I use DAZ Studio now more than Poser - it handles a lot of the same features but has much better lighting and rendering. I build my own items in Rhino3D or Hexagon or I use premade stuff and tweek the hell out of it. I gave up on 3D studio because of cost. Every friggin plugin is more than it's worth.
DAZ Studion can be fround for free at
www.daz3d.com. Make an account there and then search for V3, M3, Aiko3 and emotiguy in the store. Those figures are also free and can give you a nice set of things to learn the essentials of 3D work.
I do sculpting in clay, like to work in pencil, but with the digital tools availible now I can do more with less clutter on my desk. ;)
Add to that martial arts for over 30 years, calligraphy, cooking, metal smith, computer teacher, web designer and dad. There's me with a degree in psychology and history. Figures that I'm nuts, huh?