Tuesday, February 4th, 2025Posted by Jim ThackerLightWave Digital previews LightWave 2025html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"LightWave Digital has previewed LightWave 2025, the next major version of the 3D animation and rendering software.New features in the release, which is due out later this quarter, include new real-time preview rendering system RIPR, a new cel shading system, and updates to the character rigging toolset.The third major release from LightWaves new ownersLightWave 2025 will be the third major update to the software since late 2023.It follows a three-year hiatus during which development was suspended by previous owner Vizrt, which acquired NewTek, LightWaves long-time developer, in 2019.The softwares current owner, LightWave Digital, is a start-up whose management team comprises people who were closely involved with the software in its NewTek days, including former NewTek staff, plus key add-on developers and LightWave users.LightWave 2025: new procedural modeling, character rigging and rendering featuresLightWave 2025 features new tools for procedural modeling and both preview and final-quality rendering, and updates to the Rhiggit character rigging system added in LightWave 2024.Details can change during feature development, so well update this story once LightWave 2025 is released, but this is the summary that LightWave Digital sent to users last week:RIPRA real-time preview system designed for HDR-illuminated pre-visualisation. Seamlessly switch between VPR, RIPR, and GL previews without breaking your creative flow.Steppit, Handdit & PickkitThree powerful tools integrated into Rhiggit to help you bring characters to life more quickly than ever. Featuring automated walk cycles (with key framing), intuitive hand animation, and a streamlined joint selection system.LW ConstructAn instantaneous generator of stairways, bookshelves and decks with an intuitive user interface. Quickly create indoor or outdoor stairs, change the spindles, adjust the landing size and handrails, all with a click.Cel ShaderA post shading tool (visible in VPR) that offers impressive control over object and surface-based shading for a stunning stylised finish.For more details, you can find a recording of last weeks preview livestream on YouTube and a longer list of features announced during the previews on the LightWave Discord server.Price, system requirements and release dateLightWave 2025 is due out in Q1 2025. It is currently available to pre-order.The current stable release, LightWave 2024.1, is compatible with Windows 10+ and macOS 10.15+ (macOS 11.0+ for Apple Silicon Macs, and macOS 13.3+ to use the Octane renderer).New licenses cost 795 (around $980).Read an overview of the latest features in LightWave on the product website(No details of LightWave 2025 at the time of writing)Have your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsLightWave Digital previews LightWave 2025Check out the new features due in the 3D software, including the RIPD real-time preview, a new cel shader, and updates to character rigging.Tuesday, February 4th, 2025Check out the new features in the ForestPack 9.1 updatesLatest updates to the 3ds Max scattering plugin add new options to control the form of plants generated by 3D ivy generator ForestIvy.Monday, February 3rd, 2025See five great VFX breakdowns from the 2025 V-Ray showreelSee breakdowns of five key movies, TV series, cinematics and animated shorts created in V-Ray from Chaos's latest showreel.Monday, February 3rd, 2025Tutorial: Creating a Character for Games - Vol. 1Master industry-standard workflows for sculpting AAA game characters with The Gnomon Workshop's detailed new tutorial series.Monday, February 3rd, 2025How Vine FX created a parasitic underwater forest for The RigDiscover how the VFX studio used procedural growth simulation to create the environment for Amazon Prime Video's supernatural thriller.Friday, January 31st, 2025Boris FX releases Optics 2025Photoshop plugin and standalone app for applying cinematic looks to still images gets AI mask generation, Looks and new Particle Brushes.Friday, January 31st, 2025More NewsThinkinetic releases Pulldownit 6 for MayaAdobe launches unmetered access to Substance 3D AssetsAdobe releases Photoshop 26.3Check out free Android and iOS 3D scanning app RealityScan 1.6Free tool: Animation Render Time Estimator for BlenderChaos releases V-Ray 7 for HoudiniChaos releases V-Ray 7 for MayaAdobe releases Substance 3D Modeler 1.19Red9 ProPack gets new tools created for Sonic the Hedgehog 3JangaFX teases IlluGenCheck out the new features due in EmberGen 2.0Tutorial: Creating Runtime Cinematics in Unreal Engine 5Older Posts