Well, IMHO every 3D app has advantages and disadvantages. Poser is easier to pose figures in, Vue has a nice renderer and does great landsacapes, BUT Carrara has the advantage over both of having some excellent MODELLING capabilities. This is often over looked since people have heard that it;s a "Poser replacement".

While it's not a replacement it has some ability to utilize Poser and DAZ content. I think the fact that the C5-to C6 upgrade leaned heavily on adding the ability to use DAZ content makes it safe to say that DAZ will continue that trend in future upgrades. Wheither this will continue to also include Poser content is up to Smith Micro Software, which can choose to take Poser in a different direction.

IF you are interested in making 3D items to suppliment your Figure content., than you can do a lot worse than Carrara. If you are only interested in a faster/"better" renderer, than look into all of the alternative mentione and decide based on which best suits your needs. But remember that once you have purchased Carrara you're on the upgrade path, and so will have any future improvements on the use of DAZ content available at a reduced price.

mike