CompuServe Messages

I doubt that Lightwave is an appropriate modeller for building things that will be manufactured. There are geometry issues that affect manufacturability that require a CAD modeler. Alias Studio has the required tools (and unfortunately, an extremely high price tag) the lower priced package (Alias Designer) may have the necessary tools, but you should talk to Alias about it directly. There are a number of other capable modellers on SGI, but I'm really only familiar with Alias. Don't buy SGI equipment until you know which software you're going to use (it's not like buying a PC/Mac) and don't get any machine with a 4600 in it (nothing but trouble for my friends that have them) The 4400 is very reliable (and faster) and the R10000 which is coming next year blows away any PowerPC or P5/6 chip- lets just see if they price it that way. SGI is due for some major price cutting in the immediate future, and with their merger with Alias, it is possible that there will be a bundle that will fit into your budget. OTOH, things may get very interesting on the Mac in the fall.