Quote - In summation: If you don't need the kind of functionality that poser offers, then D|S is a good, free substitute. Be warned, however, that DAZ seems to be commercializing it, and it may not stay free.

Haven't been around for quite a while, have you? ;) There is a free version and a paid version of DAZ Studio 3.

Quote - D|S gets more expensive than Poser is, if you want the same functionality (i.e. rigging, complex materials, magnets/d-formers, complex lighting, dynamic cloth simulation, etc.)

Not since DAZ Studio 3 Advanced came out. It has complex materials comparable to Poser, AO, IBL, HDRI, Global Illumination, Indirect Lighting, Translucency, LOD, Sub-D, Area lights, Volumetrics, Caustics and Sub-surface scattering just to name a few.

Quote - Poser has a multitude of very cool python scripts available for it. D|S has some useful plugins, but nothing comparable, just because of the lack of support.

Check out the DAZ Studio Freepozitory.

Quote - D|S always seems to be buggy, and they're always updating to a higher version number. And patches? We don't need no stinking patches!

I think there have only been 2 updates since DS3A came out several months ago.

Yup, d-formers are integrated into the program, have been for a long time. :)

You should download the free version of DAZ Studio 3 and check it out. It's come a loooooooong way since version 2.3 :)

Coldrake