The 11.5 public beta testing continues; New Lightworks Version 11.5.c Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=57989&Itemid=81)

There are a number of fixes, plus additional features (including a larger range of effects) and adjustments to current ones.

A new 11.5 beta for testing seems to be coming out once a week: New Lightworks Version 11.5.d Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=58425&Itemid=81)

This has more fixes and a number of additions.

Another beta version is available: New Lightworks Version 11.5.e Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=58705&Itemid=81)

A few key changes: this latest Beta version opens up file import in the Free version to allow every file format (except AVID DNxHD) to import instantly and natively into the application.

They have also removed the licensing restriction on the real-time titling effect. Free users can now apply the real-time titling effect along with all the new titling presets included in 11.5.

However, EditShare pays a licensing fee in order to use all the majority of codecs, so although import has been opened up, it does mean that export and rendering has been limited in the Free version: all export formats except for YouTube (limited to 480p max) and Lightworks Archive Also, disabled is the ability to render in the Free version (This is now a Pro feature). This only applies to the 11.5e beta, there will be details given on the free version's specification in the future.

I gather they are trying to address the problems that first time users have importing, so the falling at the first step. Currently you have to transcode licensed codecs with the free version and many people use the EyeFrame converter.

Another beta: New Lightworks Version 11.5.f Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=58923&Itemid=81)

Lightworks have announced that the release date for 11.5 will be 29th January 2014

I assume they'll then start moving to a beta of version 12, which seems to be the three platform version.

The latest public beta has been released: New Lightworks Version 11.5.g Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=60931&Itemid=81)

This has features that were intended for version 12 - background import and background rendering, Amongst other additions they've added AC3 audio decode support for Windows, Mac and Linux (Windows filter no longer required). Also support for Retina displays and introduced playback controls to source and edit viewers. The latter are a new option that can used instead of the on screen console.

A new beta fast on the tail of "g" New Lightworks Version 11.5.h Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=61043&Itemid=81#61043)

This latest Beta reverts back to the previous MainConcept SDK which resolves several issues reported with AVCHD material. If you use AVCHD material and imported new files using 11.5.g you will need to delete the index files (.lvix) related to those files.

The 11.5 betas are progressing New Lightworks Version 11.5.i Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=61502&Itemid=81#61502)

This build fixes a serious memory issue identified in the Linux build and introduces language wordings files for: Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, Indonesian, German, French, Bengali, Czech, Turkish, Polish, Thai, Japanese and Chinese.

They are hoping this is the last beta before the release version, which is currently scheduled for Wednesday coming.

A couple of fixes for recently raised issues New Lightworks Version 11.5.j Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=61743&Itemid=81)

The 11.5 release is still,set for Wednesday.

This update has been given in the Lightworks forum: "The Mac version will be ready for Alpha testing very soon after the release of 11.5 on Windows and Linux.".

If anyone is interested in Alpha testing Lightworks on Mac, they should keep a close eye on the Lightworks Forum. The call for Linux Alpha testers was only up for a very short time. Currently, 11.5 is being released on Wed 29th Jan.

Edirshare have released 11.5, the latest version of Lightworks that can be used on Windows or Linux. There have been a number of changes in what has been described as half way to Version 12, these include:

Support for AJA I/O devices (Kona and Io XT) (Windows, Pro version only)
Import, Render and Export as background tasks
YouTube export option including direct upload
AC3 audio decode support removing the need for third party decoders
Fully customisable user interface
Smarter menus with fast access Export and FX favourites
Powerful new Multicam improvements
Playback controls added to source and edit viewer

The difference between Free and Pro now is that the Pro version has a much wider range of output options, whereas the Free version is limited to web formats (ie MPEG4/H.264), at up to 720p. The Free version now allows the import of all professional and consumer video formats natively, previously this often involved transcoding.

There is a new pricing structure:
Monthly subscription $7.99 | 5.99€ | £4.99
Annual subscription $79.99 | 59.99€ | £49.99
Buy Version Outright $279.99 | 214.99€ | 179.99

This will be of interest to users who don't like the subscription model and want to own their software outright.

It's worth noting that current version 11 free users should consider their export requirements before upgrading. They won't have the exports that they currently have. This has been a trade off because Lightworks say that many new users run into difficulties because of the transcoding currently required. However, by taking out a monthly subscription for the Pro version you can then export your project(s) using that version's full export codecs . This should be of interest to low/no budget indie filmmakers, who can spend as long as they want editing and then take out the monthly subscription when they need to export to a licensed codec.

New Lightworks Release 11.5 Now Available To Download (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=61899&Itemid=81#61899)
Overview (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98&Itemid=209)

I imagine that beta testing on Version 12 will start in the near future and Alpha testing on the Mac version is promised very soon.

The Lightworks web site has also had a face lift - this seems to be easier to navigate than before. Some of the training videos available outline the changes found in 11.5:
Video Tutorials (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=107&Itemid=216)

There's a new 11.5 User Guide, which looks pretty clear with plenty of links, and an advanced user guide is also due.
Downloads (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_lwks&view=download&Itemid=206)

People are using Lightworks with Windows XP up to Windows 8.1, but slower computers may have issues with the new native editing etc. The EyeFrame Converter developed by Lightworks users is available and has proven to be a handy tool.

http://eyeframeconverter.wordpress.com/

EDIT Unfortunately, with the introduction of 11.5 the user behind this (handle tin2tin) has taken down this site because the latest version no longer requires it, However, old versions can be found here: http://www.videohelp.com/tools/EyeFrame-Converter/old-versions

As an alternative to Eyeframe this can be used: ClipToolz Home (http://www.cliptoolz.com/) Convert is free up to 3 consecutive conversions, but is low cost for full use. Colour and RAW are currently free and unrestricted.

I gather the convert has been beta tested on Lightworks.

EDIT Unfortunately, with the introduction of 11.5 the user behind this (handle tin2tin) has taken down this site because the latest version no longer requires it, However, old versions can be found here: EyeFrame Converter 1.8.0 - Old Versions (http://www.videohelp.com/tools/EyeFrame-Converter/old-versions)

Actually tin2tin explains exactly why he took down his project on the LightWorks forum:

"It makes no more sense for me to spend hours upon hours to give new Lwks users a good experience, because in my eyes Lwks has not developed into the free and open software promised originally. IMHO Lwks is by now only usable as payware, which means that we are no longer contributors to a generous project, but instead we're customers of pay-ware and as such, the Lwks product should work as expected with no workarounds needed and if it doesn't it's our, the customers, obligation to let them know about it, but not to try to solve it for them."

I guess a payware GUI frontend (ClipToolz) for a free software encoder (ffmbc) would indeed seem like a perfect match for the new LightWorks.
(Oh, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the developer of ClipToolz required to also redistribute the GPL license and ffmbc sources along with his software?)

Licensing details are on the Cliptoolz website, There's a link for licensing.

I'm not involved with the product, just passing on the info, there are also other converters, but I gather this has been tested on Lightworks.

There has been a debate about the changes in 11.5 and how functional the free version should be. Strong emotions have been expressed and, unfortunately, these changes have resulted in the loss of a number of people (like tin2tin) who have invested a lot of time into a creating, free open source Lightworks, by providing tools like EyeFrame and input into the various versions over the years.

Currently Lightworks isn't open source, but it's on the road map after the Mac OS version is released. What form it takes hasn't been released, however, there are a number of open source models. I'm sure that will cause more debate at the time.

I gather Editshare found that newcomers were having problems with the transcoding required on the Lightworks Free version and this was putting them off. They then put in native import and editing for the commercial codecs (and some features previously only on the Pro version) in 11.5, but the downside was that they couldn't afford to give a full export in the free version, only 720p for net use like YouTube and the Archive.

If you're a 11.1.1 or older user and need the full export on the free version, the best thing might be to not upgrade or put the 11.5 in a separate directory, so you can run both versions.

I was just surprised that I couldn't find any trace of GPL license or ffmbc source code but hopefully it's there somewhere if indeed it's required.
I personally have a distaste for commercial closed source projects based on FLOSS but to each his own.

Regarding LightWorks I just can't buy the argument that export options were traded for import options with users' interest in mind. Surely the EditShare developers are too savvy not to realize the full implications of restricting output to h264 720p in the free version?

I also doubt many developers are still holding their breath to see any source code released. Even if it is, what are the chances of it forming the basis for any meaningful FLOSS community project considering the current situation?

I'm sure that as a closed source product LightWorks still has a lot going for it, it's just a shame about the way the open source situation is being handled.

My impression on the open source Lightworks is that the code would be released, but there would be a subscription for the plug ins to allow the use of commercial codecs.So, I don't think FLOSS is part of the thinking, they seem to be going for a subscription use model at the moment.

That's not to say that third party developers couldn't develop import/export for open source codecs in a free version and having the code available would allow other developers to create new features (how that's funded that I don't know, i expect there may be a charge or donation). I understand there's about a million lines of code in Lightworks, so it would need some form of oversight otherwise it could become unstable.

Open source software isn't always free, although most of it is. It seems quite a few open source projects fall apart because of personalty differences. Someone involved in open source gave a talk last year and he mentioned that a lot of planning needs to be put in place before a project even starts. On one he spent over a year doing this alone.

You are right about the distinction between open source and FLOSS.
I think the problem is EditShare is allowing far too much ambiguity for far too long about it's ultimate intentions and this is what leads to bad feelings and lost trust.

I think people were viewing it from their own viewpoint. I've a feeling that some see going open source means that they're no longer at the whim of any one company that can drop their favoured program like many other NLEs have been in the past, while others see it as being a community thing with free access. There is a potential for conflict between these two groups.

I'm not sure I understand your last point... do you mean - and sorry for using the cliché lables - that some people were looking for 'free speech' while others were only interested in 'free beer'?
If so I'm not sure there is actually that much of a conflict. Sure, even a true FLOSS project could charge payment for compiled binaries, but it would still allow someone else to fork or compile and offer it as 'free beer'.

The concern as I understand it is that even if sources are eventually released they would not be released in a way that allows any meaningful development outside the EditShare closed-source eco-system.

In any case, there's not much point speculating. Eventually EditShare will reveal their intentions, I just hope sooner than later. I for one was more excited about the 'free speech' prospect rather than the 'free beer' bonus. EditShare never guaranteed it, but certainly implied it, hence my disappointment.

So far as I'm aware Editshire haven't stopped free speech in their forum, they usually only step in when things get personal or if there is an attack that isn't backed up with reasoned argument. I don't think it's too different to this forum in that regard, although it's obviously more about discussing Lightworks, NLEs and editing in general. Quite a few people do manage to sail pretty close to the wind, but seem know how far to go.

They locked one thread on free open source, but there's still another one open. The closed one seemed to be going in circles without any new points being made. I think Editshare knew what the reaction was going to be because all arguments had already been made in the beta threads when the limited exports were announced in one of the 11.5 betas. They increased it to 720p because of the reaction from beta testers.

It's rumoured is that a few people are looking at making use of the Lightworks codes after they're released. In theory it shouldn't be impossible for a group to write an open source program to make use of the Lightworks archive (which can be exported from the 11.5 version) to render an edit.

From what I've read to date Editshare have promised that there will always be a Free version and that they'd make the code available after the Mac OS is released.

Brian, just to clarify I did not mean that EditShare was literally limiting free speech, rather I was referring to the often used 'free speech not free beer' analogy.
To quote https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html :

"“Free software” means software that respects users' freedom and community. Roughly, it means that the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Thus, “free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”."

By the way, another interesting paragraph worth quoting from this page is the following:

"“Free software” does not mean “noncommercial”. A free program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and commercial distribution. Commercial development of free software is no longer unusual; such free commercial software is very important. You may have paid money to get copies of free software, or you may have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to sell copies."
(EDIT: Just putting it up because I think some people are under the misapprehension that 'free software' and 'commercial' must be mutually exclusive)

Cheers.

I think this is where there's a cultural clash, film makers usually want a stable, reliable, piece of software that enables them to create their films. Because Lighhtworks tradition comes from the editors themselves having a large input, rather than computer people, your philosophy runs counter to the Lightworks traditions.

The Lightworks developers listen to the input of users and a lot of the improvements come from editors and other users saying what they need or would like to see. Even a couple of my suggestions have ended up in it, although that could be just a coincidence and they were thinking along the same lines.

Sorry, the editors are the important people, the software is a tool, not an end in itself.

Brian, it is not my philosophy it's the gnu's philosophy, although I do support it for the most part.

I'm a film maker too. I think you'd be surprised at how many film makers are getting more and more involved with free and open source projects and some even learning programming. The end in itself is not the software (or hardware), but rather the freedom to have more control over your creative tools.

In any case I think I made my point as clearly as I could, so I'll leave it that.

Best wishes.

Agreed there is an element of crossover, only time will reveal how Editshare proceed with the open source release of Lightworks. At the moment, the centre of interest is shifting towards the Mac community.

The Lightworks road map has been put back onto the web site: Roadmap (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=177)

For those who wish to own their software - Buy Version Outright $279.99 | 214.99€ | 179.99,
Lightworks have given the cost of upgrading, as against 11.5 updates, which are included in the purchase price.

"If you purchase 11.5 using the 'Buy Outright' option, it's yours to use forever.
All 11.5.x updates are included.
Future upgrades from 11.5 to a subsequent release is priced:

$153.99 | €117.99 | £99.99"

Lightworks support have qualified the monthly subscription:

"The monthly plan is an opportunity to licence Lightworks Pro at a very reasonable price point. It is automatically set as a subscription with a monthly renewal. It should not be viewed as an opportunity to licence Lightworks on an adhoc basis - purchase a month, cancel the renewal, purchase another month again at another point. We will monitor for this type of activity."

Because of the same imports in the Free version as the Pro version, the 30 day Pro trial isn't now available in 11.5.

Mattt Sandford, the Lightworks Product Manager has posted this:

"We are working on getting the Mac version ready for Alpha testing which should happen over the coming weeks (no date confirmed yet) The Mac Alpha is anticipated to last only for a few weeks while we make sure everything is as expected. Version 12 will then be released as a Public Beta on Windows, Linux and Mac! "

This is dependent on the testing.

The first Public Beta 11.5.1.a on Windows and Linux is available to download.this is a maintenance build which fixes several issues reported since the release of 11.5.

New Lightworks Version 11.5.1.a Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=64442&Itemid=81#64442)

Here's an interview with Matt Sandford talking about Lightworks' history and how it operates from the Mac perspective.

Strung Out Podcast ? Supreme Visuals (http://anthony-moreschi.squarespace.com/podcast/)

Another maintenance build beta 11.5.1b: New Lightworks Version 11.5.1.b Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=65734&Itemid=81)

There is still a few outstanding issues before this becomes a release.

This latest Beta is purely a maintenance build which fixes several issues recently reported reported. Lightwoirks hope this will be the last Beta before they make 11.5.1 available as a release.

http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=66264&Itemid=81#66264

Another public beta, with some maintenance fixes; New Lightworks Version 11.5.1.d Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=66739&Itemid=81)

Another in the maintenance fixes: New Lightworks Version 11.5.1.e Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=67668&Itemid=81)

This seems to be part of a rolling series of updates that Lightworks has been doing for all release versions of its software. Any issues or bugs found by users are often quickly addressed in these.

Matt Sandford has announced:

"We are very pleased to announce that the first wave of Mac Alpha testing is now live to a very select few editors. These editors are some of our finest Lightworks users and we are pleased to let them have first access to Lightworks on the Mac.

We will begin the second and third waves of Alpha testing later this month, any users that previously registered interest will have access to the Mac Alpha version of Lightworks over the coming weeks.

If you are not in the Alpha Program please do not worry. We anticipate the Alpha Program lasting only four to six weeks maximum and are confident with announcing the Mac Public Beta version on the 11th June 2014."

Version 12 on Mac will be on show at NAB 2014

New Lightworks Release 11.5.1 Now Available To Download and Update on Lightworks Mac OS X (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=67735&Itemid=81)

The release version 11.5.1 is now available:

http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=67735&Itemid=81

Lightworks for Mac has now started alpha testing with Public Beta version planned to come on the 11th June 2014.

PVC NAB 2014 Interview with Matt Sandford about Lightworks Version 12 on Mac with a demo of multi camera editing.

PVC at NAB 2014 - Lightworks on Vimeo

As part celebrating of now having one million registered on the Lightworks web site, they are offering a 30% discount on the Lightworks keyboard. This offer lasts until 30th April.

Celebrating One Million Registered Lightworks Users! (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=69179&Itemid=81)

Lightworks have released a public beta of 11.5.2a, this is a maintenance build to fix several issues reported recently. It also adds support for Ubuntu 14.04 which means that earlier versions of Ubuntu (12.04) may no longer work.

New Lightworks Version 11.5.2.a Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=70301&Itemid=81)

The announcement also seems to suggest that the public beta version 12 will also be available on Windows & Linux at the same time as the Mac on the 11th June.

11.5.2.b, another maintenance build for Lightworks.

New Lightworks Version 11.5.2.b Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=70726&Itemid=81)

There is a free one hour Webinar session that introduces Lightworks video editing software on Wednesdays at 3pm GMT for the next couple of months. These sessions are for new users who want to quickly get up to speed with the Lightworks environment. Details and Registration are on the Lightworks web site.

New features for the public beta Version 12 on Mac include the Content Manager, Play Engine Updates, 64bit FX Plugins and others to be revealed. I suspect the free 1 hour webinar each Wednesday at 3pm GMT for Lightworks newcomers over the next couple of months is aimed at Mac users

EDIT A video where Editshare's Andy Liebman discusses the Content Manager, describing it as Avid Superbin Meets FCPX Keywords

Editshare's Andy Liebman talks about Lightworks and their big NAB Announcements - YouTube

A day early, but the Version 12 of Lightworks on Mac OS X is now available as a Public Beta. it only supports Mac OS X 10.8 and 10.9. Earlier versions of Mac OS X (10.7 and earlier) will not be able to run Lightworks.

Further details are here:

New Lightworks Version 12.0.a on Mac OS X Now Available as Public Beta (http://www.lwks.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=19&id=71661&Itemid=81)

For new users, it's worth searching the forum for answers about a problem before posting, many have come up before. Do go through the User Guide, Video Tutorials and Shark Byte Videos, there are also stickies which have material put together by users. Lightworks Autosaves, so you don't need to save all the time, but of course it's good practice to do a manual backup using the Archive found in export in case of issues with the originals.

It's best not to try using Lightworks the precisely the same way as your previous NLE, it just comes frustrating if you work that way. There is usually a number of ways of doing things, so you can use the on screen console, keyboard. mouse or the Lightworks console. For FCP users you can can do an empty cut, rather the razor. The old racks have now been replaced by a content browser..

The offical Version 12 Quick Start video:
Lightworks v12 Quick Start Guide - YouTube

The new content browser:
Lightworks v12 Content Browser - YouTube

Ugh, that's one ugly application. Hello, the 90s called and wanted it's UI back! ;)

This could be one of those Marmite things (a brand of spread) you either love it or hate it. Lightworks is one of the original two NLEs (Avid was the other), but it comes from the film editing direction (the original non linear editing), which gives it a different approach to how you handle and use your material. An important consideration because not everyone thinks the same way.

I gather the Lightworks UI is regarded as pretty clean compared to other NLEs and very much centres your attention on the material being edited. The screen layout is left up to the editor, they can change it for each project or operation within the project. Also, you can change the colours and type face to suite yourself.

However, it's not cut and paste, it's more a case of select and do, which is actaully faster, but some new users don't initially get that. You also have the creative flexibility of having multipliable edits available and quickly converting bins into edits and edits into bins, which allows you a lot of freedom to experiment.

Drag and drop is also available (complete with those magnetic bits), as I mentioned, you can do things a number of ways. You can use that method, or you can use a combination of methods. They tend not to put drag and drop in the quick introduction videos, however, there are video tutorials available on using it in Lightworks.

Another option is the Lightworks console, which gives a tactile feel to the editor, so they only have to look at the screen when working. However, that's expensive and a number of users find that the ShuttleProV2 gives them a good experience.

Using ShuttleProV2 with Lightworks 11.5 x64 - YouTube

Lightworks is an additional option for editors, but it doesn't try to be precisely the same is every other NLE, because that doesn't offer a real choice.

EDIT I would add that this is a beta and so not all the V12 features are currently working, these tend to roll out through each new beta build. These come out every one or two weeks and also include fixes and suggestions from beta testers.

I have been editing with Lightworks (Pro) for two years, since at least v10 and it certainly is fast, intuitive and the Win version runs on very low spec laptops too which can be convenient, for cutting on the run but I would like to stress: Lightworks is the Console!

Without some sort of jog/shuttle wheel, new users rarely appreciate the full power of Lightworks nor the 25 years that has gone into it's development as an 'editor', not a 'Swiss Army Knife' style of all-in-one-box finishing solution like most other NLEs try to be. For 12 months, I used the excellent $100 Contour Shuttle pictured above but it does not have enough buttons to transform the software into a super 'editor' like the Lightworks Console does. My personal recommendation (apart from the class leading 'genuine' Console) is for the $250 X-Keys USB Jog/Shuttle unit with it's 68 programmable and back-lit keys. It's a good investment for anyone and can be use with most other NLEs or DAWs as well.

Here is a picture of my Lightworks X-Keys layout. Plenty of keys to spare and they are very high quality too like the X-keys Jog/Shuttle wheel which offers users a very 'ergonomic' feel, unlike the Contour device.

When I look at the above image, I can't help but think,

"Alex, I'll take 'digital video cameras' for $600."

"Answer is... Zing-zing, zing-zing. The Daily Double!"

Well, I guess it's a bit like the Land Rover 'Defender' compared to a stock, straight off the show room floor Toyota Landcruiser. The Defender, the 'grandfather's axe' of 4WDs, looks like it came off the Ark with Noah but spend a little time with it, note it's lightweight alloy body, then take it for a test drive up your favourite bush track. You may wonder what all the fuss is about because nothing seems to be particularly impressive until you notice how smoothly you are travelling over very rough terrain and that the Landcruiser is way behind, struggling to keep up because most of it's wheels are off the ground at any one time.

For those prepared to criticise the Lightworks UI, may I suggest a test drive with any good Jog/Shuttle device? Only a computer with limited resources is required as that UI does not require a workstation with CUDA to make it run. Try the 'trim' command or many editor's favourite feature: 'slip clip' or 'slide clip'. You'll see the UI come 'alive' as it simply cannot with a mouse alone and you just may see why that particular UI has assisted editors like Thelma Schoonmaker for one, cut all of Martin Scorcese's hit movies for the past ten years.

Someone put different colours in the keys on an earlier version of the X-Keys. That may assist the appearance, although the functionality wouldn't change.

Here's the Lightworks Console itself, some early versions are working away after 20 years of use.

https://www.lwks.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Lightworks_Conso_4fc22708b3c29.jpg

Ugh, that's one ugly application. Hello, the 90s called and wanted it's UI back! ;)

The great thing about OpenSource projects is your ability to effect change where you think it's needed. However there seem to be questions as to whether this is really an OS project. (Linux Today - How Lightworks Falsely Rides Open Source Publicity Train (http://www.linuxtoday.com/upload/how-lightworks-falsely-rides-open-source-publicity-train-121112102010.html))