Tell me how you started to use LightWave?

From 1998 to 2000 I played around with my first 3D program Reflections 4.2 (monzoom). It was a great tool but after two years I realised that its power was limited as it is a budget tool. At that point I searched for one of those pro-tools that fit my budget. Finally I decided for a used copy of LightWave 5.5. Actually at the time I had no idea what LightWave was really like. The only thing I knew about it was its pleasant name LightWave 3D ;) but the price was okay. Quite risky but it was the right decision.

What do you like about the package?

Maybe it is the most obvious difference to other packages: the separation of Modeler. NewTek, please don't change this ever! The interface with its text-buttons is the best I can think of. I'm not a big fan of weird icons.
I have to say that Modeler is wonderful and I really like the surface editor. The surface editor is very easy to use but at the same time one can set up incredibly complex surfaces. Gradients appear in almost all of my surfaces. Pure fun! The surface thickness-mode is a nice improvement (in the 7.5c update patch).

What could be improved for you?

I would love to have better spline and bezier tools. Splines are always very handy but it is not possible to edit the control points. Real NURBS for non-organic models like cars are missing but maybe I’m asking too much ;)
The anti-aliasing also needs improvement in my opinion. The multi-pass AA in LightWave takes too much time to render.

What spec machine are you using it on at the moment?

At the moment I'm using one PC with Athlon XP 2400+, GeForce 4 Ti, 80 Gig HD on a MSI KT4 board, 1 15" TFT and 1 19" CRT. And of course my Wacom Intuos 04x05. Oh yes, and a Ford Focus on top of my big Syncmaster.

Are there any plug-ins you wouldn't be without?

Sure, mainly Modeler plug-ins like Jigsaw, Edge Tools, C-bend and Vertibevel. I try to avoid using hundreds of plug-ins. I only look for plug-ins if I can't get the task done without them.

Are you working or a student at the moment?

I do work but not for money ;) I do some personal projects but my primary job is sitting at school and listening to boring stuff.
Sometimes I get some web design jobs or tiny 3D jobs but nothing worth mentioning. I recently got an internship at an ad agency.