Well it sounds like you want an honest evaluation on what software to get (now). If that is the case, and I don't usually like to promote softwares...and I've used them all (past and current). Then my opinion is to go ahead and purchase Lightwave. If you have a chance, take a look at Daz3D animation page. Both the high and low res animation were done on Lightwave: http://www.daz3d.com/pages/dp/animation/animmain.html If you could afford to go higher in price, then go ahead and purchase Maya, the results are amazing! Sample Pics from Maya http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/Community/Discover/product_news/img/grass_large.jpg http://www.aliaswavefront.com/en/Community/Discover/product_news/img/abl_large.jpg Good luck