Its hard for me to say cause I'm biased - my first "REAL" app was Lightwave; I came in at v6.5 so I know it the best.
I say it's also the best coming from Carrara since the surfacing is very POWERFUL and simple (as long as you stay away from the newly added surfacing nodes...)
XSIs modeler just may be a tad better but Lightwave has been the SciFi Standard for years, so it's not like hard surface modeling isn't possible using Lightwave - it's one of the best modelers out there, just a bit dated GUI wise.
XSI is a MUST if you're talking character animation...
Which would I get? XSI is a more "complete" package, it's just harder to use - Lightwave is simpler to learn but leaves you desiring when it comes to CA and sexy GUIs.
-Will
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"With THIS!, you could be like GOD!..." - Kozer, Blake's 7
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