Computer Graphics & Graphics Applications

Light Wave is among the most powerful, complete, and reliable 3D tools in existence. Light Wave has become the visual effects software of choice in the film, television and broadcast industries.

Companion CD included with 30-day demo of LightWave v9! The process of creating accurate and pleasing lighting in CG environments demands both an understanding of the fundamentals of light and knowledge of the available tools. LightWave v9 Lighting addresses these issues in a practical guide that shows you how to achieve your lighting goals using the latest version of LightWave 3D. With this book discover the tools and features of LightWave v9 that can improve your lighting; understand lighting concepts including color, shadow, intent, and style; explore a number of tutorials that demonstrate specific lighting setups; learn how to enhance your lighting with volumetrics, lens flares, projection images, and radiosity; find out how the proper lighting can turn a good shot into a great shot.

Character design, modeling, and texturing are the fundamental building blocks of character animation. LightWave 3D [8] Cartoon Character Creation Volume 1: Modeling & Texturing includes both general theory and comprehensive tutorials for every aspect of modeling and texturing 3D characters. Learn how, why, and when to use the most efficient techniques so you can have fun creating your own fantastic 3D characters. Book jacket.

The most complete, extensive, and accessible guide for LightWave 8. Inside Lightwave 8 is chock full of step-by-step tutorials on every topic LightWave users need to know. It is also clear, well-organized and easy to use--essential for a comprehensive book when you need to find answers to their questions quickly.Dan Ablan, award-winning animator and LightWave author, offers Inside LightWave X to get you up-to-speed and enhances productivity with NewTek's LightWave 3D software. No other LightWave book is more comprehensive, packed with clear step-by-step tutorials and helpful tips. Coverage includes plug-ins, Motion Designer, SubPatch modeling, Graph Editor, expressions for complex animation control, Motion Mixer, compositing techniques, inverse kinematics to control complex characters, modeling and surfacing methods for architectural animation, skeletons and bones for precise animation control, logo creation, camera and lighting techniques, particle animation, and using motion-capture files.

Companion CD includes new plug-ins to enhance character setup and animation, available only in this book!Quality rigging and animation preparation is vital for creating characters that can truly act and make an audience believe they are live, emotive beings. LightWave 3D [8] Cartoon Character Creation - Volume 2: Rigging & Animation includes both general theory and comprehensive tutorials for every aspect of rigging and animating 3D characters. Learn how, why, and when to use the most efficient techniques so you can have fun animating your own fantastic 3D characters.Learn all about rigging characters, including weight mapping, bone creation, IK, and deformations; discover advanced rigging techniques, including expressions, FK/IK blending, quadruped rigging, and more; find out how to use the animation controls and animate using inverse kinematics; explore the intricacies of facial animation, including morphs, facial expressions, lip sync, and advanced morph controls; learn how to use dynamics for secondary body motion and clothing.