I came back to Blender after trying it a few times previously. It seems the 2.6x versions have finally done what's necessary to make the software a little more noob-friendly. (Hotkeys displayed on menus, majority of stuff now exists on menus so you don't have to know the hotkeys, tooltips, alternate software modes, etc. Almost all the kind of essential UI stuff that's there for hand-holding and to show newbies the way.)

In terms of coming from other software with easy UIs like Bryce and Cararra, that might mean something.

The Cycles renderer also seems a good step in the right direction too. Lighting environment in that renderer needs little to no fakery. Only problem is the occasional caustic-related "fireflies".

I think the only major thing it lacks is an in-depth preset library and browser. (Yes there are some plug-ins. But such feature should be integrated.) Add that and buff out a few of the rough spots in regards to workflow (I'd say they're nitpicks and gripes - of which I have a few, since the software is usable as it is), and there's no reason why Blender can't be a "pro" 3D graphics package.

Blender is almost where it needs to be. Once it is, the "bottom tier" commercial 3D software may have a real reason to worry. (Or they better start making good content and support deals. Blender is nibbling at them as it is.)

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Barbequed Pixels?

Your friendly neighborhood Wings3D nut.
Also feel free to browse my freebies at ShareCG.
There might be something worth downloading.