True 3d software? POV-Ray. Version 1.0. A lot of work and lot of render times, some fantastic results. Not a professional, though so never invested the time to really do great works with it. Years passed, got Vue 4. Played with it, again, a hobbyist (my "real" art was still oils) and never invested the time to really learn it. Now, due to circumstances outside my control, I don't have room for a "proper" studio. Got Vue5i for a gift... I don't know that I'll pick up a brush again. I'm also learning the new DAZ Studio software. Great tool to bring simple Poser type characters into Vue without the cost of Poser. I'm hoping once it's in full release that E-on will support their file format. Then I know I'll never look back to 2d media except for occasional nostalgia moments.