NewTek delivers LightWave 7

NewTek Inc. has announced the release of a new version of LightWave 3D, its 3D animation and rendering package. LightWave 7 sports hundreds of new features, increased speed, and better stability, according to NewTek. Best of all, it’s shipping simultaneously for both Mac OS (9 and X) and Windows.

Major new features in LightWave 7 include:

Motion Mixer for non-linear animation

Sasquatch Lite for built-in hair, fur and landscape creation/rendering

Digital Confusion, a new depth of field filter

SkyTracer 2, for universally accurate sun positions and sky creation

and much, much more.

System requirements call for a PowerPC-based Mac (G3 or higher recommended); Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X (Mac OS X recommended); 384 MB available RAM for Mac OS 9; 128 MB available RAM for Mac OS X; 32 MB hard drive space; CD-ROM; support for 800×600 pixel display (minimum).

LightWave 7 is available immediately. It carries a suggested retail price of US$2,495 with an upgrade from previous versions available for $495.