I truly thank all for these comments. It seems that Vue4 has some real advantages, and although I am focused on animations, I will be using stills to a degree and as a serious hobbyist, enjoy being well rounded in understanding a variety of packages. I anticipate that I will use short AVI or Quicktime movies patched together in Final Cut Pro, some with storylines and more abstract in nature. I will get a higher end program, but am realistic in the fact that it will take me at least a year or so to get to the point this purchase will be required. Hopefully, various plugins and further development of packages such as Cinema 4D will make the choices more clear and more competative. I would like to email the Vuedesprit author mentions and encourage the Poser plugin for animation. Again I just want to THANK all who take the time to respond to these questions...I am recovering from cardiac bypass surgery and I have intensified my work in this area as time permits...MUCH APPRECIATED!!!