CG Form - 3D Modelling with Lightwave

Create Points & Polygons from Points

Use the 'Points Tool' to create Points and hold down the COMMAND key to add a succession of Points. Then with the Points still selected, use the 'p' key to create a Polygon.

Always work in a clockwise direction so that the resulting Poly Normals will face outwards. Also remember to keep an eye on the XYZ positional coordinates that are displayed in the bottom left hand corner of the screen.

Create > Elements > Points (+ Key)
Create > Elements > Make Pol (p Key)

Pen Tool

The 'Pen Tool' provides a quick and easy way to create single Points or complex shapes. Simply draw out the basic shape in a clockwise direction, pressing the 'Space Bar' to finish the process.

Use the 'COMMAND' key with the Pen Tool, to draw out a series of single Points.

Note: Use the Pen Tool in conjunction with the 'CONTROL' key to constrain the alignment and position of new Points.

Create > Elements > Pen

Two-Point-Poly-Chains

This is one approach to creating a 'Two-Point-Poly-Chain' which can be used as a base for a variety of FX, such as creating hair or lightning.

Use the 'Points To Poly Tool' to convert a single Point to a One-Point-Polygon. Then 'Rail Extrude' this One-Point-Polygon along the path of a Spline in the Background Layer.

In the Example below I've apply a deformation map to simulate the effect of electricity.

Create > Elements > Points to Polys
Multiply > Extend > Rail Extrude

Archs n Stuff

The Lathe Tool (and Extrude Tool) also work with Single-Point-Polygons.

To create a Two-Point-Poly-Chain in the shape of an Arch, simply create a single Point, convert it to a Polygon, using the 'Points to Polys' command and Lathe away.

Unify Polygons & Double Sided Polygons

There's a number of ways to create double-sided Polygons. The easiest, is to check the 'Double Sided' option in the Surface Editor. This won't create any new geometry, but gives the appearance of being double-sided.

Alternatively you can use the 'Doublesided' command which will create a second set of inward facing Polygons. For some reason I prefer the 'Doublesided' Lscript over the 'Make- Doublesided' Plugin (Both ship with Lightwave).

If you need to convert double-sided Polys back to single-sided, simply 'Merge Points' and 'Unify Polygons'.

Construct > Utility > Additional> Doublesided
Construct > Utility > Additional> Unify Polygons (I Key)

Two-Point-Poly-Mesh

This technique creates a 'Two-Point-Poly-Mesh' and seems to work for a variety of objects (Not SubPatches). The process is simple.

1. Select
2. Bevel
3. Move
4. Delete (New Points)
5. Unify Polygons

Quick Point Creation Method

This Point creation method is useful when working in the Perspective Viewport on a curved or organic shaped model. The creation mantra is simple: "SELECT, MOVE, COPY, UNDO, PASTE".

This method is useful for creating multiple Points that bare some positional relationship to the surrounding mesh and also works with Polygons.

Although this method might seem blatantly obvious, it's worth mentioning because it gives you a significant amount of control when trying to draw Points, or hand stitch part of a mesh.

Polygons From Points - 'Make Fan' & 'Make Strip'

Two alternative methods of creating Polygons from Points include 'Make Fan' and 'Make Strip'. In both cases the order of Point selection will influence the final outcome (see examples).

Create > Elements > Make Fan
Create > Elements > Make Strip

Add Points & Split Polys

Add Points

Use 'Add Points' to fuse a new Point to an existing Vertices. But before you begin make certain that no Points are selected in Point Selection Mode, or you'll end up with a mess.

1. Switch to 'Point Selection Mode' and check that NO Points are selected. (This is an important step).

2. Switch to 'Polygon Selection Mode', and select the Face (and connecting Faces) where you're going to add the Points. If you don't select connected Faces, then the newly created Point will be disassociated from that Face.

3. Hold down the COMMAND key to add a succession of Points.

Split Poly

4. Once the new Points are created, select the Polygon that you intend to Split.

5. Then switch to Point Selection Mode and select the desired Points. (Understand that you need to be aware of what is selected in both modes. It's a bit strange but makes sense when you think about it.)

6. Finally you can use the 'Split' tool to split the Polygon.

Construct > Sub Divide > Add Points
Construct > Sub Divide > Split (CTRL + L Key)