The game and movie industry would never be what we see today without 3D graphics. However, professionals need high-quality software to work with. The NewTek LightWave 3D is a shining example of such software. It is multiplatform, so that it can be run on macOS devices. We will tell you more about this program.

What is this program?

NewTek LightWave 3D for Mac is a professional 3D editor used to create models and graphic effects. An advanced toolkit for creating surfaces and shells is the crucial difference between this program and similar ones. The application interface is divided into two tabs. The first one displays the model and the toolbar for its creation, and the second has the settings for the animation and scenes. You can also configure the light sources and color correction in the latter tab. Other valuable features of NewTek LightWave 3D include support for PostScript fonts and macros, the ability to preview the future model in a wireframe form, an extensive set of textures, several rendering modes, and advanced tools for creating reflections and shadows.

Like any three-dimensional editor, LightWave 3D uses many system resources and is quite demanding for the hardware of your computer. The process of rendering finished scenes is incredibly resource-intensive. This is a really "heavy" and multifunctional solution designed for professionals.

Primary functions

NewTek LightWave 3D for Mac has the following features and functions:

• It has more than a hundred tools for 3D modeling;

• Allows you to customize light attributes and create special effects, such as smoke or fog;

• Great for building surfaces and shells; supports five types of rendering;

• Allows you to create realistic reflections and shadows;

• Can work with macros;

• It has a well-thought-out graphical interface;

• It has a fast rendering mechanism that supports practical reflections and refractions;

• Allows you to create virtual models of physical locations using cameras and other inputs;

• It keeps various info, including mice, tablets, game controllers, and sensor arrays.

NewTek LightWave 3D can render animated and static 3D images using the convenient size of pallets of video game creation and editing tools. You can draw your 3D elements using a rapid layer-based system, a more attractive but powerful node-based system, or both. NewTek LightWave also includes effective procedural, node, and critical animation tools to help realize your 3D creations.

Additional program features

NewTek LightWave has many features that make it easy to add CGI effects during filmmaking. With Virtual Studio Tools, a crew can go through a set with cameras and other input devices, and LightWave will create a virtual copy of the set. It can even reproduce the lighting that is on the set.