LightWave is a complete 3D solution to model, render and animate. Used extensively in broadcast television production, film visual effects, video game development, print graphics and visualization, LightWave is responsible for more artists winning Emmy® Awards than any other 3D application.

Product Details

These days, with the creative process, artists need to move at maximum speed in order to tackle incredible deadlines, demanding work and high expectations. Using LightWave™, either exclusively or in a pipeline, makes it possible for an individual, a small team or a major facility to see their dreams and ideas come to life, with award-winning quality work, on time and on budget. LightWave artists all over the world say they can count on it for speed, flexibility, value and control.

NewTek LightWave 10 delivers a whole new set of groundbreaking tools for 3D artists. Whether you work alone or play well with others, LightWave 10 has the tools you need to turn your dreams into gorgeous graphics and amazing animation for film, television, print, design … or simply to satisfy your desire to create something really cool. LightWave 10 gives you more speed, flexibility and control, along with new, interactive tools that let you model, render and animate, quickly and affordably. Plus, LightWave artists have won more Emmy® Awards for visual effects and animation than any other CG artists. Now that’s cool.

LightWave 10 benefits artists with unique, new capabilities not found in any other 3D application, like instant feedback from the Viewport Preview Renderer (VPR), the precision of a complete Linear Color Space Workflow, real-time Anaglyph Stereoscopic Preview, and Virtual Studio Tools that deliver real-time virtual walkthroughs.

LightWave 10 Modeler and Layout, with an updated and refined user interface, deliver extensive new data interchange tools that provide seamless integration into multi-application pipelines. LightWave 10 also includes NewTek’s next generation CORE technologies with real-time OpenGL views of Ambient Occlusion, Bloom and HDRI background images, Python-based expressions and scripting, Bullet rigid body dynamics, sophisticated UV mapping capabilities and much more.

NewTek LightWave™ is the backbone of fast, efficient 3D pipelines. Day in and day out, LightWave artists deliver stunning graphics and animation on time and on budget. LightWave artistry is everywhere, from blockbuster feature films and primetime television, to the cover of Rolling Stone. The result of the collaboration between artist and LightWave is that more Emmy® awards for visual effects and animation sit on the mantels of LightWave artists than any others.

Today, that mighty collaboration between artist and NewTek has created a new LightWave. LightWave 10 is innovative, interactive and immersive. Built on a NewTek tradition of pioneering groundbreaking 3D capabilities, LightWave 10 maintains the fast, efficient workflow and powerful, proven render engine you’ve come to depend on, with seamless integration into diverse pipelines.

LightWave 10 benefits artists with unique features not found in any other 3D application, like a Viewport Preview Render (VPR) and CG hardware enhancements that give you an immediate look at changes to your rendered scenes, and real-time OpenGL views of Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, Anaglyph Stereoscopic and HDRI background images. LightWave 10 delivers the power of Modeler and Layout with next generation CORE technologies, such as immersive real-time and game tools, Python-based expressions and scripting, Bullet rigid body dynamics and sophisticated UV mapping capabilities.

LightWave 10 New Feature Benefits

LightWave 10 FAQ

What is LightWave 10?

All new LightWave, incorporating next generation CORE technologies with enhanced Modeler and Layout, includes interactive display and rendering tools, data interchange enhancements, new immersive real-time and game tools, Bullet rigid body dynamics, and new UV mapping tools.

Does LightWave 10 include LightWave CORE?

As a LightWave 10 owner you get enhanced Modeler and Layout which incorporates LightWave CORE technologies and you also get preview builds of LightWave CORE. LightWave 10 with CORE will be delivered free to all owners of LightWave 10 when it ships in 2011.

What are the highlights of LightWave 10?

Viewport Preview Renderer (VPR)

Delivers instant results with real-time views of scenes and objects, that include interactive lighting and surfacing, support for volumetrics, including HyperVoxels, volumetric lights, and many third party volumetric plug-ins, animation preview support, and an intuitive screen grab workflow to quickly save iterations of your work in progress.

New Data Interchange Tools

Provide an updated MDD workflow with integrated support for Autodesk® Geometry Cache, which includes multi-baking and a nodal MDD player, along with FBX® and COLLADA™ support, making it easy to move data from one application to another.

Linear Color Space Workflow

Supports consistent gamma, color space and custom Look Up Tables (LUTs), which give you more realistic, real-world lighting values and help maximize compositing flexibility in a professional pipeline.

Virtual Studio Tools

Offer support for the InterSense VCam and 3Dconnexion line of 3D mouse products, for a true, interactive virtual experience with your 3D content, within Layout and Modeler. Fly through 3D scenes in real time, with control of light placement and camera, and interactive model manipulation directly in LightWave Layout and Modeler.

Anaglyph Stereoscopic Preview

New stereoscopic camera rig with support for both parallel and convergent setups, including a full anaglyph stereoscopic preview, with real-time interaction in the OpenGL window and full support for dynamic convergence (zero parallax) and dynamic eye separation (interocular) envelope values.

Updated User Interface

With interactive channel sliders, added control for custom colors and numerous workflow enhancements, like smarter default values, which together, deliver a more dynamic user experience.

Will I have to learn everything all over again to use LightWave 10?

No, LightWave 10 is based upon the familiar workflow you already know in LightWave. LightWave CORE and enhancements in Modeler and Layout offer new features and benefits that you will want to learn, but the workflow is the same.

What does LightWave 10 cost?

LightWave 10 is available now for a special, limited time offer that includes upgrades for $495 and full units for $895, along with many other benefits. When LightWave 10 with CORE ships in 2011, upgrades will retail for $695 and LightWave full units will be $1495.

Are there any special sales offers?

Yes, there is a limited time, special offer. Purchase LightWave 10 before LightWave 10 with CORE ships, and you’ll save hundreds of dollars, get LightWave 10 with CORE, a price guarantee on the next five LightWave releases, access to LightWave CORE preview builds, membership in the elite HardCORE community, a free LightWave 10 Rigging: Revealed DVD featuring artist, Lino Grandi, plus much more.

I own a student version of LightWave. Can I take advantage of this special offer?

This not an educational offer. Get information on special pricing for education by calling NewTek sales at (800)368-5441. However, as a student you have the option to upgrade to a commercial license for $495. Your purchase includes a price guarantee, access to LightWave CORE preview builds, membership in the elite HardCORE community, a free LightWave 10 Rigging: Revealed DVD featuring artist, Lino Grandi, and more.

I got in on the LightWave 10 special offer. When do I get my LightWave 10 Rigging: Revealed DVD?

LightWave 10 Rigging: Revealed DVDs will be available shortly after LightWave 10 with CORE ships, for your purchase made between July 26, 2010 and when LightWave 10 with CORE ships in 2011.

What is LightWave HardCORE?

LightWave HardCORE is an elite membership program. HardCORE members have access to preview builds of LightWave CORE, a private discussion forum for communication between members and NewTek development management, plus invitations to private events.

What are the benefits to buying now and becoming a LightWave HardCORE member?

• You save hundred dollars on your initial investment
• Your upgrade price will remain fixed for the next five LightWave upgrades at $495. If you stay current and buy each of the next five upgrades (starting with the release following LightWave 10) you will pay $495 for each upgrade rather than the existing retail price at the time (currently $695)
• You can begin working with the LightWave CORE software
• You will have access to preview builds of LightWave as long as you are a HardCORE member
• You have access to a private discussion forum with other LightWave HardCORE members and NewTek 3D development management where you will get LightWave information first
• You are a member of an exclusive club with invitations to private NewTek events and other access to other opportunities

Will LightWave HardCORE continue?

Yes, however new memberships to LightWave HardCORE will not be granted after LightWave 10 with CORE ships. This exclusive membership is only available to people who are members at the time LightWave 10 with CORE ships in 2011.

How do I continue to remain an active member in LightWave HardCORE?

Stay current with your upgrades. Upgrade within a grace period of 30 days and your membership in HardCORE will remain active.

As a LightWave HardCORE member, do I have to pay for LightWave 10?

No, your LightWave HardCORE membership includes LightWave 10 and the final shipping version of LightWave 10 with CORE.

My membership to LightWave HardCORE will expire when LightWave 10 with CORE ships. Do I have to renew immediately to stay in HardCORE?

No, you do not. As a current HardCORE member, your membership will extend and remain active until the next shipping version of LightWave is available.

Will LightWave HardCORE members continue to get new software builds after LightWave 10 ships?

Yes, HardCORE members will continue to receive preview builds of LightWave CORE until it ships in 2011. After that, HardCORE members will continue to receive preview software builds (two to three per year).

What is a LightWave HardCORE Charter Member?

A LightWave HardCORE Charter Member is any LightWave v9 registered owner who paid $395 and joined the HardCORE program prior to April 1, 2009. Customers who received free HardCORE memberships because they upgraded or bought full versions of LightWave v9 are not considered Charter Members, even if that transaction took place prior to April 1, 2009.

How do I know if I am a Charter Member?

Check the amount and date on your HardCORE membership purchase receipt. If you paid $395 and the purchase date is March 31, 2009 or before, you are a Charter Member.

What do I get if I am a LightWave HardCORE Charter Member?

Your original price to join HardCORE was $395. Your upgrade price will remain fixed for the next five upgrades at $395. If you stay current and buy each of the next five upgrades (following LightWave 10) you will pay $395 for each upgrade, rather than the existing retail price at the time (currently $695).

What happens if I am a LightWave HardCORE member and I skip buying an upgrade?

Your next upgrade price reverts to whatever is current at the time ($695 right now) and your membership in HardCORE is closed.

What happened to LightWave CORE?

LightWave CORE technology is part of LightWave 10. LightWave CORE integrates with enhanced Modeler and Layout. LightWave 10 owners have access to LightWave CORE preview builds through the LightWave HardCORE forums. LightWave 10 with CORE update will be free to owners of LightWave 10 when it ships in 2011.

How do I get my permanent LightWave 10 license key?

Step 1:
Copy the license key (which is also your HardCORE membership number) from your New Order Alert email, this is a 15 alphanumeric I.D. beginning with AAM

Step 2:
Plug your dongle into your computer and launch LightWave 10 Layout to get your Product Lock I.D.

Step 3:
Email your license key (HardCORE membership number starting with AAM) and your Product Lock I.D. to NewTek Customer Service at reg@newtek.com

Note: Your LightWave 10 software will run in Discovery Mode until you receive your permanent license from NewTek Customer Service

Step 4:
NewTek Customer Service will send a return email with your permanent LightWave 10 license key within 48 hours (During the normal work week)

Step 5:
Go to the LightWave 10 Help menu and choose Enter License. Enter your permanent license key number (from step 4) where prompted and restart LightWave

LightWave 10 will now run on your system

I own LightWave 10 how do I get access to the LightWave HardCORE forums?

Step 1:
Send your Forum ID to reg@newtek.com to request HardCORE forum access (If you do not have a forum ID create one here www.newtek.com/forums)

Step 2:
You will receive your LightWave HardCORE forum access confirmation email from NewTek. Please allow up to five working days for your request to be processed

Step 3:
Download preview builds of LightWave CORE from the NewTek Announcements section in the HardCORE forums

System Specifications for LightWave 10

Note: All systems require 750MB available hard drive space (excluding content), CD-ROM for Program Installation, and DVD-ROM for Content.
Minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.