LightWave (.lwo) import/export

LightWave is used for rendering animated and static 3-D images.

Note

Rhino imports line and point objects from LightWave.
Rhino breaks apart objects into separate meshes and sorts them into layers by surface type.
LightWave files contain polygon mesh objects. They are not converted to NURBS.

Import

To open, import, insert, and attach a file as a worksession

1. From the File menu, click Open or Import.
2. In the Open dialog box, select the supported file type.
3. If the import can be configured, click Options to specify import settings.
4. Click Open, or press Enter.

Note: When Rhino opens a non-3dm model, the title bar reflects the name of the model that was opened. When the model is saved for the first time, this model name is entered as the file name.

LWO Import Options

Unweld ___ degrees

The minimum angle between mesh polygon normals where unwelding of points should occur.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

Click Options in the appropriate Save, Export, Open, Import, or Insert dialog box.

Export

Export Notes

LWO only exports mesh or meshable (surfaces, polysurfaces, etc.) objects, NOT curves, polylines, points, etc.
Use the ExtractControlPolygon command to convert smooth Rhino surfaces into polygon meshes that you can convert into MetaNURBS objects in LightWave.
Object names will be used when exporting the LightWave file instead of a generic name.

To save as or export a Rhino model

1. From the File menu, click Export Selected or Save As.
2. In the dialog box, the Files of type list displays the currently supported file types for export.
3. In the Files of type box, select the supported file type.
4. In the File name box, select or type a file name.
5. Specify what is to be saved.

Save small

Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

Save geometry only

Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved.

This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

Save Textures

Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.

6. If the export can be configured, click Options to specify export settings.
7. If the file type creates only mesh objects, in the Polygon Mesh Objects dialog box, specify the mesh settings.

LWO Export Options

Version 5 or earlier (65535 points maximum)

If exporting to a version of LightWave version 5 or earlier, the LightWave file is limited to 65,535 points for the entire file. Export large Rhino models in pieces or export as OBJ file format, which does not have the 65,000 polygon limitation.

Version 6 or later

No point limitation.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

Click Options in the appropriate Save, Export, Open, Import, or Insert dialog box.

See also

LightWave 3D


Rhinoceros 5 © 2010-2015 Robert McNeel & Associates. 17-Sep-2015