NewTek Inc. today announced that it plans to ship a major new release of its 3D graphics and animation package, LightWave 3D, later this year. The new version, LightWave 3D [8], will make its debut later this year at the SIGGRAPH 2003 trade show and conference, and will ship in the fourth quarter.
LightWave 3D incorporates a wide variety of tools for creating 3D graphics and animation. The software includes soft-body dynamics, particle effects, hair and fur, unlimited render nodes, and other features. And it’s available for Mac OS X, “Classic” Mac OS and Windows alike.
Changes in the new version focus on workflow and user interface enhancements, according to NewTek. Other changes include enhancements to character animation tools and game development tools, as well as improved integration with other production tools and with third party add-ons.
What’s more, NewTek noted that anyone who has purchases LightWave 3D [7.5] — the current release version — since April 1, 2003 will receive a free update by download once LightWave 3D [8] is released. The deal applies to people who buy the full version of LightWave 3D and those who upgrade from previous versions of LightWave 3D as well.
SIGGRAPH 2003 takes place at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif. from July 29 – 31, 2003. Look for NewTek in booth 2848.