Quote - The problem is that V-Ray is a renderer and so complements e.g. Lightwave which is a modeler.

alexcoppo,

Check you facts.

Lightwave has an excellent renderer. In fact it has been a stalwart renderer in the industry for years. Check out it's credits.
http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/projects.php

Does Vray even have a spectral atmosphere model? I wonder. Of course it is legend, along the others you mentioned in creating interior renderings. Many of these engines are licensed to third parties as well. For instance, Kerky is the rendering enging behind the SketchUp Plugin, "Podium."