NewTek Releases LightWave [6.5]b

NewTek has released a free update to LightWave, version [6.5]b, a maintenance upgrade that enhances the speed and stability of LightWave [6.5], and also includes new features and functionality. In addition to speed and stability increases program-wide, it adds new alert levels that are customizable based on the mode the user is in, whether its beginner, intermediate, or advanced Mode for error message displays. Open GL textures can now be displayed at a resolution of 1024 x 1024 for higher memory video cards. Other improvements include a new bones setting that will allow for more intuitive and accurate control when working with bones. The LScript system has been improved to be more robust, easier to use, and is now directly integrated into the core LightWave system. The Volumetrics tools have many improvements, including a new 'Cast Shadows' option in the volumetric lights panel, which will cast shadows caused by the light opacity. 'Volumetric Antialiasing' in the effects panel allows the user to disable the antialiasing of volumetrics, which allows for much lower render times when utilizing volumetrics. New HyperVoxels effects are included for Velocity Translate, Dissipate, Dissolve, and Dissolve and Expand. There is now a global intensity control for radiosity. The default, 100%, is the physically accurate setting, but there are now no limits. By using this setting, the user can amplify the effects of bounced light rays. Lightwave [6.5]b also has improvements in layer management, the Noise Reduction Tool, the Graph Editor, and adds new Custom Objects. The LightWave [6.5]b update is available immediately for download for Macintosh, and for Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT and XP.