Except for a paint program, you don't have to spend another dime. There are free modelers, and landscape generators out there, and Paint Shop Pro is MUCH less expensive than Photoshop. There are free paint programs too, but I do strongly suggest Paint Shop Pro. Then go get Terragen for your landscapes (FREE) and Anim8or for modeling (FREE) and work with the Poser stock characters and you should be set. Oh yea, be sure to grab the weekly freebie from Daz3D. jon

 
~jon
My Blog - Mad Utopia Writing in a new era.