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Lightwave 5.6 Scene files - how to configure file paths - Printable Version

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Lightwave 5.6 Scene files - how to configure file paths - bjames - 01-07-2024

Hi,  when opening a Lightwave scene file, it appears the program cannot find all the object, image files needed to load the scene.  The Lightwave main folder contains all the sample files separated into separate folders for objects, images etc.. that contain the individual files needed to assemble the scene.  When loading the scene I have to select a different folder for like 30 files.  I’m used to 3ds Max where you can save all your file paths for images, maps, materials so when opening a project, 3ds automatically scans the folder to load all associated files.  Does Lightwave 5.6 have this feature?

RE: Lightwave 5.6 Scene files - how to configure file paths - Intuition - 01-09-2024

Lightwave pseudo acts like Maya in that you would have a project folder. This would be a top level folder with some subfolders... like Maya's with Scenes, Images, SourceImages, etc.

I can't remember what Lightwave's folder structure needs are but I'll open it up tomorrow and see if I can figure it out again.

I half think its trying to remember any folder structure you have when you save the scene (*.lws) file... so even if you don't have a traditional Lightwave Project folder structure that as long as when you open the scene if LW knows what the top folder is... it should branch from there to the folders with the same objects files (*.lwo) images (jpg, tga, etc) and plugins.

RE: Lightwave 5.6 Scene files - how to configure file paths - bjames - 01-10-2024

Thanks Intuition, I was wondering if Lightwave looks into your user home directory for the file structure, but I’m not sure. I think this is a simple solution, but it’s a matter of understanding how the software looks for individual files saved within the scene file.

RE: Lightwave 5.6 Scene files - how to configure file paths - Intuition - 01-10-2024

So I am looking at the Octane now... I only have LW 5.0 on there... there IS in the option button on the top row... which brings up the options panel... which has a general top directory. I think 5.5+ started using the preferences panel... which has a "paths" tab and should show which top directory and which subdirectories everything it is trying store in the LWS scene file by default. 

So images would go in "images" etc.. 

I'll need to setup 5.6 on my Octane to test it 1 to 1 to what you have... which would be a good excuse to do another Lightwave vid. 

I HAVE LW 5.6 on my other Octane drive which is how I made this vid....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMQFcfDDe_E

but that drive is still in storage in an airtight plastic bin. I think I have it somewhere on one of my drives so I can put it on this Octane drive.

Anyways the LW 5.6 method should be the preferences with Paths Tab and it will list the folders it is looking for content from.

I want to do one of Each Software again soon since I have my new video setup which captures directly from the VGA out to a capture card instead of the phone on a stand I did before... should be much easier to watch.

RE: Lightwave 5.6 Scene files - how to configure file paths - bjames - 01-14-2024

Are you capturing using the Octane Personal or digital Video option?

I will take another look, I do recall opening either an options or preference pop up menus where you can specify the target file path for opening files, however it only allows you to specify 1 path, unlike 3DS Max where you can have multiple file paths saved.

Now you got me thinking, I set the file path to point to the Objects folder, maybe that’s my mistatake, I should point to the Root of the folder that contains all the sub folders like object, image, reflections..etc.

I will try this tomorrow.

BTW, I watched the video you have in the link and loved it, keep them coming as they are extremely helpful especially when you compare some of the functionality with Maya, Softimage etc. the way you present these tutorial videos makes me think,you used to be an applications trainer/presenter.