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We've compiled a list of 53 free and paid alternatives to LightWave. The primary competitors include Blender, Autodesk Maya. In addition to these, users also draw comparisons between LightWave and Autodesk 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, K-3D. Also you can look at other similar options here: Photos and Graphics Software.


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.

Autodesk Maya software is a powerful, integrated 3D modeling, animation, visual effects, and...

Autodesk 3ds Max, formerly 3D Studio and 3D Studio Max, is a professional 3D computer graphics...

Cinema 4D is a 3D modeling, animation, motion graphics and rendering application.

K-3D
Free Open Source

K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software.

Wings 3D
Free Open Source

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

Adobe Fuse CC is a 3D character generator for Adobe Photoshop.

MODO is a fully featured 3D content creation application, famous primarily for it's modelling...

Real-time animation evolves with 3D Video FX, motion paths, HDR and rapid drag & drop creation...

Create vast expanses of terrains, add trees, select the best point of view and render...

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

LightWave Platforms

tick-square Mac
tick-square Windows

LightWave Video and Screenshots

LightWave Overview

LightWave 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 UB 64 and 32-bit operating systems, free technical support and more. LightWave is enjoyed worldwide, as a complete 3D production solution for feature film and television visual effects, broadcast design, print graphics, visualization, game development, and Web. LightWave is responsible for more artists winning Emmy Awards than any other 3D application.

Major Studios and Post-Production Houses spend years assembling their custom pipelines, often at great expense and requiring large numbers of technical staff to maintain. Those complex pipelines are perfect for companies with hundreds of employees, but can be overkill for the majority of studios around the world with 40 employees or less.

LightWave fits seamlessly into large multi-software pipelines - with its powerful interchange tools including FBX, ZBrush GoZ, Collada, Unity Game Engine Support, and Autodesk Geometry Cache. Unlike other software packages, LightWave offers artists and studios a complete end-to-end solution right out of the box. Robust polygonal and subdivision surface modeling, unique. Interchangeable layered and nodal texturing, along with powerful dedicated node material shaders. Powerful animation and rigging tools. Eye-popping volumetric and dynamic effects systems. A production proven, award-winning Global Illumination render engine - built in. You decide what workflow or pipeline suits you best and LightWave puts all of the tools in your hands.

LightWave Features

tick-square Bullet implementation

Top LightWave Alternatives

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LightWave Categories

Photos and Graphics Software

LightWave Tags

path-to-spline 3d-graphics animation vfx modeling

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