Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/contest.ez?contest_id=238

ok, stupid question...but...... what can/does lightwave do? is it learnable, and addictive? LOL and how does it compare with Bryce....LOL (still trying to figure out wings lol but then, actually have to play in it to do that...lol) Jen

Attached Link: http://www.newtek.com

wow! LOl ok ok, I need a few minutes..checkin this out...LOL Thanks AS and Zhann!!

hmmmm now this should be fun.....grinssss

RE: LIghtwave. I tried it once....drove me nuts. I couldn't even find the primitives! Nothing was labelled, just one big guessing game.....hated it....but don't let me put you off......:-)

Actually, lightwave's interface is all text, no images. though I must admit it is still pretty confusing. I tried the free version, got frustrated...

Could be interesting. 8)

I've tried lightwave, and I couldn't even make a sphere LOL...it has a huge learning curve for a dope like me. Same with 3dsmax. But if you learn it, looks like you can do some powerful things.

IMO, 3dsmax is worse than ightwave, lightwave is worse than cinema4d, and all of them are worse than bryce! ;) Lightwave is a very good modeler/renderer but you really need to get some courseware to use it properly. I personally don;t like the tabbed text layout, but i can see where many people do. Everything is sectioned off, so once you learn the interface it is very effiecient. There are also separate applications for modeling and scene layout/rendering, so you model in the modeler app and send the model to the layout app. Useful for keeping interface clutter down but it creates a gap in the creative process and I have had several problems in the discovery edition getting the apps to integrate. As for texturing and modeling lightwave is very good. Numerous tools and lots of plugin capability make this a sold choice for people looking to enter "the industry." Max's rating: 3.8/5

3dsmax. 3dsmax is not a nice program. the layout and interface is awkward and confusing, with nearly invisible scrollbars and vertical windows. Just wierd. Workflow is equally awkward. You have to apply strange modifiers to objecdts to edit them. Textures don't always work properly, and radiosity lighting is rather undocumented and cryptic. A positive point is that if you know what you're doing, you can make some great low polygon game models and have good U/v texturing capabilities. Physics and particle systems are also good, and relatively easy to figure out, although still awkward. Overall, this app is just too inconsistent and awkward to be worth $2000+ Sure it can do all this cool stuff, but that stuff needs to be clearly visible to the people who use the program. It needs a major interface overhaul. Max's rating: 2/5

Lightwave is, IMO, one of the very best "high end" softwares. Great interface (well organized and easy to find), the best modeler ive tried, one of the fastest renderers in the business, and they did the animation "Akryls" with it. :) (Just in case you need to know what it can do) Tried the early versions of it and the latest demo, and i would choose it any day before the other apps. And thank good for not having those damn XYZ arrows... :) Think im going for a try here... Thanx for the tip AS.

uh oh! Rochr just entered.....Its all over for us small fry;)

I don't really like the lightwave interface, I can't do much with it without grabbing the manual and I like being able to see at least what some things do without reading a pdf all the time. I like 3dsmax's interface. I've once tried an old version of 3dsmax, and I must say I liked it. I can't model in it yet or anything, because I didn't have a manual or tut to show me how to model, but I can create primitives and create textures. I like the 3dsmax texture editor a lot, it's easy and intuitive. In lightwave I couldn't even find the texture editor :) But one day when I've got enough cash I'll buy me a professional app, take the manual and some tuts and go learn it :) Because both 3dsmax and lightwave are capable of creating great graphics.

LOL unity, Go for it anyway.
I'm with you Rayraz.

and i'm still without a computer!!!!

Oh no! without a comp? that sucks. You could build a decent rendering machine for like $500 these days, maybe we (as in the people of this forum) could arrange some stuff for you if that's still too expensive. I'm sure some of us might have some unused hardware parts lying around.

The contest page says "Feel free to post WIPs to the WIP forum" does that mean only the WIP forum, or can we post them here too? (would rather post them here..lol)

Actually for us Brycers I'd have to say Maya is the new top dog on the block of high-end 3D apps. For us the interface is almost like Bryce and very easy to use.

I've been working with LW5 some times ago for some TV advertising.. I must admit that even if the interface is a bit hard to handle.. it's still a great programm.Renders are fanstatic, I mean no troubles with bump or fierld render (Bryce still need improvement in details render in animation), it may be just a detail.. but when using a 3D programm for a professional use, let me say that evry detail is important. I will enter that contest.. If only i could get a chance to get this programm...

I've never used Lightwave so I've no idea about the interface but 3DSMax has an interface that doesn't scare me silly and I find quite intuitive. The tutorials that come with 3DSMax are brilliant at teaching you how to use it but I've yet to make anything useful, although since doing the tut to make a chess piece I think I'll go on to make the full set. 8) Catlin

The default Max GUI isn't so bad, just needs a bit opf learning, plus if there are bits you really hate, you can customise it. Any of what I would call the big 4 (Max, Maya, XSI, Lightwave) have a steep learning curve and it can be darn frustrating, all of them tend to have good manuals, and some good on line communities though (I've tried them all, plus cinema, amorphium and truspace - I'm a 3d programs addict - I must have 8 or 9 less well known products as well LOL). I always end up coming back to bryce and Max though!

Gog, you should try Rhino. OTOH, if you think that Max GUI isn't so bad, you might not like Rhino's. Me, I'm with madmax on Max. Can be terribly confusing and is mainly counter-intuitive.

Erlik (or anyone else) is there a freeby version of Rhino to try out - it's one of the few I haven't played with.

Attached Link: http://www.rhino3d.com/download.htm

THanks!