Lightwave's EPS Loader, seldom used, but very good. - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Matt Grunau · 03-07-2006, 04:04 PM

Lightwave specific, though I am sure other appz can do it.

Under the "import" section of Lightwave File menu is the EPS loader. This import takes Adobe Illustrator 8 documents and turns them into Lightwave objects.

So what you say? Sounds boring? Well, lemme tell you, the potential for this is simply incredible.

Doing type in Lightwave on its own can be a pain. Tracing background images to be used as objects can be a nightmare. But this is all blown out the door with that nifty little loader.

Listen to this interesting workaround:

I was involved in a project in which I needed silhouettes for PhotoShop use. A friend of mine found images of dancers online and using the pen tool created work path tracings of them and gave me the file. I used the paths in PhotoShop, and all was well. Later, my creative designer thought it would look cool if those silhouettes could rotate and be reflective like a gold, silver medal given at awards.

I was able to export the paths as Illustrator docs from PhotoShop, open and resize them in Illustrator, export them as Illustrator Legacy files, version 8, and open them in Lightwave. The compound paths in Illustrator were automatically drilled, and with a simple extrusion, I had a complete 3D model. It was flat on the front and back, but at least had depth, like it had been punched out of steel. Then, setup a quick reflection background in Layout, and boom! From photograph to workable 3D model in less time than it took me to write this paragraph. Well, maybe just a bit longer, but under 15 mins.

ANY illustrator file saved as version 8 will work. Text is a breeze (just make sure you use the Create Outlines on the text before you export) and once the Illustrator doc is converted, you can work on any Illustrator file with your 3D tools.

Want an element to look like the lord of the rings or harry potter text? Totally doable. I have even designed disk brakes in illustrator and converted them for one of my student's motorcycle model.

Its' a great function.

It kinda looks like this:

Text started in Illustrator. 800k, Divx 5 needed. Dont hate me for it. :

http://www.paramm.com/BENJ.avi

oneinfiniteloop · 03-07-2006, 07:04 PM

Maya has an EPS import feature, and my old 3D teacher said he used it all the time to convert paths into 3D text, models, etc.

I haven't used it a whole lot myself, but the possibilities are endless!

03-07-2006, 04:04 PM	#1
Matt Grunau Adobe Demigod Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clarksburg, West "By God" Virginia Posts: 2,841	Lightwave's EPS Loader, seldom used, but very good. Lightwave specific, though I am sure other appz can do it. Under the "import" section of Lightwave File menu is the EPS loader. This import takes Adobe Illustrator 8 documents and turns them into Lightwave objects. So what you say? Sounds boring? Well, lemme tell you, the potential for this is simply incredible. Doing type in Lightwave on its own can be a pain. Tracing background images to be used as objects can be a nightmare. But this is all blown out the door with that nifty little loader. Listen to this interesting workaround: I was involved in a project in which I needed silhouettes for PhotoShop use. A friend of mine found images of dancers online and using the pen tool created work path tracings of them and gave me the file. I used the paths in PhotoShop, and all was well. Later, my creative designer thought it would look cool if those silhouettes could rotate and be reflective like a gold, silver medal given at awards. I was able to export the paths as Illustrator docs from PhotoShop, open and resize them in Illustrator, export them as Illustrator Legacy files, version 8, and open them in Lightwave. The compound paths in Illustrator were automatically drilled, and with a simple extrusion, I had a complete 3D model. It was flat on the front and back, but at least had depth, like it had been punched out of steel. Then, setup a quick reflection background in Layout, and boom! From photograph to workable 3D model in less time than it took me to write this paragraph. Well, maybe just a bit longer, but under 15 mins. ANY illustrator file saved as version 8 will work. Text is a breeze (just make sure you use the Create Outlines on the text before you export) and once the Illustrator doc is converted, you can work on any Illustrator file with your 3D tools. Want an element to look like the lord of the rings or harry potter text? Totally doable. I have even designed disk brakes in illustrator and converted them for one of my student's motorcycle model. Its' a great function. It kinda looks like this: Text started in Illustrator. 800k, Divx 5 needed. Dont hate me for it. : http://www.paramm.com/BENJ.avi __________________ "One. . . Two. . . FIVE!" "Thre Sir" "THREE!" It aint the colors man, it's the LUMINOSITY.

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03-07-2006, 07:04 PM	#2
oneinfiniteloop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,376	Maya has an EPS import feature, and my old 3D teacher said he used it all the time to convert paths into 3D text, models, etc. I haven't used it a whole lot myself, but the possibilities are endless!