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Release Lightworks NLE Available


Brian Drysdale

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After approx one and half years as a public beta, the release version is now available.

 

http://www.lwks.com/

 

Lightworks big selling point was that it was designed by editors, not computer people, so it really is a matter of feeling your way into it, rather than expecting it to be the same as other NLEs. However, it's no more difficult to learn than any other professional editing program.

 

There is a free version and a pro version with a small annual subscription, that allows a wide range of codecs to be used. Also, a half price eduction subscription. AVID DNxHD codec can be used at an extra cost.

 

This is the Windows version, Linux and then mac versions are to follow. Although some people are using bootcamp on their macs.

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There are a number of video tutorials around for the beta, although the release version has more powerful drag and drop. However, you may find it better to not get into drag and dropping everything, but use the mouse to click your way through timelines and make full use of the scroll wheel. This is a lot quicker than dragging stuff around. There is a specialist keyboard on sale at the new web site.

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For people using DSLRs, you'll need to transcode if using the free version. The codec often used by these cameras is one of the codecs available on the pro version at $60 or £40 for the annual licence. If you're a student you could check out the education option.

 

Lightworks doesn't seem to be as demanding as some NLEs for computing power, some people have been successfully using older machines.

Edited by Brian Drysdale
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For DSLR users there are currently "Performance issues working with H.264 files natively. This will be resolved in the update shortly"

 

However, DSLR Post Prep seems to work well with the free version of Lightworks, so that could be used in the short term. Although people with more powerful computers seem to be managing.

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If anyone is thinking of using the free version for a serious project, rather than just playing or testing, it would be a good idea to test your workflow and settings first.

 

Using the free version can involve transcoding and Lightworks is basically a broadcast and film NLE, rather than a multimedia platform, so you don't want to put a lot of work into editing something only to run into export difficulties. This seems to be more of an issue with the free version, since you don't have the wider range of codec options found in the Pro version.

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I gather a Lightworks update is due shortly. There has been over 260,000 downloads and I'd assume this should take on board some of the initial feedback on V11. The update is intended to improve the installation and activation, which has raised issues for some people.

 

Perhaps some of the pre release known issues may also be addressed if they've ready.

Edited by Brian Drysdale
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If it's taken then 1.5 years to release the final product, I wouldn't hold my breath for updates any time soon.

 

Last I read the update has gone to the alpha testers.

 

Updates on the Lightworks beta were pretty regular, how quickly Lightworks manages to sort out the AC3, which seems to be a licensing issue remains to be seen. This and improving the native H.264 performance are the issues that a number of people are waiting on.

 

There appears to be a short term workaround that members of the Lightworks forum have come up with for the activation/installation issues that some people were having.

 

I gather a lot of the original Lightworks software architecture was changed to allow an easier move to platforms other than windows, which could explain the delay for V11. The beta itself was stable at the end and a number of people were using it on commercial productions. The beta of the 64 bit version is due in early July.

 

One thing is sure, having following RED and other products in their development in this on line age, everything takes longer than you think.

Edited by Brian Drysdale
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I've has a chance to play with different methods of using Lightworks, although not with the console. Speaking to editors who've used it, that's like editing with a musical instrument, the fastest method.

 

I used the AVID keyboard shortcuts initially and although it works, it doesn't get the best out of Lightworks. Not having the Lightworks keyboard, I've used a normal keyboard combined with a print out of the layout and this is really logical. It would be even better with the dedicated keyboard, but you quickly pick up the main ones. There is some crossover with the JKL and other keys with the other NLE keyboards, so not totally different.

 

Drag and drop also works for moving clips around the timeline, although not precisely the same way as with say Vegas, you'll get into trouble doing so. There are three options on how a clip can be moved around by drag and drop inside the timeline, depending on what want to do with the material, basically replace, insert a copy and insert. The Ctrl and Shift keys select these.

 

It's usually better drag and dropping clips from the bin via the edit viewer (it automatically drops into the timeline), rather than directly into the timeline. Drag and dropping tends to be slower than the other methods and seems to work best combined with the keyboard; it's a lot quicker inserting a clip from the bin using the "V" key than dragging it.

 

There are quick, couple of mouse click methods of putting in dissolves and audio cross fades etc. There's the option of displaying audio waveforms, adjusting the audio levels and using audio nodes in the timeline. The fade in/out and other end of timeline clip features aren't that dissimilar to say Vegas. The Join and Unjoin button may seem strange, but it enables all the clip tracks at the play head to be quickly joined/unjoined for trimming (the clip ends curl so you can see your selection)... you can also do this with each track individually using the mouse. The Lightworks keyboard short cuts do this automatically when you select the trimming mode, so you have the option of which method.

 

Overall a bit of a learning curve, but that's no different to other NLEs, it's more a matter of if you like the way Lightworks does things.

Edited by Brian Drysdale
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  • 2 weeks later...

Editshare have launched the official training videos for Lightworks.

 

Just to add that these are introductory, "quick get you started" tutorials, but I gather there will be more advanced ones coming along. In these I expect they'll explore the fast methods of putting in the transitions like dissolves etc, just in case people get the impression there's only one way and it looks a performance.

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If it's taken then 1.5 years to release the final product, I wouldn't hold my breath for updates any time soon.

 

 

V11.0.1, the updated version of Lightworks is available for download. This fixes a number of issues found on V11 and has a number of improvements, including using AVCHD material with AC3 audio on the Pro version.

 

Because of this work the 64 bit Beta version has been delayed, but this is expected "before the end of the month".

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V11.0.1, the updated version of Lightworks is available for download. This fixes a number of issues found on V11 and has a number of improvements, including using AVCHD material with AC3 audio on the Pro version.

 

Great information,Brian.

Thanks for keeping us posted on the latest from Lightworks.

 

Do you know what the cost is for the Lightworks keyboard?

 

-Jerry Murrel

CineVision AR

Little Rock

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Do you know what the cost is for the Lightworks keyboard?

 

It's $140. http://www.lwks.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=yagendoo_flypage_1.tpl&product_id=21&category_id=13&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45

 

You need to add postage to that, I believe that's just under $19, unless you want next day delivery etc. I'm not sure how the VAT sales tax affects you buying from the USA.

 

Reports are that people are pleased with the keyboard, it's a bit more expensive than an AVID board, but the NLE software is a lot cheaper!

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  • 1 month later...

The new Lightworks 11.0.2 built is now available. This fixes a number of issues found on the previous build and adds some more features.

 

I gather Lightworks 11.1 will be available as a Beta download very shortly and the 64bit Beta version is still being worked on and will be available shortly..

 

They're planing to showcase the Linux version at IBC.

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  • 4 weeks later...
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For people wanting to use Lightworks Free, the Eyeframe converter seems to be the current tool of choice by a number of people for translating files into a format that can be used on the Free version. It's written by a member of the Lightworks forum. Links can be found on the Lightworks forum in the thread on Eyeframe.

 

Other options are DSLR Post Prep, Handbrake, GoPro Cineform Studio Free.

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  • 4 weeks later...

The next version of Lightworks 11.1 is now available as a Public Beta (11.1.c) for Windows. Anyone wanting to test it can find a link in their forum announcements page to join the Beta testing program. http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=34984&Itemid=81#34984

 

A number of the new features require the Pro Version of Lightworks, although there are also improvements to the free version.

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For people wanting to use Lightworks Free, the Eyeframe converter seems to be the current tool of choice by a number of people for translating files into a format that can be used on the Free version.

 

Since this now seems to be getting lost amongst the threads on the Lightworks Forum: EyeFrame - easy convert video to and from Lightworks

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  • 3 weeks later...

There is a new beta available for testing: 11.1d

 

New Lightworks Version 11.1.d Now Available as Public Beta

 

The 64 bit version is only available to Pro users (as against the Free version).

 

Of interest to people wanting to trial Lightworks is that "MP4/AVCHD (MTS/M2TS) media to be imported into the Free version as transcode only"

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  • 4 weeks later...

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