[Bragi]

I just read that 'blender' allows for python scipting for custom and procedural animation effects (http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/) Does this perhaps mean that you can do automation in blender?
Can you use DAZ material in blender?

[Freddy]

Yes Blender uses Python a lot and there are many Python plugins.  I did tinker with it once but didn't get very far but it seems not too bad to learn. I guess you could write script to automate things. I think there is also a web player or two as well, it's been a while since I checked.

You can import Poser/Daz OBJ files into Blender no problem, but as far as I know you have to re-rig the bones as there was no way to import the morphs and skeleton.

There are plenty of free 3D models around though I expect you could find one fully rigged.

You might also be interested in Make Human which can export to Blender.

Sorry for all the fuzziness but it's been around a year since I last used Blender, much will have changed.

PS. I stand corrected, it looks like you can import bones : See here....Using Daz Characters with Blender.

Blender rocks 

[Freddy]

That article doesn't seem to mention morphs, which I think would be the major hurdle here - might be worth searching the Blender forum.

[Bragi]

Long article though, lots of steps to get it working, it seems.