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Add to SafariWhen comparing Autodesk Maya 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 Autodesk Maya is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose Lightwave 3D is:
In addition to Lscript, Lightwave supports Python.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Myriad of features
Has an extensive list of tools for modelling, look development, rigging, animation, rendering and exporting.
Pro Industry standard
Maya has been the industry standard for 3d modelling and animation for years.
Pro Combining powerful, realistic rendering with ease of use
Arnold is now the default interactive renderer, which can be found in the render settings. Solid Angle's global illumination ray tracer is used by many Hollywood studios.
Pro Expensive
Pro Extensible
The MEL language allows one to either write custom scripts or to download them.
Pro Support
Extensive support from Autodesk and users around the world.
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 Pricey
Don't expect to get Maya cheap. It is considerably more expensive than lesser 3D programs.
Con Difficult to learn
Expect to look at tons of tutorials.
Con Poorly organized interface
The menu organization doesn't make sense, and leaves you searching all over the place for functions that should fall under one category. For example, the option to bake your animation isn't under the Animation menu.
Con Unstable
The system can just crash unexpectedly.
Con Expensive
Real expensive in the long run.
Con Boolean bugs
A lot of polygon issues making boolean operations.
Con Two applications: one for modelling and another for layout
Con Not beginner-friendly
Lightwave has mediocre tutorials and a complex multi-application workflow.
