HDR Light Studio launches LightWave3D plug-in

HDR Light Studio adds an exciting new way to light your shots in LightWave 3D.

Newtek LightWave3D users can now enjoy live lighting sessions with HDR Light Studio – for the real-time creation and editing of HDRI maps with instant feedback in the VPR view.

HDR Light Studio adds an exciting new way to light your shots in LightWave 3D that’s: easy, fast, creative, and produces stunning final results. Simply click on the LightWave viewport, even in VPR mode or an Octane Live view, to position your lights where you want them directly on your shot, with instant visual feedback. This point and click lighting approach will revolutionize your rendering workflow – saving time and improving your renders.

“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.”

Main HDR Light Studio features for Lightwave3D users:

• Non-destructive, interactive HDRI map creation and editing
• Live Connection between HDR Light Studio and LightWave 3D
• LightPaint – Point and click light positioning and selection in views (including VPR)
• Supports LightWave Renderer and Octane Render
• Highly controllable procedural light sources
• Library of HDR lights, including HDR captures of studio light sources
• Layered lighting system with blend modes
• Enhance existing HDRI maps via localized adjustments to color, exposure and saturation
• Augment existing HDRI maps with additional light sources
• Store and manage preset HDR Light Studio environment designs in LightWave 3D
• HDR Light Studio lighting is embedded in the LightWave 3D scene

“HDR Light Studio is the perfect accompaniment to LightWave3D, especially if you do illustrations or product design. The combination of LightWave’s VPR real-time renderer with HDR Light Studio’s live link and Light Paint makes it ridiculously easy to get the shot precisely as you want it. Need a rim light or nice reflection? Just click and it’s done. It also means less time messing with materials – no more faking it with Speculars. It’s quick to set up, and the integration is pretty much seamless. HDR Light Studio is easy to use and annoyingly addictive. CG is hard enough as it is, so be thankful there’s one less thing for you to worry about. “ Says Steve Jarratt – Freelance writer, editor and CG artist

HDR Light Studio Pricing and Availability

The HDR Light Studio live connection plug-in for LightWave 3D comes with the ‘HDR Light Studio 4 – Complete/Floating’ editions and is compatible with LightWave 3D versions 10 and above, on Mac and Windows. This new plug-in is a free update for existing customers and is available in their Lightmap store account today! Purchase HDR Light Studio 4 from just £299 at the Lightmap store or through our authorized reseller network. For more information please visit: www.hdrlightstudio.com/buy.htm

To find out more about this new plug-in, visit the LightWave 3D page at HDR Light Studio’s web site.

LightWave 3D Pricing and Availability

LightWave 11.6 is priced at $1495 (USD) but is currently available for a promotional price of $995 (USD). Registered LightWave 11 customers can upgrade to LightWave 11.6 free of charge; upgrade pricing from LightWave 10 or earlier versions is $695 (USD); the promotional price of $495. Educational pricing is also available.

To purchase or locate an authorized LightWave reseller visit www.lightwave3d.com/buy. Download a free full-feature 30-day trial of LightWave at www.lightwave3d.com/try.