NewTek Announces Early VT[3]™ Shipments to include Free LightWave 3D®

Maximum 3D Graphics Power For Real-Time, Multi-format, Multi-standard Integrated Production Suite.

Las Vegas, Nevada -- April 7, 2003 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced that forthcoming VT[3]™ full suites and software upgrades will ship with a full copy of NewTek's LightWave 3D® included, in lieu of LightWave Express, through June 30th, 2003. Those who purchase NewTek's VT[3] between now and when VT[3] is released are eligible to receive the VT[3] update free by download, and will also receive full LightWave 3D with their free upgrade.

"NewTek's philosophy has always been to deliver cutting-edge broadcast video and graphics technology with tremendous value propositions for our customers," said Jim Plant, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewTek, Inc. "Combining the full version of LightWave 3D with the real-time compositing, editing and video processing power of the VT[3] broadcast production system is yet another example of that philosophy in action."

VT[3] is an integrated production suite providing live switching, real-time keying, titling, compositing, 2D video painting, 3D modeling and animation, with the highest-quality uncompressed component digital video output. VT[3] offers built-in integration for a wide range of popular tools for effects production, including Digital Fusion®, After Effects®, combustion®, 3ds max®, and more, allowing artists to have instant feedback on what their shots, graphics elements, and composites will look like at broadcast time. LightWave 3D is the industry standard in 3D modeling, texturing, animation and rendering, used by a host of Emmy® and Oscar® nominees and winners to create powerful new visual realities for the screen.

"NewTek's VT allows us to complete projects under ridiculously short deadlines by letting us do in minutes work which would otherwise take hours," said Rich Helvey, lead animator for NBC's Access Hollywood. "With its tight integration with LightWave and Aura and its own robust set of video editing tools, and real-time operation, VT lets me be as creative as I want to be. When it comes to 3D animation, LightWave® is fast enough to handle our nightmare 4-hour deadlines, flexible enough to let me create whatever I need, and it just looks fantastic. It just flat out works.”

VT[3] Features include:

• Ease of use - designed for professionals who need to get work done on time and on budget
• Complete suite of virtual equipment all done in software - monitors, decks, switchers, waveform/vectorscopes, audio mixer and more
• Integrated timeline and storyboard editing
• Multiple layers in real-time - as many as your system can handle - not limited in the software
• Real-time keyframeable color correction and blur
• Multi-format and multi-standard editing, with standards conversion on the fly in real-time
• Real-time playback of compressed and uncompressed clips
• Native DV support, component, Y/C, and composite I/O
• Real-time 3D transitions, slow motion and reverse, chroma and luma keying
• 2D video paint with pixel tracking, filters, more
• Optional SX-8, 8-component up to 24-composite input Switcher
• Optional RS-8 Switcher Control Surface

LightWave 3D features include:

• World-class rendering
• Fast, versatile Modeler
• Powerful scripting language
• Character Animation tools
• Particle Effects
• Fast and easy keyframe animation
• Easy import of Illustrator® data
• Easy integration with other production tools

Pricing and Availability
VT[3], regularly priced at $2995US, will be $2495US from now until VT[3] ships, and those purchasing during this special promotional period will receive the VT[3] software update at no additional charge for the downloadable version, or may purchase a convenience upgrade on CDs for $99US. Price of the VT[3] software update, when it becomes available, will be $595US for registered VT[3] owners. Price of VT[3] to be announced on release, but no less than $2995. For information on the nearest NewTek authorized reseller and turnkey system partners, see http://www.newtek.com/resellers.

About NewTek
With headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, NewTek is a leading provider of full-featured video editing, animation and special effects tools including VT®, LightWave 3D® and Aura Video Paint™. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary VT®. The company’s products are used worldwide on projects ranging from home video to feature film. Recent television and film projects using NewTek software include Firefly, Taken, Smallville, Birds of Prey, Star Trek: Enterprise, We Were Soldiers, Panic Room, Hart’s War, Driven, A.I., Oscar®-nominated Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down, The Time Machine, Behind Enemy Lines and Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Director’s Edition DVD. Recent game titles include Doom III, Unreal Tournament, Serious Sam for XBox, Age of Mythology, Civilization III, Dead to Rights, Baldur’s Gate II, EverQuest and Escape From Monkey Island. Website: http://www.newtek.com

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•VT®, LightWave® and LightWave 3D® are registered trademarks of NewTek.
•VT-Edit, Aura Video Paint, LightWave® Express, VT-CG, VT-Vision VT-Scope, VT-DRR, SX-8 and RS-8 are trademarks of NewTek, Inc.
•All other products or brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.