Mark,
I haven't had a play with AR3 yet, still trying to earn a living
From what I've read on various C4D/Vray forums, your comments are pretty accurate. I for one doubt that I'll be going back to AR3, though for the price it is pretty good value and a good way to first learn the 'art' of GI and architectural visualisation.
Warwick Lloyd-Martin
3 D E N V I R O N M E N T
http://www.3de.com.au
Windows 11 Pro 64bit
ArchiCad 4.55>27 AUS
Lumion 12.5/2023
D5 Render