PLE is for everyone to use. There are a few restrictions. It has a rendering size limit and a logo on it. You can save your work with it, but you cannot open it in any other version then PLE. There may be a few other restrictions when it comes to exporting, but I don't recall them. Oh, just remembered another one, it's for personal use only.

PLE is the full applications in other words Infinite with a couple of restrictions. I don't know if there's a xStream PLE as well.

The reason they do Infinite as PLE is to suck you in :) As a hobby user, a lot of people don't need Infinite at all, but they still buy it after using PLE. It has a slightly different UI for a number of functions that simply work better then the Artists versions. It of course offers a number of features that the Artist versions lack. I tried the PL version first and also the 30 day trial of Studio (the version I wanted to get). I had a hard time going from PLE to the Studio trial, you right away miss certain features and notice that PLE has a better setup then the Artists versions. To this day, I still miss a number of features.

That is why I don't recommend using the PLE when you can only afford an Artists version. Pick the 30 day trial of the version you can afford, that is really the best route to go. If you can't decide in 30 days if you want or don't want Vue, then you don't need Vue at all. If I recall correctly, when the 30 days trial expires, you get special offer, a discount on the Artist version you have been using the trial version for. But don't hold me to that one, but I do think it's the case.

So short answer.... no, PLE doesn't work exactly the same as the Artist versions, there are noticable differences. Infinite is definitely more thought out and expanded then the Artists versions are.

Artwork and 3DToons items, create the perfect place for you toon and other figures!

http://www.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/index.php?vendor=23722

Due to the childish TOS changes, I'm not allowed to link to my other products outside of Rendo anymore :(

Food for thought.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk