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D|S is a complete non-issue regardless what new gimmicks they might introduce as long as their rigging is still on Poser 4 level.

Err, Poser's 'rigging' (Mesh 'joint' deformations calculated against split mesh arranged hierarchically) is still "Poser4 level", unless Poser 7+ introduced true skeletal rigging and nobody said anything... (FWIW, Carrara actually does have full pro-style rigging, though I can't recall offhand if it converts imports to it or not).

But, let me sum up your entire complaint, with your own words:

Quote - ...so that I have a reason to dump eight years of learning/using/experimenting with Poser and spending more of my valuable time learning a new program from the ground up, and then I MIGHT give this issue more than a passing glance.

Okay, but quite frankly, who gives a damn about you? Similarly, who cares about me? What both the folks who own Poser and D|S care about is the potential market out there. Not forum rats, but people with credit cards and spare time. Folks who spend real money. That is where both companies have their eyes right now.

/P