[Jonny_Gorden]Lightwave 3D 8 Cartoon Character Creation, Volume 1 Modeling & texturing

LightWave 3D [8] Cartoon Character Creation Volume 1: Modeling & Texturing includes both general theory and comprehensive tutorials for every aspect of modeling and texturing 3D characters. Learn how, why, and when to use the most efficient techniques so you can have fun creating your own fantastic 3D characters. Find out how to configure LightWave 3D for character creation, and learn the necessary steps of the character concept, design, and planning stages; discover multiple methods for modeling characters and clothing using subdivision patches; understand the techniques for creating complex UV mapping; learn about surface attributes and surfacing characters; enhance the appearance of your characters through the use of gradients and procedural textures; explore a variety of techniques for creating image maps and applying them to your characters.

Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (October 31, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 155622253X
ISBN-13: 978-1556222535

Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher

Don’t miss Volume 2: Rigging & Animation (1-55622-254-8)
About the Author
Jonny Gorden has been a professional animator since 1990 and is considered one of the industry’s leading character designers. In 1997 Jonny formed the production company Zero Gravity Entertainment, which created X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse, one of the first 3D games to exclusively use LightWave 3D. Through Zero Gravity Entertainment, Jonny continues to produce 3D animation for clients around the globe and develop new and exciting techniques for character animation.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Lightwave 3D (8) Cartoon Character Creation
By Mad House on November 16, 2004
I got this book a few days ago. After going through it and working with it I think it delivers what it promises: Character Modeling and Texturing. It gives you fairly straight forward information (most of which most users of LW may already know) mixed with fresh news for those of us getting used to animation in Version 8 of LightWave. Having used Lightwave in a different capacity and recently wanting to use it for some character animation - this book was a great help to me. Will it be useful for someone already using Lightwave for character animation? I guess that all depends on your level of expertise. This is not a beginner book (even though it says it starts at that level) mainly because it assumes you know your way around LightWave somewhat. However, people with the talent for picking up software programs will have no problem starting out new.

Like almost all software books it comes with a CD containing project files, plug-ins, etc. You load em. Use em. Etc. I buzzed through the tutorals pretty quick and I gotta say they are easy to follow and thorough without being so basic you feel like you waste half a book getting people up to speed. We have all been there with that disappointment. This book does not do that.

It also does a great job on the process of texturing your models. Now, don't confuse that with how to create textures (there are other books that specialize in that.) What it does show you is how to apply textures to your models properly. In addition are instruction on how to test lighting, rendering and creating QuickTime VR files to view model.

Again, this book is exactly as the title says. If you want to learn everything there is to know about LightWave there are different books to help you. This is not a replacement for a LW manual. However, if you want to learn how to setup some characters for animation and avoid hassels and pitfalls...get this book.

Excellent !
By R. Carl on January 9, 2005
This is a very well thought out book. Being that I am relatively new to Lightwave I had a bit of difficulty with the book and spend a great deal of time trying to figure out how to use some tools which I have not had the chance to use before. I think before one wishes to use this book that they get a good grasp of tool useage first and then this book will make much more sense.

The other complaint. I know I gave it four stars on content which I think it deserves but there are a few things which could have been better. The screenshots were too small (approximately 2 inches square) and when you have a figure with a bunch of polygons and points it gets very confusing which to select to follow the lesson. Also, when author interchanges the term "move" with "Drag" and "Extend" instead of "Extender Plus" it gets a bit frustrating until you figure that out and make the correct choice.

Like I said, I am new to Lightwave and as a beginner I just think one's time would be better spent learning the tools before one starts in with these lessons. Otherwise the book is great. My first character is coming along just great. It just takes me a bit longer because I am not only learning how to make a character but also how to use tools I have never used before. If you have patience then this is great.

Tome of Knowledge
By lor on December 8, 2004
This book is a wonderful tome, containing not just the instructions to build, map rig, texture and light your model, but also tons of really useful tip and tricks.

Jonny's methods are simple and straightforward, easy to use and sensible. This is clearly the work of a real expert in the field.

I bow low to Jonny Gorden, Character Master.

Excellent guide to creating your own toons!
By J. Morales on August 3, 2005
I brought this book when I was initially learning LightWave and had zero experience. I recommend buying 'Essential Lightwave 3D 8 ' prior or with this book if you are just beginning as this book assumes at least a basic understanding of what the tools are, what they do and where they are located.

I found the book itself to be great. It de-mystifies the entire process of creating a cartoon character from bulbous head to stubby toe. The sections on texturing were particularly nice, going over all the ins and outs of UV mapping, when, where and how.

Now here is the thing that makes this book great. When I purchased this book I was deciding whether to upgrade my LightWave to version 8 or buy SoftImage|XSI. I ended up going with SoftImage and I used this book several times to model entire characters in SoftImage. This made it apparent to me how clear and concise the steps by step processes and detailed images are. I later upgraded LightWave just to model the pig-boy toon featured inside, among other things.

While much of the lessons covered can be found in online tutorials or videos about character modeling, this book is an invaluable reference. I highly recommend it.