When comparing AutoCAD vs Lightwave 3D, the Slant community recommends Lightwave 3D for most people. In the question“What is the best 3D modeling software?” Lightwave 3D is ranked 6th while AutoCAD is ranked 26th. The most important reason people chose Lightwave 3D is:
In addition to Lscript, Lightwave supports Python.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Great for engineers
AutoCAD helps make engineering drafts quickly. It's designed to help with things like plumbing diagrams and electrical wiring diagrams.
Pro Free trial available
AutoCAD is available for free for 30 days.
Pro Support for Python scripting
In addition to Lscript, Lightwave supports Python.
Pro Been around for years, and is still capable of good animations, and great renders.
The 3DS MAX version 5 days. So Lightwave will always hold a special place for me. It was ahead of the game back in the day, with its renderer. And was widely used for films, among other things. Though it hasn't advanced much in the modeling section, and UI over the years. You can still make some really nice things in it, and get some highly realistic results.
Pro Powerful animation tools
Pro Great value for the price
Pro A perfect tool for freelancers
Pro Powerful nodes shaders
Pro Plays well with other software
Pro Beginner friendly with a very smooth learning curve
Pro Very stable
Pro Great community support
Pro Production proven
Used heavily in famous Hollywood movies, TV shows, commercials and video games.
Pro Designed for individual artists
Cons
Con Can be glitchy
The software can sometimes be laggy, glitchy and unstable to the point of crashing.
Con Interface is difficult to customize
Con Mac version is weaker than the Windows version
Con Two applications: one for modelling and another for layout

Con Not beginner-friendly
Lightwave has mediocre tutorials and a complex multi-application workflow.
