Does LightWave v9 require the dongle?
Yes. LightWave v9 will utilize the hardware lock dongle for software protection. The dongle should remain attached to the artist's system when LightWave 3D is in use.

Is LightWave v9 compatible with the parallel-port dongle?
Yes. For artists operating on the 32-bit PC platform, LightWave v9 will work with the parallel-port dongle. We do encourage all users to upgrade to the newer, more flexible technology of the USB DUO dongle, which can be done for free at the time of a LightWave 3D upgrade, but we will continue to support the parallel-port dongle for the foreseeable future.

For artists wishing to utilize the 64-bit PC platform, we are only able to offer support for the USB DUO dongle at this time. We will continue efforts to work with the dongle manufacturer to provide 64-bit drivers for the parallel-port dongle in the future.

Will a software key be made available for LightWave v9?
NewTek is constantly reviewing options for software protection to help you protect your investment, and we are considering the possibility of new methods for the future. At this time, we believe that the hardware lock offers the individual artist the greatest degree of flexibility for using LightWave 3D on the machine, and at the location, of their choice.

Will a network dongle be available for LightWave v9?
The network-based licensing issue is still in consideration, but a solution is unlikely for the v9 cycles. The currently available options with the SafeNet network dongles do not offer the functionality needed to support NewTek and third party licensing requirements. Other approaches to the problem would need to be developed.

Will there be a LightWave v9 demo version available via download?
Yes. Now that LightWave v9.5 has been released, we plan to make a downloadable demo version of this most recent update available. Unlike LightWave 3D demos prior to v9, , this version will be time-limited, rather than feature limited, allowing those interested in taking LightWave 3D for a test drive to realize the full potential of the application. More details of this new offering will be posted as they are made available.

Is there news with regard to the port to XCode and compatibility with Intel Macs?
NewTek has completed the XCode port in the v9 cycle and released the Universal Binaries version of LightWave 3D, with full support of both PPC and Intel-based Macintosh computers.

In addition to advancements in Character Animation and Layout for LightWave that have been mentioned, what are the plans for improvements to Modeler?
We have made major improvements to Modeler in the v9 series, including a new state-of-the-art OpenGL engine and performance improvements in the selection system. A wide variety of maintenance fixes have also been implemented. Further work on bringing modeling capabilities in LightWave up to state-of-the-art performance and workflow will continue beyond the v9 series.

Many tools do not yet recognize edges. When will they be fully implemented?
A number of improvements for edge support have been implemented during the v9 cycle. Work on improving functions for edge support will continue beyond the v9 cycle.

Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces seem slower to work with than Subpatch surfaces. Will there be improvements?
Work to optimize performance of Catmull-Clark subdivision surfaces continued throughout the v9 cycle, and will continue beyond. It must be noted, however, that the speed is one advantage that LightWave subpatches offer and is among the many reasons we have retained it as a choice for subdivision surface modeling.

Why aren't there more modeling tools in Layout?
The migration of modeling tools into Layout will be longer and more involved than we first thought, and we are putting a great deal of thought and effort into the design. There are many issues in Layout that need to be addressed in order for us to really open up modeling power in Layout, but we are working on them with dedication. The design and implementation work will need to continue beyond the v9 cycle.

Will LightWave v9 have instancing?
As with the integration of modeling tools within Layout, the addition of instancing will be longer and more involved than we originally thought. We have proceeded in the v9 series with a number of changes in core operation of LightWave, but additional design and implementation is needed that has taken instancing beyond the scope of the v9 updates.

What character animation improvements can we expect in v9 and when?
For the v9 series, a number of improvements to the character animation system have been implemented. A variety of improvements have been made to IK controls and calculations to improve the users ability to get precisely the action they need from their IK performers, including IK/FK blending controls and the first Soft IK option native to a major applications. A new joint-type bone system has been added which provides a more familiar rigging capability for those used to joint-based system in other applications. The joint-based system also provides for improved import capabilities from such other applications.

Is the SSS in v9 an entire shading model or just a surface aspect?
Actually, there are two SSS shader implementations and four SSS materials in v9. Each is an entire shading model, and all have a variety of choices to let the user determine how to balance the look and the level of effect desired versus render time. Two of the materials are specialized for skin - FastSkin and SimpleSkin. All, however, can be adapted to produce a wide range of effects.

Will LightWave v9 have improved UV Editing Tools?
The version 9 releases address some necessary fixes in the current UV tools; we will be addressing new and improved features for UV editing beyond the v9.X cycles.

Have changes been made to the SDK to enable the use of third party renderers?
LightWave is known for its renderer (indeed, v9 is currently rendering 2-3 times faster than v8.5), and NewTek will not abdicate the task of rendering to outside interests, as almost all of the other 3D applications in our market have done. That makes no sense to us, given our business model, and our demonstrated ability to deliver a world-class rendering solution. With that commitment and capability duly noted, we are in fact making changes to the way our native renderer integrates with the rest of the application that would also be of benefit to third parties. In addition, we are working closely with Worley Labs for their input on SDK features for improving integration with FPrime and their other products which include rendering services, as well as receiving input from other developers interested in providing rendering compatibility with LightWave. All of these efforts sum up to an extensive set of changes to the code and the SDK that will make it easier for developers to implement rendering products as time goes forward.

Lastly, it is worth noting that while some developers have expressed that they feel they need NewTek to make changes to better accommodate third party rendering solutions, the publicly available SDK for LightWave 3D has always made it among the easiest of applications for other developers to support. At least three other 3D applications natively load and render LightWave scenes and objects, and several third party renderers do as well, so this approach to rendering compatibility has long been available and many have taken advantage of this option.

Will FPrime work with v9?
FPrime works very well with the current v9 update. The most recent update to FPrime includes features that require the newly released v9.5 update, though some additional development is needed for FPrime to take full advantage of the new features in that update. NewTek and Worley Laboratories are in close communication as developments proceed on both sides. We recommend contacting the developer directly for further information on product compatibility.

What changes have been made to the SDK to benefit Worley specifically?
Our discussions with other developers are confidential in nature so we can't disclose any specifics, but Worley Labs is certainly among the developers who provide us with very useful input on SDK development. As with the implementation of new features, SDK changes are made based on what will have the most benefit to the most users and the ability to integrate them with the ongoing changes to the LightWave 3D code base. A number of third party developers are members of the LightWave beta program and their input is taken into account on a continual basis.

Is Poetry in Motion a part of LightWave v9 Layout?
Poetry in Motion is a third-party product, currently in development by Lucid Lights. More information about it can be found on a number of LightWave-focused forums.

Will all my third party plug-ins work in LightWave v9?
Unfortunately, we aren't able to test all third party plug-ins. We recommend that you contact the developer for up-to-date information on LightWave v9 compatibility. And you may always recommend to the developer to contact NewTek for information on maintaining compatibility with LightWave 3D.