Gaffer
Gaffer is a free, open-source node-based VFX application for building and rendering scenes.
What Gaffer is
Gaffer is a free, open-source node-based VFX application for building and rendering scenes. Its node graph and scene hierarchy let users import, arrange, alter, duplicate, combine, prune, split, and inspect scene elements without destructive edits. It supports scripting in Python and Open Shading Language (OSL), and lists Arnold, Cycles, 3Delight, and RenderMan as renderers, with Tractor for workflows. A multi-threaded, deferred evaluation engine is designed for large 2D and 3D data sets. The extensible API and framework allow custom modules, nodes, interface elements, renderers, render farms, and data types. Gaffer is intended for look developers, lighters, compositors, VFX artists, and technical directors. Linux and Windows builds are available; Linux needs glibc 2.28 or later, and Windows 10 or 11 must be 64-bit. An Nvidia GPU is recommended. The software is released under the BSD License and is free to use at home or in a studio. Documentation includes a user guide, API manual, and reference material.
Good
- Free to use at home or in a studio
- Supports Python and OSL scripting
- Works with several listed renderers
- Extensible with custom nodes and data types
Watch out
- Available for Linux and Windows only
- Linux requires glibc 2.28 or higher
- Windows builds require 64-bit Windows 10 or 11
- An Nvidia GPU is recommended
Who it suits
Gaffer suits VFX professionals who need node-based scene workflows, scripting, or renderer integration. Its extensible framework may also suit studios building custom tools and pipelines.
Verdict
Gaffer combines non-destructive scene workflows with scripting and renderer support in a free, extensible application. Check its operating-system requirements and renderer compatibility for your setup.
Plans and prices
From Gaffer's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Gaffer | Free | Free to use at home or in a studio · released under the BSD License |
The facts
Each one read from Gaffer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Community integrations
- The Resources page describes a community-created ShotGrid integration with file management, asset loading, and publishing support.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Gaffer provides a user guide, API manual, and reference documentation for enthusiasts and studios working in VFX.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Its API and framework let users add custom modules, nodes, and UI, integrate renderers and render farms, and implement new data types.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware
- An Nvidia GPU is recommended.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- The download page offers Linux and Windows builds; Linux requires glibc 2.28 or higher, and Windows 10/11 must be 64-bit.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Performance
- Gaffer’s multi-threaded, deferred evaluation engine is designed to work with large 3D and 2D data sets.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Renderers
- The site lists Arnold, Cycles, 3Delight, and RenderMan as supported renderers, with Tractor also supported for workflows.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Scene workflows
- Its node graph and scene hierarchy support non-destructive importing, building, manipulating, duplicating, combining, pruning, splitting, and inspecting scenes.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- Gaffer supports in-application scripting in Python and Open Shading Language (OSL).checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The official pages opened describe Gaffer as open source under the BSD License and do not state security certifications or compliance claims.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can ask questions and discuss feature requests on the gaffer-dev mailing list and GitHub Discussions; a community-run Discord is also listed.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Third-party integrations
- The download page lists Arnold 7.4 and 7.5, Cycles 5.1.0, 3Delight 2, RenderMan 26.3/27.2/27.3, and Tractor 2 as compatible; Deadline support is available through an extension.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Users
- Gaffer is intended for look developers, lighters, compositors, VFX artists, and technical directors.checked 9 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Gaffer is a free, open-source node-based VFX application for building, tweaking, iterating, and rendering scenes.checked 9 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Gaffer
- 1
Houdini
Free planWindowsmacOSLinux7.6From $95 a year - 2
Blender
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows7.5Free plan - 3
Fusion
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.1$295 one-time - 4
RenderMan
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.9From $250 a year - 5
OctaneRender
iOSLinuxmacOSWindows6.8 - 6
Adobe After Effects
macOSWindows6.6From $19.99 a month