LW3D 5.0 for PowerMac

3DA#30 Report by John B. Crane, Assistant Editor

You may have heard some discouraging words about NewTek LightWave 3D 5.0 for Power Macintosh ($1,495), but I've found that you can make it run smoothly and fast. You need to get the latest patch from http://www.newtek.com/tech/macindex.html, pay attention during the install, read the readme, and follow a few simple steps.
___ LightWave requires a little finessing to get it running right, which is unusual for Mac users accustomed to plug-and-play software. For starters, follow NewTek's suggestion to install only on a hard drive with no spaces in its name. Don't overlook the configuration set-up, which is mentioned in the CD-ROM's readme file but not explained. (You might, for instance, overlook the need to set up directory links.) Grab a detailed 28-step set-up process posted on NewTek's Web site. While there, also download the latest patch, which provides vastly improved redraw acceleration in Modeler and increases stability in both Layout and Modeler--the two separate programs that comprise LightWave 3D.
___ Despite its unMac-like interface, LW 5.0 is one of the easiest-to-learn 3D applications I've yet encountered. This is largely due to good documentation, with a 400-page Reference Manual and 450-page User Guide, including some well-done tutorials.
___ NewTek provides QuickDraw 3D 1.0.6 on the CD, but LW3D runs much better with QD3D 1.5.3, which you can download from http://quickdraw3d.apple.com. I've run LW with System 7.5.5 and 8. My first impression is that at least Modeler runs as well or better under 8. Under System 7.x, LW works well with Connectix Speed Doubler 2.1, which can decrease rendering time dramatically, but currently is unavailable for System 8.
___ Suggested RAM allotments are modest: 12,612Kb for Modeler and 16,878Kb for Layout. While it will use efficiently what you assign, LW likes more RAM, especially for objects and scenes with large poly counts. If you enable QD3D preview, Modeler may become unstable with high-poly-count objects, especially if enough RAM isn't assigned. Either increase RAM as much as possible or turn off QD3D preview. I try to work in QD3D Sketch mode as much as possible, although it isn't as visually pleasing.
___ Surface definition is done in Modeler, but texturing is done with Layout's Surfaces panel. You can import Pict, TGA, IFF, and JPEG files, so most of your custom texture maps and backdrops are easily usable. You have to remember to save changes to surfaces and objects as steps separate from saving the scene file itself (there's no warning if you forget).
___ LightWave requires you to first load images in Layout's Images panel before you can put them to use. For example, if you head straight to the Surfaces panel and try to specify a reflected background for an object, you'll find none available. Likewise, models are loaded through the Objects tab. This will probably change your work flow strategy somewhat, but, in most cases, these changes will streamline your work habits.
___ If you're a Photoshop user and want to read and write LightWave's native IFF files, you'll need to snoop around on your Photoshop CD. The IFF plug-in is not part of the default install, but you'll find it in the Other Goodies/File Format directory.
___ LightWave's tools are well laid out, and fall under various logical categories, making them easy to find. Modeler uses the keyboard extensively, relying in some cases exclusively on keying in values to implement a tool. Once you get a few commands down, working with one hand on the mouse and one on the keyboard, you'll begin to see why LightWave is so powerful and popular in professional production environments.
___ By modeling in ten layers, you can construct complex geometry in a methodical manner. (Be sure to save often, and compile layers often, too. Unsaved data on hidden layers is lost in a crash.) MetaNURBS and Booleans work well. Booleans allow you to work with two independent surfaces and retain their independence once the operation is performed.
___ I've found that Modeler's geometry works well in Electric Image 2.7.5p and Strata StudioPro 2.1.
___ The latest Mac patch, Z7, was posted 27 September at http://www.newtek.com/tech/macindex.html. It finally enables ScreamerNet, LightWave's command line network rendering option. The reported "FINAL Mac Patch" for version 5 is another version of Z7, posted 7 October. With each patch, LightWave becomes more and more the powerful application it is on every other major platform.
___ Version 5.5 [3DA#29] for PowerMac is due out soon. For now, you can bring a smile to your face by reviewing the install process, downloading the latest patch, and double-checking the directions.

Publisher Notes on

Onda Luminosa

Revised: 25 Nov 97
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