If you are asking, forget about Lightwave!  Lightwave is the best of the programs hands down, but it is a real heavy hitter, not for the ameture.  Vince 3 was on the button in knowing the difference between atmosphere's and Modeling, it's a big differance.  I think also think Vue is available as a plugin to Lightwave, but again Lightwave is'nt for someone who does'nt know the differance between it and...err...Bryce.

Vue and Bryce are the same program, but Vue imports Poser files much easier! 

Bryce 5 is Free, and more than enough to get started compositing with!