makes for a better publication.
<<< Tony D. Tracer >>>
Daniel,
We could model skeleton parts for you. Send me a detailed E-mail of what you
need and what your time frame is. I'll return you a quote.
Matt
Just got Lightwave Pro today. What a PLEASANT suprise!
Hip-Hi-Hooray for you! I'm glad someone had the guts to do something
like it. My best wishes to you from an old Journalism hacker turned
computer hacker turned Toaster hacker turned Computer Video Graphics
small businessman… Hope it doesn't make you TOO crazy! (Sometimes
I wonder about MY own fanaticism about the doing animations on the
damn machine… 🙂 )
I'll second the wish for "publishing" objects, scenes, etc. Maybe
even here on CI$ ?!?
BTW, 'Quest is looking real good… my wife, Ms. "I only like strong
plot lines, SERIOUS stuff, and OLD movies", even likes the show —
'Course I guess I have to credit Roy Schieder for THAT more that the
graphics! 🙂
Keep up the great work!
Thanks.
Yes, I am slowly going crazy. <g>
JG