Capture
Capture: A desktop lighting-design tool linking plots and paperwork with live visualization. Ranked #6 of 28 in Lighting Design Software by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: From €395; best for production teams needing plots and live visualization.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingFrom €395
- Best forProduction teams needing plots and live visualization
- Free planNo
- 3D visualizationYes
- Founded1998
- Facts checked4 Oct 2026
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
Our verdict on Capture
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 visualization of lighting, media and motion. It suits production teams that need design paperwork tied to a visual representation of the show, rather than a tool focused only on drafting or only on rendering.
Its standout strength is the connection between design changes and production outputs. Plots and reports update as the design changes, while rendering supports images and video, including up to 4K at 60 fps. LED panels and special effects can also be simulated. Console and show-system connectivity includes Art-Net, CITP, Compulite VC, MA-Net2 and MA-Net3, as well as sACN, NewTek NDI, Martin P3, PosiStageNet, Blacktrax RTTrP, Kinesys K2 and OSC. That breadth makes Capture relevant to teams whose workflows cross lighting, media and motion control; buyers should check compatibility with the specific systems used on a production.
Pricing is a one-time purchase, with no free plan. Solo costs €395 and includes 1 universe, 1 local video, 1 streaming video and 1 laser feed. Duet is €795 for 2 of each; Quartet is €1295 for 4 of each; Symphony is €2195 and includes unlimited universes, local video, streaming video and laser feeds. These tiers make capacity the clearest buying distinction. Capture is a good fit when linked plots, visualization and console connectivity are central to production work. Teams seeking a free entry point or a non-desktop workflow should look elsewhere.
Capture pricing
All 4 Capture plans and prices →
Capture fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| 3D visualization | Yes |
| Plot & paperwork | Yes |
| Live previsualization | Yes |
| Console protocols | Art-Net, CITP, Compulite VC, MA-Net2, MA-Net3, sACN, NewTek NDI, Martin P3, PosiStageNet, Blacktrax RTTrP, Kinesys K2, OSC |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Fixture library size | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS |
| Support | Email, Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 12 integrations: Art-Net, CITP, Compulite VC, MA-Net2, MA-Net3, sACN … |
| Pricing | From €395 (source) |
| Website | capture.se |
| Facts checked | 4 Oct 2026 |
Capture integrations
Capture lists 12 integrations on its own site.
- Art-Net
- CITP
- Compulite VC
- MA-Net2
- MA-Net3
- sACN
- NewTek NDI
- Martin P3
- PosiStageNet
- Blacktrax RTTrP
- Kinesys K2
- OSC
Alternatives to Capture
- Vectorworks SpotlightAn end-to-end CAD workflow for lighting design, from drafting to DMX previsualization.9.2
- DIALuxA Windows lighting design tool with a free core and paid BIM and export features.8.8
- Vectorworks VisionA console-connected 3D workspace for reviewing production lighting before load-in.8.7
See all Capture alternatives →
Capture vs the competition
- Capture vs Vectorworks Spotlight
- Capture vs DIALux
- Capture vs Vectorworks Vision
- Capture vs Augment3d
- Capture vs ReluxDesktop
- Capture vs WYSIWYG
Compare Capture with any tool side by side →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Capture for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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