NewbieQs

[jream]

man i am loving lightwave these hotkeys make me feel cool haha.
Im a newbie!

1. Dumb Q: How do I select an Object? (not every polygon of it) like to erase it? Or do I have to lasso it everytime?

2. Is there a Reset Scene button? (like in 3dmax)

3. How come when I make a square, and then extrude, then want to edit vertices, I got subdivisions on the polygons for no reason?

4. Whats the trick to make a subdivision or subpatchmode where it gets all smooth? (I was watching video tutorials they just fly through this without saying anything assuming a beginner knows what they are doing :( )

5. Where is the Renderer lol?

6. When I make a new object, is there another one in the background? Should I just be making 1 object per file? Or if I made a bedroom, should I do a bed, save, lamp, save, room outline, safe, then organize in LW-Layout?

7. How come nobody told me lightwave was funner than 3dsmax?

[Maxx]

1 - Depends on which program you're using. Modeler works on a sub-object level. IOW, You'll only be able to select points, polygons, or edges. If nothing is selected, then everything is affected by the active tool. Best way to select an entire object in Modeler is to select a couple polygons, points, or edges, then hit the "[" key - Select Connected. This will select the entire object. However, if your object is alone in a layer, then whatever you do will affect the entire object. In Layout, make sure you're in Object mode (Shift+O), then use the Object drop-down menu to select your object.

2 - As far as I know, your best bet for this is to delete any keyframes you've added and the objects will all pop back to the origin (this is in Layout).

3 - Use the spacebar to change selection modes in Modeler. Sounds like you're hitting Tab, which will convert polygons to subpatches.

4 - See above (hit the Tab key)

5 - The renderer is in Layout.

6 - Modeler has layers that work somewhat akin to layers in photoshop. You can have any number of layers per object, and Layout will treat each layer as a separate object. Note that you can parent object layers in Modeler with the Layers window.

7 - Never used Max, but LW is certainly intuitive once you get past its quirks :D.

All in all, you might want to take some time with the manuals. Some of the questions you've asked are base-level questions on how Lightwave works. It's different than almost every other 3D application on the market in that it's two separate apps. I, personally, love this approach - however, it is a source of debate throughout the community. But things like "Where's the renderer?" are literally a building block of how Lightwave operates. Take a little bit to look through the docs - they're more of a reference than a guide, but they'll definately get you up and running. From there, buy anything by Dan Ablan and look through WordWare's LW library - there's some great beginner resources in there, and most don't assume any level of previous experience or knowledge unless stated otherwise.

[jream]

Thanks for your help!

I went through the manual but i felt like it was just telling me what things do, I really like a hands on tutorial that helps you through using a few things. That gets you the feel of what you are doing.

I did order a book, hopefuly it will still cover the basics and be useful since its 3 versions old, Inside LightWave 6 by Ablan, Dan. Should be here monday. I also ordered some training DVDs which I dont really fancy but I guess itll get me started.

Boy, if you started in LW you are lucky, but if you ever had to switch to another program such as maya, 3ds, or cinema4d, itd seem really weird.

I love that they have separate programs for modeler and layout, it makes the modeling process FAST (even though ive made nothing amazing lol) compared to working in a bulked down resource hog program.

As long as I keep putting my toe in the water and dinking around I think Ill be on my way :)

[Silkrooster]

Since you say the book is 3 versions old, I can assume your using ver 9.:hey:
Anyways, a few notes, 1) the location of some of the tools has changed, I beleive the name of the tabs has as well. 2) A lot of new tools won't be covered.
Attached is a beginners lightwave resource guide.
Silk

[jream]

Cool thanks silkrooster, this could be very handy! Ya I noticed a lot of tools actually have changed from 7.5 where a lot of tutorials are covered, I was really confused about it but I think I get it now.

There's gotta be a newbie somewhere and this time its me haha :) But hey easy help won't give ya a headache :)

I am pretty good at drawing and I want to put my ideas into 3d, i recommend grid paper, it makes it so much easier :D

[Silkrooster]

To help get you going, click on edit>edit menu layout>presets>7.0 style
This should put most of the older tools back to that layout. Once you get comfortable try learning the new locations, as I think you will find it more organized.
I beleive the newer tools will be hidden when using the 7.0 style, so sooner or later the 9.0 style (Default) will be very useful.
Silk

[Lewis]

Welcome to LightWave :).

If you came from MAX you just need to forget Element mode (in modeler) and concentrate yourself at points/edges/polygons with space key as already mentioned. But believe me in few days modeling you'll appreciate that you don't need to constantly go in/out of Edit Mesh/Edit Poly modes to do something while you model :). Also TAB key to on/off subPatches (subDs) is much faster than MAX's Mesh Edit through panels IMHO.

Aks more if you stuck somewhere and download some videos from NewTek tutorial site.
http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/tutorials/videos/index.php

cheers

[Phil]

I came across this recently. It's based on 8.x, but might be a useful way to ease the learning curve.

http://www.lostpencil.com/lw_beginner.html

[jream]

WOW YOU GUYS ARE HELPFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is so weird Im not used to editing things without a big stack of stuff ahahaha. Its like all the tools are hotkeyed and i dont have to drag day and night loool

[Lewis]

Yes no need for draging menues around :). Just hit key and GO ;). Just imagine you are always in Mesh/poly EDIT mode while you are in Modeler and get confortable with some shortcuts and you'll be fine :)).

I'd recommend you that you always have open numeric panel 'coz many tools have some numeric options what aren't visible at first sight when you work without numiric panel (i.e. falloffs for tools). Also in LW when using tools like Knife, Bevel, Multishift (and many more)... Left mouse button + Up/Down and Right/Left gives you control of desired effect but with RMB you get new instance of same tool when it's activated so no need to restart tool (i.e. if you are beveling or multishifting some polygons on fly it's verc handy to get new instance while you are in tool/edit mode than to make one bevel and drop tool then reactivate again to make another bevel..).

cheers and happy LWaving :)

[Horace]

Lol the renderer :p