[nemac4]

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

[Fallenswordsman]

<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.

[colto]

Any news on an updated SDK for FPrime?

[promethius]

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.

[Fallenswordsman]

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.

[promethius]

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?

[Fallenswordsman]

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

[coremi]

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.

[promethius]

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.