NewTek Inc. announced that the special offer combining LightWave 3D with eyeon's DFX+ professional compositing package has been extended up to the date LightWave [8] is released. Currently in the beta test phase and expected to ship in the fourth quarter of this year, NewTek's LightWave [8] includes enhancements in dynamics, character animation, modeling workflow and tools, animation workflow, texturing tools and more. Since announcing and previewing LightWave [8], NewTek has offered purchasers of new or upgrade seats of LightWave a free electronic update to [8] when it ships, and also eyeon Software's professional compositing application, DFX+, a $995 value, with Module 1 - Visual Effects, a $495 value, and Module 4 - 3D Tools, a $295 value, at no additional charge (a total value of $1785).
Steve Ross, president of Abeq Studios, who recently saw a demo of the new version of LightWave in Toronto, said, "It was amazing to see some of the innovative additions to LightWave [8] in action. The stills on the NewTek Website don't do the new features justice. To be honest, I was thinking of waiting for the next version before upgrading my LightWave [7.5], but after seeing the demo for [8] I'll be getting mine sooner rather than later."
NewTek's LightWave, winner of a 2003 Primetime Emmy Engineering Award, combines a state-of-the-art photo-realistic renderer with intuitive and powerful modeling and animation tools, and is used worldwide as a complete 3D production solution for broadcast graphics, games, print, web and visual effects for film and television. Version [8] adds hard body dynamics to LightWave's suite of physical simulations tools, and enhances soft body dynamics with more intuitive controls and more versatile performance. The character animation system is improved with faster inverse and forward kinematics, a more powerful and flexible control system, and the ability to apply LightWave's dynamics to the skeletons of character or object meshes. Modeling workflow has been enhanced and a suite of new modeling tools added.
"We're very excited about bringing a new generation of LightWave to our users," said Andrew Cross, NewTek svp of engineering. "Both broadcast and film production have tighter deadlines and budgets than ever with even higher standards for output quality. LightWave 3D version 8 provides a more efficient workflow and the tools to allow artists to meet their client's demands on time, on budget and with great results, whether producing a station I.D. or convincing visual effects for the latest blockbuster film."
LightWave 3D Overview:* World-class rendering* Fast, versatile Modeler* Powerful scripting language* Character Animation tools* Particle Effects* Expressions* Numeric entry (and math in input fields)* Unlimited points and polygons per object* Unlimited images* Unlimited surfaces* Easy import of Illustrator data* Easy integration with other effects production tools
LightWave 3D [8] Includes:* Improved workflow in Layout and Modeler* Rigid Body Dynamics* Improved Soft Body Dynamics* Faster IK, FK* Bone Dynamics* More powerful and flexible character animation controls and tools* Improved character setup workflow* New Particle System Tools* Animatable UV coordinates* Improvements to LScript scripting language and to the API
Purchasers who would prefer to receive upgrades in package form with printed manual and CD rather than in electronic form will be able to purchase a Convenience Upgrade option for $99, directly from NewTek. For more information on the items offered and to purchase direct from NewTek, visit: www.newtek.com or call NewTek Sales at 1-800-368-5441, overseas callers dial +1-210-370-8000.
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools, including VT[3], LightWave 3D and Aura Video Paint. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary VT.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
