[TapeWrangler]

I’m new to Lightwave and now SimplyLightWave. We’ve researched the many 3D Animation systems out there and have decided to give LightWave a shot. Let me describe to you what we’re trying to accomplish.
We have a business in Traverse City, MI by name of Tape Wrangler. We have a product line of specialty tape dispensers for types of tapes. Specifically tapes like Duct Tape, gaffers tape & shipping tape. We often get asked when marketing our products, who/what is Tape Wrangler? Where is he? It's the perfect storm for a mascot character.
We do all our own 2D graphics and want to get into the 3D Animation world. FYI-we also design and engineer and prototype in-house so we are very familiar with cad solid modeling.

Can someone please advise me on the best way to get started in the Lightwave so we have the best chance to succeed with it? What is the recommended workflow between Modeler and Layout?

[rwhunt99]

If you are just getting into Lightwave, welcome! I am not sure what version you are using, but I assume it is LW 10. You need to go to the Newtek website and go to Lightwave 3D and check the resources link on the left hand side, they have several areas of free training to get you familiar with the tools and the GUI, plus lots of other tutes. Along with this site "Simply Lightwave" (which has a lot of good tutorials free and otherwise.) Keep working through them and you will find how to become proficient in a relatively short time.

Modeler is where you create the assets you want to work with; models, objects, everything you see. You then load them into Layout which is the stage so to speak. You set the objects and texture them, create the "world" they are in and using different lights and cameras and then animate them on a time line. You then render them out to create the movie in the format you wish.

Good luck and have fun! :beer:

[TapeWrangler]

Thank you very much for responding to me!
Yup, I'm trying the trial version of LightWave 10. Thanks for the heads up on the videos and where to get them. I'm starting with the training video freebees first and then I'll go to the others as needed. I currently do a ton of our own product development in a solid modeling program called KeyCreator. I've been real careful in taking on this 3D Animation software because its definitely a commitment. I know it takes a fair amount of time no matter how you slice it! I didn't want to get to far down the road on any one program and find out its not the right one. I looked at all the other obvious ones: Maya, 3Dx Max and probably six or so others. Lightwave was recommended to me and after researching into it, I believe its the right one and also at a reasonable cost.
How long have you been working in Lightwave?
As far as training sequence, do you have any recommendations?
If you want, check out www.tapewrangler.com to see our products. You'll get the idea of this Tape Wrangler Dude that we're looking to create. We'll be able to do some cool marketing things with him.
Thanks a ton for your help.
I look forward to your response.
Rick Steele
Tape Wrangler

[rwhunt99]

Well, that is a deep subject, I've been playing with it since I believe 2004 (LW 7.5), I'm just a hobbyist and I work full time plus I have my own IT business on the side. (Plus I'm married, and if you are, you know what I'm saying)

I would recommend first working with modeler, and this site has some great artists to learn from. I highly recommend the Mclaren videos by Philip Meyer (an award winning artist) You will be an well on your way when you are finished with that. In fact, any tutorials by him are excellent, I've also done the Stratocaster and the fishy tutorials and they are great. David Mitchel is also great, he does a great job in teaching you the inside of how to do things. I'm playing with a tutorial by Cody Burke, and he is great at explaining things, that is the key to a good tutorial, some just say do this and that, but they don't really explain why you should. The manual (which should be required reading by anyone) explains the tools, but don't explain the how and why and when to use them. That is where the tutorials come in.
I have Dan Ablan's book "Inside Lightwave 8" I think this is one of the best books I've found that will get you from the "beginning" all the way through to the advanced. I know he has one for LW 9 and you could probably pick one up slightly used on the cheap.
For animation, I would have to say Timothy Albee, Larry Schultz, among others, Jonny Gorden has two books out that are just awesome called "Cartoon Character Creation Vol 1 &2", they are done in LW 8 but they are still relevant and you will learn a lot.
I gotta go, so Good Luck with that!:blush:

[fadlabi]

Also there's: 24 HOURS OF FREE VIDEO TRAINING on the below link:

http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/24hours_training.php