wgreenlee1 is right. Before going to all the trouble to learn a program, make sure that it will be able to fulfill as many goals as you can see yourself setting. Every app requires time and study before you can really be comfortable with it, but I have found that Lightwave is a virtual "bottomless pit" of possibilities. You can literally dive into any aspect of 3D that your heart desires, from modeling to character rigging and animation to first class special effects. It's impossible to get bored with it, or outgrow it. And as Norbert stated, it can be purchased from ebay and the registration legally transferred. That's what I did. Being a newbie I didn't know how smart it was to spend gads on a 3D app when I didn't even know if I would like it. $575 for full version 6.5 and the best money I ever spent.