LightWave 3D v9.2 released

NewTek today announced the release of the first free update: LightWave 3D v9.2 offers new Material Shaders for easy and accurate representation of real-world surfaces, depth of field, global illumination and anti-aliasing improvements that offer better results in less time, a true 3D motion blur that mimics live-action film and new modeling and selection tools for improved workflow. The LightWave v9.2 update is now available free to registered owners of LightWave v9.

"We've set high standards for what we expect to achieve in the development of LightWave," said Jay Roth, president, NewTek 3D division. "With accurate real-world material simulations, unbelievably photoreal motion blur, global illumination, depth of field and anti-aliasing the LightWave render engine has been elevated to a new level far beyond the beautiful renders for which it was already known."

LightWave 3D v9.2 delivers Improved depth of field, which offers more realistic results and realtime preview as well as new photoreal, 3D motion blur, which mimics the blur captured on live-action film. In addition, the company said the update offers Global Illumination and Radiosity improvements to provide faster and higher quality renders (including the new Final Gather mode) and new Material Nodes, which duplicate real surfaces in a simple one-step manner. New nodes include Dielectric (a physically accurate glass and liquid shader), Conductor (a physically accurate metal shader), Sigma (a node for sub-surface scattering) and a Simple Skin (skin shader with sub-surface scattering).

The free update also delivers new anti-aliasing technology including a new pass technique and new sampling patterns which allow an artist to produce better results in less time. Other new modeling and selection tools include Create Rows, Select Entire Loop, Select Entire Surface, Select Entire Part, Select Path, and Loop Expand/Contract to improve workflow.

The LightWave v9 Training Bundle, available through April 30 for $900, includes the LightWave v9 printed documentation set, along with 5 coupons worth hundreds of dollars in free training materials. Purchasers will receive the training materials by redeeming the coupons directly with the publishers. Registered owners of LightWave 3D [8] or earlier are eligible to purchase an upgrade to LightWave v9 for $500.

In addition, NewTek announced that on July 1, 2007 the suggested retail price for a full license of LightWave v9.2 will increase to $900 (with PDF documentation) and $1000 with printed manual set.

by MacNN Staff