Readme for Informatix EPix file plugins for LightWave 7 and 8 March 2007 This text file describes how you use the EPix file plug-ins with LightWave 3D(TM) Layout Version 7 and 8. lwepix.p is an Image Filter plug-in produced by Informatix Software International, to write Extended Pixel format files (EPix files) suitable for use by Piranesi(TM). lwepix_panorama.ls is an LScript plugin that uses lwepix.p and a utility, stitch.exe, to generate Panoramic EPix files for use with Piranesi Version 3 or later. ============ Installation ============ 1) Copy lwepix.p to a suitable location, for example to the lightwave\plugins folder. 2) Copy lwepix_panorama.ls to a suitable location, for example to the lightwave\lscripts folder for Lightwave 7, or the lightwave\plugins\lscripts folder for Lightwave 8. 3) Copy stitch.exe to the Lightwave\programs folder. 4) Start LightWave 7 and choose "Layout > Plug-ins > Add Plug-ins", or start Lightwave 8 and choose the Utilities tab and press Add Plug-ins, select lwepix.p and press Open. LightWave should report 3 plug-ins successfully added. 5) Choose "Add Plug-ins" again and select lwepix_panorama.ls and press Open. LightWave should report 1 plug-ins successfully added. 6) IN Lightwave 7 Choose "Layout > Interface > Edit Menu Layout..." In Lightwave 8 choose "Edit > Edit Menu Layout..." Expand the Plug-ins section of the Command list, then drag the "Render EPix Panorama" command to a suitable menu, for example to the Rendering menu. For more details, see the LightWave Reference Guide. ================== Using the Plug-ins ================== Preparing the scene: -------------------- If you wish to distinguish different surfaces using the Material lock in Piranesi: 1) Open the Surface Editor Panel and select the Shaders tab. 2) For each surface you wish to identify, add "ISI_surfaceID" to the list of shaders. Any surfaces which are not given this shader will be grouped as a single material. If you select a Surface Name using Edit by Scene, then all surfaces with that name will have the same material in Piranesi. If you use Edit by Object, then surfaces with the same name on different objects will have different materials in Piranesi. Select "Low" or better anti-aliasing. If you use an "Enhanced" anti-aliasing mode, some pixels may receive the wrong material ID. This can be avoided by using a different anti-aliasing level. Unless the image is rendered in a single segment, the EPix plug-ins use a depth buffer that contains artefacts. You may therefore need to increase the segment memory using the Camera Properties Panel. For panoramas, each square face is generated separately and the segment memory needs to be sufficient to render one face. To generate normal EPix files: ------------------------------ 1) In Lightwave 7 Select the "Scene" tab and then "Image Process". In Lightwave 8 select "Window > Image Processing..." 2) Select ISI_epix as one of the Image Filter Plug-ins. You should place it after any plug-in whose effects you want to see in the EPix file. Double-clicking on the entry for the Informatix EPix writing plugin, in the list of selected plugins, allows you to specify a base filename. If you leave the base filename blank then the name of the scene file is used. The plugin creates EPix files whose names are derived from the base filename by appending the frame number and setting the extension to .epx. One EPix file will be created for each frame rendered. To generate a panoramic EPix file: ---------------------------------- 1) If you have already selected the ISI_epix Image Filter Plug-in and specified a base filename, you need to clear the base filename. Double-click the Informatix_epix plug-in in the list of selected plug-ins and clear the filename. 2) Select "Render EPix Panorama" from the Rendering Menu. Check that the Stage is "Face 1", specify the output file and resolution and click OK. 3) When the render is complete, press Continue and select "Render EPix Panorama" again. The Stage will be "Face 2" and the file and resolution controls are disabled, click OK. 4) Repeat to generate the remaining faces. 5) After rendering "Face 6" completes, press Continue and select "Render EPix Panorama" again. The Stage is now "Combine Faces". Click OK. ========== Disclaimer ========== The Software is being delivered to you AS IS and Informatix Software International Limited (Informatix) makes no warranty as to its use or performance. INFORMATIX AND ITS SUPPLIERS DO NOT AND CANNOT WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OR RESULTS YOU MAY OBTAIN BY USING THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION. INFORMATIX AND ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL INFORMATIX OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS OR LOST SAVINGS, EVEN IF AN INFORMATIX REPRESENTATIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY THIRD PARTY. ============= Contacting us ============= You can visit our web site at: http://www.informatix.co.uk Or you can contact us at: Informatix Software International Ltd 509 Coldhams Lane Cambridge CB1 3JS United Kingdom telephone: +44 (0)1223 246777 fax: +44 (0)1223 246778 email: info@informatix.co.uk ================================= COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK INFORMATION ================================= LightWave 3D is a trademark of NewTek, Inc. Piranesi is a registered trademark of Informatix Software International Limited in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and other countries. Piranesi is the subject of the following patent and patent applications: US-6226000 EP-0870284 JP-3837162