I am not sure how many people here are 2d artist and that is where I come from. Just something I don't really talk much about bust I do draw and paint and...errr..I hate it :) I have been in the early days of Corel forum much the same time that photoshop in its prime. I started with Corel Draw and than into Paint (much for digital image editing stuff). Its a 'complex things itself till you know how and what the program can do for you. Also, not forgetting the use of those invaluable "Plugins" out there...they make your work easilier. As a 2D artist, I can say that "Post Work" is an art and skill itself whcih takes time to learn. Knowing what to do and where the lightings are coming from is one thing, but getting your 2D image to have your key subject look like 3D is a big deal thing. Anyway, what I want to say here is that, those 2d player out there never like 3D rendering program because they have always commented that things looks too clean and unrealistic till post work is done. For me, 3D has help much as a start off platform and not too bad a thing and have save me a lot of time and better 'accuracy' for lighting and camera view in perspective. But for an image to look as good as it should, I would go for whatever is out there and use it to make that image. be it Post Work or not, its depend on the final image that need to be done or for a customer request. I have to agree with Laurie that image with post work can have lots of depth if you want but have to be done right (check my two fish in the image done 3 years ago with Corel). Than again, there are people that like what their 3D rendering program produce and it command its own audience. In summary, do what you like best or do what a customer need from you. End of it all, its the "known how" of using your tools to achieve the vision that makes you a contented artist. Okay, enough..as you can tell I have too much time to spare.