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CAD · head to head

LightWave 3D vs SolveSpace

LightWave 3D logo

LightWave 3D

CAD

Complete 3D production suite

From
$999/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolveSpace

CAD

Open source parametric CAD with a constraint solver in a few megabytes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SolveSpace has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LightWave 3D user interface appears dated compared to modern competitors; SolveSpace the in-house geometry kernel fails on complex boolean operations and fillets, and the failure is sometimes silent bad geometry rather than an error message, so models must be checked before export or manufacture.
  • They diverge on capability: LightWave 3D covers Modeler, SolveSpace covers Constraint solver.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where LightWave 3D and SolveSpace differ
AttributeLightWave 3DSolveSpace
Starting price$999/one-timeFree
Pricing modelUnknownOpen source, no licence fee
Free tierNoYes
Founded1990Unknown

Identical on both: platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 LightWave 3D

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

Only in SolveSpace

  • Constraint solver
  • Solid modelling
  • Assemblies
  • Export formats
  • Cross-platform
  • Small footprint

What people use each for

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

LightWave 3D

  • Animationnot SolveSpace
  • VFXnot SolveSpace
  • Product visualizationnot SolveSpace

SolveSpace

  • Designing 3D printed parts on a machine that cannot run mainstream CADnot LightWave 3D
  • Teaching constraint-based parametric modelling without buying licences for a classroomnot LightWave 3D
  • Checking that a mechanical linkage moves as intended before cutting metalnot LightWave 3D
  • Producing dimensionally accurate STEP or STL output from a small open source toolchainnot LightWave 3D

Where each one falls short

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

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

SolveSpace

  • The in-house geometry kernel fails on complex boolean operations and fillets, and the failure is sometimes silent bad geometry rather than an error message, so models must be checked before export or manufacture.
  • There is no proper drawing and dimensioning workflow, so manufacturing documentation has to be produced in another application.
  • Development is volunteer-led and intermittent; long gaps between releases are normal and there is no support contract available at any price.
  • Assembly-level import of external CAD is very limited, so it does not fit a supply chain that exchanges native or assembly-level models with suppliers.
  • The interface follows its own conventions rather than mainstream CAD ones, so existing SolidWorks or Fusion users spend time unlearning habits for a tool with a lower ceiling.

Pricing, plan by plan

LightWave 3D

$999/one-time

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

SolveSpace

Free
  • SolveSpaceFree
    • Full application under the GPL
    • No seat limit
    • Windows, macOS and Linux builds

Which should you pick?

Choose LightWave 3D if

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

Choose SolveSpace if

  • You need constraint solver.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want solid modelling.
SolveSpace review

Questions people ask

Is LightWave 3D or SolveSpace better?
Neither clearly leads. LightWave 3D starts at $999/one-time and SolveSpace at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LightWave 3D or SolveSpace?
SolveSpace has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $999/one-time for LightWave 3D and Free for SolveSpace.
Does LightWave 3D or SolveSpace run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, macOS, Linux, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use SolveSpace for free?
Yes. SolveSpace has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LightWave 3D starts at $999/one-time.
What is LightWave 3D best used for?
LightWave 3D is most often used for animation, vfx, product visualization. Of those, animation and vfx are not what SolveSpace is typically brought in for.
What can LightWave 3D do that SolveSpace cannot?
LightWave 3D covers Modeler, Layout, Animation, Rendering. SolveSpace covers Constraint solver, Solid modelling, Assemblies, Export formats.

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
SolveSpace: Is it really free for commercial work?

Yes. It is released under the GPL with no licence fee and no seat limit. Support is community only.

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
SolveSpace: Can it replace Fusion 360 or SolidWorks?

No. It handles parts and simple assemblies well. Complex geometry, drawings and supply chain interoperability are outside its range.

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
SolveSpace: What hardware does it need?

Very little. It runs on old laptops and small Linux machines where mainstream CAD will not start.

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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