pjbear,

Go ahead and take the plunge! I hate buying stuff on line, don't ask me why, just one of those things that is simply not logical. I was able to place my order with NO problems (there have probably been thousands of pre orders that went smoothly, you just hear about the bad experiences). You might not even need to register P5, it depends on how their data base and Serial validation process is structured. It may only compare your serial# to a list a valid serials, regardless of registration status. You should be eligable for the upgrade even if you register now. You can try the purchase without registering first. If it requires a "registered" serial # you simply won't be able to complete the purchase, you won't get charged anything for trying, you need the valid serial # prior the completeing the transaction. If you need to register first, go register at CL's web site, wait a while (a couple of hours), then try your purchase again. Since it is the weekend, you may have to wait until Monday for registration to complete (but I doubt it, it should be automated).

You might as well go all out and install P5 and play with it too (not trying to be sarcastic, just urging you to be adventerous). If you can use P4, you can use P5. There are some new things that you can either ingnore, or "enjoy" learning to use (Ahhh, nothing like a good, intense, frustration headache). Unfortunately, no matter what program your talking about, you typically hear more complaints than compliments when a new upgrade comes out. P5 is no different. I use P5 most of the time now, and seldom go back to P4PP.

Honestly, P5 gives you a lot of features for the price. P5 was the first 3D app to include dynamic cloth with the base package (under $300), with other apps dynamic cloth would cost a minimum of an additional $200 more (if it was even avalable). I too have read numerous posts about problems with P5, but I look at what CL has done with P5 as a very good value for the price. You really are getting a lot for your money with the P6 upgrade, the render engine alone is worth it, plus Shade 7LE, it's a "can't pass it up" price. True, we haven't seen anything other than one simple promo image as an example of what the new render engine can do. But look at the render engine in Shade, which is the product of CL's new parent company. I'm confident that the new render engine will be an excellent product, as eFrontier has a reputation to uphold (a bad Poser6 upgrade could result in a very negative image in Japan, and the world, which would translate into large losses in potential revenue).

I can understand people being upset when software doesn't work the way it should, I get upset myself (my family knows when to stay clear). But the target customer (and price range) for Poser isn't the same as Maya or 3DS Max, so we as users can't expect an equivalent product. Yes, bug free software(or as I like to call it, "undocumented feature" free) would be nice to have. But no matter how much the software costs, in my experience bug free just does't happen, and I've been working with computers for over 20 years.

I work with software that costs over $20,000 dollars on a daily basis, and it has bugs. I've worked with software that cost over $200,000, and it had bugs too. Of course with the higher priced software, you get premium tech support which will jump on the problems and typically have a fix within 24 hours (at a premium cost - in addition to the purchase price). But like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. I also work with software that cost almost $10,000 dollars (per user license), and $3,500 dollars for yearly software support (for primary license). But if you aren't a company with several hundred thousand dollars invested in this particular companies products, you may get the software bugs fixed with the next patch (one every 3-6 months) or you may not (depends on how many "seats" the bug has been reported as effecting).

Will P6 have bugs? Yes! It's is impossible to beta test a product like P6 under the wide variety of hardware combinations it will be installed on, and test every possible senario of what a user might try to do with the software. Will it be usable? I got the upgrade, so obviously I'm betting it will be (again, any upgrade with any software there is always a question of reliability, and apprehension wondering if they broke something that was on the older version). Will it crash alot? I hope not, but only time will tell. Will it be fast, or sloooowwww? Again, only time will tell.

Why did I get the upgrade with so many unknowns? #1 reason was a price that I couldn't pass on for what CL was offering (I got the $109.00 limited offer). #2 reason was the enhancements - the new render engine. Open GL, and SSS. #3 reason was curiosity about the SE content, could be awsome or junk, but I wanted to find out for myself. #4 reason was eFrontiers reputation in Japan, the appearant quality of the flagship product - Shade, and the positive steps that CL has made since they were acquired by eFrontier. #5 reason was the inclusion of Shade LE.

Sorry for the long message. It's just my 2 cents worth (sometimes I just say way too much). I hope something I said helps you to make a decision one way or another. It's not unusual to be apprehensive about upgrading, and having to deal with changes in software. I do it all the time, and still HATE it (but I typically like the improvements too). Just keep in mind, that you can always fire up P4 and make a nice render if your frustration level gets too high, then go back to P6 (or P5) when your mood improves. Don't expect to learn everything at once, but do set time aside on a very regular basis to learn the new software, and before you know it you will want to use the new software all the time.

Good luck with your decision.

__________________________________________________________

My Rendo Gallery ........ My DAZ3D Gallery ........... My DA Gallery ......