LightWain is available for Windows only. You can install it on Windows 10 or Windows 11. There is no Mac or Linux version at this time. If you are on Windows, download LightWain and start editing right away.
This is a very simple process and one that requires you to just install the latest version of LightWain into the same directory you installed the original version. By default LightWain is installed here:
To confirm the version of LightWain you are running check the version and revision number at the bottom of the Project Browser screen after starting LightWain.
Windows: You can uninstall LightWain using the Uninstall function in Control Panel->Uninstall a Program. Simply select LightWain and click Uninstall.
Here you will find download links for all versions previous to the current mainline version.
You can also find the link labelled as 'Previous Versions' in the site footer under Resources.
There are several things to check with regards to LightWain not starting:
1. Make sure you are running the latest version of LightWain (2025.1 or higher) from the Downloads page.
2.That the graphics card drivers are installed and working correctly. Please make sure that a "standard VGA" driver is NOT installed.
3. That the sound card is installed and working correctly, ie, you can hear audio coming from the system. Please make sure that speakers/headphones are connected and that the audio is enabled.
4. Intel 945/G33/G31 graphics chipsets are no longer supported. If you have one of these graphics cards, please upgrade it to resolve this issue.
5. That your DirectX is up to date. Please download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
6. If you are running Windows Defender, please disable it and reinstall LightWain.
This error means that the DirectX drivers on your system need updating. To resolve the issue download the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
You will lose your license if the hard drive is replaced. First you will need to install LightWain on the new hard drive and activate the Free version of LightWain.
This error message means the version of LightWain you are attempting to activate is out of date.
This error message means the version of LightWain you are attempting to activate is out of date. You will need to download and install the latest version of LightWain (2023.1 or higher). You will then be able to activate LightWain successfully.
Please also check the Date/Time on your system clock and make sure it is set correctly. Any alterations/inconsistencies in Date/Time may cause this error.
We are working to add this functionality. In the meantime, if you need to activate your LightWain license offline
This indicates that LightWain is unable to contact our licence server directly to issue the licence. Please make sure to update to the very latest version of LightWain (2023.1 or higher) and attempt activation again.
If you connect to the Internet via a proxy server on the system please open port 443 TCP on all Firewalls and allow access to els.lightwain.com If there is no Internet connection on the system you can either temporarily add one for the duration of the activation (1min)
This error message means the version of LightWain you are attempting to activate is out of date. You will need to download and install the latest version of LightWain (2023.1 or higher). You will then be able to activate LightWain successfully.
In order to start using LightWain you will first need to have registered an account. Once your account is registered successfully, you can use your Username/Email and Password to sign in to the LightWain application.
The Free version of LightWain has restricted file output limited to YouTube/Vimeo 720p. In order to export at higher resolutions you will need to upgrade to either LightWain Create or Pro.
If you are checking back your exports in Windows Media Player, it is highly unlikely it has the codecs available to play the exported video. We would recommend downloading VLC media player.
Yes, with every purchase of LightWain Create/Pro (Year/Perpetual) we issue a complimentary second activation which can be used on a second system. The reason we do this is because there is currently no way of moving an activated LightWain Create/Pro license from one system to another. The second activation can be used in this event to activate the replacement system should the need arise.
You will only lose the license file locally on the system. Install LightWain and sign in with your Username and Password you will then be issued with the same license file again. If you receive an error or your LightWain CreatePro license is not restored correctly.
Please install and activate the Free version of LightWain on the new system.
The Free license can be activated on as many systems as you require, the license does not need to be moved from one system to another.
Yes. The Free license will expire every 90 days but can be renewed by simply signing back into the application with your Username and Password.
If you have paid for a subscription using a credit card (PayPal is not applicable) then please sign in to your account.
The LightWain Create/Pro Perpetual license does not have an expiry date and can be activated at any time. Once activated, the software will no longer need an internet connection and can be used indefinitely.
The LightWain Create/Pro Perpetual license will work for the current release version (2025) which includes all minor version updates. When the next version is released (2026) a license upgrade will be required.
Simply sign in to the User Portal and download the latest version. The new package can be installed to the old location, to overwrite the earlier installation. Your projects will be available still. Alternatively, the package can be installed to a new location and run alongside.
Yes. Projects created with all versions of LightWain will be compatible.
Please make sure you have set the Contour Control Panel to the ‘EditShare LightWain’ profile. This will target the LightWain program core executable (named - ntcardvt.exe) at both the Windows 32 & 64-Bit default OS installation paths of:
You will need to load the appropriate keyboard mapping file from within LightWain.
1. Open LightWain, enter a current project or create a new one if one does not exist.
2. On the LightWain ‘Tools’ bar, open the ‘Editor preferences’ panel at the bottom of the panel
3. On the Preferences panel choose ’Import’
4. Browse to the appropriate xx.prefs file for the operating system you are running, select it then press ‘OK’ to apply.
- Windows: LWKS Contour Shuttle Key Mapping_Win.prefs
Yes, as long as the driver is supported and you target the ntcardvt.exe in the install directory, it will work.
The TotalFX package requires a LightWain Pro license active on the system.
This is most likely due to an older version of LightWain being installed. Please update to the latest version of LightWain 2023.1 or higher.