Creating Shapekey Animation with NewTek LightWave 3D

In today's world of real-time cloth simulations and physics chips, traditional shapekey animation methods may seem outdated. The Unity engine, for instance, does not include vertex animation, a process that was once widely used in game settings. However, this method is still useful for creating specific types of animations, such as looped waving flags.

Interestingly, shapekey animation is the oldest form of 3D mesh animation, predating skeletal (armature) animation by many years. Although it may seem confusing at first, understanding how shapekeys record vertex positions per frame can make the process more intuitive.

To create a shapekey animation using NewTek LightWave 3D, you'll need to export a point cache file (.mdd) from your evaluated mesh. This file will contain all the active modifiers and transforms that affect the mesh's geometry. When importing this file into another application or reapplying it to the original mesh, be sure to disable any modifiers that are not desired.

The data exported in the point cache file can then be applied to an existing mesh or a duplicate (recommended) by importing the .mdd file and selecting 'Apply as Shape Key.' This option will only apply the pose of the frame at which the modifier is applied, so if you want to create a shape key/morph target animation, you'll need to export multiple frames.

Before exporting the point cache, make sure to check the Tools panel for user export options, which can be extensive and may require some trial and error to get the best settings. Additionally, be aware that the Apply as Shape Key option will reflect all transforms on the exported mesh, including object-level transforms, so adjustments may be necessary to compensate once the shape keys are invoked.

In conclusion, while traditional shapekey animation methods may seem outdated, they can still be a useful tool in certain situations. By understanding how shapekeys work and taking the time to export and apply your point cache files correctly, you can create complex animations that bring your 3D models to life.

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