Poser is a tool in a tool-box, at least for me. I'm using a Maya, Poser and 3d Studio Max combination in my illustration business. Here's how I use it. I use Poser to make people, Maya to make environments and 3d Studio Max to make trinkets that are easily imported into Poser. Many illustrations in magazines and ads require drawing people. Previously I drew the people by hand, and then scanned it into a bitmap, and then used it in Illustrator. With Poser I can make the people directly in my computer, and then render it and import the image (after post-processing a bit in Paint Shop Pro) into Illustrator. Voila -- I've got a guy or girl object. It saves me time, and allows me to make more illustrations, and thus make more money :-) I've just bought Maya for the same purpose, except with Maya I want to draw the scenery shots that are sometimes required. So, that's why I use Poser.