CG Form - 3D Modelling with Lightwave

Backdrop Images (.cfg File Extension)

You can load a reference image as a backdrop in one of the orthogonal Viewports using the 'Backdrop Tab' in the Display Options Panel. This is also where you come to Save Current Backdrop. With this feature is that you can save out your backdrop settings for all Viewports in one go, making it much easier to reload.

The backdrop image resolution and pixel blending can also be adjusted in the Display Options Panel, under the Backdrop Tab.

Note: While it's probably good practice to add the '.cfg' file extension when saving current backdrop, it's no longer absolutely necessary in Lightwave 8 on the OSX platform.

Edit > Display Options (d Key) > Backdrop Tab

A good source for Blue Prints and Reference images can be found at:

http://www.suurland.com
http://www.morguefile.com
http://www.onnovanbraam.com

Sketch Color

The 'Sketch Color' tool is useful when working on a complex model. It is applied for reference purposes and is visible in 'Sketch' and 'Color Wireframe' Viewport modes.

Once Sketch Color is applied it can also be used to make selections in the Statistics Window, which is quite useful.

Note: You can remove Sketch Color in the 'Polygon Info' panel, by selecting 'None'. Strangely enough this option is not available in the 'Sketch Color' panel.

The need to do this might become apparent if using Sketch Color for selection purpose (The Default Gray is not the same as 'None').

Detail > Polygons > Sketch Color
Display > Selection > Info (i Key)

Object Visibility and Layer Visibility

The Visibility controls allow you to hide sections of your model. This allows you to focus on a specific area and makes life a lot easier when working on a complex object.

In this example I've selected a single Polygon and pressed the ']' key to expand the selection. I can then hide the unselected geometry, using 'Hide Unsel'.

Note: You can also use the Layer Browser Window to set Layer visibility. This could be useful if you have a template Layer that you want to keep, but don't want to use when you load the object into Layout.

Display > Visibility > Hide Sel (- Key)
Display > Visibility > Hide Unsel (= Key)
Modeler > Windows > Layer Browser (CTRL + F5 Key)

Selection Tools

Most of the selection tools are pretty straight forward, so pound the shortcuts into you brain.

Sel Connect ] Key Selects all Points or Polygons for the chosen object.

Expand } Key Contract { Key Expands or contracts your selection.

Sel Invert " Key Inverts your selection. If nothing is selected, then everything will be selected.

Radial Select Makes radial selections based on the defined 'Origin's XYZ' parameters and the 'Inner' and 'Outer Radius' settings.

Display > Selection > Sel Connect
Display > Selection > Sel Invert
Display > Selection > Contract
Display > Selection > Expand
Display > Selection > Radial Select

Third Party Selection Tools

There's a lot of free 3rd Party Selections tools out there. Here's a few that I think are were worth a mention.

Point Selection Tools

Select Point Chain Selects a rows of Points based on the initial selection of two Points, which are used to define direction.

Select Shared Expands your current selection of Points, to include any additional Points that are attached to the same Polygons.

UPPSelect Selects Points, based on your current selection of Polygons.

Poly Selection Tools

DSelect (Directional Select) Selects Polygons based on the facing direction of the Poly-Normal.

Planar Selection Selects Polygons based on the facing direction of the Poly-Normal. Additionally it can also perform tests on a per poly incidence to test for error causing critical non-planar polygons.

Random Picker Randomly deselects a given percentage of Polygons.

Select Polys by Surface Selects all sections of the mesh, with the same Surface. You need to have a least one Poly selected to specify the Surface.

Select by Surface Color This is similar to the above, but instead it provides a Popup Requester, which is used to make a selection of Polys based on Surface.

WildSelect Selects surfaces using a wildcard prefix.

YM_PolyPntSel Selects Polygons, based on the current selection of Points.

Other Selection Tools

Select Elements by Index Selects Points or Polygons based on their Index Number. This also works with an external text file, and it comes with the option to select odd or even numbers (check the Info panel to view Index Numbers).

SelSKP - Select Same Kind Selects the same kind of Points or Polys, and can discern between metaballs, subpatches, splines or faces (1P, 2P, 3P, 4P or more)