Pretty much my opinion of Shade. I'll admit that Carrara has weaknesses. But Shade...has some big ones. The scene management/navigation is one thing that I'd have to say didn't make any sense and is akward to use. Plus some of the things that Shade is toting and innovative is a joke. Magic sketch for instance is essentially the commercial version of Teddy (google it) and offers nothing innovative. As far as LW is concerned. I own 5.6 and have never been that interested in upgrading. Even with the Vue I deal it just doesn't seem that tempting. LW is powerful but with an interface that is still stuck in the Amiga days. And as nice as Vue is, besides its plant system I've never been that interested in it. I'll stick with Carrara. It gets the job done.