[Emma Barratt]

Hey there.

I'm new here. I'm a 2d animator wanting to get into 3d. My dad recently got me light wave 7 so I'm gonna try my best to learn it., but I feel abit lost and don't know where to start. It's a big jump from flash animation.

Any tips (because the mannual looks really scary!!)

Thanks!

Emma

[Erwin]

Heya! Welcome aboard Emma.

[Emma Barratt]

Thank you Erwin!

Can I ask what kinda work you do?

Emma

[Mark]

Welcome Emma.

You're right - the LW manual is kinda scary at first sight (and kind of a drab read to be honest), but it is well worth working your way through. I'd suggest at least skimming through the manual - possibly glossing over some of the tool descriptions but just learning the workflow and concepts to begin with - you can simply dip into the manual later to get clarification on the other tools.

The best way to really learn the tool is to simply play with it - oh and maybe get a good book like Dan Ablan's Inside Lightwave books.

I've been messing with Lightwave since version 6.0 was released (about 2-3 years now) and I'm still only scratching the surface.

Good luck

Regards,
Mark

[Erwin]

Emma, I'm not in the 3D/CG industry. I work as a slave during the day hehehe.

but I feel abit lost and don't know where to start. It's a big jump from flash animation. Any tips (because the mannual looks really scary!!)

I recommend you to play with the program first. Try to understand the user interface and how to create a simple box.

Then I would point you this way:
1. http://www.newtek.com/products/light...als/index.html
(do the interactive Introduction to Modeler tut, etc)

2. download some of the free tutorials here at simplylightwave, I recommend you do the Coffee mug tutorial first.

3. if you can afford it, go get Dan Ablan's book, 'Inside Lightwave 7'

[Emma Barratt]

Thanks you guys!

It sure is friendly on this forum. I'm gonna give the coffee mug tutorial a go and I'll definitley look up Dan Ablan's book. I'm really eager to get to grips with this program.

A quick question tho, is rhino still used much in the industry? And I also have 3D Studio Max, but took the decision to learn Light wave, was this the better of the two?

Thanks for the feedback!

[Emma Barratt]

Ha Ha HA.

I've just noticed the mannual book thing I have is the Inside Lightwave by Dan Ablan. That's what looks really scary.

I guess here goes...

hi emma -

well if you wanna get the most out of your time here then

1. Do all the free movie tutorials here: http://www.simplylightwave.com/vip.s...ree%20Training

Then If you enjoy what you see join the VIP area for more : http://www.simplylightwave.com/vip.shtml

...not only will you help support the site but you will learn more then any where else on the net or from any book!

Thx for joining up

Regards

Kevin

[Dekki_nr.2]

Hi Emma and welcome to Lightwave. I stared whit lightwave less then 6 month ago, so I know the felling.

Dan Ablan's book is realy good and so are the tuts on this site. I suggest you start whit modeler and learn everything you can about it. I have just started looking at layout and animations.
This way you stay focus and dont jump around the difrent tuts.

[DigiMatt]

welcome aboard Emma.. you pretty much allready got the best tips from the others so Im not going to write them again
hope you will get along good with Lightwave ( I know you will ).
Feel free to ask any questions here on the forum if you need to.

[Johnny9ball]

Yes Emma Please ask questions we are more than glad to answer and help you. Trust us as you learn 3D in Lightwave it will grow on you.

aint it funny when theres a guy say "hi - im new here" and gets 2 replys and when there a girl..its like a hot thread!!

we is all dogs

[Emma Barratt]

Ha Ha Ha!

You guys have all been so nice and welcoming, Thank you!
I tried to download some of the tutorials but when I opened them up Light wave said there was errors reading them. Has anyone else had this problem. I'm sure I unzipped them ok, but I'll double check.

I checked some of the images / pictures that have been posted on this site, they were brilliant!

I did hear that Light Wave wasn't too good for character design (this came from the mouth of a 2d animator so it might be biased) how true is this comment? I'm hopping it's not as the main reason for getting into Light Wave is for Character Design.
Thanks!

Speak Soon!
Emma

[Johnny9ball]

He probbly ment to say Charactor animation. When it comes to Lightwaves modeler it is known as one of the best modelers out there. But when it comes to Lightwaves charactor animation it is Known that Lightwave is lacking a little compaired to other packages.

One thing to remember Emma as you learn 3D is this "Its not the software its the Artist" this is very true in many ways. The skills you learn in 3D can easly be applyed to many other packages. I for one love lightwave because of its all around ability to do many things without extra software and its wonderfull modeler and wonderfull renderer.

Stick with Lightwave and get some good books like the Digital series of books and other recomendations, you can find more here.

http://forum.simplylightwave.com/sho...ighlight=Books

http://forum.simplylightwave.com/sho...ighlight=Books

[Erwin]

Originally posted by Kevin aint it funny when theres a guy say "hi - im new here" and gets 2 replys and when there a girl..its like a hot thread!! we is all dogs

Speak for youself Kev! I'm just a genuinely nice guy!