The price jump with hexagon is why I am trying to figure this out now, before there is a need to shell out the extra $$$. As to a renderer, I have not given that much thought. I have a few programs that can render (poser, shade, bryce) but I have heard nothing but good things about the carrara renderer. I think rendering is secondary right now as neither program offers it anyway. Maybe the way to go is to get Hexagon now at the $99 price and get Silo later as the Silo price is stationary.