The person never asked how much, it is a "generic" question and I gave an honest answer according to the industry/career standards presented to us in a top notch digital graphics school...this is what is trendy and used by the big banana's... Hey look...get yourself a course, even just one..become a student..get big discounts on software of the finest...besides, you practically need school just to learn stuff like 3DMax anyways....anyone that learns this baby on their own I really need to kiss their feet for their awsome brains and intuitive skills and loooong time they have to sacrifice for this perplexity of self teaching!! Don't get me wrong, it's easy to use, it's just that there is SO MUCH everywhere to use and to remember and it can be an overwhelming new world once your in max...darn modifiers alone can make your hair all funny...