Ebook: LightWave 3D 7.0 Character Animation

LightWave 3D is one of the most popular 3D tools on the market today, offering the most complete set of tools, the best-looking and fastest out-of-the-box renderer, and one of the most powerful IK engines available. Professional director/animator Timothy Albee discusses how to use LightWave to build strong, dependable character setups, and provides proven, hands-on tools for mastering the complex mechanics of animation. Additionally, he covers the importance of storytelling and acting through animation—the subtle mastery that brings characters to life. This book: * Shows the complete crafting of powerful and reliable character setups. * Explains Inverse Kinematics as it pertains to character animation. * Uses LightWave’s tools to create character rigs that allow you to migrate animation from one character to another. * Describes how to apply point weighting to create believable character skinning. * Illuminates basic and advanced animation techniques that are the cornerstones for skilled animation such as anticipation, overlapping action, gesture, and silhouette. * Outlines key steps for taking a scene from start to finish. * Teaches time-honored acting techniques for helping you "become" your character.