Overview
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!Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewNewTek's upgrade to LightWave [6] is a biggie. A radically different architecture, major enhancements throughout the software's Modeler and Layout modules, substantial improvements in texturing, animation, and rendering. There's only one best way to master all the new goodies: hands-on. Now, Dan Alban -- the widely-praised author of LightWave Power Guide -- has written a soup-to-nuts, project-centered guide to making the most of your LightWave [6] investment.
Inside LightWave [6] starts by reviewing LightWave's highly customizable user interface, which has been streamlined to offer faster access to greater power. Alban reviews each module, including the revamped Surface Editor, which can now be used from either Modeler or Layout; and LightWave [6]'s powerfully enhanced cameras (you can now set up multiple cameras within your scenes).
Next, it's on to the detailed projects. Alban starts with projects designed to help you master creating and building 3D scenes. You'll get comfortable with LightWave [6]'s new modeling features, surfacing techniques, lighting, and more. Then, you'll push the envelope with scene animation. With Alban's help, you'll give LightWave [6]'s new Expression engine and advanced inverse kinematics a real workout and improve your compositing skills. Finally, in Part IV, you'll output your animations and edit them with NewTek's Video Toaster NT. There's even a brief look at creating demo reels that might save you from making some very expensive mistakes! (Bill Camarda)
Bill Camarda is a consultant and writer with nearly 20 years' experience in helping technology companies deploy and market advanced software, computing, and networking products and services. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.
With Inside Lightwave [6], Dan Ablan informs the reader about SubPatch modeling, skelegons, and bones for character animation; Weight Maps for precise character deformation; expressions for complete animation control; radiosity for photo realistic rendering; new surfacing for unparalleled texturing; endomorphs for easy lipsyncing; Motion Designer for cloth animation; new hybrid inverse/forward kinematics for easy character animation control; NewGraph Editor for control over channels, a new expression engine for custom scripting and control, and much, much more. Inside Lightwave [6] is accompanied by a CDROM containing all the scene files for each of the books projects; sample textures from Marlin Studios; Royaltyfree LightWave 3D objects; demo products and free plugins, and more. Inside Lightwave [6] is a "must" for anyone working with NewTek's LightWave 3D.