LightWave 6.5 for Mac OS X can be downloaded from NewTek's website.

Discreet announced that it has begun shipping edit 6, the latest version of its NT based desktop non-linear editing system. Edit 6 incorporates enhancements for editing professionals with focus in four main areas: encoding and automated publishing for web streaming, advanced vertical editing and compositing, expanded effects capability, and workgroup services for producers, editors and assistants.
Read the whole PR at Discreet.com.

Computer Creative reviews FiLMBOX Studio 2.7, Kaydara's motion capture and NLA editing/blending tool.

Motion Analysis has released Solver 6.0, the latest version of its motion retargeting tool to aid animators using motion-capture data to create 3D characters. Solver allows the user to apply motion to any skeleton and to describe a bio-mechanical knowledge of that skeleton. The software preserves high-frequency movements, maintains subtle nuances of motion, accurately solves character skeletons with as much as a 30 percent difference in proportions and enables puppeteering capabilities for non-human characters, among other features.
Ascension Technology announced ReActor (sounds familiar? :-), an infrared active-optical motion capture system aimed at independent game developers and small to mid-size animation production houses. Reactor provides very clean data output with little or no post processing needed. Automatic marker recognition allows ReActor to reacquire markers momentarily blocked, minimizing lost data and increasing data quality. The system sets up in minutes and requires no calibration. Supports Max, Maya and FiLMBOX.

Kotoc, a group of Spanish animators, have posted another nice preview animation for their upcoming short Top Gum.

Adobe Atmosphere lets designers import objects created with leading 3D design tools such as 3ds max and Maya through importing Viewpoint file formats. The software integrates standard 3D web design technologies, such as connecting worlds through urls; linking in textures, sounds, and objects; and using JavaScript to animate objects, add sound, and program special effects. The Atmosphere browser is powered by the Viewpoint Media Player. Atmosphere beta is available for download.

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a cutting-edge device that may help you realize your wildest dreams while you sleep comfortably in bed. Stephen LaBerge has spent years studying lucid dreaming, defined as the experience of dreaming while knowing that you are dreaming.
Read the whole story at ABCNews.com.

Nik Foscarini, creator of the Ultrashock plugin, has updated his freeware plugins for 3ds max 4. You can get the plugins here: Translucency, Colorize and Starblur.