Readme for Informatix EPix file plugins for LightWave 9 July 2008 This text file describes how you use the EPix file plug-ins with LightWave 3D(TM) Layout Version 9. 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). ============ Installation ============ 1) Copy lwepix.p to a suitable location, for example to the lightwave plugins\input-output folder. 2) Start Layout and choose the Utilities tab and press Add Plug-ins, select lwepix.p and press Open, then click Done to add the plug-in. 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 EPix files: ------------------------ 1) Select Window > Image Processing... (^F8). 2) Select the Processing tab and click "Add Image Filter" and select ISI_epix. 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. ========== 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.piranesi.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@piranesi.co.uk ================================= COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK INFORMATION ================================= LightWave and LightWave 3D are registered trademarks 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 patents: US-6226000 EP-0870284 JP-3837162