How did you discover LightWave?

Loïc: When I was very young I became interested in drawing on the computer. Everything started when I was around 14 or 15 (1990-1991), on the Amiga. At that time, I was using Deluxe Paint to make drawings and animations "manually".

Aurélien: When I was at Beaux Arts in 1994, but back then I was using 3D Studio.

When did you start using LightWave?

Loïc: I first started using LightWave in 1995. The first object I modelled was a plane (from the Macross series) that transformed into a robot.

Aurélien: I've only been using it for two years, since we started our animation studio.

Aurélien, why did you move over from 3D Studio to LightWave?

Aurélien: At the start, I just wanted to try it out. Loïc and other friends were always saying good things about it, but during the final years of my studies I didn't really have the time. When Partizan first started, back when we had some free time I made full use of it!

Above all, it's modelling that made me want to stay with LightWave, I still prefer the texturing and animation facilities in 3DS. But with the tools in Modeler and the quality of the renderer — it pushed us into using this package for everything!

What do you like about the package?

Loïc: The first thing that amazed me in LightWave was when a friend came and hit the TAB key. I thought I'd gone mad ;) Metanurbs! And as times passes I can't think of anything that betters that.

LightWave is simple (despite what could be said about its ergonomics, menus and so on). You only need two weeks to learn how it works and to start modelling and animating.

It's also great that Layout and Modeler are separate. It means that scenes are lighter, you can modify objects or replace them and so on.

LightWave is also very open. When you need a plug-in for a tool that isn't part of the default set, you just go on the net and it's available!

LightWave is hyper productive!

Aurélien: The speed of working with heavy objects, the clarity of the interface, the render quality, radiosity