{{ :tools:dbwtools_patreon120px.png?nolink|}} ====== db&w Tools ====== [[https://www.patreon.com/dbw|{{ ::become_a_patron_button.png?nolink|}}]] The db&w Tools are a collection of small plugins for LightWave 3D. They've initially been written out of personal need, due to user suggestions, as a playground or to complement our products. As of November 1st 2018, all future versions will only be available to our patrons on [[https://www.patreon.com/dbw|Patreon]]. We want to continue developing the plugins for you, with you. As of April 2024, the db&w Tools are also available on [[https://finestsoftware.gumroad.com/l/dbwTools|gumroad]] since Patreon doesn't allow for new patrons to join while we pause. We hope that you will enjoy using them ;) ===== Installation ===== [[installation]] ===== Changes ===== [[tools:release_history|Release History]] ===== Toolkits ===== Toolkits are a collection of plugins to facilitate new features. * [[tools:s-tk:start]] // a set of plugins for spline handling in Layout, currently WiP, to be developed in multiple stages. // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:projection_ex]] // extended projections for db&w Tools plugins // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:layout_groups]] // Selection groups for items in Layout // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ===== Nodes===== As a general note, the nodal editors in LightWave 3D treat both vectors and colours the same way. Both are three floating point values and may be used interchangeably. ==== 2D Image ==== * [[tools:triplanar_mapper|]] - //Cubic mapping with edge blending// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:multiimage_sampler|]] - //Use a selection of images for texturing// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:random_image_mapper |]] - //Texture a surface randomly with multiple images// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:pbr_texture_set|]] - // PBR Texture Set - a single stop node for PBR Textures using both a Metallic or Specular workflow // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[texture_repetition]] - // Randomize and tile an image // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== 2D Textures ==== * [[tools:weave|]] - //Weave procedural texture, our #ThankYouPatrons present for patrons in 2019// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:reflection_lines|]] - //Reflection Lines procedural texture, our Christmas present for patrons in 2018// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:scratch|]] - //Scratch node to create procedural scratches, our Plugin of the Month for February 2021// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Audio ==== * [[tools:audiofrequency]] - //analyses audio and extracts frequency specific amplitudes// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Additional ==== * [[tools:sequencer|Sequencer]] - //turns sequences of numbers into a pseudo-random distribution// * [[tools:timeinfo|Time Info]] - //returns the current time and frame// * [[tools:get_auto_size]] - //Exposes the automatic size and bounding box as computed by LightWave 3D// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:elbow]] - //Helps clean up node graphs - is not related to rigging. ;)// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Colour==== * [[tools:bilerp|]] - // A simple gradient in UV space using four colours for the edges as well as a texture projection // * [[tools:booster#colourbooster|Colour Booster]] - //boost colour by multiplying them// * [[tools:colourspace]] - //convert from one colour space to another // * [[tools:hashcolour]] - // Creates a colour based on the hash value of the current surface name // * [[tools:simplecc]] - //colour correct a value with a few extras // * [[tools:chromakey]] * [[tools:triplanar_mixer]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Experimental==== * [[tools:stickyfrontuv|Sticky Front UV]] - //stick a front projection to moving items and, optionally, render the UVs for a compositing tool// ==== Gradient==== * [[tools:imagegradient]] - //Samples an image to extract colours// ==== Instances ==== * [[tools:instance_filter]] - //Select instances in a viewport and use the selection to change specific attributes.// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:instance_inspector]] - //Exposes information about a specific instance// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:instanceinfo]] - //Exposes information about the current instance// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Materials==== * [[tools:materialtweaker|Material Tweaker]] - //Tweak materials, don't twerk them.// ==== Logic ==== These nodes create or operate on boolean values. These are integers that are either 0 (False) or 1 (True) and can, for example, be used to switch between two values depending on various conditions. * [[tools:bool_compare]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:bool_logic]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:raytype_comp]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:bool_switch]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Maths ==== * [[tools:ratio|Ratio]] - //split a value into two values using a ratio// * [[tools:remap|Remap]] - //remap values from one range to another // * [[tools:schlicks|Schlick's Approximation]] - //a quick fresnel like node with sugar on top// * [[tools:multi-maths]] - // Compute and experiment // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:oscillator]] - // Multiple waveforms // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:wheel]] - // Compute a travelled distance and the matching wheel rotation // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Scalar==== * [[tools:booster|Scalar Booster]] ==== Shading==== * [[tools:singleLightLambert|Single Light Lambert]] ==== Spot ==== * [[tools:exspotinfo|Extended Spot Info]] ==== Multi-Mixer ==== * [[tools:multimixer]] //Mix multiple inputs using individual weights, similar to the native Morph Mixer// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Switcher ==== * [[tools:multiswitcher]] //Switch between multiple inputs using an index// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Tools ==== * [[tools:ChannelBlender|Channel Blender]] // - Convert from vector to scalar and back// * [[tools:channelreference|]]// - Reference any channel from a node// {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:cache]] ==== Variables ==== * [[Variables]] \\ // a collection of nodes similar to the native constant nodes, but with the option to motion blur the evaluation of their envelopes or even drive the time of evaluation directly - update // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[Multi-Variables]] A node that hosts multiple variables of different types including GUI controls for them. {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ==== Displacement ==== * [[vector_motionblur]] // Applies motion blur as a displacement based on motion vectors store in a vertex map. // ===== Channel Modifiers===== * [[tools:oscillator#oscillator_channel_modifier|Oscillator]] - // Multiple waveforms // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:audiofrequency#audio_frequency_channel_modifier|Audio Frequency]] - // Extracts audio spectrum amplitudes from an audio file // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ===== Deformer ===== * [[tools:xform-deformer|]] - // Apply a transformation as a deformer to a mesh. // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:splinemorph-deformer]] - // Deform using a chain of morphs, interpolated as splines. // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ===== Pixel Filters===== * [[tools:depthlimiter|Depth Limiter]] * [[tools:simplecc|Simple Colour Corrector]] * [[tools:tonemapper]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ===== Image Filters===== * [[tools:simplecc|Simple Colour Corrector]] ===== Generic Plugins (Layout)===== * [[tools:csconverter|Colour Space Converter]] * [[tools:surfaceselector|Surface Selector]] * [[tools:renderdelta|Render Delta]] * [[tools:opendir]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:toolsdoc]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:wheel_generic]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:presetto]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ===== Master Plugins (Layout)===== * [[tools:dofhelper]] - visualise and edit the parameters that affect Depth of Field. {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:second_unit]] - Store selected global settings per camera in Layout {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:scenecomment]] * [[tools:commandstats]] * [[tools:audionotifier]] * [[tools:renderpriority]] ===== Image Viewer===== * [[tools:ROTfL|Revenge of the Lenscap]] ===== Layout Tools ===== * [[tools:polygon-picker]] {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ===== Modeler Tools ===== * [[tools:uv_distort]] // An interactive tool to distort UVs to match an image // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} * [[tools:uv_transform]] // An interactive tool to transform (move, scale, rotate, fit) UVs // {{:tools:sponsored_by_patrons.png?nolink|}} ---- ====== Common Concepts ====== [[presets]] ---- ===== Download ===== [[https://www.patreon.com/dbw|{{ ::become_a_patron_button.png?nolink|}}]] As of November 1st 2018, all future versions will only be available to our patrons on [[https://www.patreon.com/dbw|Patreon]]. We mail links to personalised builds to all patrons as soon as we release them. Older db&w Tools are available in our [[http://www.db-w.com/products/dbwtools/downloads/|download section]] for Windows and MacOS. ---- ===== Licence ===== These plugins are copyrighted by db&w GbR. Current builds are only provided to patrons as of November 2018. These programs are provided *as is* without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. ===== Additional Material===== A summary of our first six months on Patreon {{youtube>xI_apEbR1y0?medium}} [[http://experts.adobeconnect.com/p80xqn8k073/|{{ :dbw:tools:comb1a-web.jpg?nolink|}}]] [[http://www.andrewcomb.com/|Andrew Comb]] uses many free db&w Tools in his [[http://experts.adobeconnect.com/p80xqn8k073/|Advanced Shading Tutorial]] presented at the [[http://www.lightwaveusers.com/|San Diego LightWave Users Group]]. ===== Plugin Ideas and Proposals ===== [[tools:proposals]]