Rhino and Lightwave

[brucelee]

Hello,

Looking at using Lightwave to render 3D models allready created in Rhino. Can anyone say how well models exported from Rhino come into Lightwave and how easy they are to manage once they are there?

Also, if you are used to nurbs modeling, how much of change is it to switch to modeling in Lightwave (is it primarily subdivision and polygonal modeling?)

Any help with this will greatly appreciated - Thanks!

PS. Haven't looked yet, but is it possible to get evaluation copies that allow you try all this out?

[Matt]

I've imported Rhino models into LW, if the point count is low enough you can export from Rhino in native LightWave format, otherwise DXF works fine.

LW doesn't have nurbs, so the closest is Sub-D modelling, Rhino is better at created features like fillets etc. but I've seen some amazing modelling done in LW using just Sub-D's, but it's an art form!

Poly modelling IMO is only useful for games stuff, but not industrial design applications.

[Earl]

I'd have to agree with Matt -- for design, Rhino's NURBs are better suited. My co-worker uses Rhino, and often he'll have me render them out in LightWave. Usually I have him export to 3DS format. I haven't had much success with exporting to LW directly from Rhino.

The poly/point counts are always high when the NURBs are converted to polys.

[Matt]

reason you have to watch the poiny/poly count out of Rhino is because Rhino v2 only supports the old (pre v6) LWO format which had a 65K point limit.

newer versions might be okay, but the bottom line is translation between Rhino and LW works fine.

[DigitalDeuce]

I just use the OBJ format -works fine no matter what the polycount.