There is a very good reason for the Poser->Blender->Lux workflow: you can fix stuff (like pokethru) by actually editing the mesh. In addition, you can add Blender specific stuff like particles and then render the lot with Lux.

Similar comments for the Poser->Blender->Vue workflow: here you have also the option to add natural environments.

If you are scared by Blender, I give you my word of honor that 2.5 is totally different from old versions and is (almost) user friendly. Needless to say that it is not a Make-Art-Button application but you are unlikely to hit a wall with it (unless you are a pro, doing pro work).

The reason for unbiased renderers is not to add "realism" but to make scene development natural: instead of faking things with clear tricks/techniques/elbow grease you just provide physically correct stuff like illumination or materials. For example, architects use similar programs to assess the effect of illumination: to do so, they don't add a "point light with power 10" but a light source driven by the correct IES profile from the actual bulb manufacturer documentation.

GIMP 2.7.4, Inkscape 0.48, Genetica 3.6 Basic, FilterForge 3 Professional, Blender 2.61, SketchUp 8, PoserPro 2012, Vue 10 Infinite, World Machine 2.3, GeoControl 2