Lightwave question
 

I bought a copy of Lightwave a while ago and yesterday's 3D thread got me thinking that for what it cost me, I should at least learn how to use it. Most of my 3D experience is in raw programming and some work in POV Ray which is pretty much programming, anyway.

I started to create a shape that I am going to lathe but I saved and reloaded the shape when it was only partially complete and Lightwave automatically connected the first and last points I created (using the pen tool) and I don't want them linked.

My current object:
<IMG SRC="http://friends.porncherry.com/images/original/goblet1.gif">

I want to get rid of the one point and two segments I noted on the above image so I get something more like this:

<IMG SRC="http://friends.porncherry.com/images/original/goblet2.gif">


Then I want to continue adding points starting with the upper-right point in the above image.

The problem is, all I can figure out how to do is drag and delete points. Dragging doesn't do what I want and if I delete the place where the lines are connected, Lightwave just connects the first point to the next point in the sequence.

SpaceAce

I don't know a way to do that. Means you have to restart from scratch.

Just a few hints.. there are lots of pssibilities to create shapes that you can lathe

Create / Pen
Create / Sketch

Once you have created the shape you plan to lathe (using either method above), you can adjust the shape by dragging the points around individually with the "drag" tool -- "Modify / Drag" (Ctrl - T).

If you wanted to create more accurate curves, or make a closed curve, they can be made more manually by using the Create / Points tool, and then choosing Create / Make Pol, Open Curve, Closed Curve. This would be my preferred method.

[GUIDOSPAM] I got lightwave books for sale at discount. Inside Lightwave 7 I got if you want [/GUIDOSPAM]

Hi, Stramm. Thanks for the reply. I still think there must be a way to adjust the existing segments and points. It doesn't seem like there should be a penalty for not finishing an object all in one sitting.

I plan to work my way through, checking out all the other tools, too. I just wanted to keep this simple so I was using the pen tool. I'm a Lightwave newbie so I am trying to stick to the most basic tool available.

SpaceAce

How much we talking about and do I get a Guido discount? I'm Irish but my father was brought to this country by an Italian Catholic family and I still have an Eyetalian last name :winkwink:

SpaceAce

Book retails for $59.99 I sell it to you for $25 with free standard shipping. It has sealed cd, and a small remainder mark on the side. Here is a pic of it


http://www.juicylinks.com/l.jpg

right now I don't have LW installed on my box. I'll do later and have a look. It's a few month since I've played with it.

ahh.. OK.. here's an idea for you..

remove the spline so that you only have the points left. Then select 'points mode' (bottom left) then goto polygon -> points (it's necessary that you only have points left, no spline should be there)
Add as many new points as you need. Drag old ones or do whatever is necessary (modify - drag). Hence done deselect all points press (/) or left click in a blank area.
Now start at the top top point, work your way clockwise the left mouse button held down, dragging the cursor over each point in turn and selecting it. Finish up the final point that should be directly beneath the first point on the Y axis. If you make a mistake by missing a Point, you can resume the selection process with the left mouse button and holding down the Shift key.

Now you can create the curve or spline that follows the points. With all the Points selected press CTRL-P.

That's it and I'm sure it works