I think Sony Vegas can get me by for the little video editing I do. And that's so cheap it's really of no concern.

I use 3D max in my day job. I like it but, yes it will bust the budget.

So my real concern comes down to where to spend money on 3D software that costs $1000 or less and the rest on hardware. I forgot to mention I need to import DWG files some how.

I think I know the answers I'll get on what to use. But I have just used 3D max for so long I'm not current on what's out there now.