[island911]

Yep. I can tell you that you are right,; ProEngineer, Solidworks, Catia, . . have all incorporated the cool photorealistic and animation stuff. (kinematic & dynamic modeling)

However I don't believe that too much of the engineering type tools are in the other "just look" software packages.

I say this because, I often get good-looking swoopy part files from ID guys (Industrial Designers). When I bring those part-files into solidworks, I quickly find all sorts of little "cracks" and mis-matched edges, which are unacceptable for a production part model.

"Clean" . . ."Water-tight" models are absolutly required for machining say a mold (for production parts).
Imagine, a few swoopy surfaces to be milled by a CNC cutter. THe program knows to cut, by simply following the surface. If there is an open sliver, from one surface to another, the cutter, at the edge of one surface, may start plunge, over the edge, down, down, down. . .. looking for the bottom.

--oooooooppppps-