Vizrt Group has sold its LightWave 3D animation product, acquired during its 2019 acquisition of NewTek, to UK-based Andrew Bishop, creative director of LightWave Digital.

Bishop has over 30 years of experience in the animation and VFX industry. His team will take over development of the Emmy-Award winning LightWave 3D.

As users of the product for more than 25 years, Bishop and his team have a commitment to upgrading the software for its tens of thousands of users worldwide, Vizrt said.

“We did not make this decision lightly, but the aim has always been to ensure LightWave 3D has a future with a team that has a strong desire to breathe new life into the technology, bring more value to users, and usher in the next generation of 3D graphics for film, animation, and VFX,” said Michael Hallén, CEO of Vizrt Group. “We are certain under this ownership Andrew and his team will deliver this and more.”

Calling Lightwave 3D an “integral and widely used program” around the world, Bishop said he and his team are “immensely proud to acquire the software and take it forward under LightWave Digital.”