Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave

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by Olivier
Michon

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In this tutorial, we will show how powerful the
combo Aura [2] + LightWave^®[6.5]
is to create natural motions in LightWave.
Step 1 - Aura:

At first, we will record a nice drawing
with the Stroke Recorder. For that, I recommend
to use a graphic tablet (Wacom Intuos tablets
works great with Aura).

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Aura_path

Preview of the recorded path

Then export the track motion as a LightWave
motion file. You can do this through the Path
Manager Panel which can be accessed either
through the main menu, Filter->Motion->Path
Manager, or through the motion menu on
the Stroke Recorder panel. Select File->Export
to LW Motion and name it stroke.
Make sure the Reverse Y is ON on
the Origin tab, and Image Ratio, located
on the Scale tab should be OFF to get
the proper path in LightWave.
Finally, select the Motion, Up/Down and Pressure channels
to export these three motion files.

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_pathexport_origin

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_pathexport_scale

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_pathexport_channels

Export LightWave® motion option tabs

It will create three files : stroke_motion.mot
, stroke_updown.mot, and stroke_pressure.mot.
Next, we will see how to use these motion files.

Step 2 - LightWave:

Launch Layout.
Add a Null object named stroke_Null,
then load the motion file stroke_motion.mot as
its motion. As default, Aura exports motions
in a X, Y space. To restore the stroke on the
ground plane, we have to swap Y and Z channels.
Open the Graph Editor to modify the stroke_Null object
motion.
Copy the stroke_Null.Position.Y channel
to the stroke_Null.Position.Z channel,
then reset the stroke_Null.Position.Y channel
to 0.
Put an FX_emitter on the stroke_Null object
with the following settings :

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_fxemitter_generator_t

On
the Generator tab:
Group = Fix
Generator size
X = 5 mm
Y = 5 mm
Z = 5 mm
Particle limit = 119

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_fxemitter_particle_t

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_fxemitter_particle_t

On
the Particle tab:
Life time (Frame) = 0

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_fxemitter_motion_t

On
the Motion tab:
Explosion (m/s) = 0.0015
Parent motion = 0.0%

Finally, load the stroke_updown.mot file
as the Birth rate envelope. The
Up/Down channel only exports a binary information,
so we have to scale this channel for a suitable
result. Therefore, select all keys with a value
of 1 then change them to 250. You may have
also to move the same keys one frame ahead
to get a better result.

Birth rate use the up/down channel

Now, parent the light to the stroke_Null object.
Set the light as a Point light,
adjust the Color and the Intensity
Falloff.

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_lightpanel

Light settings

Finally, define a nice lens flare effect.
By the way, we will use the pressure channel
as the flare intensity. For that, load the stroke_pressure.mot file
as the Flare intensity envelope.
The pressure uses a range value from 0 to
100 %, so we don't need to modify the envelope,
assuming we want a regular range value for
the light.

Flare intensity uses the pressure channel

Define a nice point of view for the Camera,
and we should have a result like the following.

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_final_t

A light writing a natural stroke

At this point, particles are just invisible
because we haven't yet define any shader for
them. So, we will add some Hypervoxels shader
on them. Open the Hypervoxel panel, and activate stroke_Null in
the object list.
Set the Object type to Sprite.

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_hv_geometry_t

On
the Geometry tab:
Size = 5 mm
Size variation = 10.0%

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_hv_hypertexture_t

On
the HyperTexture tab:
Texture = Crumple
Frequencies = 4
Small Power = 0.75
Texture Amplitude = 25.0%

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_gradient

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Screenshot_gradient

On
the Shading tab:
Define a Color gradient like
following, and set the Input Parameter to Particle
Age.

Now the light is drawing a flare effect using
you writing style. So, I invite you to complete
this tutorial with the addition of a nice smoke
effect with Hypervoxels.

Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Stroke_hypervoxels

MPEG
MOVIE - Final Render with Hypervoxel Smoke

Enjoy !

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1 Tutorials LightWave 3D Export Aura [2] Stroke Recorder to LightWave Qua Jan 26, 2011 2:11 am

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