Tabs and Menus (LightWave v9 Modeler) Part 4

LScript

LightWave’s custom scripting language enables you to create your own plug-ins and scripts, and the tools in the LScript category (Figure 1.55) let you create scripts of your own and manage ones you make or obtain elsewhere. Even if you never write a line of script, you may need these tools occasionally in order to tweak LScripts generated automatically by other LightWave tools or plug-ins, or to compile and load LScripts you exchange with friends or obtain free online at sites such as Flay.com.

The LScript category gives you the tools to load and compile LScripts.

Figure 1.55

The LScript category gives you the tools to load and compile LScripts.

Use the tools in the Plugins category to manage software add-ons to LightWave.


Figure 1.56

Use the tools in the Plugins category to manage software add-ons to LightWave.

Plugins

Last in the Utilities tab is the Plugins category (Figure 1.56). Here, you can add a single plug-in or edit your existing plug-ins. You’ll also find the Additional list, which contains LightWave’s plug-ins, many of which are already assigned to buttons and keyboard equivalents with the default configuration. If you choose to add third-party plug-ins, you can find them here as well. You can also create custom buttons for those added plug-ins using the Edit Menu feature in LightWave’s Edit drop-down lists.

The View tab includes tools that help you effectively utilize the LightWave modeling environment.

Figure 1.57 The View tab includes tools that help you effectively utilize the LightWave modeling environment.

ViewTab

Earlier in this topic, we discussed LightWave’s viewports, but we have not yet talked about the other view options available to you. In the View tab (Figure 1.57), you’ll find many tools designed to help you maximize your modeling experience, including Magnify tools, various Layer tools, and cool selection tools.

Viewports

Much of the viewport control you’ll access on a regular basis is done through the keyboard (like pressing 0 for maximize), or directly within each view. However, the Viewports tool category (Figure 1.58) gives you all those controls and more, such as Fit and Fit All, as well as various zoom controls. So, anytime you want to adjust what you’re seeing in your viewports, look here.

Take control of what you see with tools in the Viewports category.

Figure 1.58

Take control of what you see with tools in the Viewports category.

Work with your layers effectively by employing the Layers category tools in the View tab.

Figure 1.59

Work with your layers effectively by employing the Layers category tools in the View tab.

Layers

We talked about layers and the Layers panel (which you access by pressing F7) at the beginning of this topic. The Layers tools within the View tab (Figure 1.59) complement the panel. Use these tools to add and remove new layers, swap layers (foreground to background), or even flatten all layers into one. Look to this category for specific layer control in addition to the Layers panel.

Selection

The Selection category (Figure 1.60) contains a host of tools for selecting and deselecting points and polygons, including Select Loop and Select Outline. In the next section, "Points, Edges, and Polygons," you’ll learn about these key operations in Modeler.

LightWave v9 Modeler offers a wide range of selection tools, all found under the View tab.

Figure 1.60

LightWave v9 Modeler offers a wide range of selection tools, all found under the View tab.

Selection Sets

Selection sets are often overlooked by animators, but they are quite helpful. Tools in this category (Figure 1.61) make it easy to select groups of points or polygons and combine them as selection sets. The benefit of this is twofold—not only can you easily select those same points or polygons again whenever you need them, you can also use them as specific controls in LightWave Layout.

The View tab provides controls for grouping selections, small or large.

Figure 1.61

The View tab provides controls for grouping selections, small or large.

View

Last in the View tab is the View category (Figure 1.62). Use these tools to hide and unhide items you’ve selected. They’re handy when you want to work on a specific part of a model without touching neighboring parts, or to better see what you’re doing when working in Wireframe mode. Just remember that if you hide some geometry, you’ll need to unhide it again—don’t forget it’s there!

So, there you have it: all the LightWave v9 Modeler menus in a nutshell. When you break them down and understand how they are organized, it will be much easier not only to find them but also to understand what they do. The next section shows you how to work more specifically with geometry in Modeler through point and polygon selection and deselection processes.

Find your way to the View category of the View tab, and you can hide or unhide selections.

Figure 1.62

Find your way to the View category of the View tab, and you can hide or unhide selections.

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