Updating

[Sleepy]

Hi, my first post.

I have been steadily using LW in architectural visualization for going on 10 years now. I guess about 3-4 years ago I just got busy and stopped following developments in Lightwave. I used to be a very avid follower of additional upgrades, plugins etc to make my work flow better...but keeping up to date takes time and effort. I'm still using 8.5 with Fprime 2.1 for most of my animation work. FPrime's limitations can be a pain.

I'm really interested in getting up to date with software and developments. I was hoping someone also involved in the industry could give me some quick notes on plugins, 3rd party apps etc that have made your work easier and more effective over the last several years...just something to get me started on my own in-depth search.

Happy with 9.6?
FPrime 3.5?
HD Instance looks fantastic, definitely on the shopping list.

- Sleepy

[Jure]

Kray (http://www.kraytracing.com),

LWCAD (http://wtools3d.com/).

Not much else needs to be said. :)

[alexos]

Hi, my first post.

I have been steadily using LW in architectural visualization for going on 10 years now. ...
Happy with 9.6?
FPrime 3.5?

Put it this way: 9.6 renderer is orders of magnitude better than what you're used to. Radiosity has become so fast I almost entirely stopped using FPrime for production rendering (except for very high-res stuff) although it's still invaluable for surfacing and lighting setup. There's also K-Ray which is apparently great but I still haven't managed to come to terms with it- almost entirely my fault, that.

As for LWCAD... let's just say that without LWCAD many of us would probably have dropped LW a while ago. I wouldn't want to sound over-emphatic but really, it does make a difference.

ADP.

[Sleepy]

Many thanks for the replies.

I remember looking into LWCAD a few years back, but I was doing a lot of importing using Microstation at the time, so it didn't seem necessary. It would be good to have more options in modeler though.

Anyway, it's been good going through the boards and seeing what other LW users have been doing in viz. Some great stuff, will be sure to post some of my own when I get a chance.

-Sleepy