Lightwave Geometry Import Converter

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This geometry import converter reads in Lightwave binary object files (.lw) and ASCII scene files (.scn). In addition to its basic import capabilities, the converter can also reconstruct scene hierarchy using information gleamed from the scene file and accurately create texture coordinates for the object data from the input texture projections.

A nice feature of the converter is that it will use object instancing to reduce the size of the imported scene. For example, if the Lightwave scene file references a Lightwave object 10 times then the converter will only read in and store the basis geometry for the referenced object once. All other references to the file will create instances of the object (in other words, "virtual" objects); this is a benefit of the object/instancing capabilities of the converter's internal database.

As some background information, Lightwave uses two types of files to describe a scene:

1. The raw geometry for each object is stored in a separate file called a Lightwave Object File. Normally it has a file extension of .lw, .lwb, .lwobj or sometimes no extension at all. These files are binary and cannot be viewed directly with a text editor.
2. The scene setup description file is stored in a single file called a Lightwave Scene File; it lists the Lightwave binary object files (see above) which are to be read into the scene. Normally it has a file extension of .scene, .scn or it must use a descriptive filename such as "Load Up The Entire Scene". This file is human readable and can be edited with a normal text editor.

Note that if an object has more than one surface applied to it then the converter will explode the object into separate pieces, each with a single surface assigned to it.