*"Why the hell would I want to install that Frankenstein anyway?"-*Sorry Dhama; I can't answer that one for you, or for anyone else in this Forum. I can only tell you in brief why I plan to.  After years of dabbling in 3D (I started with Bryce2) I have gotten to the point where I am starting to receive commisions for doing stills and animation work in Carrara. In other words; my "hobby" is starting to pay for itself.  I have done this all in Carrara5 Standard, and the Pro version comes with render nodes, and other advanced tools, and will export animation files with information that AfterEffects and other video compositors can use. So I can do even more pro quality work.
   I won't crit Bryce 'cause I still use it for certain tasks and for fun. It is still about the easiest app out there for setting up a scene. I just won't use Bryce when I am under a deadline, or for animation because Carrara offers me many more animation tools and capabilities, and it renders much faster. 
  I also love being able to use 2nd party plug-ins which allow me to achieve effects, or have shader options that Carrara doesn't have "out-of-the-box".
These are much less expensive than say plug-ins for any of the "major' 3D apps, yet I am able to compete with users of these apps for many jobs. Many of the skills that I am learning in Carrara will transfer very well in learning how to use 3DMax, Maya, XSI, C4D, etc. if I eventually decide to go that route.
  As far as reasons to "install that Frankenstein", you could easily go to DAZ's website and check out Carrara's features, and see if any of them are desirable for you to learn. I take Pakled's attitude in that I am willing to try any app, 3D or otherwise available to me, especially if it is cheap, or FREE, and add it to my toolkit if I find it useful.
  I respect the artwork that you have done in Bryce. If you are satisfied with the toolkit and abilities that Bryce gives you I say more power to you! I just wanted to push my comfort zone a little and learn an app that is admittedly more complex, but it also has more possibilties for the area and direction I wish to go. Good luck, and have a Happy new Year. Dan