Changes in the dynamics will help animators create better levels of weight with their characters.

Rendering is largely unchanged from previous versions. This is one of the areas where no change is a good thing. LightWave has always had an excellent renderer that draws at a respectable speed.

Overall, LightWave [8] is a satisfactory upgrade. For new users, LightWave still remains the app that is fastest to learn. For experienced users the modeling and rendering are still some of the best around. Getting from one to the other, though, leaves a wide gap. I do recommend LightWave [8] to new users. I teach 3D part-time using LightWave in my general classes. I don't recommend for Maya or 3ds max users to switch over to LightWave. It's not that game development, broadcast graphics or visual effects can't be done in LightWave, but rather there isn't a large enough community built up around it. I understand that in Japan LightWave is the 3D tool of choice, but it is clearly an underdog here in the U.S. I sincerely hope that Newtek finds a way to get LightWave noticed. With version [8], LightWave 3D remains a great program, with an excellent workflow, decent stability and an excellent renderer.

Special Note
Just before I submitted this review, NewTek announced the release of LightWave [8.0.1], and has posted the patch on their Website (www.newtek.com). I haven't had too much time to work with this update, but I can say with confidence that Modeler is much more stable, not crashing at all during my six-hour modeling session last night. Layout also seems more stable, although I spent considerably less time using it. NewTek promises many additional updates beyond stability, a list of which can be found here: http://newtek.com/products/lightwave/downloads/updates/lw801.html. As with all updates, NewTek strongly advises users to back up all content before updating.

Fred Galpern is currently art manager for Blue Fang Games in Waltham, MA. Since entering the video game field five years ago, Galpern has held management positions in several other game and entertainment companies, including Hasbro and Looking Glass Studios. Originally a comic book creator (he was creative director on three top-selling comic book titles), Galpern also has experience in various graphic design fields, including print, Web and multimedia, and has done character and story development for children's television series. He has satisfied his long-standing interest in education by teaching at several New England colleges, including Bristol Community College, where he created the curriculum for, taught in and still advises the Electronic Games certificate and associates degree programs.