LightWave 3D Group intros new HDR Light Studio Live Connection Plugin

Newtek’s LightWave 3D Group has announced an exciting new plugin for LightWave 11.6. The company reports that software developers continue to create powerful new enhancements that complement the features of LightWave 3D software.

The newest to market is HDR Light Studio Live Connection, from the developers at HDR Light Studio. This plugin offers real-time lighting sessions for the creation of HDRI maps with instant feedback in the LightWave Viewport Preview Renderer (VPR).

From within the LightWave 3D viewport, including VPR mode, artists can position lights directly in a shot for instant visual feedback using a point and click approach. This simplicity saves time and speeds the workflow.

“It’s exciting to see HDR Light Studio go to market with its new Live Connection plug-in for LightWave—the first designed to directly support LightWave’s VPR,” said Rob Powers, president, LightWave 3D Group. “By offering an interactive, real-time lighting tool that takes advantage of the power of the VPR in LightWave, artists are free to easily explore different image-based lighting scenarios.  Image based lighting was a first in LightWave; it creates very realistic and subtle lighting of a scene. HDR Light Studio’s ability to tap into the VPR to extend image-based editing makes it an essential tool for any LightWave artist.”

01 – HDR Light Studio 4 plugin now available for LightWave 3D. (image courtesy of HDR Lightmap Ltd.)

HDR Light Studio Live Connection features include:

• Non-destructive, interactive HDRI map creation and editing
• Live Connection between HDR Light Studio and LightWave 3D
• LightPaint — point and click positioning and selection in views, including the VPR
• Controllable procedural light sources and library of HDR lights, including HDR captures of studio light sources
• Layered lighting system with blend modes

Other features in HDR Light Studio Live Connection include the ability to enhance existing HDRI maps via localized adjustments to color, exposure and saturation; augment existing HDRI maps with additional light sources; and store and manage preset HDR Light Studio environment designs in LightWave 3D.

Pricing and Availability

The HDR Light Studio Live Connection plugin is included in the HDR Light Studio 4 Complete Edition for Mac or Windows and is compatible with LightWave 3D 10 or higher, price is 500.USD or £299.

LightWave 11.6 is currently the shipping version from the LightWave 3D Group and is typically 1495.USD. There is a current promotional pricing of 995.USD.

Download a free full-feature 30-day trial of LightWave at www.lightwave3d.com/try.