Modeller Basics x1=0&x2=5&x3=2&x4=0&x5=1&x6=0 Modeler Basics Rob Lang http://www.maison-de-stuff.net/rob 1 2005/07/06 This tutorial covers the basics of the Lightwave 8 modeler. It deals with creating simple objects and colouring them. modellerbasics Describing the Screen
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modeller1.gif The basics of the modeler window Lightwave comes in two parts, the renderer (simply called Layout) and the Modeler. Load the modeler and and have a look at the window, comparing with the image (left).
    Do...
  • Start up the modeler
  • Make the modeler full screen (double click on the title bar of the window)
The main parts of the screen are as follows (see the image):
  • Top. This is the view of the object from the top.
  • Back. This is the view of the object from behind.
  • Right. This is the view of the object from the right hand side.
  • Menu. Is on the left hand side, this is where you find a lot of the tools for creating objects.
  • Tabs. Are located along the top and clicking on a different tab opens up a new menu.
  • Layers. In the top right hand corner, layers allow you to separate parts of your objects to make them easier to work on.
  • Model Selector. It is possible to have different models loaded into the modeler all at once.
 The Box, your first model
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modeller2.gif Click and drag on the top view. Then click and drag on the back view. The most simple object to make in Lightwave is the Box.
    Do...
  • In the menu, under 'primitives', click Box (SHIFT x)
  • In the top view of the modeler, drag the cursor diagonally from top left to bottom right.
  • You should now have a flat square in the top view.
      Note:
    • The blue lines on the corners are drag handles. Click and drag this to change the shape of the box.
    • The blue cross in the middle indicates the middle of the object.
    • While the blue handles are still visible the object can be edited easily by clicking in any of the views and dragging. We will call this edit mode.
  • In the Back view part of the window drag the mouse in a downwards dimension and the flat line will become a Box.
You should now have what you see in the picture (left). Moving your view
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modeller3.gif When you need to move a view, use the buttons. While in edit mode (where you have the blue handles showing), if you click and drag in any of the three windows, you will change the shape of the box. To change your view use the move, rotate, zoom buttons on the top of each view pot. (see left).
    Do...
  • Above the perspective window (top right), click and hold on the 'rotate' button and then move the mouse. You will see the perspective to show the box.
  • Try moving the Top, Back and Right views.
      Note:
    • Moving anyone one of the view effects the other three.
    • Except rotate on the perspective view.
You should now have what you see in the picture (left). Selecting Polygons in Perspective View
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modeller4.gif Selecting, deselecting, Points and Polygons 3D models are made up from points and polygons. Points are the corners of polygons and can't actually be seen when rendered. The polygons points make up are what are rendered. We're going to look at selecting points only in the perspective view.
    Do...
  • Click on the 'Box' button the the menu to turn of the Box editing. The blue handles should disappear.
  • Now click on the 'Polygon mode' button at the bottom of the screen. This allows to select and then edit polygons. (CTRL h)
      • Note:
    • Whenever you select a new option, the shape of the cursor will often change to represent the tool you've selected.
  • On the perspective view left click on one side of the Box (see left). You have now selected a polygon, it is outlined in yellow.
      • Note:
    • Your selected polygon also appears in the other viewpoints.
  • To deselect the polygon, click on it again.
  • To select more than one polygon, click and drag over the different polygons you want to select. You can select multiple polygons in the same way.
  • Select a single polygon. To select another polygon, press Shift and click at the same time.
  • Another method of selecting polygons is to hold down the right mouse button and then drag a shape around the polygons you want to select. You'll notice that a blue line appears to show you what you're selecting.
 Selecting Polygons in Another view
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modeller5.gif Selecting polygons in wireframe view In the last step, you selected polygons by clicking in the perspective view. The perspective view uses 'Smooth Shaded' style by default. This means that the polygons are smooth and shaded, making the box look solid. However, in the other views, the Box is in wireframe, which shows the edges of the polygons and the points only. Now try selecting a polygone in the back view.
    Do...
  • Make sure no polygons are selected (/)
  • In the 'Back' view, click the left vertical edge (as indicated in the picture).
      • Note:
    • You have selected 3 polygons.
    • This is because in wireframe mode, selection will select any polygons that fall in line with the cursor, not just the one at the front.
    • The perspective view is useful for showing which polygons you have selected
 Selecting Points
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modeller6.gif Selecting points Selecting points (the corners of the box) is done in the same way polygons.
    Do...
  • Click on the Points selection button (CTRL g)
  • On Perspective view, click on the nearest corner.
    • A small yellow square will indicate that a point has been selected. You should have the same as is in the picture (left).
    Try selecting points using the methods shown in the polygon step above.
Multiple Layers
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modeller7.gif Adding a ball to layer 2 Layers allow you to build your models in sections and also allows some of the more complicated tools to combine objects together. We're going to create a ball (sphere) in much the same way that we created a Box.
    Do...
  • Click on the top part of the Layer 2 button (2, all layers are attached to the number keys).
      • Note:
    • Layers with a black triangle in the top left have content (points and polygons)
    • Layers without a black triangle in the top left have no content (they are empty).
  • On the menu, under 'Primatives', click on the Ball button. (SHIFT o)
  • On the top view, drag to create a circle.
  • On the back view, drag to make the circle into a ball.
    • You should now have the same as is in the picture (left).
  • Try clicking on layer 1 and the ball will be replaced with the box (alternate by pressing 1 and 2).
 Selecting Multiple Layers
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modeller8.gif Selecting more than one layer To see the object as a whole, you need to select many layers together.
    Do...
  • With layer 2 selected, hold down SHIFT and click on the top part of layer 1 (SHIFT 1).

    • Both layers will be shown together (see picture).
      Note:
    • You can select as many layers as you like by holding down shift and selecting each layer.
 Background Layers
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modeller9.gif Layer 1 as a background layer A background layer is useful when you are trying to modify the object on one layer without any of the other layers getting in the way. Also, some tools require you to have things in the background layer.
    Do...
  • With layer 2 selected, click the low half of layer 1 below the split (ALT 1).
      • Note:
    • The foreground layer is rendered in white (or shaded for the perspective view).
    • The background layer is in black.
    • You can select many background layers.