It would really depend on what you want to achieve - what sort of pictures do you want to create? It is also a question of economics - as you say, you are a newbie to this field, so a more pragmatic approach might be to try out Terragen (it's still free, I believe), or download the free Vue demo version at E-on software to try it out, there is also a fully function version of Vue 3.1 doing the rounds as a freebie on some computer magazines at the moment. This will give you an idea of what can be achieved and how to do it, and may suggest to you which way to go.

Message edited on: 09/26/2004 10:17