NewTek has released a behind-the-scenes video featuring the creation of visual effects sequences for Warner Bros., "300", the visually stunning adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel. Creating over 200 visual effects shots, Pixel Magic and Screaming Death Monkey put the full feature set of LightWave 3D® to work creating everything from set extensions to living smoke, oceans, skies, helmets, shields, swords, arrows and armies.

The video may be viewed by following this link: www.LightWave3D.com/profiles/300

LightWave v9.2 Training Bundle
Special Limited Time Offer

Now is the perfect time to step up to LightWave v9. For a limited time, NewTek is offering the LightWave v9 Training Bundle, a special offer that provides hundreds of dollars in training materials free with the purchase of LightWave 3D. By special arrangement with 3D Garage, Desktop Images, KURV Studios, Wordware Publishing and Replica Technology, purchasers of a new full or upgrade license of LightWave will be eligible to receive a training and royalty-free content package valued at over $350, free with every order!

The LightWave v9 Training Bundle includes the following materials:

• Tune Up for LightWave v9
  - Courseware by 3D Garage
• LightWave v9 Defined
  - DVD by Desktop Images
• Practical Lighting by Nicholas Boughen
  - DVD by Kurv Studios
• Essential LightWave v9 by Steve Warner
  - Book by Wordware Publishing
• The Interior Design Collection
  - Royalty Free Content by Replica Technology

This offer is valid on new full and upgrade commercial licenses purchased in North America between February 22, 2007 and April 30, 2007.

LightWave v9 Development Update

We’ve had an absolutely tremendous run in our recent Open Beta program for LightWave v9.2 and I’m happy to report we’re entering the final sprint to the finish. Those of you participating in Open Beta will soon see the build names change to Release Candidates. (Those of you not participating are missing all the excitement... all it takes is to be a registered owner of LightWave v9) We have targeted NAB for the “official” ship date of LightWave v9.2 so, from here on out it’s final testing and bug squashing.

Our planning team is madly preparing for the next Open Beta program and the advances that will come with the next free update to LightWave v9. We placed much of our focus in LightWave v9.2 on improvements to the LightWave render system specifically on global illumination and radiosity. Along the way, we’ve been taking careful note of your feedback and will be releasing information on our next area of focus in the upcoming weeks.

As we wrap up this latest round of Open Beta testing, I just want to reiterate again, how important this process has become to the development and advancement of LightWave. I’ve been in this business a lot of years and I don’t know of any other 3D software that is developed with this level of collaboration with the end users. I know it is deeply rewarding for us and we appreciate every idea, every concern and every suggestion you contribute on how to improve LightWave.

Congratulations to you all... you are what makes LightWave truly great.

Jay Roth
President, NewTek 3D Division

P.S. If you're already a member of the NewTek Discussion Forums, head on over to the LightWave v9.2 Discussions and LightWave v9.2 Gallery to join in the conversation. If you're not already a member, now's the time!

LightWave Universal Open Beta Update

We’ve been in Open Beta testing for LightWave’s Universal build for 3 weeks. We are very pleased with the results; we are progressing even faster than expected. Thanks to all of you who are actively participating. For all you Mac users that haven’t made the leap yet, get on board! All it takes is being a registered owner of LightWave v9.

LightWave Rendition for Adobe Photoshop

Yes, we have a new plug-in in development for Adobe’s latest release of Photoshop Creative Suite 3 Extended. We’re very excited about the prospects of helping traditional 2D artists move to a new dimension. We will have announcements and more information available shortly. For now, what you need to know is that LightWave Rendition for Adobe Photoshop is a render plug-in and no, we are not being bought by Adobe. :)

LightWave 3D Profile: Mark Kochinski

Mark Kochinski has been busy for years creating visual effects work for the likes of Rhythm & Hues, Digital Muse, Dreamworks, Flash Film Works, Digital Domain, S4 Studios and many more. NewTek sat down with Mark to find out what it's like to be a freelance artist, his history with LightWave and what he's been up to lately.

LightWave 3D Profile: Khalid Al Muharraqi

Based out of Bahrain, Khalid Al Muharraqi's work has spread like wildfire over the years and can be seen throughout the CG industry. From architectural visualization to fantasy illustrations, his work truly shows he is a master of his tools. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Khalid about his studio, Muharraqi-Studios, and to find out more about this talented artist.

KURV Studios' DVD
LightWave v9 Intro to Node Based Texturing

James Willmott has completed the first video training in his series on nodes for KURV studios. The focus of this video is not to teach you how James would use nodes but rather to show you how nodes work so you can design and create your own node based textures and surfaces.

The video goes much deeper buy showing you how to create more advanced node based textures using noise, gradients, as well as images and procedural textures. It's much more than just an introduction video; it will have you using nodes effectively in a few hours. If you have been avoiding nodes, add this powerful tool to your workflow, pick up our latest video, LightWave 3D Introduction to Node Based Texturing.

For this videos introduction, KURV studios is offering a 20% discount. Don’t wait, this discount ends March 17th. For more details please visit us at www.kurvstudios.com/special.php. To receive your discount, use coupon code ‘nodes-20’ when ordering.

NewTek Live! Tour 2007

If you haven't seen NewTek lately... you ain't seen nothin'. We got the goods and we're takin' 'em on the road to prove it.

SpeedEDIT: World's Fastest Video Editor - Resolution independent.
3D Arsenal: 3D Graphics for Video Editors - Motion graphics... real easy.
TriCaster PRO: Live Production System - Broadcast truck in a backpack!

Get on board the NewTek tour in the city nearest you. You'll be blown away!

NewTek @ NAB 2007

Stop by the NewTek Booth, in the South Hall, Booth SL8614, and find out how you can work more efficiently with NewTek's newest offerings in video production, motion graphics and animation. See how you can work faster with our demos of:

SpeedEDIT™, TriCaster Pro™, VT[4]™, LightWave® v9.2, 3D Arsenal™ 2.0

NewTek will hold their annual pre-NAB End User event on Sunday, April 15th from 7-8pm at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd South, in the Royale Pavilion, Rooms 2&3. Admission is free and light snacks will be provided.

KURV Studios' Friendsggraph 2007

KURV studios will be hosting a four day training event again this year in Las Vegas April 11-15, 2007. This year Timothy Albee, Nicholas Boughen, Tim Dunn, Dave Jerrard, Jennifer Hachigian and Larry Shultz bring you LightWave v9 character design, UV texturing, lighting, character rigging and animation, dynamics and rendering sessions.

LightWave 3D in the News

• SpinQuad Interview: Craig A. Clark
• Dear Sweet Emma: Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
• LightWave Group Interview: Steve Clark
• Tofu the Vegan Zombie: Thriller Music Video
• CGSociety Article: Babylon 5 Lost Tales
• LightWave v9 Texturing Book by Angel Nieves
• Studio Daily Article: Digital Domain Pepsi Amp Spot
• Digital Content Producer Article: Step by Step: Battlestar Galactica
• VFXWorld Article: 300: It's Miller Time
• Broadcast Newsroom Article: S4 Studios Brands Chiller Channel
• Post Article: SDM Creates 3 VFX Scenes for 300
• Studio Daily Article: Creating the Oracle in 300
• SpinQuad Interview: Neil Maccormack
• SpinQuad Interview: Marcos Piolla
• The Secrets of Organic Modeling DVD by Taron