Lightwave 9!
 

http://www.newtek.com/news/releases/08-01-05a.html

http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/lw9featureprelim.php


LightWave 3D version 9.0 Features:

* Modeling Tool Subset in Layout
* Faster OpenGL Performance
* Enhanced OpenGL Hardware Shader Support for accurate preview in real time for textures and lighting
* Faster Raytrace Rendering – up to 2.5X or better
* Adaptive Mesh subdivision based on visibility and distance to camera
* Faster Subdivision Surfaces
* Subdivision Surface modeling with n-gons
* True edge support in modeling, including edge weighting
* Enhanced MultiShift Modeling tool with reusable histories
* More flexibility and more user controls for the GUI
* Dynamics rewritten for improved precision, performance and capabilities
* Dynamics UI redesigned for easy and intuitive workflow
* Consolidation of tools for a streamlined workflow in Modeler
* Node-based procedural shading system
* Relativity 2 Expressions System
* Particle surface shading system
* Environment instancing on surfaces
* Camera time warper for effects such as bullet time, etc.
* Hypervoxel particle surface deformer
* Surface deformation-based texture map and color controller
* Camera lens shader system
* Much, much more





Pricing and Availability

LightWave 3D version 9.0 is expected to be available in the 4 th quarter for US$795.00 for a single user license. The following purchase options are available for a limited time:

LightWave Full seats:

* LightWave [8] full seat, PDF manual, Vue 5 Infinite, free update to v9: $795
* LightWave [8] full seat, printed manual, Vue 5 Infinite, free update to v9: $895



For registered owners of LightWave [7.5] or earlier:

* LightWave [8] upgrade, PDF manual, Vue 5 Infinite, free update to v9: $395

* LightWave [8] upgrade, printed manual, Vue 5 Infinite,free update to v9: $495



For Registered owners of LightWave [8]:

* LightWave 3D v9.0 upgrade with PDF manual and Vue 5 Infinite: $395

* LightWave 3D v9.0 with printed manual and Vue 5 Infinite: $495

<Homer>

Mmmmm upgrade...drool

</Homer>

Seriously though it may be a while before the software sees the light of day, but this is looking very promising compared to the last update.

Any news on an updated SDK for FPrime?

Upgrade is great and all, but what happen to LW8.5 which was suppose to give the capability to using AMD Athlon 64 bit Operating systems.

Now as a LW8 Registered owner, I have to pay more to be able to use my 64 bit machine. I thought I was going to get that capability on the next free upgrade, unless I was misinformed. I noticed a lot of changes on Newtek’s website promoting LW9 now.

Promethius, old boy - 8.5 is still going ahead as a free download in Q3 this year. Lightwave 9 is probably still way off.

http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/news...-n6/index.html

Quote:

July 25, 2005

NewTek is also pleased to announce the upcoming release of the 64-bit port of LightWave 3D for Windows XP Pro x64 OS, as part of the release of the version 8.5 update. LightWave's 64-bit version leverages the increased memory available with 64-bit systems plus the power of the new processors and faster RAM access to provide digital artists with a streamlined workflow that allows them greater flexibility and creative freedom. LightWave64 will also be available free to registered owners of LightWave [8] in Q3 2005.

Thanks for the relief update. whew.:attn:

I've been waiting with anticipation for 8.5 to try on my new machine. Probably others are too.

But, If I want to upgrade to 9.0, I will have to dish $295?

Yeh, the upgrade to version 9 is going to cost you more wonga - I think this is going to be quite a large upgrade though rather than the not so impressive upgrade from 7 to 8. Newtek have been talking of a complete core rewrite as the old core has been getting very long in the tooth.

http://www.newtek.com/news/releases/08-01-05a.html

Pricing details below:

Pricing and Availability

LightWave 3D version 9.0 is expected to be available in the 4 th quarter for US$795.00 for a single user license. The following purchase options are available for a limited time:

LightWave Full seats:

* LightWave [8] full seat, PDF manual, Vue 5 Infinite, free update to v9: $795
* LightWave [8] full seat, printed manual, Vue 5 Infinite, free update to v9: $895



For registered owners of LightWave [7.5] or earlier:

* LightWave [8] upgrade, PDF manual, Vue 5 Infinite, free update to v9: $395

* LightWave [8] upgrade, printed manual, Vue 5 Infinite,free update to v9: $495



For Registered owners of LightWave [8]:

* LightWave 3D v9.0 upgrade with PDF manual and Vue 5 Infinite: $395

* LightWave 3D v9.0 with printed manual and Vue 5 Infinite: $495

8.5 is coming in the next week and LW9 is coming around november, also there are a lot of improvements, but people attending Siggraph said that LW9 is really fast, also the render is way much faster that 8.5, cooooool.

coremi,

Thanks for the info. I wait with anticipation for the 8.5 upgrade to try it on my athlon64.

I should still see a good amount of improvement with the 8.5 upgrade. When I have the cash available, I will really consider the upgrade at that time. I understand that a whole rewrite of the core software on 9.0 will make great amount of improvement in all areas of the software. It's the greens that anchors me right now. :headbang:

I do see alot of improvement on the price reductions lately, but some how I get caught up in paying before the price break upgrades.