Editing Lightworks

{{about|the video editing system, Lightworks|the British software company|Lightwork Design Ltd.}}
{{short description|Video editing software}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = Lightworks
| logo                   = Lightworks Logo.svg
| screenshot             = 
| caption                = Lightworks Beta 10.0.3 screenshot
| author                 = 
| developer              = [[LWKS Software Ltd]]
| released               = {{start date and age|1994}}
| discontinued           = 
| latest release version = 2021.1<ref>{{cite web|title=Lightworks for Linux 64-bit|date = 14 November 2021|url=https://lwks.com/index.php?option=com_lwks&view=download&Itemid=206}}</ref>
| latest release date    = {{Start date and age|2021|01|20}}
| latest preview version = 
| latest preview date    = 
| programming language   = 
| operating system       = {{unbulleted list|[[Linux]]|[[macOS]]|[[Windows]]}}
| platform               = [[IA-32]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Tech Specs and Compatibility|url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=174|work=LightWorks|publisher=EditShare EMEA|access-date=19 March 2013}}</ref>
| size                   = 93 MB
| language               = English
| genre                  = [[Non-linear editing system]]
| license                = [[Freemium]]
| website                = {{URL|www.lwks.com}}
}}

'''Lightworks''' is a freemium [[non-linear editing system|non-linear editing system (NLE)]] for editing and mastering digital video. It was an early developer of computer-based non-linear editing systems, and has been in development since 1998.  The development of an [[open-source]] version was announced on April 11, 2010.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100417060047/editshare.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=164&Itemid=160 EditShare – The Smart Way to Edit Together – EditShare announces Lightworks Open Source<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, no [[source code]] of the program has been released. In July 2020, a Lightworks product manager confirmed that they "still hope to announce something in the future" about Lightworks' open source development.

== Features ==

The free version comes with a limited number of features:<ref>{{cite web |title=Compare Versions |url=https://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=213 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 August 2016 |website=Lightworks}}</ref>
* Multicam editing
* Second monitor output
* Ability to import a range of file types
* Export to Vimeo (H.264/MPEG-4) up to 720p 
* Export to YouTube (H.264/MPEG-4) up to 720p 

The free version cannot export to DVD or Blu-ray, but can export to a hard drive (since Lightworks 14).

== History ==
OLE Limited was founded in 1994 by Paul Bamborough, Nick Pollock and Neil Harris. In 1995 it was sold to [[Tektronix]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nytimes.com/1995/04/11/business/company-news-tektronix-to-buy-lightworks-editing-systems.html |title=Company News; Tektronix To Buy Lightworks Editing Systems - New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1995-04-11 |access-date=2011-09-08}}</ref> In 1999 it was sold on to the newly formed Lightworks Inc., then owned by [[Fairlight Japan]], and then purchased by [[Gee Broadcast]] in May 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/First%20major%20order%20for%20Lightworks%20under%20new%20ownership.pdf|title=Docs and software downloads|first=Alexandre Stein|last=Interlab|access-date=2012-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517052020/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/First%20major%20order%20for%20Lightworks%20under%20new%20ownership.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/LWKS_PR_version2.pdf|title=Docs and software downloads|first=Alexandre Stein|last=Interlab|access-date=2012-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517055206/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/LWKS_PR_version2.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Gee Broadcast ownership, 2004–2009 ===
Under Gee Broadcast ownership, new product releases resumed with the release of the Lightworks ''Touch'' range,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/PR-1_Product_launch@IBC.pdf|title=Docs and software downloads|first=Alexandre Stein|last=Interlab|access-date=2012-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517052101/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/PR-1_Product_launch@IBC.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/PR-3_editors_feel_back.pdf|title=Docs and software downloads|first=Alexandre Stein|last=Interlab|access-date=2012-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517051322/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Press_Releases/PR-3_editors_feel_back.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the ''Alacrity''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Lightworks_Alacrity_MR.pdf|title=Docs and software downloads|first=Alexandre Stein|last=Interlab|access-date=2012-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517062338/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/Lightworks_Alacrity_MR.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''Softworks''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/lw_user%20doc/Softworks&Alacrity_Manual_rev_4.pdf|title=Docs and software downloads|first=Alexandre Stein|last=Interlab|access-date=2020-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517055715/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/lw_user%20doc/Softworks%26Alacrity_Manual_rev_4.pdf|archive-date=2019-05-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> ranges for SD & HD editing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://broadcastengineering.com/products/lightworks-softworks-new-version/ |title=Lightworks ships Softworks Version 1.1 |publisher=broadcastengineering.com |date=2006-10-27 |access-date=2012-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609023206/http://broadcastengineering.com/products/lightworks-softworks-new-version/ |archive-date=2008-06-09}}</ref> Softworks offered the Lightworks User Interface and toolset in a software only package for laptops or office workstations. Alacrity supported dual outputs while the same facility was available for Softworks users as an option.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/lw_user%20doc/Softworks&Alacrity_Manual_rev_4.pdf |title=Lightworks Softworks User Manual v4 |access-date=2012-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517055715/https://www.interlab-net.com/docs/lightworks/lw_user%20doc/Softworks%26Alacrity_Manual_rev_4.pdf |archive-date=2019-05-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== EditShare ownership, 2009–2020 ===
In August 2009, the UK and US based company ''[[EditShare]]'' acquired Gee Broadcast and the Lightworks editing platform from, along with their video server system ''GeeVS''.<ref>{{cite web |last=EditShare |title=EditShare Ships New Version of Flow Media Asset Management Solution - Press - News & Events |url=http://www.editshare.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=126:editshare-acquires-geevs-and-lightworks-technology&catid=43:press-releases&Itemid=184 |url-status=deviated}}</ref>

At the annual convention of the [[National Association of Broadcasters]], [[NAB Show]], on 11 April 2010, EditShare announced that they plan to transform Lightworks into Lightworks Open Source.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.editshare.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=164&Itemid=146|title=Welcome to EditShare|last=EditShare}}</ref> It was presented at [[International Broadcasting Convention|IBC]] in Amsterdam September 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://editshare.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=173&Itemid=54|title=EditShare|last=EditShare}}</ref>

On 9 November 2010, EditShare announced that Lightworks would be downloadable on 29 November of the same year, at first exclusively for the users who had registered during the initial announcement,<ref>[http://www.editshare.com/email/lightworks-nov10-online.html Lightworks News Nov 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112013052/http://www.editshare.com/email/lightworks-nov10-online.html |date=2010-11-12 }}</ref> but subsequently publishing the software as "public beta".<ref name="Lightworks">{{cite web |title=Lightworks |url=http://www.lightworksbeta.com/ |url-status=dead |access-date=2011-09-08 |publisher=Lightworksbeta.com}}</ref>

EditShare planned the release of the open source version in Q4 of 2011, after they finished [[code review]].<ref name="Lightworks"/> They plan to make money from proprietary plugins offered in their associated online shop, including plugins needed to access professional video formats. Shortly before the scheduled release date of 29 November 2011, EditShare announced that an open source release of the software would be temporarily delayed, but did not announce a new release date. The announcement noted that they were not yet satisfied with the stability of the new version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golem.de/1111/87980.html|title=Lightworks: Freie Videoschnittsoftware wird etwas später aktualisiert - Golem.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=263 |title=Announcement |access-date=2011-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525031007/http://www.lightworksbeta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=263 |archive-date=2012-05-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Windows version released at NAB 2012 ====
After an 18-month beta program, EditShare released Lightworks 11, for Windows only, on 28 May 2012. The non beta release of Lightworks includes a host of new features for editors, and runs on wide range of PC hardware. The software was re-designed and re-written for portability (versions for Linux and Mac OS X have also been released) and now supports many more codecs including AVCHD, H.264, AVC-Intra, DNxHD, ProRes, Red R3D, DPX, XDCAM HD 50, XDCAM EX, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K, but only for the paid Pro version. The free version supports DV, MPEG, Uncompressed and other codecs for both import and export.<ref>{{cite web |date=2012-05-28 |title=Lightworks: Top Features |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=182 |url-status=dead |access-date=2012-05-29 |publisher=lwks.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2012-05-28 |title=Lightworks: All Features |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24&Itemid=179 |url-status=dead |access-date=2012-05-29 |publisher=lwks.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2012-05-28 |title=Lightworks: Tech Specs and Compatibility |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=174 |url-status=dead |access-date=2012-05-29 |publisher=lwks.com}}</ref>

==== Windows version 11.1 released 29 May 2013 ====
On 29 May 2013, v11.1 stable release was made available for download. A major development in the Pro version is improved performance of the H.264/AVC codec in MP4 and MOV containers. This makes it possible to edit this format natively, even with less powerful CPUs. This should interest HDSLR and GoPro camera users.{{Why?|reason=Systems with discrete GPUs which anyone doing any sort of video editing or raw developing from DSLRs back then had were capable of hardware decoding H.264, which wasn't new at all.  The larger issue with video editing was and still is the computing power required to apply any filters, transitions, etc to video quickly enough to make editing them painless|date=November 2024}}  Native editing of H.264 MTS files has been possible since version 11.0.3.

This version of Lightworks has also replaced [[Aladdin Knowledge Systems#DRM|HASP]] with the new [[EditShare Licensing System]] (ELS), which eliminates some installation problems.{{Which?|reason=Probably the ones that revolved around hardware locks for software being absolute garbage,  Lightworks Free users can now download the 64 bit version, which was previously limited to Pro users.|date=April 2025}} The Free version now also comes with a 30-day Pro Trial period.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sandford |first=Matt |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=47457&Itemid=81 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607205451/http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=47457&Itemid=81 |archive-date=2013-06-07 |title=New EditShare Licensing System (ELS) |publisher=lwks.com |date=2013-06-28 |access-date=2013-06-04}}</ref>

==== Linux version announced at IBC 2012 ====
EditShare demonstrated the Linux version at the [[NAB Show|NAB]] in Las Vegas in April 2012, and posted a video of it running on Ubuntu on their YouTube channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5BvjHuHPg&hd=1| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518154428/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5BvjHuHPg&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2012-05-18 | url-status=dead|title=Screen capture of Lightworks on Ubuntu Linux|last=EditShare|date=25 April 2012|via=YouTube}}</ref> At [[International Broadcasting Convention|IBC]] in Amsterdam in September, an updated Linux demo was presented, and EditShare announced that the initial Linux alpha version would become available on 30 October .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://editshare.posterous.com/at-last-lightworks-for-linux-will-be-availabl|title=Good night, Posterous}}</ref> Lightworks 11 alpha for Linux was released on 30 April 2012, but only to a limited audience.<ref name=linux-alpha>{{cite web|last=Sneddon|first=Joey-Elijah|title=LightWorks for Linux Opens Alpha Access For Limited Time|url=http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/01/lightworks-for-linux-opens-alpha-access-for-limited-time|work=OMG! Ubuntu!|publisher=Ohso Ltd|access-date=19 March 2013|date=10 January 2013}}</ref> The Linux version of Lightworks was made available as a Public Beta on 30 April 2013.<ref name="11.1">{{cite web |title=It's Here - Preview Lightworks for Mac at NAB 2013|url=http://prmac.com/release-id-56324.htm |work=EditShare |access-date=8 April 2013 |date=8 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=36286&Itemid=81|title=Forum|date=14 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="linux beta">{{cite web |title=Lightworks LinuxPublic Beta Is Now Available To Download |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=44717&Itemid=81 |url-status=dead |access-date=2013-05-01}}</ref>

==== Lightworks 12 beta released for Windows, Linux and Mac ====
On 8 August 2014, the first beta of Lightworks version 12 working on Windows, Linux and Mac was released.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 November 2021 |title=Lightworks Release 11.5.2 Now Available To Download |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=76403&Itemid=81 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Lightworks 12.6 released for Windows, Linux and Mac ====
On 29 August 2015, Lightworks version 12.5 for Windows, Linux and Mac was released.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 November 2021 |title=Lightworks Version 12.5 Now Available on Windows Linux and Mac OS X! |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=101112&Itemid=81 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Lightworks 12.7 released for Windows, Linux and Mac ====
On 4 February 2016, Lightworks version 12.6 for Windows, Linux and Mac was released.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 November 2021 |title=Lightworks Version 12.6.0 Now Available on Windows Linux and Mac OS X! |url=http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=107714&Itemid=81 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Lightworks 14.5 released for Windows, Linux and Mac ====
In October 2018, Lightworks released version 14.5 for Windows, Linux and Mac platforms. 14.5 added a vast array of new features including variable frame rate support, a huge amount of codec support including Red Cinema R3D, Cineform and Blackmagic Q1 codecs.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

=== LWKS Software Ltd ownership, 2020-present ===
In September 2020, a new company, LWKS Software Ltd, founded in August of the same year<ref>{{Cite web|title=LWKS SOFTWARE LTD - Overview (free company information from Companies House)|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/12792578|access-date=2020-09-21|website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref> by two members of the development team, took ownership of Lightworks, as well as QScan AQC software. the agreement also mentions Key member of the development teams of both software joining the new company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lightworks Editing System Relaunched with New Company {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/lightworks-editing-system-relaunched-with-new-company|access-date=2020-09-21|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=15 September 2020}}</ref>

== Users ==

Over the years, Lightworks has confirmed that over 4-million downloads and registrations had taken place. There are several films that used the editing software and the most example were the series of films directed by [[Martin Scorsese]] with the film editor [[Thelma Schoonmaker]] being the only known user.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Film title !! Year !! Director !! Editor
|-
| ''[[Pulp Fiction]]''<ref name="lwks.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103&Itemid=214|title=Spotlight|date=14 November 2021}}</ref> || 1994 || [[Quentin Tarantino]] || [[Sally Menke]]
|-
| ''[[The Cure (1995 film)|The Cure]]''<ref name="productionbeast.com">{{cite web|url=https://productionbeast.com/organizations/38681-christy-s-post-production-center|title=Christy's Post Production Center|access-date=2017-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407054009/https://productionbeast.com/organizations/38681-christy-s-post-production-center|archive-date=2017-04-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> || 1995 || [[Peter Horton]] || [[Anthony Sherin]]
|-
|[[Congo (film)|''Congo'']]
|1995
|[[Frank Marshall (filmmaker)|Frank Marshall]]
|[[Anne V. Coates]]
|-
|[[Heat (1995 film)|''Heat'']]
|1995
|[[Michael Mann]]
|[[Dov Hoenig]]
|-
|''[[Braveheart]]''
|1995
|[[Mel Gibson]]
|[[Steven Rosenblum]]
|-
| ''[[Romeo + Juliet]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 1996 || [[Baz Luhrmann]] || [[Jill Bilcock]]
|-
|''[[Broken Arrow (1996 film)|Broken Arrow]]''
|1996
|[[John Woo]]
|[[John Wright (film editor)|John Wright]]
|-
| ''[[L.A. Confidential (film)|L.A. Confidential]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 1997 || [[Curtis Hanson]] || [[Peter Honess]]
|-
| ''[[Moulin Rouge!]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 2001 || [[Baz Luhrmann]] || [[Jill Bilcock]]
|-
| ''[[28 Days Later]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 2002 || [[Danny Boyle]] || Chris Gill
|-
| ''[[Bruce Almighty]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=214|title=Spotlight: Scott Hill|date=14 November 2021}}</ref> || 2003 || [[Tom Shadyac]] || Scott Hill
|-
| ''[[Revolutionary Road (film)|Revolutionary Road]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 2008 || [[Sam Mendes]] || [[Tariq Anwar (film editor)|Tariq Anwar]]
|-
| ''[[Centurion (film)|Centurion]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 2010 || [[Neil Marshall]] || Chris Gill
|-
| ''[[The King's Speech]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=214|title=Spotlight: Tariq Anwar|date=14 November 2021}}</ref> || 2010 || [[Tom Hooper]] || [[Tariq Anwar (film editor)|Tariq Anwar]]
|-
|[[Shutter Island (film)|''Shutter Island'']]
|2010
|[[Martin Scorsese]]
|[[Thelma Schoonmaker]]
|-
| ''[[The Wolf of Wall Street (2013 film)|The Wolf of Wall Street]]''<ref name="lwks.com"/> || 2013 || [[Martin Scorsese]] || [[Thelma Schoonmaker]]
|-
| ''[[Silence (2016 film)|Silence]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hullfish |first=Steve |date=April 13, 2019 |title=ART OF THE CUT with Oscar winner, Paul Hirsch, ACE |url=https://www.provideocoalition.com/art-of-the-cut-with-oscar-winner-paul-hirsch-ace/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230721175211/https://www.provideocoalition.com/art-of-the-cut-with-oscar-winner-paul-hirsch-ace/ |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=ProVideo Coalition}}</ref>|| 2016 || [[Martin Scorsese]] || [[Thelma Schoonmaker]]
|-
|[[The Irishman|''The Irishman'']]
|2019
|[[Martin Scorsese]]
|[[Thelma Schoonmaker]]
|-
|[[Killers of the Flower Moon (film)|''Killers of the Flower Moon'']]
|2023
|[[Martin Scorsese]]
|[[Thelma Schoonmaker]]
|}


== See also ==
* [[List of video editing software]]
* [[Comparison of video editing software]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.lwks.com/}}
* [http://cinegearblog.com/category/cinegearschool/editshare-lightworks/ Lightworks Tutorials]
* [http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=showcat&catid=26&Itemid=81 Lightworks Users' Video Tutorials]

{{Video editors}}


[[Category:Video editing software for Linux]]