CompuServe Messages

Hi everybody, am a designer seeking a way to make better models as fast as possible. Toys, furniture… in order to be realized as goods. 3D-modelling and rendering is one of the most exciting things I can think of. And I also believe this technique can save time in the process of development too. As I need to improve my equipment soon, I am searching for the right hard- and software. I think of something which can do object morphing or surface blending, as I also need to create smooth, "organic" objects. The system needs to be sturdy, fast and flexible. All this and even some other reasons let me think of getting something much better than a PC. So, what kind of HW and SW would you choose if you had a smart partner with deadlines to design new consumer goods but a relatively small budget (<20K$) for the equipment? Lightwave on a INDY R4600PC 133MHZ? BTW, I am used to work in 3D. I am also using DesignCad3D from ASBC which I like, but it has too small modelling power for my needs. Every serious hint which does not say: "take another $$-partner", but could lead me to a right direction is highly apreciated. Regards, Norbert.