Quote - So..(remember, I'm new...)...

Do the models that you create have their own "format" or is this just part of how the file itself is saved.

Using your favorite rendering program, then, you just import that file then, right? Does it come in as it's own object where you can then manipulate it in a scene or does the whole scene import?

What I mean is, when you have, say, an interior scene with 20 or so different objects, and then you want to render it in a differnt program, do you make each object individually and then arrange them in the renderer? Or do you arrange the whole scene in the modeler and then just have the renderer do nothing but, well, render it.

 

It all depends. As Dann-O stated above, it matters on your personal likes and the program used.
Personally I sometimes export the whole scene from Wings3D or Modo and import it into Poser/Bryce and sometimes I export pieces of it.
For Example: 
Say I built a fantasy house prop that can be rendered as an inside Scene and an outside scene. What I do is export the house prop as one piece, then export the Roof prop as another piece. I import each one separate into Poser, THEN, save it as a Poser Object to the Library (pp2 format). THEN, I load each one of the Poser Object (both roof and house props pp2 format files) and then save it as a whole prop with the roof being a child to the house prop. This way if the house is being moved, the roof will go with it. If the person wants to render an outside render, they can just click and hide the roof. If they want an inside render, they leave the roof visible in the render. With this option, the user has 3 total props alltogether, the fantasy house prop, the roof, and then both together. More options at the end...

I believe it all depends on the scenery and the type of prop you make. You can also make say a belt type clothing for V4 that holds say 2 guns or 2 lasers or something. You DONT WANT to save the clothing prop WITH the gun holders/lasers. U save the clothing prop, THEN the guns separate. You load them separate into Poser and save them. This way the person that renders can have the clothing with and without the guns/lasers.

Just how I do it. I am more then sure there are many other ways, but this are my steps...

Cornelp. Hope this answers your question...