C4D is not a bad program, has a lot of nice features, but the only reason I could think of a LW artist would switch over to it would be it's learning curve is vastly smaller. One of the main reasons [besides game development] a lot of others use Max...ease of use.
XSI on the other hand, I never really cared for it's start-up requirements (back when it was still just Soft|Image you had to have no less than 1600 x 1200 screen rez to even start it up), but it's modeling and animation features were wonderful.
Maya...well, what can I say, it does it all....but the renderer was crap the last time I had a chance to use it (version 4).
With LW8's release, the new features [mostly the soft and hard body dynamics] are a godsend. It now has the built in dynamics products like Maya and XSI have had for years and it's a vast improvement.
When it comes to 3D packages, it all boils down to, what you can afford and what you are most comfortable with learning curve wise. The higher end products are definetely not for the beginner, they'll make you pull your hair out more often than not.
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I think I chose LW for the sole reason, out of the box (no plug-ins or external programs needed) the renderer was the best in the business alongside Pixar's Renderman. To this day, I'd still chose it for the same reason, even though Maya and XSI have Mental Ray's renderer. Again, all comes down to what your most comfortable with using.
I'd like to see some of your recent C4D work though JoeD, so please, by all means toss me a link or two or post here in the 3D forum section so I can take a gander. Perhaps we can start a "model-off" with anyone who wishes to jump in do the same exact scene in any program they wish too, just to be able to see what each is capable of. Perhaps critique each entry so that we can all learn form each other and grow as an artist.