lightwave 3D

[mts4243369]

so what do you guys think about lightwave 3D for a somewhat new 3D animator? I have quite a bit of experience with CAD

[Anhar Miah]

I think if you stick it out it should work well, I also went from CAD to 3D, it has common elements, but literally a new way of thinking. Forget accurate dimensions, think sulpting.

[Matt Grunau]

And think 3D Studio Max, Maya, Softimage, of Cinema 4D.

Lightwave is a sinking ship unless they get their act together.

EDIT: If you are coming from an auto cad background, take a look at Rhino, which is basically a blend of cad and 3D. You can't animate in it, but you can model in it.

[ulisses]

LW is very fast for logos, etc... but it has many limitations, I worked with it for more than 10 years and still today the modeler is independent from layout (animation). Also, for some basic tasks LW still uses plugins, many are limited and buggy.
In the other hand, LW has a nice render, it is fast and a plugin called FPRIME offers interactive render preview and final renders, very fast even using global illumination. FPRIME is a must have addon for all LW users.
Look at cinema 4D, a LW friend switched to C4D some months ago and he is enjoyng it, features from big 3D software, easy to learn (tutorials online) and many presets already on it.

I'm using softimage XSI right now, sometimes LW.

Ulisses

[patssle]

still today the modeler is independent from layout (animation).

Some think its a limitation, but many including I like it. I love just modeling it in a program where all the buttons are focused on modeling, then 1 click takes it to layout where all the buttons focus on animation. I've used Max briefly and I hate all the sub-menus and crap.

[Anhar Miah]

Oh, well "different folks, different strokes" as they say I like Max's workflow, I like the ability to just grab anything and animate it straight away.

In the end its about what workflow works best with with really.

[mcgeedigital]

Used it for over 15 years...now do everything on Cinema 4D.

[mts4243369]

so then is everyone leaning toward cinema 4D?

[ulisses]

As I said, I'm using softimage XSI, but it is complex for simple tasks.

About the Modeler / Layout in Lightwave, I don't remember another software that works in that way. As I said I worked more than 10 years in LW and people that generally likes the separated programs never tried hard a high end software like softimage or maya, but I understand the point of view.
About the buttons focused in modeling, in XSI for example you hit "1" for modeling menus, "2" for animation menus, "3" for materials/textures/render, "4" for dynamics, etc... so one part of layout changes to give you the necessary tools in hands, more than that, right click in a object gives a compact list of the next logical functions that can be done, with the advantage that every modeling tool has keyframes, so you can animate your modeling, nothing destructive like lightwave and easy scripts to repeat or merge modeling tasks.

I respect LW. I used it many years, but it didn't improved as expected by users. The core code is old and adapted.

Ulisses

[mts4243369]

ok everyone thanks so much for all the info, I am currently trying out Cinema 4D, and so far it is awesome! thanks so much!

[SimonCreations]

I would say that Lightwave is a great program for an introduction to 3D. In my opinion it is one of the easiest 3D apps to use, and can teach you a lot about modeling. I have been using LW 3D for about 3 years and am about to switch to Maya, but I think LW 3D is a great program - it works VERY well for Broadcast graphics such as logos and other animated elements.

[eureka]

check out spinquad.com then make a decision...lightwave kicks arse.
BTW, I was taught Lightwave at Uni, and i havent changed since 7 years later.
cheers

[Draven32]

Several big VFX companies still use Lightwave, mainly as a modeler. It still basically rules the TV VFX market.