Lightwave

[fredfoot2001]

Anyone know the capabilities of Lightwave?  Is it as good as Autocad?

[edaudo]

You cannot compare.

Lightwave is no CAD it is not ment to be used for technical or architectural modelling/drawing/engineering.

Lightwave is a suite of tools to create 3D still or animated artwork. Lightwave includes a 3D modeller but the way to create 3D models for engineering or for digital art is different. The level of true detailling in CAD is much higher. With 3D artwork many details are created by using textures with bump- and displacement-maps instead of real construction details. In animation or e.g. for games a low poly-count is wanted for speed purposes. The intelligent use of textures and maps creates the illusion of details were no details are.

Lightwave is similar to 3D Studio Max, Maya or SOFTIMAGE|XSI.