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3D & CAD · head to head

BricsCAD vs LightWave 3D

BricsCAD logo

BricsCAD

3D & CAD

DWG-based CAD platform

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LightWave 3D logo

LightWave 3D

3D & CAD

Complete 3D production suite

From
$999/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BricsCAD the Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support; LightWave 3D user interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • They diverge on capability: BricsCAD covers DWG native, LightWave 3D covers Modeler.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BricsCAD and LightWave 3D actually diverge.

Attributes where BricsCAD and LightWave 3D differ
AttributeBricsCADLightWave 3D
Starting price$29/month$999/one-time
Pricing modelone-timeUnknown
Founded20021990

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Windows, MacOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (3D & CAD).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in BricsCAD

  • DWG native
  • 2D drafting
  • 3D modeling
  • BIM
  • Sheet metal
  • Mechanical
  • LISP support
  • AutoCAD compatible

Only in LightWave 3D

  • Modeler
  • Layout
  • Animation
  • Rendering
  • VPR
  • FiberFX
  • Dynamics
  • Unity

Both cover

  • Windows support
  • MacOS support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BricsCAD

  • 2D drafting as a DWG native alternative to AutoCADnot LightWave 3D
  • 3D mechanical design and assembly modellingnot LightWave 3D
  • BIM modelling and construction documentationnot LightWave 3D

LightWave 3D

  • Animationnot BricsCAD
  • VFXnot BricsCAD
  • Product visualizationnot BricsCAD

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BricsCAD

  • The Lite edition has no 3D modelling, surveying or point cloud support
  • Lite is sold as a network licence only with a 5 seat minimum
  • Mechanical excludes BIM tools and BIM excludes mechanical and surveying tools, so cross discipline work needs Ultimate at 1,176 euro
  • Importing 3D geometry and PMI from other CAD systems requires the Communicator add on at 294 euro per year
  • Network licences require the customer to run their own licence server
  • Maintenance is included for the first year only and renewal is a separate annual charge on perpetual licences
  • Listed prices exclude local taxes
  • Bricsys now trades as Octave and the product site has moved to bricscad.octave.com

LightWave 3D

  • User interface appears dated compared to modern competitors
  • Smaller community than Blender or Maya, resulting in fewer learning resources
  • Less industry adoption in some sectors, potentially affecting job market relevance

Pricing, plan by plan

BricsCAD

$29/month
  • Lite$550/month
    • 2D drafting
  • Pro$875/month
    • 2D + 3D
  • Ultimate$1575/month
    • All features

LightWave 3D

$999/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the LightWave 3D review.

Which should you pick?

Choose BricsCAD if

  • You need dwg native.
  • You work on Windows, MacOS, Linux.
  • You also want 2d drafting.
BricsCAD review

Choose LightWave 3D if

  • You need modeler.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want layout.
LightWave 3D review

Questions people ask

Is BricsCAD or LightWave 3D better?
Neither clearly leads. BricsCAD starts at $29/month and LightWave 3D at $999/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BricsCAD or LightWave 3D?
BricsCAD starts at $29/month and LightWave 3D at $999/one-time.
Does BricsCAD or LightWave 3D run on more platforms?
BricsCAD runs on Windows, MacOS, Linux. LightWave 3D runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
What is BricsCAD best used for?
BricsCAD is most often used for 2d drafting as a dwg native alternative to autocad, 3d mechanical design and assembly modelling, bim modelling and construction documentation. Of those, 2d drafting as a dwg native alternative to autocad and 3d mechanical design and assembly modelling are not what LightWave 3D is typically brought in for.
What can BricsCAD do that LightWave 3D cannot?
BricsCAD covers DWG native, 2D drafting, 3D modeling, BIM. LightWave 3D covers Modeler, Layout, Animation, Rendering. Both handle Windows support, MacOS support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LightWave 3D: What is the cost of LightWave 3D?

LightWave 3D 2026 license costs $1,096 USD. Upgrades from previous versions cost $620-$758 USD. There are no subscription fees, only one-time purchase costs.

Source
LightWave 3D: Is there a free trial available?

Yes. LightWave 3D offers a 30-day free full-feature trial, allowing users to evaluate all capabilities before purchase.

Source
LightWave 3D: What rendering engines does it include?

LightWave 2026 includes RiPR2, a next-generation viewport renderer with physically-based global illumination built on Nvidia OptiX and CUDA, plus traditional rendering options.

Source
LightWave 3D: What new features are in LightWave 2026?

LightWave 2026 adds Advanced Placement for physics-based object scattering, MotoRig for vehicle animation, THOR for lightning effects, Fracture tool, Snow Falling 3D, 3D Camera Tracker, and built-in asset browser.

Source
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