Got a link to a tutorial that isn't listed? Email me and I'll add it.

Please visit our latest sponsor

Here are some tutorials to help introduce you to the world of 3D in general and to the LightWave interface.

INTRODUCTIONS

Status

Version Tutorial Name Author Comments
         

Introduction to 3D

         
Apr 2006   Kidz Online   Uses Truespace but good for basic information on 3D modeling in general
Apr 2006   How to get a Job in Computer Animation by Ed Harriss This is a commercial product
Nov 2005   Getting Started in 3D by Johnny  
  General 3D Animation Workshop webreference.com Excellent series of tutorials that introduce basic concepts in 3D. A must for the absolute beginner.
  General 3D Glossary webreference.com A glossary of some terms used in 3D.
DOWN General Glossary of Animation about.com An illustrated glossary of some 3D and animation terms
  General Siggraph Papers on CGI Fundamentals by G. Scott Owen  
    Siggraph Papers on Various Computer Graphics Fundamentals    
    Animation History Timeline by Joshua Mosely  
    Color Matters   (Not LightWave but discusses color - interesting reading)

Top of Page

Introduction to LightWave 3D
Common
Jan 2008 9.3 Introduction to the Grid and Grid Square Size by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Jan 2008 9.0 Setting Up Directory Structures for Lightwave by Victor Osaka  
Oct 2007   Newtek 2007 Siggraph videos by Newtek  
Sept 2007   Siggraph 2007 videos by Newtek by Newtek  
Mar 2007
DOWN
9.0 Animation 101 - LWG v3.0 by Various Authors A series of tutorials on the LightWave Group(LWG) forums for beginners.
Dec 2006 9.0 FREE TRIAL VERSION of LightWave 9.0 Newtek The LightWave 3D Trial Edition is a fully functional version of software with no restrictions or watermarks for a full 30-day period. You will also find a number of
video tutorials and royalty-free content to download and help you learn more about LightWave 3D.
Sep 2006
DOWN
9.0 35 Tips to Accelerate Lightwave   by Carlo Macchiavello   
Aug 2006 9.0 LW9 Key Reference Card by Randy Gates On the Newtek Discussion Forums
June 2006 9.0 UI Configuration: Importing and Exporting Menu Branches by Newtek Version 9 Demo Video
Jan 2006 7.5 Getting to know Layout - 3D Graphics Tutorials by ProDesign Host  
Jan 2006 7.5 Lightwave 7.5 Beginners Guide  by ProDesign Host  
Jan 2006 8.0 Key for Menus and Panels in LW 8.0 by Robin Wood  
Nov 2005   LightWave History - LightWiki   A website that explores the History of LightWave
Oct 2005 8.5 Gestion des fichiers de LightWave 3D et le modčle "default.lws" de LW  by frenchwave.org French
Aug 2005
8.0 Optimizing Configs by ???  
Aug 2005
8.0 LightWave FAQ's by ???  
Aug 2005 7.5 LightWave Intro Videos by 3D Buzz  
May 2005 8.0 Mitch's LW Tips by Mitch Rosefelt  
April 2005   Mastering Lightwave 3D by purplus.com This is a commercial product
April 2005 8.0 LightWave 3D Tips and Tricks Series   Commercial DVD from Kurv Studios
Mar 2005 8.0 LightWave Beginnings by Lost Pencil Studios 17 Lessons to download to get you started with LightWave. (In the free section)
Feb 2005   Lightwave Content Manager by Render Farm  
Dec 2004   Wave Guide by Patrick Beck This is a commercial tutorial.
Nov 2004
DOWN 
8.2 Intro Flics on LightWave 8.2 Upgrade by Newtek FTP site
Nov 2004
DOWN
8.0 Creating Custom Tabs by Newtek  
Nov 2004 8.0 LightWave: Setting Preferences by Newtek  
Nov 2004 8.0 LightWave User Interface Part 1: Hidden Tools by Newtek  
Nov 2004 8.0 Quick Video Tutorials by NewTek   Starter tutorials to get you up and running on a variety of LightWave stuff
Oct 2004
DOWN
8.0 LW[8] Edit Menu Layout by Kurtis Harris  
Oct 2004
DOWN
8.0 LW[8] Edit Keyboard Shortcuts by Kurtis Harris  
Oct 2004
DOWN
8.0 LW[8] Edit Plug-ins by Kurtis Harris  
Oct 2004
DOWN
7.5 LW7.5 Edit Plug-ins by Kurtis Harris  
Sept 2004  3.58 WaveGuide tutorials by Jack Thewlis  
Sept 2004
DOWN
3.5 The WaveGuide Manual by Jack Thewlis The LightWave manual for version 3.5 (yes 3.5) on the amiga re-written for beginners (small cost involved)
Sept 2004
DOWN
8.0 Variety of free tutorials by Kurv Studios lots of great stuff here but you have to register (free)
July 2004 
DOWN
7.5 Variety of Tutorials by art-design.smsu.edu A little bit of everything here.
June 2004   LightWave-Tutorials by Jaffro A kind of Blog/Tutorial of one man's experience with LightWave (they have no relation to this site)
May 2004   8.0 and 7.5 Keyboard Shortcuts by Phrog A comparison to help you learn the changes quicker
Dec 2003 
DOWN
8.0 LightWave 8.0 Sneak Peeks by Newtek The first sneak peeks at some of the new features of LightWave 8.0 on ftp site
    Setting Up Directory Structures for Lightwave by Victor Osaka  
    Contract Terms and Conditions by Victor Osaka  
DOWN 7.5 3D Buzz Intro to LightWave Issue 1   You have to register with 3D Buzz but the tutorials are free in the Download section.
    Is Lightwave Right for Me by Pat Choothesa  
    Introduction to Lightwave... sorta. by John "Shine" Jones  
  6.5b LightWave 7.5 Beginners Guide by Erik Brimstedt PDF in the Tutorials section
DOWN   Basic LightWave Reference Materials by Southwest Missouri State University  
    Beginner's Tips & Tricks by Tim Troutman  
    LightWave 3D For Virtual Beginners by Mark McCrickard  
  7.5 LightWave Keyboard Shortcut Card by Aiko Takenaka (hosted at Flay.com)
    Customizing Lightwave by Robert Kovach  
    Customizing the LightWave 6.5 Workflow by Skip Intro  
    LightWave Basics by Robert Kovach  
DOWN 7.5 LightWave Essentials the Colour Requestor by Newtek Video Tutorial
  7.5 Setting Preferences  by Newtek Video Tutorial
    Customizing 6.0's workflow by Skip Intro  
Mar 2003 7.5 Ajout de Plugins ou LScript by RedEyes Add plugins or lscript
  6.0b Changes in LightWave 6.0b By Stephen Paul  
Modeller
Jan 2008 9.3 Customizing Modeler's Workspace Viewports by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Nov 2006 9.0 Modeller Walkthrough by Newtek  
Dec 2005 9.0 LW9 Demo Video- Modeler UI Configuration by Proton LightWave 9.0 sneak peek video on SpinQuad forums
May 2004 7.5 Modeller Menu Creation Videos by Richard Bushbom  
  7.5 Introduction to Modelling Tools by Ricky Cox An excellent overview of the most commonly used tools.
  7.5 Modeler UI by SimplyLightwave Check in the Free Training section
DOWN 7.5 Introduction to Modeller by Newtek  
DOWN 7.5 Modeller Layers Overview by Newtek  
DOWN 7.5 Modeller Viewport Overview by Newtek  
DOWN 7.0 Modeler Basics by Tony Gilchrist  
Mar 2003 7.5 Présentation du Modeler by RedEyes Overview of Lightwave Modeler
Mar 2003 7.5 Ajouter un raccourci clavier by RedEyes Add a shortcut in Lightwave 3d
Mar 2003 7.5 Ajout Gabarit by RedEyes Add a gabarit in lw Modeler
Mar 2003 7.5 Personnalisation de Lightwave3d Modeler by RedEyes Customization of lightwave Modeler
         
Layout
Oct 2008 9.5 Introduction to the Handle Wire Smoothing Option in Layout by William "Proton" Vaughan This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Oct 2008 9.5 Snapping to Item Position in Layout by William "Proton" Vaughan This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Feb 2008 9.3 Introduction to Load Items From Scene by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Feb 2008 9.3 Introduction to the Items Tab in the Scene Editor by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Feb 2008 9.3 Introduction to the Items Tab in the Scene Editor by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Jan 2008 9.3 Introduction to the Schematic View by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Jan 2008 9.3 Introduction to working with Foreground Images in the Compositing tab by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Jan 2008 9.3 Introduction to the RIG format by Proton This is a direct link to a video tutorial on Newtek's FTP server.
Nov 2006 9.0 Layout Walkthrough (Layered Over) by Newtek  
June 2006 9.0 Layout: Load from Scene Panel by Newtek Version 9 Demo Video
June 2006 9.0 Content Directory Options by Newtek Version 9 Demo Video
Feb 2006 9.0 Layout -  Node Editor by Newtek Version 9 Demo Video
Feb 2006 9.0 Layout - List Manager by Newtek Version 9 Demo Video
Dec 2005 9.0 LW9 Demo Video- Layout Build Null Edit Options by Proton LightWave 9.0 sneak peek video on SpinQuad forums
Feb 2005 8.2 Multi-Select Property Cells by Newtek video tutorial
Nov 11 8.0 LightWave Spreadsheet Part 1: Intro To Spreadsheet Editor by Newtek  
Nov 11 8.0 LightWave Spreadsheet Part 2: Filters by Newtek  
DOWN 7.5 Introduction to Layout by Newtek  
DOWN 7.5 Rendering Overview by Newtek  
  7.0 Layout Basics by Tony Gilchrist  
  7.5 Intro to Spreadsheet Editor by Newtek Video Tutorial
  7.5 Filters in the Spreadsheet by Newtek Video Tutorial
Customizing the Interface
         
         
         
         
         
         

Top of Page

LightWave Tips and Hints
FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions
  7.0 + The Unofficial LightWave 7.0 FAQ compiled by Erkki Halkka  
    Newtek Forum FAQ's by Newtek includes all of Newtek's Products
General Tips
Mar 2007 9.0 "300" Movie Production Profile by Pixel Magic The making of the movie "300"
Feb 2006   3D Software Tips by Nick Stevens  
  General Intro to PhotoRealism in CGI by Aristomenis Tsirbas  
Rated A+   FLAY.COM by Christopher Stewart (an excellent resource site with a 3D Techniques Search Engine and the worlds largest collection of  links to LightWave Plugins)
    Magazine Indexes by Dhomas Trenn Indexes for older NewTekniques magazines
    MeniThings The Making of Full Tilt by Meni  
    LightWave Tutorials by Kaizoku Ya (Japanese) - check the "Tips and Data" area
    101 hard Lessons for Inspire by Scott Tygett  
DOWN 5.5 Some Discoveries for Lightwave 5.5 by Peter Carlsson  
    Favorite Lightwave Tips    
    Tips for Imagine by Tim Wilson  
    Drawing1 Understanding Form through the use of Light And Dark by Ron Lemen  
    CG Education by Neil Blevins (3D Studio Max but still some good stuff here)
    Favorite Lightwave Tips by Fred Townsend  
         

Top of Page

 

 

 

Website may not be copied or redistributed without the express written consent of Scott Cameron.
All content associated with any link mentioned on these pages are copyright their respective owners.
LightWave 3D is a registered trade mark of Newtek Inc.
Website design by Scott Cameron. Copyright 2002, Scott Cameron.
Contact Scott Cameron at
lightwavetutorials@shaw.ca