it did take me a long loooong lloooooooooong time to get myself a legal copy of Maya 4 unlim.... damn!!! and 4.5's out... saving for that right now... the first 3d app i used was 3DSMax 3(pirated )... got rid of it coz i felt guilty..... and then i got Maya 4 PLE.. then saved enough money for Maya 4 Unlim