LightWave Alternatives for Linux

LightWave is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Blender, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to LightWave and 13 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to LightWave are Wings 3D, Autodesk Maya, Bforartists and Houdini.

LightWave alternatives are mainly 3D Modelers but may also be VFX Software or 3D Animators. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of LightWave.

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LightWave

Paid • Proprietary
VFX Software

Mac
Windows

LightWave 3D combines a state-of-the-art renderer with powerful, intuitive modeling, and animation tools. Tools that may...

Learn more about LightWave

Blender
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Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
VFX Software
Video Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Haiku
Steam
Flathub
Flatpak
149 alternatives to Blender
Blender is the free and open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, video editing, and motion tracking.
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Blender Features
1. 3D SculptingBlender offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Blender, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsBlender can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Animation RiggingBlender supports bone structures to manipulate a 3D model like a puppet for animation.
5. Physically-Based RenderingPrecise rendering method for Blender to represent of how light interacts with material properties.
6. Ad-freeBlender doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Node BasedBlender supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
8. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Blender.
9. Parametric ModelingBlender can change the shape of model geometry as soon as the dimension value is modified.
Real time rendering
Compositor
Community-based
Texturing
3D Renderer
Grease Pencil
Texture painting
2D and 3D physics
Rendering
Low memory usage
Blender vs LightWave opinions
pythonDave
Blender shows up as a very good alternative to Lightwave 3D, not mention they share some UI paradigm. A definitive choice for independent artists.
Positive comment•
0
Wings 3D
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
55 alternatives to Wings 3D
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.
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Wings 3D Features
1. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Wings 3D, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Uv mapping
Abandoned Cart Recovery
Autodesk Maya
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No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
VFX Software
3D Animator
Mac
Windows
Linux
70 alternatives to Autodesk Maya
Autodesk Maya software is a powerful, integrated 3D modeling, animation, visual effects, and rendering solution.
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Autodesk Maya Features
1. 3D SculptingAutodesk Maya offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Autodesk Maya, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Texturing
Cross-Platform
Bforartists
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Free • Open Source
Windows
Linux
Haiku
AmigaOS
MorphOS
78 alternatives to Bforartists
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.
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Bforartists Features
1. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Bforartists.
2. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in Bforartists, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
3. LightweightBforartists consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. 3D SculptingBforartists offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
Rendering
Non linear editor
Customizable
HD-Rendering
Rendering with graphics card
Compositor
Texture painting
Texturing
Houdini
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No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
VFX Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
48 alternatives to Houdini
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.
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Houdini Features
1. Procedural ModelingHoudini can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
2. Node BasedHoudini supports node editing, a form of visual programming that gives you full control over the rendering.
3. Motion CaptureYou can capture and modify/animate faces, gestures, movements or objects within the Houdini.
4. 3D SculptingHoudini offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
3D Renderer
MODO
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Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
3D Painting App
Mac
Windows
Linux
104 alternatives to MODO
MODO is a fully featured 3D content creation application, famous primarily for it's modelling capabilities, MODO also offers a fast renderer, sculpting, painting, dynamics and animation tools.
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MODO Features
1. 3D SculptingMODO offers tools to push, pull, smooth, grab or pinch to manipulate a 3D model.
2. Support for scriptingMODO supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Physically-Based RenderingPrecise rendering method for MODO to represent of how light interacts with material properties.
4. Keyframe AnimationCompositions can be keyframed in MODO, allowing you to change the parameters over time.
Texturing
Rendering
picoCAD
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Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
139 alternatives to picoCAD
picoCAD is a program to build and texture lowpoly 3D models. Programs for modelling are overly complicated, picoCAD aims to make it fun, easy, and accessible by focusing on the bare essentials. This program was made using pico 8.
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picoCAD Features
1. Ad-freepicoCAD doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
K-3D
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No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
PortableApps.com
52 alternatives to K-3D
K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It features a plugin-oriented procedural engine for all of its content, making K-3D a very versatile and powerful package.
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K-3D Features
1. PortableK-3D can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Discontinued
According to the official website k-3d.org :The latest "source code" release is from November 2015. And the latest binary executable release is even older. According to its Sourceforge page ( https://sourceforge.net/projects/k3d/files/K-3D Win32 Binaries/ ), latest release is from june 2010.
Fragmentarium
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No
Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
Mac
Windows
Linux
73 alternatives to Fragmentarium
Fragmentarium is an open source, cross-platform IDE for exploring pixel based graphics on the GPU.
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Fragmentarium Features
1. Procedural ModelingFragmentarium can create or modify 3D models and textures based on a sequence of rules.
GLSL
Procedurally generated
Dead Deer
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No
Free • Open Source
3D Modeler
3D Animator
Mac
Windows
Linux
120 alternatives to Dead Deer
Dead Deer is a 3D modeler, 3D game maker, and a 3D demo maker designed to create games.
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Dead Deer Features
3D Game Engine
Creating 3D objects
2D Game Engine