LightWave 3D 8 for Windows & Macintosh (Visual QuickStart Guide) | 
 enlarge | Authors: Arthur Howe, Brian E. Marshall
Publisher: Peachpit Press
Category: Book
List Price: $21.99
Buy New: $13.85
You Save: $8.14 (37%)
New (3) Used (11) from $8.38
Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 960808
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 408
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 7.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 032123295X
Dewey Decimal Number: 006
UPC: 785342232950
EAN: 9780321232953
ASIN: 032123295X
Publication Date: July 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: No remainder marks; shelfwear.;
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
When simple 3D models aren't enough--when you want to put hair on your character's chest, add soft-body dynamics, include particle effects, and more--NewTek's 3D powerhouse LightWave 8 is the software you need. Instead of lengthy tutorials, you'll find task-based, step-by-step instruction and concise explanations that lets you get down to the serious business of creating 3D graphics and animation with a minimum amount of fuss and a maximum amount of enjoyment. If you're an advanced user, you'll be able to go straight to the new features that interest you most: workflow and user interface enhancements, improved character-animation tools, tighter integration with other production tools and third-party add-ons, and more. And if you're new to LightWave, you'll be able to get your feet wet without being intimidated. With plenty of visual aids and tips to ease the way, you'll soon find yourself creating animations, working with vertex maps, editing geometry, rendering projects, and more.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Exactly what I was expecting from a peachpit book. June 18, 2005
Let me start off by saying that there is no quick way to learn Lightwave. I have been using lightwave for more than two years and i finally feel like I have explored all of the program. The fastest way to learn 3D is by following online project tutorials. Having this book around is a nice little reference for beginners. I would not suggest it for the intermediate or advanced user since it just covers the basics.
 There might be useful information hidden in here some place May 25, 2005
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I am fairly new to 3d, and brand new to Lightwave. I am not new to computer art nor technical books.
I bought this book hoping to learn how to better use my new toy, and I am very disappointed. Not in Lightwave, but in this book.
The back cover says "need to learn lightwave fast" it should have continued "get a different book". Simply put, I've gotten free tutorials on the web that were more informative, more helpful and infinately more readable. For example, the first 42 pages are a recitation of what buttons there are without any context on why I want to know this. Nor any thing to do with said buttons and menus. A droneing list of pointless details and useless items that is really beyond description for dullness. There is a menu called 'x'. There is a button called 'y'. This continues for 42 pages, and is the introduction to the book; this is just strange. This is the sort of pointless writing that children engage in when trying to pad their homework to the required number of words engage in; it is the most useless introduction I have read in 25 years of reading these sorts of technical books.
Layout (chapter organization, topic selection, chapter order): F- (Is there a grade worse then F?)
indexing: C- (bad, but just barely passable)
Writing: D (Very bad. Reading this is like listening to a monotone lecturer reading his or her notes rather then speaking)
Over all useabiltiy: F
I wasted my money on this one, and am back here looking for another. Before you buy this book, check it out from the library or something. There may be useful reference material for intermediate users of Lightwave hidden in here, but beginners should look else where. The very bad writing, and worse organization has me kicking myself for this purchase.
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