Its a massive program compared to other 3D appliactions I have used. I think you'd need Max3,Lightwave with most of the plugins available for them, Photoshop, illustrator and AfterFx to get close to that one program. Its has everything, literally. If you have Maya Unlimted 3 you have all the above progams and more in one package. I feel like I wasted my time learning Max and raydream now that I'm on Maya3.