NewTek has released a major feature update for its Emmy-winning LightWave 3D. Version 8.2 features major changes to the renderer core to implement new technologies for anti-aliasing and new options for image reconstruction filters that can be applied to the final image to offer further control and enhancement of render output. A completely redesigned UV engine in the geometry core, which affects both Modeler and Layout, makes creating and editing UV maps easier and gives you more power with which to work.

"We're extremely pleased to bring this suite of enhancements to our LightWave user community," said Dr. NewTek’s Senior VP of Engineering Andrew Cross, PhD. "The exciting new technologies that we've developed for anti-aliasing and the addition of reconstruction filters to our render core continue our tradition of innovation in this area. LightWave's new solutions for UV mapping subdivision surfaces offer flexibility and power not found in any other 3D application, as well. Our team is committed to developing leading edge technologies, and will be building on these to bring our users more power and more value with every new release of this award-winning, industry-standard production tool."

According to a company press release, LightWave 8.2 includes:

• A completely redesigned UV mapping engine with:
• new UV Map Interpolation modes for Subpatch objects;
• new UV tear-off function to eliminate the need to unweld points for most UV edit functions;
• multi-selection of UV Maps for editing interpolation mode, etc.; and,
• user-selectable wireframe colors for UV Maps.
• Render core improvements, including:
• new Pixel Lattice Deformation anti-aliasing technologies;
• implementation of state-of-the-art Reconstruction Filters—Box, Gaussian, Mitchell, Lanczos; and,
• new "Mosaic" render mode for VIPER Preview system.
• IK Booster System improvements:
• IK Booster Ghost Mode—user selectable "onion skin" feature;
• new and improved functions for loading, saving, and copying motion data among hierarchies; and,
• new DopeTrack functions to support IK Booster.
• SDK improvements:
• 22 new functions and enhancements that boost the power of third parties to develop new LightWave tools and access LightWave's powerful core.

LightWave 3D 8.2 is available for Mac and Windows platforms for $1,595 full-version and $495 upgrade. While supplies last, purchasers of LightWave 3D in North America and participating regions will receive REALVIZ's ImageModeler 4 at no additional charge.