CompuServe Messages

I don't own either, but I think the reason your friends are bragging about Lightwave include: 1. The Toaster (along with Lightwave) already has sold more units than any other desktop video system of the type, and is widely supported by third-party hardware and software manufacturers. There's so much of this stuff that it fills a fat monthly magazine called "Video Toaster User." There's no "3D Studio User" magazine around that I know of! <g> 2. Lightwave is being used regularly in a couple of prime-time TV series ("SeaQuest" and "Babylon 5") and is taxi-tested tough by professionals who demand quality on a deadline basis. Todd Rundgren (nominally a Macintosh freak) has a whole fleet of Lightwave rendering systems doing his music videos these days. 3. Frequent upgrades with new features that keep it ahead of the pack. E.g., the latest Toaster/Lightwave revision lets you output 3D animations in real time (30 frames per second) in full screen, high resolution with 262,000 visible colors, direct from hard drive to tape or live video, without additional hardware. Also, the newest Lightwave offers among other things a motion-blurring option, for increased photorealism.