Quote - ... DS 3 (currently in beta) has some great features. Shader Builder gives you a GUI to make your own RSL shaders and Shader Mixer (node-based procedurals similar to Poser's material room) allows you to combine preset shaders and apply them. These are both immensely powerful functions and they open up a whole new slew of possibilities in DS. Along with Shader Baker, Figure Mixer, Morph Follower and a few other new things, DS 3 is looking very good indeed.

mac

I think the results of the current poll about the new DS 3 features over at DAZ are very interesting...
36% of users think, that the improved render engine is the best feature (was updated to 3delight 8.5 from 6.x)
Only 5-7% consider the new Shader Builder and Shader Mixer as a "best feature".

This leaves the impression, that users believe, new/better render engine equals better renders... 

I would think, that a version update of the render engine wouldn't make much of a difference if
you still don't have more than your basic material settings...

Considering, that the user base is similar to Poser's, the SM survey results mentioned by BagginsBill make sense...
Maybe DS users would have voted on the "improved content management" as well, if it were a
new feature...

 

Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.