NewTek previewed LightWave 3D [8] at SIGGRAPH 2003 and also announced that NewTek's LightWave was the adds hard body dynamics to its suite of physical simulations tools, as well as improvements to cloth and other soft body dynamics. The character animation system is improved with faster inverse/forward kinematics, a more flexible control system, and the addition of dynamics for character skeletons. Version 8 also includes more powerful and flexible character animation controls and tools, improved character setup workflow, new Particle System Tools, animatable UV coordinates, and improvements to Lscript scripting language and to the API.



LightWave 3D [8] is expected to ship in the fourth quarter of 2003 for $1600. All new purchases of Lightwaver [7] are eligible for a free electronic upgrade, while registered owners of LightWave 3D [7.5] can upgrade for $500. NewTek is offering DFX+ ($1000), Module 1 - Visual Effects ($500), and Module 4 - 3D Tools ($300) at no additional charge to all new full license purchases before September 15th and to all upgrade purchases through the end of July.

by MacNN Staff