Release Lightworks NLE available

[Brian Drysdale]

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. The biggest shock often being that it doesn't have a rigid layout, however, you can set the layout anyway you want depending on the operation you're doing.

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. plus the console.

Lightworks autosaves and now auto backups after every 10 editing operations.

This is the Windows version, Linux and then mac versions are to follow. Although some people are using bootcamp on their macs. Lightworks doesn't seem to be as demanding as some NLEs in computing power and people have been using older machines. Although, with say longer GOP H.264, you'll need a fast system with extra RAM etc for smooth operation.

You can upgrade from the free version to a pro version that uses a wide range of codecs (there's an education option as well) and AVID DN X HD is also an upgrade option. I notice that Boris is for sale, so that might be of interest as well.

You need the pro version to use directly use codecs from DSLRs and modern camcorders, otherwise you'll need to transcode to edit these on the free version. Note the titler is in the pro version. not the free version

[James Clarke]

the link does not work

[Brian Drysdale]

The web site is extremely busy. Last time I looked there was approx 10,000 users on the site, I suspect the site has crashed from the pressure.

EDIT: Just checked again the link is working, but there are nearly 17,000 users.

[Brian Drysdale]

A note for DSLR users among the known issues.

"Performance issues working with H.264 files natively. This will be resolved in the update shortly"

This aspect seems to be a work in progress. The drag and drop is noticeably different to the beta, however, I notice one rather neat scroll wheel function for viewing tiles in the bin has been lost. Hopefully, it'll return in the next update.

I notice there have been nearly 80,000 downloads in just over a couple of days. Although, I'm not sure how some of them are going to know what to do, since there has only been approx 1,100 downloads of the user guide. However, I expect many will be using the on line video tutorials that people have made.

UPDATE The scroll wheel function for viewing tiles in the bin will be back in the next build.

NOTE DSLR Post Prep seems to work well with the free version of LW

[Brian Drysdale]

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 since 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.

Regarding their web site forum, developers seem to be pretty quickly across any possible issue that might need adjustments to the software. There are some known issues which can be checked on the downloads page.

[Brian Drysdale]

It was a bit slow in getting going, but the educational license for teachers now seems to be available. I gather it does currently involve some e-mails.

[Brian Drysdale]

With currently over 160,000 downloads of V11 since Monday/Tuesday, Lightworks seems to arrived again from being a feature film niche player. Their next step is the 64bit version, which is due in the near future.

Lightworks is a neat option to have available and like selecting a camera, it comes down to if a particular NLE is the right tool for the job. It might look a bit strange to the IT eye and seem clunky at first glance, but this program is incredibly fast for editing sequences. All NLE's have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is a matter of matching up your requirements. One surprise is how small this program is, only 200 MB is needed compared to the GBs required by some of the other programs.

For anyone interested, here are links to some on line video tutorials. They're for the beta version, so some drag & drop aspects will have changed, plus you can import stills into the timeline as video and the Pro version has a titler. Like Photoshop there are a number of ways of doing things, so the methods used in one or two tutorials aren't the quickest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ZPs02cYB9lU

http://www.youtube.com/user/shaunslwvids?feature=watch

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...A&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSMPse?feature=watch

I don't know if Chris wants to create a Lightworks sub forum, but perhaps he might consider putting up a link similar to that used for the RED camera.

[Brian Drysdale]

With just over 250,000 downloads, some of those being multipliable due to downloading issues, Lightworks seem to be moving towards completing work on their web site. This will include a separate Pro community offering different forums.

There are some issues with installing Lightworks that are affecting a number of people - Sentinel HASP seems be causing particular problems. Unfortunately, solutions which seem to work with some people don't work for others. My Lightworks installed with the firewall and anti virus on, but these programs are seeming to cause problems for some people, even when they are switched off. Lightworks recommend switching them off when installing. Although, the vast majority of people seem to have installed without any difficulties.

There is some confusion over open source. Lightworks is not currently open source, that's at the 4th stage of Editshare's road map. I gather there are codes in the software which have digital copyright held by others, these have to be replaced. There seems to be various forms of "open source", so which Editshare goes for remains to be seen. Currently they seem to be prioritising the demand from people who want to use the program on the three platforms,

UPDATE I gather Lightworks are hoping to release an update, perhaps this week. I guess this comes from the feedback received over the last week following the initial V11 release, plus some work that missed out on that. Developers have been involved with the forum, picking up on issues raised.

[Brian Drysdale]

I understand the update that I mentioned should address the activation issues that some people are having.

[Brian Drysdale]

Originally Posted by Brian Drysdale

Lightworks autosaves and now auto backups after every 10 editing operations.

Perhaps this could be a bit confusing. Lightworks remembers every move, so if something crashes you don't lose anything, but it also auto backs ups every 10 editing operations. Sort of belt and braces.

People are finding that they can't use some of the codecs that were possible on the beta version on the new free version. The beta used Matrox codecs which aren't being used on the V11, so you may now need to transcode to use those unavailable codecs on the free version. The Pro version can import a wide range of codecs and having enough people subscribing to this upgrade over the longer term seems to be key to the viability of the project.

[Brian Drysdale]

Now that the release Lightworks has been out for just over a couple of weeks the main issues with V11 can be seen.

The activating and installing issues that a number of people are having is currently being addressed.

AVCHD files that contain AC-3 audio will not import with audio, apparently licensing restrictions are being investigated.

Native H.264 performance isn't currently satisfactory on the Pro version, a software update is due "shortly".

There is a pdf list of known issues on the Lightworks download page, which includes the last two issues. If any on the list affect jobs in hand or near future it would make sense to hold off using Lightworks for these productions until they're resolved or you've tested them to your satifaction. However, people are transcoding in the short term to get around the issues mentioned.

Interestingly, a few items that worked fine on the beta, don't work on the V11, but as they're reported on the Lightworks forum their developers seem to be addressing them.

A new manual is being worked on and I gather at least one writer is working on a book on using Lightworks. I suspect this will help with learning the program, because there can be a number of ways to do an operation with Lightworks and often there seems to be a quick, simple method hidden away that the pros have been using for years.

[Brian Drysdale]

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. For example, it's usually best 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... you can also do this with each track individually using the mouse.

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.

Currently an update is being tested, which they hope will address the issues spotted following the V11.release.

[Brian Drysdale]

Editshare have now launched the official training videos for V11 Lightworks. At the moment 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 false impression there's only one way and it looks a performance.

Tutorials

The previous online training videos were produced by members of the Lightworks forum and independent film makers.

[Brian Drysdale]

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".

[Brian Drysdale]

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.

People using Lightworks Free have found a number of free programs that can transcode codecs for use in this program. This also offers easier editing to people who have less powerful computers.