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Head-to-head · Lighting Design Software

Vectorworks Vision vs Capture

Updated Oct 2026
Both researched from official sources
4 checks side by side

Higher score Vectorworks Vision #3 in Lighting Design Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Vectorworks

Capture #6 in Lighting Design Software 7.9/10 From €395 ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Capture

Vectorworks Vision leads on 0 checks, Capture on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreVectorworks Vision · 8.7/10
Most featuresCapture · 3 of 3

Vectorworks Vision scores higher on our rubric for lighting design software: 8.7 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Capture offers plot & paperwork; Vectorworks Vision doesn't publish it.

Vectorworks Vision is the better fit for previsualizing production lighting before load-in. Capture is the better fit for production teams needing plots and live visualization.

Vectorworks Vision fits best
Previsualizing production lighting before load-in
Capture fits best
Production teams needing plots and live visualization

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Vectorworks Vision 8.7/10 Visit ↗	Capture 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.7	7.9
Ranking	#3 in Lighting Design Software	#6 in Lighting Design Software
Best for	Previsualizing production lighting before load-in	Production teams needing plots and live visualization
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Email, Phone	Email, Docs, Community
Integrations	4 integrations	12 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Vectorworks Vision 2/3 · Capture 3/3
3D visualization	✓	✓
Plot & paperwork	Not published	✓ (best)
Live previsualization	✓	✓
Specs
Console protocols	DMX; MA-Net2; MA-Net3; Multi-Input (specific protocol availability depends on platform)	Art-Net, CITP, Compulite VC, MA-Net2, MA-Net3, sACN, NewTek NDI, Martin P3, PosiStageNet, Blacktrax RTTrP, Kinesys K2, OSC
Platforms	macOS 11, 12, 13; Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11	Windows, macOS
Fixture library size	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Previsualizes lights, video, and effects in a venue context Works with lighting consoles to review cues and looks Edits fixture parameters and saves rendered scenes as video	Creates 2D sketches and 3D lighting plots with change-updating reports Visualizes lighting, media and motion, with image and video rendering Connects to consoles and show systems through a broad range of protocols
Cons	Focuses on visualization and cueing rather than plot paperwork Not sold as a standalone product Vision Plus has four universes, unlike the Unlimited subscription	No free plan; entry starts at €395 as a one-time license Solo is limited to 1 universe, 1 local video, 1 streaming video and 1 laser feed Desktop-only, with Windows and macOS as the supported platforms
Our verdict	Vectorworks Vision is desktop previsualization software for entertainment design and production professionals. It simulates conventional and moving lights, video, and other effects in an event venue context, helping teams review cues and… Read the review →	Capture is a desktop application for lighting designers working across stage design, documentation and previsualization. It brings 2D sketches and 3D lighting plots together with fixture and accessory placement, 3D model exchange, and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

Vectorworks Vision — where it wins
- Previsualizes lights, video, and effects in a venue context
- Works with lighting consoles to review cues and looks
- Edits fixture parameters and saves rendered scenes as video
Where it doesn't
- Focuses on visualization and cueing rather than plot paperwork
- Not sold as a standalone product
- Vision Plus has four universes, unlike the Unlimited subscription
Capture — where it wins
- Creates 2D sketches and 3D lighting plots with change-updating reports
- Visualizes lighting, media and motion, with image and video rendering
- Connects to consoles and show systems through a broad range of protocols
Where it doesn't
- No free plan; entry starts at €395 as a one-time license
- Solo is limited to 1 universe, 1 local video, 1 streaming video and 1 laser feed
- Desktop-only, with Windows and macOS as the supported platforms

Vectorworks Vision8.7/10 · Paid
A console-connected 3D workspace for reviewing production lighting before load-in.
Visit Vectorworks Full verdict →
Capture7.9/10 · From €395
A desktop lighting-design tool linking plots and paperwork with live visualization.
Visit Capture Full verdict →

More comparisons

All lighting design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated 4 Oct 2026 · How we research and update