***"Blender has always looked like a very versatile and powerful app. Its main negative has always been a somewhat 'unique' interface. I don't know how the new one looks or works. Hopefully it leans toward a more familiar 3D application GUI.*** "

Hi versions of blender 2.5 or higher have interfaces designs very much like standard professional 3D suites now..THANKFULLY!!
here is Blender 2.56  compared to my seat of Maxon Cinema4D Studio( attached pic)
Very similar IMHO

"I don't know if Collada is much better, but I would give it a try, at least it can export rigged figures."

My experience with Collada Export of poser /DAZ figures is that its "usable with SINGLE MESH or naked Figures but when you Export a Figure with several conformers( shoes,pants,shirt ,coat), you get an unusable mess in the target app .
at least with exports from Daz studio.
A dedicated blender python plugin that parses the PZ3 Format would be great if some clever coder would do it.

Cheers

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