3DVim: LW does not currently natively have brush modeling yet as per ZBrush, although it does interact well with ZBrush in LW's new release, version 9.0. (I don't use Zbrush so I'm unfamiliar with the workflow.) It does, of course, have displacement mapping. LW has an industry standard modeler and as for overall ability I have read that every TV series on the sci-fI channel view on Saturday night primetime was made with LW. (Stargate SG1, all franchises of Star Trek {excepting TOS of course}, Battlestar Gallactica, Andromeda, etc.) Additionally, and equally important IMO is their upgrade policy. Point releases (9.1, 9.5, 9.X) etc are free and are not merely patches used to fix bugs. They quite often include significant functionality. For example, the 9.X cycle has been promised to include even better character animation tools, instancing, as well as others, which will be no-cost downloads for registered users. Also, if you skip a full point release, you are not charge more for subsequent upgrades than current users. Check that against Adobe's policy. I would not be surprised if geometry painting will be available natively soon, as users are beginning to ask for it.