What set the NewTek Forums apart from generic tech boards was the . It wasn't uncommon to see NewTek engineers and leadership—sometimes even founder Tim Jenison himself—engaging with users. This direct feedback loop meant that user feature requests often made it into the next software build.
High-end artists would share their renders, offering a peek into the workflows used for Hollywood blockbusters.
At the center of the NewTek Forums was . In the 1990s and early 2000s, LightWave was a powerhouse, used extensively in iconic television shows like Babylon 5 , seaQuest DSV , and Battlestar Galactica . newtek forums
With the recent sale of LightWave to a new dedicated team, a new wave of forums and Discord servers has emerged to support the software's revival.
Furthermore, the "Old Guard" of the forums was famously helpful. Despite the steep learning curve of 3D modeling and live production, the community maintained a "pay it forward" attitude, welcoming newcomers into the fold. The Transition to Vizrt What set the NewTek Forums apart from generic
The modern home for official support and networking.
In 2019, NewTek was acquired by . This marked a shift in how the products were supported and how the community gathered. While many discussions have migrated to social media groups and the official Vizrt support portals, the archived NewTek Forums remain a treasure trove of technical knowledge and industry history. Finding the Community Today High-end artists would share their renders, offering a
While the landscape of NewTek (now a part of ) has evolved, the legacy of its forum culture remains a fascinating case study in how a dedicated user base can shape the development of industry-standard software and hardware. The Hub of 3D Innovation: LightWave 3D
The NewTek Forums were a cornerstone of the CG and broadcast world. They represented an era where software wasn't just a tool, but a community. For anyone still rocking a copy of LightWave or managing a TriCaster rack, the spirit of those forums—one of relentless curiosity and technical excellence—continues to drive the industry forward.