I am currently at Stanfford University taking a special course in , among other things 3D. I have been a long time Poser and Bryce user, Amorphium was the first 3D program I got. I have fooled around with lightwave and Vue de Spre (spelling)? I have heard many, many times how a person must spend thousands of dollars on a system one does not know how to use or there stuff is junk. A kid here for the class insists on Lightwave for his first 3D program ( a cracked version). He goes on and on about how Poser and Bryce don't compare, which they don't. But what about need, and what it takes to meet that need. Do you really need a Roles Royce to drive to the quikey mart? I don't. A Pixel is a Pixel, render time is best remedied with faster processors and more RAM (not expensive software) and one must concentrate on story and the best way to hold peoples interests? Why is there not this heated debate about screenwriting and the best way to make an independant project? Have we lost sight of our reasons for doing this? Just something to think about.