Lightwave’s procedural surfacing features have dramatically improved since version 5, and they now provide a powerful alternative to using image maps. Although sometimes slower, they generally use less memory and provide a level of detail that can undergo close scrutiny.

This tutorial attempts to show some of the techniques available to users for creating realistic surfaces. It shows the creation of a large metal anvil; chosen because it is a simple model to create and a good candidate for procedural texturing. Instead of taking you through every surface setting, I will provide an overview of each stage and present images for reference. The final model and scene are available for download at the end of this tutorial.