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.
- VFX Software
- Paid • Proprietary
- 139 Blender alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Netherlands
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Flathub
- PortableApps.com
- Haiku
- Steam
- Flatpak
- Snapcraft
Comments about Blender as an Alternative to LightWave
- 164 SketchUp alternatives
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.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Online
SketchUp Features
- 52 Wings 3D alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
Sweden
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Wings 3D Features
- 61 Autodesk Maya alternatives
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.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Autodesk Maya Features
- 84 Autodesk 3ds Max alternatives
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.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Windows
Autodesk 3ds Max Features
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- Haiku
- AmigaOS
- MorphOS
- 46 Cinema 4D alternatives
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...
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
Cinema 4D Features
- 50 Houdini alternatives
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.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
Canada
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Houdini Features
- 62 Vue alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
DiscontinuedNo longer under active development, but you can still download it and use it for free.
Vue Features
MagicaCSG Features
- 33 TouchDesigner alternatives
TouchDesigner is a complete authoring tool for building interactive 3D art, visualizations, prototypes and UIs. Derivative makes and supports TouchDesigner and offers their services to do custom production using TouchDesigner.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
TouchDesigner Features
- 44 Lumion alternatives
Lumion is a real-time 3D visualization tool for making movies and still shots of architecture, planning and design. It is also possible to give live demonstrations.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
Netherlands
EU
Platforms
- Windows
Lumion Features
Blender shows up as a very good alternative to Lightwave 3D, not mention they share some UI paradigm. A definitive choice for independent artists.