Lightwave Tutorials

Lightwave Tutorials

Here in this section, you will find step-by-step instructions on how to build 3D scenes, models, and animations using LightWave. This section covers the key concepts in Lightwave including assigning textures, finger tutorials, creating Cathedral style ceilings with Pillars, employing lights and and many more. You will learn the basics of dynamics, animation, as well as bones.

Photorealistic Fish Tutorial

A tutorial that shows how to create tropical aquarium fish

The first prerequisite to good animation is setting up a practical and usable IK bones system. Begin by setting a key at frame 0, this will be our “neutral” fish, the animation of the fish will begin on frame 2.

Fingernail Tutorial

A tutorial that shows how to model a portion of a finger

The first step is to create a box, Select the “Box” tool and hit “n” for the numerics pop-up. Use the settings from below.The next step will be to subdivide the polygons in your object with Metaform.

Cathedral Ceilings Tutorial

A tutorial shows how to create Cathedral style ceilings with Pillars

The first step is to create a flat disc. Select the Disc tool from the Create menu tab and pres the “n” key to bring up the numerics window. Use the settings below to create the disc.

Dice Tutorial

A tutorial that shows how to model a dice

Open Modeler and select the Box tool (X). Activate the Numeric window (n). Make sure you are in Point selection mode (Ctrl+G) and select a row of points that are not on the edge.

Baking Illumination Tutorial

A tutorial that describes a procedure to keep your original tiling and resolution for color textures, and bake illumination at a minimum resolution

Setup your scene in Layout with your textured objects and decide all the settings as usual, light intensity, direction etc.Now take a look at your test renderings and see if you can optimize something.

Vertex Color Maps Tutorial

A tutorial video that lets you color the vertices (i.e., points) in your object mesh

Load the source file named “Demon_Raw” that we have supplied or use an object of your choice. We need to create a new Color Map before we can start painting. Choose Map > Weight & Color: New Color Map.

Surfacing a Coin Tutorial

A tutorial that tells how to create the surfacing on the coin

The textures are all very similar but they emphasize different aspects of the surface. Here is the texture that was used for the color channel. For all of these textures I used a lot of layers….

3D Text Tutorial

A tutorial video that shows how to create 3D Text

Select the font you would like to use by clicking on the Modeler > Options > Edit Font List located in the upper left side of the interface. Choose the Font from the pulldown or add in a font if you do not already have one loaded…

3D Banners Tutorial

A tutorial that shows how to create 3D banners in LightWave 3D

Launch the Modeler and set your SELECTION MODE to POLYGONS.Under the CREATE tab click on the SKETCH tool.From the TopView draw the length and fold of your banner….

Sketch Animation Tutorial

A tutorial that shows how to perform sketch animation in Lightwave

First you will need to load the plug-ins into Layout if you have not done so already. To load the Plug-ins simply click Layout/Plug-ins/Add Plug-ins and choose “unreal_e.p”.

For the latest Lightwave 10 NewTek also offers video training tutorials.