May
After a year with version 11.0 of Lightworks for Windows, now comes the 11.1 update, whose main new features affect its Pro version.
The big news is that the licensing system has been changed, replacing HASP with the new ELS(EditShare Licensing System). The Lightworks team has made this decision because HASP was not very popular with users and was more complicated to distribute. They hope that those who would have been put off by this issue will now be encouraged to try this editing system.
And speaking of testing the software, with the upgrade also comes a free 30-day trial of the Pro version (the paid version of Lightworks). This will allow you to use the camera footage without transcoding (due to the format restrictions of the free version).
Once the 30-day period is over, you can choose whether you want to stay in the Pro version or “downgrade” to the free version. It should be noted that the price of Lightworks Pro is $60 / €50 / £40 per year, so if you like the program it is probably worth it.
The entire installation and registration process has been simplified. Now, with the new licensing system, you only have to log into the application using your Lightworks username and password (an Internet connection is required). Those who have a license (that has not expired) should log in to the new version in this way and will be listed for activation (valid for the Pro and additional Avid DNxHD licenses).
The next improvements we found are related to the whole media management process. Now, in the Pro version, it is possible to specify where you want the media directories to be stored, using the “Disk manager” tool, and the local projects, with the “Manage project spaces” function.
The ability to link files and the entire workflow with AAFs has been improved:
- Support for linking audio instead of copying it locally.
- Support for linking files via ALE import (which must contain a valid media location).
- Support for automatic relink when importing an AAF.
- Ability to enable or disable detection of split MXF files.
- Support for subclips without V-tracks in AAF import or export.
- Ability to automatically bring multi-level subclips to a single level when exporting an AAF to Avid.
- Ability to read and interpret Avid markers as benchmarks in Avid AAFs.
There are also new third-party media, operating systems and formats:
- Blackmagic Design I/O device support (only in the Pro version and requires drivers 9.5 or higher).
- Support for Windows 7 64 bit with a separate installer (Pro version only).
- Native support for MP4/H.264 without using QuickTime.
- Initial file support at 48fps.
- Added 1080PsF as output format.
- In the free version MP4/AVCHD (MTS/M2TS) media can be imported, only as transcoding.
Other new features include icons that show the status of an edition when using shared projects: Green= you are the owner. Yellow= there is no owner. Red= owned by another user. In addition, there is a new default feature that automatically unjoins all clips when you unjoin a cut point with the mouse (this can be disabled from settings or by pressing ALT).
Here you have all the information about the two versions of Lightworks and you can register.
And if you are interested in learning more about editing, at the end of June there will be an advanced film editing course taught by Jaime Estrada-Torres.
