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 or insert a file

  1. From the File menu, click Open, Insert, or Import.

  2. In the dialog box, select a supported file type.
  3. Click Open and configure the settings.
    When you open a non-3dm file and save the model, its filename will be the default 3dm filename.

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

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

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. On 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.
    6. Options

    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.
    Save plugin data Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.
  6. If the export can be configured, click the Options button to specify export settings.
  7. Mesh file types export NURBS surfaces as meshes either with the specified meshing options, or the document render 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

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

See also

LightWave 3D