LightWave Alternatives

LightWave is described as '3D combines a state-of-the-art renderer with powerful, intuitive modeling, and animation tools. Tools that may cost extra in other professional 3D applications are part of the product package, including 999 free cross-platform render nodes, support for Windows and Mac' and is an app in the photos & graphics category. There are more than 25 alternatives to LightWave for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and PortableApps.com apps. The best LightWave alternative is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like LightWave are SketchUp, Wings 3D, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk 3ds Max.

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Alternatives list

  1. Blender icon

    Blender

     1743 likes
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    A comprehensive open-source 3D software suite for modeling, UV unwrapping, texturing, rigging, and animating. It supports renderings, simulations including fluid and cloth dynamics, complex compositing, video editing, and Python scripting, running across all major operating systems.

    139 Blender alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Steam
    • Flatpak
    • Snapcraft
    Splash Artwork for Blender 4.3
     
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    Comments about Blender as an Alternative to LightWave
    David P.
    Positive
    0

    Blender shows up as a very good alternative to Lightwave 3D, not mention they share some UI paradigm. A definitive choice for independent artists.

    LightWave Icon
    Blender icon

    • Most users think Blender is a great LightWave alternative.

    • Blender is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to LightWave.

    • Blender is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to LightWave.

    • Blender is Free and Open SourceLightWave is Paid and Proprietary
    • Blender is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedLightWave is not according to our users
  2. SketchUp icon

    SketchUp

     555 likes
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    Comprehensive 3D modeling software ideal for architecture, engineering, film, and gaming. It includes features like easy-to-use interface, sun and shadow analysis, color experimenting, and mock-up creation. Available in freeware and professional versions for diverse needs.

    165 SketchUp alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Main UI
     

    • SketchUp is the most popular Web-based alternative to LightWave.

    • SketchUp is the most popular commercial alternative to LightWave.

    • SketchUp is Paid and ProprietaryLightWave is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Wings 3D icon

    Wings 3D

     118 likes
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    Wings 3D is a subdivision modeler inspired by Nendo and Mirai from Izware.

    It is possible to assign materials, vertex color, UV coordinates and textures, but there will be improvements in those features before Wings goes 1.0.

    There is no support in Wings for doing animations.

    50 Wings 3D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Modeling by Jove Chiere
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Autodesk Maya icon
    Autodesk Maya

    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    https://www.autodesk.com
    Learn More
  6. Autodesk Maya icon

    Autodesk Maya

     149 likes
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    Professional-grade 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and visual FX software used in films, TV, and games, featuring advanced tools, Bifrost effects, and a visual programming environment for intricate simulations.

    61 Autodesk Maya alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Autodesk Maya screenshot 1
     
  7. Autodesk 3ds Max icon

    Autodesk 3ds Max

     147 likes
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    Professional-grade software designed for 3D modeling, rendering, and animation, equipped with comprehensive tools for creating detailed worlds. Widely used across film, TV, games, and design projects, it includes the powerful Arnold renderer, offering artistic control over scenes and characters.

    82 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Autodesk 3ds Max screenshot 1
     
  8. Bforartists icon

    Bforartists

     34 likes
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    Bforartists is a complete 3D suite to create 3D content. It offers you the full 3D art pipeline to create game graphics, prerendered movies and stills.

    72 Bforartists alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Haiku
    • AmigaOS
    • MorphOS
    Splash
     
  10. Cinema 4D icon

    Cinema 4D

     84 likes
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    CINEMA 4D is a commercial, cross-platform, high-end 3-D graphics application, produced by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. Noted for its flexible interface and ease of use, it is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modelling, animating, lighting, texturing...

    47 Cinema 4D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Cinema 4D screenshot 1
     
  11. Houdini icon

    Houdini

     40 likes
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    Houdini covers all the major areas of 3D production, including:

    • Modeling - All standard geometry entities including Polygons, (Hierarchical) NURBs/Bezier Curves/Patches & Trims, Metaballs
    • Animation - Keyframed animation and raw channel manipulation (CHOPs), motion captur.
    48 Houdini alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Houdini screenshot 1
     
  12. Vue icon

    Vue

     29 likes
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    Create vast expanses of terrains, add trees, select the best point of view and render hyper-realistic images of your landscapes in moody atmospheres... in a few mouse clicks.

    62 Vue alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    vue final
     
  13. Rumba icon

    Rumba

     1 like
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    Because 3d animators are crucial in today’s animation and VFX productions, they deserve a productive and modern software dedicated to their art.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Rumba screenshot 1
     
  14. MagicaCSG icon

    MagicaCSG

     4 likes
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    A lightweight signed distance field editor and renderer.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    MagicaCSG screenshot 1
     
12 of 45 LightWave alternatives