I'm not a 100% clear on all the versions myself. xStream is indeed for hosting in other applications, but Infinite isn't, but I'm not sure if you can use xStream stand-alone as you can with Infinite. Infinite is the top stand-alone version of Vue and PLE is based on Infinite. While Infinite and Complete share most features, Infinite has some extra and works a bit differently though. I do think that xStream is the same as Infinite with the whole working inside another applications difference.

I never realized there was a difference between the Artist version and the pro-Versions, besided the obvious lack of features in Infinite. After playing with PLE and then getting Studio, I realized there was more going on then just some missing features. When following tutorials it even gets more obviuous. The tutor will do certain things in his UI and then you suddendly realize you can't do that at all, you need to find a different way of doing it. It's not a major issues, but the differences are there.

Especially when starting to use TPF plants & trees the difference gets real obvious. While it is easy to change things like season and so on in Vue Infinite, that is a lot less pleasant to do in the Artist versions. The Infinite UI is perfect for this, but the Artist version UI is horrible. Not having TPF myself, it is one of the main reasons I don't buy TPF plants for Vue. While you can use them fine in Vue without TPF, I do find it quite akward to edit them in Vue Complete. That aside from all the other problems there are with TPF plants.

Under the hood there's a lot more difference between PLE and the Artist versions then one would think.

I'd say whenever you're closer to getting Vue then you are now, download the demo of the version you think of getting. Or get PLE now, but keep in mind you're going to miss features and not everything UI-wise is done the same later on.

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