LightWork Design has announced the latest version of its 3D rendering engine, LightWorks 8.1. The code is designed for developers of 3D graphics software, and allows them to create a wide range of rendering functions and simulated effects such as radiosity and ambient occlusion. Version 8.1 focuses on real-time rendering, and includes improvements to EPix output such as anti-aliasing. When using programmable shading, real-time rendering has been given support for soft shadows and shadow catching.

Programmable shading is now also supported with several more material shaders, such as multilayer paints and leathers. Additional EPix changes allow sunlight direction vectors to be sent to a file, and the specification of a DPI value and absolute resolution. LightWork has lastly provided support for panoramic environment maps. Pricing for the software is available from the company.