Hello hborre.
Interesting you would suggest the products you did because I've been thinking for some time now to buy either 3DS Max or Maya.  I have for a few years been using Poser, Vue, Photoshop and a little bit of Cinema 4D.  I have made a few props with Cinema 4D but that product is not as well documented or supported as 3DS Max or Maya.

So, the big question is...Which one? 3DS Max or Maya based on what I am using now? I may make this a separate thread but I guess I'll ask it for now.