Words to Work By

The 3D market has changed since I got into this business. In the beginning, it was like a little club, and everyone got along. Anything we did, and I want to stress anything, was just cool as hell. In a small LightWave user group in Chicago that met monthly, each month’s 3D creations were crude and generally of poor quality, but great to look at nonetheless. Now, some 16 years later, it’s a different world. 3D is everywhere—in movies, television, video games, the Internet, even cell phones. Our likes and dislikes have changed, and the market has grown beyond belief. Not everything is cool to look at anymore, but that’s OK. No matter what, it’s always great to see someone’s work because you can learn from it. The 3D world we live in is no longer a small club of enthusiasts, but rather a world full of 3D artists all working toward that ultimate render. It has become a competitive industry, but an industry built on passion and the love of 3D art. To this day, I’ve never met anyone that just “had” to do 3D. They “wanted” to, and I’m pretty sure you are one of those people. That hunger for 3D animation is what makes your digital creations better each time you sit down in front of the computer. You’re striving to learn more and to make it better, perhaps convey a message and portray your artistic style. That is what it’s all about, after all.

The tools you have at your fingertips seemed inconceivable 14 years ago, even 6 years ago. Some of you are students; some of you are professionals; and some just hobbyists, young and old. You have the ability to create anything you can imagine. Do not feel that you need additional plug-ins, or other four-lettered software applications to do “better” work. You don’t. LightWave, like any other application, is nothing more than code. It is buttons and an interface. It is simply a machine that you are driving, and your job is to finish the race. Now, turn the page and start working through the Quick-Start tutorial video as I help you steer down the course.