Light ROM 4/Light ROM 4 - Disc 1.iso/text/net_news/1996/030396.doc/text0001.txt

Text File | 1996-03-12 | 47.7 KB | 1,161 lines

Subject: Re: *********P6 200mhz BENCHMARKS********
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Blaise Fanning wrote:
>
> In article <4hj7h4$[e-mail]>, [e-mail] says...
> >
> >While we're on the topic, could someone post the standard benchmark times
> >for any Alpha-based system? Or MIPS, for that matter. Andy?
> >
> >I'm trying to cost-justify a move from 100Mhz Pentium's up to, uh, well,
> >something more expensive ;-)
> >
> >TIA,
> >
>
> You know that I lurk in the shadows, just waiting for someone to ask a
> question like this :-)
>
> The following benchmarks are from the ...SCENES/BENCHMRK directory on a full
> Lightwave install.  Most of them were run by our Japanese distributor D-Storm.
> The PPro200MHz numbers are taken from a recent posting on c.g.a.lightwave and
> the 21164a/366MHz numbers come from my lab notebook.  They are best viewed
> with a fixed-width font (like Courier).
>
> In the last column, I normalized the speeds to a Pentium/100MHz by figuring
> out the factor for each column relative to PPro and averaging the columns at
> the end.
>
>                      Textures   Dof   Raytrace   Zbufsort   xP5/100
> i80486/66MHz           1138      5173   45958     4679 sec    0.10
> Pentium/90MHz           164       544    4499      411 sec    0.91
> Pentium/100MHz          145       477    4276      386 sec    1.00
> MIPS R4600/133MHz       133       473    3657      302 sec    1.08
> Pentium Pro/150MHz       74       248    1940      211 sec    1.97
> Pentium Pro/200MHz       56       188    1497      160 sec    2.59
> Raptor3 Alpha45/275MHz   57       187    1550      152 sec    2.60
> Raptor3 Alpha5/300MHz    28        91     877      111 sec    4.56
> Raptor3 Alpha56/366MHz   26        87     781       83 sec    5.26
>
> Shameless plug:  we just started shipping the 366MHz 21164a-based machines.
> visit our 'web page for more information (http://www.dti.com).  All of you
> people who have 266 MHz Raptors should be looking to upgrade to 366, too :-)
>
> Blaise Fanning
> VP Engineering
> DeskStation Technology


----------------------
Now I'd like to see a performance vs. $$$$ column(of course estimated prices) added to this.

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From: [e-mail] (Gary Helfrich)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave,comp.graphics.animation
Subject: Re: MAX or Lightwave?
Followup-To: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave,comp.graphics.animation
Date: 6 Mar 1996 17:12:47 GMT
Organization: WEST COAST ONLINE, Inc.
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Tim Krego ([e-mail]) wrote:

: There are two catagories on the PC. Low end products (toys) like
: trueSpace2, Extreme3D, etc. Then there are the production level
: programs like 3DSR4, MAX, Lightwave, and Softimage/NT.

I think that you should look at all of these applications as tools, and
evaluate how effective they are based on their utility, rather than
dismiss some of them as toys.  I own a machine shop, and use trueSpace to
produce manuals for our products.  I need a quick and simple way to turn
a cad drawing into a nice rendered still image, and trueSpace does this
job quickly and efficiently.

If I need to drill a few random holes in a mounting bracket,I don't use
a $70K machining center, I use my Milwaukee hand drill.  Is the
Milwaukee drill a "toy"?  No way. I do not consider any of my tools that
I use to earn a living with "toys".  Just because the Milwaukee cannot be
programmed to copy a nurbs surface in steel within .0001" does not change
the fact that it is the finest hand drill made.  Come to think of it, how
does Lightwave (or MAX, Softimage, etc.) do when it comes to real 3D? (i.e.
making an actual object, not moving pixels around on a display)

Another area where trueSpace is no toy is customer support.  As a
complete novice in computer graphics, they have bailed me out many
times.  I don't have any first hand experience with Lightwave customer
support, but from what I have read in this group, it sounds less than
great.

Gary Helfrich
Arctos Machine

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From: [e-mail] (emmanuel olympia)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: have problems w/ modeler(newbie ?)
Date: 6 Mar 1996 16:54:56 GMT
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whenever i do anything in modeler and load it into layout, what i get in
layout is all screwed up.  even when a take existing obj. and rotate them
in modeler and then load it into layout, the obj are getting screwed up.
it will have the form, but it will add superflous lines, etc. does anyone
know what the problem is? thx.

Emmanuel Olympia

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From: [e-mail] (Frédéric DRUILHET)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Do you have plugins ?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 18:19:56 GMT
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Hi, I'm a new user of lightwave.
I'd like to have some freeware or shareware plugins to learn more.tips accepted
If you have some, you can propose them to me by mail.
Thank you all
frederic


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From: Joerg Gerlach <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.animation,comp.graphics.apps.lightwave,comp.graphics.packages.3dstudio
Subject: Re: Fw: Which 3D program?
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 20:03:40 +0100
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> I have to agree with the above.  Real3D was the first 3D program I
> learned; in fact it was the first time I seriously used a computer and
> even I got used to it before long.  And since then I've been increasingly
> pleased with the results I've been able to get with all its power and
> options...it's a good program.

And what does it cost? Would be very good, if you know the german price
too.

Thanx...

Joerg
-----

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From: [e-mail] (Dave Paige)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: ASCII object format for input to Lightwave
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 20:57:57 GMT
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Wayne Baldwin <[e-mail]> wrote:

>I have some model data on a unix system which I would like to convert
>to something Lightwave can read. Is there a standard ASCII format that
>Lightwave will read? If yes is there a spec or better yet some simple
>examples?
>
>Thanks,
>Wayne R. Baldwin
>[e-mail]

Lightwave's predecessor was a program called Videoscape 3D which, did
in fact, use an ascii file format for objects. I believe the layout
part of Lightwave can still read those files ( they had a .geo
extension). The modeler portion of Lightwave, by itself, cannot. But
there is a plugin for Modeler which will allow it to read Videoscape
objects. So, even without the plugin you could load the objects into
Layout and resave them to get them into Lightwave binary format.

I don't know where there might be a document on the Videoscape object
format (Ernie jump right in if you want). It was basicly a list of the
points (X, Y, Z) and a list of polygons (each vertex referenced the
above point list).

Your're welcome to e-mail me if you like. I might be able to send you
an object in Videoscape ascii format and in Lightwave format for you
to compare.

What format are your models in? There may already be a program to
convert them available either commercially or via shareware.


Dave Paige
Alfheim Imaging
[e-mail]

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From: [e-mail] (Simon Blackledge)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Adobe Premiere + LW = problems!
Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 11:11:15 GMT
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> I get my animations to tape using the PVR.
> Dave Paige
> Alfheim Imaging
> [e-mail]

And doesn`t it work well :-}







--
Simon Blackledge                                       [e-mail]
                 Creators of Digital Visual Effects
                  -----------------------------
-------------------T.R.A.N.S.M.I.S.S.I.O.N--3D/AV-----------------------------
                  -----------------------------



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From: [e-mail] (Stranahan)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: MAX or Lightwave?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 12:48:28 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
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AC wrote..
----------------------------------------------------
The Lightwave development group has, of course, been developing quite a
bit while we quibble about all this, and their policy has been to not
announce any new features until they are absolutely ready.
----------------------------------------------------

Okay, here's some controversial marketing advice - this is a really stupid
policy, just as hurtful to LightWave in the long run as their ads.

Pre-announcing features has very few downsides. One might be to give the
competition advance warning of what is coming. In the case of a unique
feature like Metaform, this MAY be a downside. Probably not, however.

The upsides are considerable, and all based on the fact that it takes a
LONG time for marketing messages to get into people's brains. It takes
months from the time you start announcing features until people finally
get your message. If you start the day you ship, it still takes months.

See, as a manufactuer, you WANT users salivating over new features they
don't have yet. You WANT people talking about the cool features that
LightWave WILL have and promoting 'vaporeware LightWave'. If people are
bugging you all the time, GOOD - you have a product people actually want!
Just goodbye and smile.

Right now, Max has a leg up in a number of areas and IT'S NOT SHPPING.
That's marketing.

My advice - start announcing features, NewTek. 'Sneak' some info about LW
5.0 out right away - it won't hit magazines for two months. Show it at
NAB. Do a mail-out QUICK to 3DS users with a cheap competitive upgrade
price (like $495). They want to buy something now - this is about the cost
of a plug-in. Plus, Max will apparently be able to use LW as a rendender,
play that up - who cares why they buy it? Sell it, man.

Why did this 'mareketing through secrets' policy happen? My guess is that
it's an attempt to make up for the ship date problems - but this is NOT a
ship date problem...don't announce a ship date if you don't want. If you
do announce, do it by quarter or season or half years.

At least DO SOMETHING to market LightWave....please.....




_____________________________________________
Lee Stranahan
URL - http://users.aol.com/stranahan/main.htm


Article: 14431
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From: [e-mail] (Chuck Durham)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Lee and his threads.
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 21:09:54 GMT
Organization: a Digital Internet AlphaServer Site
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[e-mail] (Stranahan) wrote:

>Okay...

>1) If you don't think that you can change things by posting criticisms
>publically, then why are you posting your criticisms about me publically?
>Oh, I know! Your public criticism of me is your opinion, mine is a
>vendetta...

>2) I don't spend most of my time insulting other people. I tend to have a
>lot more meat than fat in my posts. Now, read what's posted about
>me...people feel no compunctions about saying anything they want to me.
>(The one case recently where I was VERY insulting was in the case of Brad
>Parscale - check his initial post to me and see why.)  In the case of Tim
>McHugh, I spelled out a lot of facts...

>3 ) But facts aren't relevant to you.  Well, they are to me. I like facts.


>4 ) If you don't want to know these things, please don't read my posts -
>you can exercise that choice. Spare yourself the agony. By the way, the
>newsgroup never gets 'full' - it's not a zero sum game; therefore my
>posting never keeps anyone from discussing other things.

>5 ) I don't carry on threads by myself. Other people do respond - please
>review Area 51's pathetic 100% fact-free responses to my posts for an
>example. Maybe it just seems like others aren't responding...

>6 ) I know some others agree with what you've said. A bunch of people are
>'uncomfortable with my methods', to quote Col. Kurtz. A bunch of people
>like my methods and think I'm a good balance to the 'Hey, life is
>wonderful and everything is fine!' mentality. I tend to get 'go get 'em!'
>mail in private and 'You suck' mail in public.

>7 ) I can deal with the fact that you don't agree with me, Shane. I hope
>you can deal with my continued presence here, discussing issues that I
>think are important.


>_____________________________________________
>Lee Stranahan
>Q : What do BBQ and better sex have in common?
>A : Lee's new and improved home page!
>URL - http://users.aol.com/stranahan/main.htm

I've been following along quitely with all your posts Lee,  Shane
brought up some valid concerns but I'd like to take a look at some of
them from a different angle.  I've only been a Lightwave user since
last Nov.,  I have been doing 3D graphics and following most of the
news groups for a while, but I am rather new to this group.  I have
actually learned alot, not about the lightwave product, but some of
the players involved in the use and future of Lightwave & NewTek.
Which I feel is important and what other place is there for the
discussion of these topics.

I'm hoping to hear more lightwave (use of the product oriented)
content from your posts, but I must admit reading your presentation of
facts from your side is intriguing and I continue to follow along on
your threads to expose the facts about Lightwave, etc.

Chuck Durham
Imaginative Entertainment
[e-mail]
http://www.imaginative.com
http://www.xspot.com
http://www.xspot2.com



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From: [e-mail] (Stranahan)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: MAX or Lightwave?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 17:09:56 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
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Reply-To: [e-mail] (Stranahan)
NNTP-Posting-Host: newsbf02.mail.aol.com

----< I'm a
>betatester, I work with the bleeding edge stuff stuff daily, there are
>cool things on the horizon. So hold on to your horses!
>
>AC<----


>Don't you know that disclosure of your status as a beta tester is part
>of your NDA?

>GT<<---------------------------------

Since GT knows the terms of the NDA, he's obviously a beta tester...so he
just revealed that HE he a beta tester, which violates the NDA......

Run rings 'round you logically...

Lee Stranahan
(Brackets Misbrackets)

PS - Me, a Beta Tester? Hahahahahahaha!!!! R. Sting-Lee may be in charge
of the Beta Program for all I know!


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From: [e-mail] (Phillip Finch)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: MAX or Lightwave? How about some MAX here folks.
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 22:13:41 GMT
Organization: Best Internet Communications
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[e-mail] wrote:

>>   [e-mail]. (bob's yer uncle) writes:

>>         Max does these things in REAL time. With TEXTURES and transparecney.
>>  Not to overly slag Lightwave, it IS  a good product, but the major difference
>>  will be the speed of either products. MAX will be much faster to use.

>    That last sentence triggered my bullshit detector.

>    Why don't we wait until it actually SHIPS to see how fast it is.

>    BTW, it's really hard for ANY product to compete with vaporware, so
>let's just see what we shall see, eh?

Granted, it's not *really* real until it's in my hands and installed
on my hard drive. But enough people have seen demos, and used and
talked about the beta, that I think it's safe to say that whenever Max
gets into general distribution, it will, at the very least, have a
real-time rendered display with integrated modelling and animation.

That alone will just about guarantee faster work, compared to using
the LW wireframe/bounding box display and separate modules for
modelling and animation.

How much of an improvement depends on your level of expertise.

Really experienced LW users have learned to work around the
limitations of the display, to some extent. So they don't require as
much feedback as others. They can punch in a few numbers on a
procedural texture and almost always get close to what they want,
first try. A really expert user can glance at the dumb solid-face
display in modeller and know what it's going to look like in a
rendering. But I can't--not with a complex and detailed object,
anyway. (I did a human caricature figure using Metaform last week, and
my mouse hand is starting to go numb from invoking PowerView. I used
to laugh at Carpal Tunnel Syndrome...not any more).

Even the time saved  in not having to swap objects between Modeller
and Layout will add up.

Being able to keyframe deformations and tweak morph targets in the
middle of an animation setup, and immediately seeing the rendered
results, will make an even bigger difference.

Then imagine how useful a real-time display will be, compared to a
mesh,  when those morph targets are as subtle as a grin or a raised
eyebrow.

For most us, this kind of capability is going to be an incredible step
forward.

The question is not whether an interactive rendered display will make
work faster, and easier. The real decision is whether to go for it in
Max now or wait for LW 5.0. (Yeah, I'm pretty sure that 5.0 will have
OpenGL support for the display. PowerView didn't come out of nowhere.
Besides, where else are they going to make big changes? Aside from the
display, they've just about run out of really significant features to
add).




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From: David Forbus <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Background images in modeler? any tips?
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 15:12:20 -0600
Organization: Gulf Interstate Engineering
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To: "MICHAEL C. LING" <[e-mail]>

MICHAEL C. LING wrote:
>
> I started to use bg images in modeler and I've been finding that they take
> a large amount of time to draw or re-draw onscreen, about a minute or two
> on a pentium 100, at  one-quarter of a 1600x1280 screen. Every time I
> re-center, or resize or magnify/demagnify, I have to wait for my work area
> to re-draw.  Is there anything else I can do BESIDES going to lower
> resolution desktops and smaller windows in modeler?
>
> --
> M C L -

Are the images you are using 24bit? Modeler only needs 8bit grey scale,
if even that. Reduce your color depth by using another image manipulation
program.

Another method of transfering bit map images to 3D models is this:

Create a single rectangular polygon in modeler. Subdivide the polygon untill
it consists of thousands of polygons. Go to Layout, load this object. Load
your image. Apply the image a displacement map. Save the object as
transformed. Load the transformed object in Modeler and do a Boolean
intersection with the object and a box. Depending on the type of image you
are working with, this can be very quick and effective.

DLF

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From: David Forbus <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Texture Map ?
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 15:21:57 -0600
Organization: Gulf Interstate Engineering
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To: MRucht <[e-mail]>

MRucht wrote:
>
> A LW texture mapping question?
>
> I have a sphere with spikes protruding from it and want to
> have the tips a sort of steel yellow blending into a violet gray
> of the sphere itself.  I can’t figure out what method of mapping
> would allow me to ramp colors from the outside to the inside of
> the sphere.
>
> A plea to the experts.
>
> Thanks for any help,
>
> Mattias

I heard a trick for creating gradiants by using a checkerboard color
texture and using the texture falloff. Use the center of the sphere
as the texture center and adjust texture falloff to fade between the
two colors. The texture size should be larger than your object.
Morphing is not necessary. I would have to try it myself to get all
of the details worked out.

DLF

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From: Chuck Baker <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Help Find Lee Stranahan a Job!
Date: 7 Mar 1996 00:14:48 GMT
Organization: NewTek, Inc.
Lines: 44
Message-ID: <4hl9po$cvs$[e-mail]>

The guiding factors in changing from TIO to Translator 3D were indeed what
is best for our customers, and what is best for business, in that order, and
in this case there was no conflict between the two.

The decision was made with some reluctance, due to the longstanding
relationship that NewTek and Syndesis have had, but for good reason.

The elements involved:

1) Extensive side by side testing of conversions of a wide variety of 3DS
and other format objects demonstrated better conversion by Translator 3D,
with no instances of missing polygons and better preservation of surfacing.

2) Dan Milling, the programmer, is employed by NewTek, and located here, and
thus can work directly face to face with managers and other programmers in
updating the product and integrating it more tightly with LightWave, and
we can be more responsive to user requests with this situation.

3) Yes, the option was also what management folk like to call "more cost
effective."

Taken altogether, the LightWave product manager and the team felt this change
was best for our customers, based on current performance and future
potential.

We certainly hope that Syndesis continues successful, even though this chapter
of our relationship is closed.

Mr. Foust, speaking as manager of our online services, I hope you will take the
time sometime to visit our BBS system, because you'll see that we are well
aware that other developers are of major importance to our customers and to
our own product line.  If you visit the LightWave discussion section, you will
find an area there which third party developers use to market and support their
products.  In the LightWave file section, you will find an area for Third party
demo and information files.   If you would find this venue useful in
marketing and supporting your products, you'd be very welcome.

The BBS phone number is 913-271-9299, and the telnet address is bbs.newtek.com.

--

Chuck Baker                                 NewTek Tech Support BBS
NewTek Inc.                                 Modem: 913-271-9299
Technical Support Online Services           Telnet: bbs.newtek.com

Article: 14437
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From: [e-mail] (Christopher Stewart)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: EXPLOSIONS
Date: 6 Mar 1996 15:57:14 -0800
Organization: Island Net in Victoria, B.C. Canada
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In a message dated 6 Mar 1996 13:34:48  [e-mail] writes:

O> IAM NEW AT LIGHTWAVE WORLD AND I WOULD APRECIATE ANY HELP AT HOW TO MAKE
O> IMPRESIVE EXPLOSIONS LIKE SAY SPACECRAFT EXPLOSIONS(BABYLON 5).
O> MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ATENTION.

     Take a look on the web for lightwave related material. There's my
"Lightwave 3D Techniques Search Engine" at

     http://www.islandnet.com/~dretch/lightwavetips.html

and other resources including windows based tutorial collections out
there. My new pages (soon.. ) will list all these resources and more..

Stay tuned..

Christopher

                **********************************************
   Primordial   * Christopher Stewart   [e-mail] *    Graphics
      Soup      *      http://www.islandnet.com/~dretch      *      WWW
   Animation    *   Home of the Lightwave 3D Search Engine   *    Training
                **********************************************




* Offline Orbit 0.73c *

Article: 14438
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From: [e-mail] (Tony Schreiner)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Preferred method for curves?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 18:11:42 -0700
Organization: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO  80523
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I curious how other Lightwave users create rounded corners, since almost
all "household" objects have them.

When the rounded corner is small, I can get away with a small bevel on
the side of the object and turning smoothing on in Layout.  Rounded parts
that are larger or require more detail are more tricky.  Sometimes I use
subdivide and metaform, moving the subdivided polygons near the edges
before I metaform so that I don't have to divide it as many times, but
this is hard to do on complex objects.  I've also tried
cutting spheres and cyllenders apart, but that is very tedious on
complex objects.

Are there any simpler ways to create rounded edges, or do I have to just
stick with what I am already doing?

--
...........................................................................
: Tony Schreiner                 :  2 + 2 = 5 for large values of 2       :
: [e-mail]   :  INTP.  TKD.  Major: Computer Science  :
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Article: 14439
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From: [e-mail] (Tim Krego)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave,comp.graphics.animation
Subject: Re: MAX or Lightwave?
Date: Thu, 07 Mar 1996 01:26:44 GMT
Organization: pro.image
Lines: 15
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On 6 Mar 1996 17:12:47 GMT, [e-mail] (Gary Helfrich) wrote:
>: There are two catagories on the PC. Low end products (toys) like
>: trueSpace2, Extreme3D, etc. Then there are the production level
>: programs like 3DSR4, MAX, Lightwave, and Softimage/NT.
>
>I think that you should look at all of these applications as tools, and
>evaluate how effective they are based on their utility, rather than
>dismiss some of them as toys.  I own a machine shop, and use trueSpace to
>produce manuals for our products.  I need a quick and simple way to turn
>a cad drawing into a nice rendered still image, and trueSpace does this
>job quickly and efficiently.

For you application trueSpace2 works, but doing a few illustrations
for a catalog is not the same thing as production level animation.
Have you ever tried to use ts2 for animation? Very limited.

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From: [e-mail] (Tim Krego)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave,comp.graphics.animation
Subject: Re: MAX or Lightwave?
Date: Thu, 07 Mar 1996 01:28:42 GMT
Organization: pro.image
Lines: 13
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On 6 Mar 1996 17:12:47 GMT, [e-mail] (Gary Helfrich) wrote:
>If I need to drill a few random holes in a mounting bracket,I don't use
>a $70K machining center, I use my Milwaukee hand drill.  Is the
>Milwaukee drill a "toy"?  No way. I do not consider any of my tools that
>I use to earn a living with "toys".  Just because the Milwaukee cannot be
>programmed to copy a nurbs surface in steel within .0001" does not change
>the fact that it is the finest hand drill made.  Come to think of it, how
>does Lightwave (or MAX, Softimage, etc.) do when it comes to real 3D? (i.e.
>making an actual object, not moving pixels around on a display)

Are you referring to output for CNC machines? I consider MAX and
Lightwave 3D visualization packages. If you want CAD accuracy I would
use AutoCAD, Cadkey, Pro/E, etc.

Article: 14441
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From: Adam Chrystie <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Do you have plugins ?
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 17:41:07 +0000
Organization: University Of California at Santa Cruz
Lines: 10
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To: Fr=?iso-8859-1?Q?=E9d=E9ric DRUILHET <[e-mail]>?=

There are some plugins at ftp.newtek.com directory
plugins...there is a shareware anime shader there.

There are also some renderman shaders floating around the net at
this www site

http://www.cs.monash.edu.au/~sams/LightShade/LightShade.html

Adam Chrystie


Article: 14442
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From: [e-mail] (Tony Schreiner)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: User Interface:  was Re: MAX or Lightwave?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 18:34:30 -0700
Organization: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO  80523
Lines: 36
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Stranahan ([e-mail]) wrote:
: Well, obviously I like LW's interface. Max has some nice real time
: feedback stuff, particularly in terms of modeling....

: The interface I wish LightWave would emulate a little more is actually
: Photoshop - I like the idea of floating pallettes (particularly ones you
: can 'tear off') and I really like how customizable Photoshop's interface
: can be. IMO, the buttons and text in LW are too big right now...make 'em
: smaller and allow the user to view the light panel, camera panel, surfaces
: panel and view all at once...if they want...

I disagree.  In 1024x768, the buttons and pointers are too big, but
photoshop annoys me because I keep having to move windows to see what I
am working on.  I like to view the image as large as I can and at the
same time keep the tools I most use out on the desktop.  Photoshop
doesn't always let me do this.

Back on the subject of user interface, I've been trying to fight
Alias/Wavefront 7 for quite a while now.  The buttons look pretty, but
navigating in the wireframe views (rotating, zooming in and out, panning)
is a pain (and I use Alias on a 200 MHz Indigo2 with a 21" monitor and
~150 meg RAM).  I'm sure it has a lot of features, I just haven't been
able to get past the interface yet.

I haven't been using ANY 3D software for very long, so I'm not just "used
to Lightwave."  It was just so much more intuitive that I was instantly
productive.  The interface is simply more intuitive.

--
http://holly.colostate.edu/~tschrein

--
...........................................................................
: Tony Schreiner                 :  2 + 2 = 5 for large values of 2       :
: [e-mail]   :  INTP.  TKD.  Major: Computer Science  :
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Article: 14443
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From: [e-mail] (Tony Lisanti)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Memory BUG?
Date: 7 Mar 1996 01:53:59 GMT
Organization: Planet Access Networks - Stanhope, NJ
Lines: 8
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Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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 Ive heard that lightwave has a bug in it that wont let you use extended
memeory (INTEL) Is this true? I'd hate to order LW and install only to find my
24MB cant be used. Or is this a problem that was fixed already?? HUH?

Tony


Article: 14444
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From: [e-mail] (Tony Schreiner)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Good 3D Images?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 18:46:43 -0700
Organization: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO  80523
Lines: 19
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A while back someone mentioned that pictures created with Lightwave
always seem better than with other programs.  They questioned whether it
was due to the author or Lightwave.

I can routinely be found searching for 3D graphics on the web, and most
of the best pictures I've found have been created with Lightwave or
Povray.  Every once in a while I'll run across a really good picture
created with Alias or unnamed programs, but generally the bulk of the
good stuff is LW or Povray.

I'd like to hear about some good 3D graphics sites, particularly those
with images NOT created with Lightwave (LW images are so easy to find!
<grin>).

--
...........................................................................
: Tony Schreiner                 :  2 + 2 = 5 for large values of 2       :
: [e-mail]   :  INTP.  TKD.  Major: Computer Science  :
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Article: 14445
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From: [e-mail] (Joe Stratmann)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Hypernauts?
Date: Thu, 07 Mar 1996 01:35:26 GMT
Organization: inlink
Lines: 8
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I just read a post in another 3d graphics newsgroup about a new show called Hypernauts (I assume his
spelling was correct) with the CG effects from Lightwave.  What day does this show air and on what
channel?

Thanks

Joe


Article: 14446
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From: [e-mail] (Stranahan)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Hypernauts?
Date: 6 Mar 1996 23:34:11 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Lines: 7
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Reply-To: [e-mail] (Stranahan)
NNTP-Posting-Host: newsbf02.mail.aol.com

ABC - Saturday Mornings...


_____________________________________________
Lee Stranahan
URL - http://users.aol.com/stranahan/main.htm


Article: 14447
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From: marc <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: programming plugins
Date: Wed, 06 Mar 1996 21:40:20 -0800
Organization: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Lines: 6
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Hi, I'm having trouble creating light wave plug ins.  I have the
light wave include files and some sample code.  But I'm not sure
how to compile it.  I have Watcom 10.5 and BC 3.1.

                            Thanks,
                            Cameron Tofer

Article: 14448
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From: [e-mail](William A. Mendez )
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: PPRO or ALPHA
Date: 7 Mar 1996 04:46:31 GMT
Organization: Netcom
Lines: 17
Message-ID: <4hlpn7$[e-mail]>
References: <4hldua$[e-mail]> <4hlp03$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ix-jc6-09.ix.netcom.com
X-NETCOM-Date: Wed Mar 06  8:46:31 PM PST 1996

Hello All,

I currently own an ALPHA 233 and wish to upgrade My motherboard,  My
question is should I go with a 300MHZ ALPHA or a less expensive upgrade
PP200.

Also can My Lightwave license be transfered over to INTEL?

2nd Question:

Is there anyone out there that has the pleasure of working with a
Raptor as well as a DEC board, that can verify if there is any
performance loss with the Raptor machines.


Thanks!
Will

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From: Ernie Wright <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: ASCII object format for input to Lightwave
Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 00:26:52 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, USA
Lines: 41
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>

Wayne Baldwin wrote:

> I have some model data on a unix system which I would like to convert
> to something Lightwave can read. Is there a standard ASCII format that
> Lightwave will read? If yes is there a spec or better yet some simple
> examples?

LW will read Wavefront .OBJ and AutoCAD .DXF files, both of which have
ASCII flavors.  If you want to write a converter yourself, and your
main goal is to move the geometry, LW also reads the object format of
its predecessor, Videoscape, and this format is particularly simple.

Here's a pyramid (square base, triangle sides):

3DG1
5
0 2 0
1 0 -1
-1 0 -1
-1 0 1
1 0 1
3 0 1 2 7
3 0 2 3 7
3 0 3 4 7
3 0 4 1 7
4 1 4 3 2 7

The first line is always "3DG1".  The second line gives the number of
vertices.  Each vertex is listed on its own line.  This is followed
by the polygon list, one polygon per line.  Each polygon line begins
with the number of vertices, and this is followed by that many indexes
into the vertex list, which is numbered from 0.  The last number on
the line is a color code.

The best way to use the color codes is to use a different number for
each surface.  When LW loads a Videoscape object, the surfaces will be
named, e.g., "Videoscape code 7".  It's easy enough to rename this and
set the surface properties to whatever they should be.

- Ernie


Article: 14450
Path: news2.cais.com!mcbones
From: [e-mail] (Daniel J. McCoy)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: FS: DPS PC PAR w/ 1GB Micropolis For Sale
Date: Thu, 07 Mar 96 06:31:04 GMT
Organization: Capital Area Internet Service, Inc.
Lines: 23
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X-Newsreader: News Xpress 2.0 Beta #0

Having bought a used PC PAR last week thinking I could put it to good use
under WindowsNT, I made some interesting discoveries.  First, no NT software
until April.  Second, I've only got one ISA slot that can accomodate a full
length card and that slot is already accomodated with a card I can't easily
replace that has similar features and support.  As such, I must sell this PAR
and make way for a PVR.

The PAR is perfect for the hobbyist or professional who wants to dump full
screen animations to any NTSC device with good quality and 30 frames per
second (or 60 fields per second).  Right now, only DOS/Windows 3.11 software
truely works (NT beta software IS available but NOT recommended until the real
release from DPS is available (for free)).  Being purchased used, I received
no manual for this device but it's really easy to install and go.

For $1000, you'll get the PC PAR, DOS/Windows 3.11 software (Beta NT software
if you wish to chance it but again, NOT recommended!) and 1GB Micropolis 2210A
IDE drive shipped to you via UPS ground/COD (cash only) (extra if you wish an
alternate shipping method).

If you're interested, e-mail [e-mail].

Thanks,
Dan

Article: 14451
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From: [e-mail] ()
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Lee and his threads.
Date: 7 Mar 1996 06:35:14 GMT
Organization: WorldWide Access - Chicago Area Internet Services
Lines: 12
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X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Chuck Durham ([e-mail]) wrote:
...
: I'm hoping to hear more lightwave (use of the product oriented)
: content from your posts, but I must admit reading your presentation of
: facts from your side is intriguing and I continue to follow along on
: your threads to expose the facts about Lightwave, etc.

Still, as much as I, too, enjoy watching these "Pro's from Dover" stick
it to each other, I still think it'd be great if Lee *alternated* actual
tips with trash-talk, at least. I'm sure glad Mojo didn't stick around
long enough to see how far this newsgroup has fallen ...


Article: 14452
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From: [e-mail] (Steve Pugh)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics.apps.lightwave
Subject: Re: Hypernauts?
Date: 7 Mar 1996 02:00:31 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Lines: 14
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Message-ID: <4hm1if$[e-mail]>
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Reply-To: [e-mail] (Steve Pugh)

>>>I just read a post in another 3d graphics newsgroup about a new show
called Hypernauts (I assume his spelling was correct) with the CG effects