Greater Stability, Speed with LightWave 6.5.(Product Announcement)

According to NewTek, the latest version of its LightWave modeling and animation software was slated to be called Version 6.1. But the program eventually became so feature-laden that the company dubbed it Version 6.5 instead.

Leading the list of new features are increased stability and speed. Among other enhancements are a UV texture atlas for automated complex UV map creation; continuous and discontinuous UV mapping; light and textures that can be "baked," or incorporated into objects; optimized bone deformations; and a soft-body dynamics engine that is now integrated with the interface, enabling interactive simulations. The new version also features an integrated particle system that includes custom nozzles, winds, particle properties, launch behaviors, and collision options.

Mike Hulme, senior artist at the game development firm Namco ...