I'm doing animations too now, Operaguy, which is why I purchased Carrara. Those things I mentioned are all possible for animation, with regard to speed. Of course, my idea of speed and yours may differ, but overall, raytraced reflections, environments, and even volumetric lights are not just things reserved for stills, especially when you consider the fact that you have the ability to network render.

I think the main problem you will face, no matter what program you use, will be that you seem adamant on bringing Poser animations into it. I've started to come to the conclusion that perhaps doing away with that first step is the only way to get the efficiency I need, which is why I'm thrilled that Carrara allows you to natively rig Poser figures automatically.

The only other thing that would keep YOU from going that route is that you absolutely need dynamic hair. That might be the biggest hurdle. I'm not saying you can't achieve the goals you want in Carrara, but that could be the one issue.

Check out the plugin for Carrara called "Anything Grows". It supposedly can generate lots of things, from plants to hair. I don't have it, but I'm sure someone will know if it can do what you need. I don't know if it has the "styling" tools you would require to make a good hairstyle like in Poser. That's the one thing Carrara lacks.

Have you checked out any of the other applications out there that can do what you want? Almost all of them now have the ability to import Poser scenes, or to rig Poser figures in them, and some have their own strand-based hair that is better and faster than Poser's own. Cinema4D comes to mind, or 3dsmax (pricey).

Message edited on: 01/31/2006 00:43