CafeFX Utilizes LightWave 3D® to Provide Shots and Elements for Three December Films

NewTek's Award-winning Application Helps Digital Artists Meet Busy Schedule with
The Aviator, Flight of the Phoenix, and Blade: Trinity

San Antonio, Texas – December 29, 2004 -- NewTek, Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading 3D animation and video products, today announced that CafeFX artists used LightWave 3D in the production of content and shots for three major films opening this month. LightWave was used extensively for Flight of the Phoenix, Blade: Trinity, and The Aviator.

"Our artists applied LightWave in a variety of ways in the projects that are coming to the screen this month," said Jeff Barnes, President and co-founder of CafeFX. "They made use of all of LightWave's strengths, from the creation of the digital assets, all the way through scene setup, animation and lighting and then on to the rendering of the final image the audience will see on the big screen. This illustrates the designed-in flexibility that lets LightWave fit anywhere in the production pipeline."

Blade: Trinity was the first of the three films to open this month, and CaféFX used LightWave in the creation of the climactic final battle scenes for the action adventure adapted from the Marvel Comics series. LightWave's High Dynamic Range Intensity (HDRI) for lighting and texture mapping was crucial to the scenes involving an internal view of a deadly virus destroying vampires from the inside out, as well as the external CG animated demise of the infected, which had to blend with real footage and convincingly match the live actors. The final result was a scene that was such a show-stopper it drew compliments from director David Goyer, who sent a personal note to visual effects supervisor Everett Burrell.

Flight of the Phoenix opened next, on Friday, December 17th. Scott Gordon headed CafeFX's team for this project, which created about 90 shots using a variety of production tools. LightWave was used for modeling a number of objects for this project. These included a C-119 and various debris that were critical in the crash sequence that sets up the desert adventure.

The Aviator, already drawing positive reviews and much Oscar buzz as a top film for the year, opened on December 25th. LightWave was used to model, animate and render a number of shots and shot elements for the sequences involving aircraft. "LightWave was superior in handling metal, especially with HDRI-based reflections and textures," said Danny Braet, digital effects supervisor for CafeFX. "It was a breeze to get detailed textured models that held up at any resolution, up close or at distance. Our client was pleased with the realism we were able to achieve."

Pricing and Availability
LightWave 3D [8] is available now for Mac and Windows platforms for $1595US full-version and $495US upgrade. For a limited time, purchasers of LightWave 3D full seats or upgrades in North America and participating regions will receive REALVIZ's ImageModeler® 4.0, a $1380US value, at no additional charge, on CD with electronic documentation. For more information on the items offered, to locate a reseller, or to purchase direct from NewTek, visit: http://www.lightwave3d.com/partners/realviz or call NewTek Sales at 1-800-843-8934, overseas callers dial +1-210-370-8000.

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[4]™, and LightWave 3D®, winner of the 2003 Primetime Emmy® Engineering Award. NewTek launched the desktop video revolution in 1990 with the release of the legendary Video Toaster®. 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 Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, "I, Robot", Spiderman 2, The Manchurian Candidate, Exorcist: The Beginning, Garfield, Hellboy, Van Helsing, Triplets of Belleville, The Last Samurai, Torque, Children of Dune, Battlestar: Galactica, Firefly, Taken, Smallville, Star Trek: Enterprise, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Matrix Reloaded, Collateral Damage, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Agent Cody Banks, Daredevil, Spy Kids II, Oscar®-nominated Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Final Fantasy, Blackhawk Down 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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