Artists have been clamoring to get the latest version of LightWave, but does it hold up? All images © NewTek.

NewTek, the developer of LightWave 3D, must have quite a bit of marketing know-how. After all, they released LightWave 3D [8] this past spring and artists around the world stood in line for hours to buy the new version. Oh wait, sorry, that was Doom 3. I hope this lame attempt at humor illustrates my point that LightWave 3D [8]'s release was greeted with practically zero recognition in the 3D community at large. In fact, NewTek's own Website did not mention that the new version was shipping to customers who preordered. Some customers received their copies the first week it actually shipped, while others waited at least a month (I know this from a co-worker). I don't mean to be overly critical of NewTek here, and only mention this flawed marketing strategy in regard to other major new 3D application releases, especially full version upgrades. Usually, the online 3D community reacts to a new release with full reviews, ads and significant activity on the message boards.

As I write this review, months after LightWave [8] shipped, none of this expected marketing has appeared. Sure, the message boards have taken notice, but where is the push to expand their user base? NewTek should take a close look at what Alias and Discreet have done with the branding of their 3D apps. Maya and 3ds max could hardly have more cluttered and unappealing interfaces, but when they launch new versions they say something to their users and prospective new users. The branding of these big hitters tells users, "This 3D program is sexy, cool and hip and you must have it!" Isn't creating appeal for a product a foundation of effective marketing? Regardless of their marketing plan, LightWave [8] is finally available and I'm happy to report, it's an excellent upgrade.

Many of the requested features LightWave users have been asking for have been delivered. The new dynamics system deserves a special mention as well. LightWave [8] still utilizes a hardware dongle, something, which I'm uncertain about. On the one hand, a hardware dongle is easy to use and doesn't rely on an Internet connection to setup. On the other, a hardware dongle uses up a USB port, is easily lost due to its small size (it's about the size of a USB thumb drive) and in this case, still requires the user to go online to authorize the application. I think it's time for NewTek to move on from hardware dongles and use a software key. Radical as it might seem amongst the major 3D apps, NewTek might even consider going with a simple serial number and do away with the fancy dongle and authorization schemes.

The workflow of the product has not changed that much.

Previous LightWave users will be right at home when they first launch LightWave 3D [8]. The familiar tabs and buttons interface has not been changed much, although there have been a few new items added. I have always customized my interface so these default tabs and buttons are really just a suggested setup from NewTek. Customization of the interface hasn't changed from previous versions; tabs and buttons can be altered to include or exclude just about every feature. The tabs and buttons approach leaves much of the screen free for users to see their work. As mentioned earlier, Maya and 3ds max both have extremely cluttered interfaces. Sure, these can be customized as well, but they don't take the minimalist approach LightWave does from the start.

Workflow has not changed in any radical way. LightWave [8] maintains the dual application approach of previous versions divided between Modeler and Layout. This separation is one of the things the LightWave community has always been divided on. I'm in the separation camp. Having my modeling separated from animation helps me keep the work divided mentally. I imagine that in some future release LightWave will conform to the industry standard single app, but for now we have the old familiar LightWave approach. Changes are still updated between apps by the LightWave Hub, which resides in your windows toolbar.