I don't really want this to be a flame war or anything, but i wanted to ask some questions since i am just getting back to poser after 3 years. You all are the most familiar with both DS and Poser and really would like opinions and experiences.

my needs: I am a hobbist and not really bent on commercial grade work. i want to put together still images as well as some basic animations and focus on superhero/fantasy themes. 

I have a new computer and essentially have to start all over again from scratch reinstalling my copy of P7 and have a pile of v3/m3/d3/freak stuff so legacy content is a big factor for keeping me with P7. but i want to know what i may be missing in D|S (or not missing). The posing tools seem to be much nicer for a novice like me - but that could just be because it is new to me.

Does the new D|S handle imports or legacy content made for p5/6? (DAZ seems to be working on making all the new models D|S friendly and a little crippled in poser. )

since starting over, I am also wondering if i should just invest in m4 (and abandon my unimesh (d3/m3/freak) or even work with Apollo?

I appreciate any feedback or advice.

I think the overall business model for D|S is to provide a 'bare bones' renderer, while you add functionality (and reddy cash) with add-on modules. There are many things D|S won't do, but the list is slowly growing shorter over time. It's also a work in progress, so eventually it will be a pay-for package to compete with Poser (whatever version it is by then)

SInce you have P7 already, you could go either way, at no cost. Most of the V and M (and A and H) models will be supported by D|S, because, after all, they're in-house characters.

You might want to install both, and do a side-by-side comparison...

If you have M3 and V3 keep using them , they are not getting much new stuff made but lots of freestuff and marketplace stuff still available.  I wouldnt bother with Daz studio , I would learn how to pose in Poser using the dials , studio needs a plugin for animations which isnt cheap. 

By all means download it and have a look at it you may prefer the interface.  Studio gets expensive if you add a list of plugins for shaders , animation , etc .  no dynamic hair or cloth yet either . 

M4 and V4 seem a bit lacking in spite of all the hype.

Studio will handle your poser content, add it as an external runtime. Studio does not recognise the P5 and up node based materials though, so only image mapped textures really work. 

I agree with Mark.
Studio is trying to compete with Poser, but imo Poser still is ahead. Doesn't mean it will stay that way, DAZ is being agressive so what will Smith Micro do to keep Poser ahead???
You can do a lwhole heck of a lot with Poser though.

Visit my gallery page on my website and you will see some examples of Poser working for me.

Poser is still quite a bit ahead of D|S when it comes to animation. For still renders, D|S offers stiff competition to Poser.

You have a new computer. Does it have a 64 bit OS? In that case, go Poser - Poser 7 can use more RAM on a 64 bit OS, at least, when you're rendering in the separate render process. D|S is still 32-bits only, which means that Poser 7 should be able to handle more complicated scenes.

Another reason to stick to Poser: you've used it in the past. It'll come back to you faster than you'll be able to learn the ways D|S handles things.

Keep the unimesh figures, but do download Apollo! He's arguably the best Poser male figure around, and support for Apollo is increasing. The good news about Apollo: the figure and quite a bit of clothing are free!

 For my money, D|S is really doing it for me at the moment - though, for me, it is a feeder into a third party app.

I would consider myself a fringe user, but I'm LOVING Daz Studio in conjuction with V4 Level Of Detail meshes / characters + morphs and selected textures. Then again, I'm not rendering in Poser or Daz Studio. 

I recently and regretfully  purchased Poser 7 at Content Paradise's reduced price for recent OS change and to maintain support for Mil 3 and earlier content, which I will no longer use due to their exorbitant and unacceptable high polygon counts.

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If I was in your shoes I would stick with what I've got but add Apollo into the mix. The last time I tried to use D|S it couldn't handle the P5/P6 figures while they were compressed, this might have changed since then as I gave up trying D|S back at V1.5.

Quote - I think the overall business model for D|S is to provide a 'bare bones' renderer, while you add functionality (and reddy cash) with add-on modules.

This is exactly why I will never buy into the Daz Pay Pay Pay for each and every similar function that is already included in Poser. I for one am no fan of the Daz Ala Carte Purchasing plan.

Rigging = $30 to $180
Dynamic Cloth I suspect will fall along those same lines as the Rigging Prices.
And you will have to buy DS Specific Clothing.

The Gen4 Figures work just fine for me in Poser.

If you wre and avid Poser user, you may very well find that frequently you will be unable to do something in DS that you normally do in Poser, unless you shell out $20 or more for a plugin.