Quote - Oh, and I really like what Shade can do, but the few times I've tried to come to grips with it, the interface just kicks me right out. I don't know how the newest version stacks up as far as interface improvements go.

Thanks for your vote of confidence for Shade.

Shade UI is a bit clunky but it's still quite good, compared to Lightwave's for example, but this is a matter of personal taste. I looked at a Shade Pro 12 trial a couple of years ago. I might get a trial license for the newest Shade 14 to see how it has (or hasn't) improved.

As I mentioned above Shade strongest point is its absolutely kick-ass renderer. Shade's renderer takes no prisoner, to say the least.

My greatest wish for Carrara is to have a renderer like Shade's and I am sure if Daz3D has the smarts to spend a year or so to design a renderer that matches Shade's, then customers will line-up at Daz's store to buy Carrara, so much so that they will even fight for their turn.