Photoshop Export
The Photoshop PSD Export image filter is an image saver masquerading around as an image filter. Being a filter allows it to have access to all the different internal render buffers. When you render a frame, a sequentially numbered PSD file is saved with each of the selected buffers placed into their own channel.

Powergons & Luxigons
Powergons allow you to execute a short Layout command script, which is attached to selected polygons in Modeler. You can use this feature to quickly add, say, lights using polygons for positioning. Moreover, all of the lights properties can be defined as well.

Virtual Darkroom 2.0 
Virtual Darkroom 2.0 puts the “photo” back in photo-realism adding grain and realistic light response to your renders. This new version includes a simplified interface and over 20 presets, simulating a variety of black and white and color stocks.

Caustics
Caustics in LightWave 3D provide fast and accurate light reflection and refraction. Generally, a caustic appears in the real world when light reflects off a curved surface or refracts through a transparent surface so that it is focused on a small area.

Digital Confusion
Digital Confusion is a new Depth of Field filter included in LightWave [7] which offers traditional depth of field control but also includes several additional features, including rendering of hidden geometry for accurate background blurring, and optional iris shapes for matching various camera styles, and also the aspect ratio and rotation angle of the camera lens.

HDRI
High Dynamic Range Images (HDRIs) are used to create a single image containing more color information than traditional photographic equipment. HDR Images are used in conjunction with Radiosity to help produce true-to-life environmental lighting. LightWave 3D is one of the first animation packages with built-in HDRI support.

Hypervoxels
Hypervoxels are NewTek's breakthrough rendering technology for greatly simplifying the creation of extremely detailed 3D surfaces. A Hypervoxel is a 3D pixel used to create volumetric effects such as liquids, fire, smoke, dust, ash, gelatin, rusted materials, clouds and many, many more. With surface, volume and sprite modes, nearly any effect and level of detail can be achieved.

Radiosity
Radiosity is the scattering (reflection) of light off of diffuse surfaces, which causes surfaces to become indirect light sources. LightWave 3D has a radiosity solution built in, which can produce some spectacular results, by essentially calculating bounced lighting for global illumination.

Spreadsheet Editor
Within LightWave [7], the spreadsheet scene manager organizes and allows the user to access and edit the properties of objects, in any number from one to 100. With expandable and collapsible sections, the user is able to quickly view sections of the scene, and edit pieces as needed.

Read the complete listing of all the new features in theShop!