I am a brand new user to VIZ. I bought the program and the courseware from autodesk. I love the program but now im hearing rumors that there going to discontinue VIZ. Is this True?

Well from what I have read this is true.

they are replacing viz with 3ds max design 2009

It sounds to me like they want to rename the program so that more people will buy it, all big software companies do that about every 4 to 5 years, but it is still the same program.

I spoke with the Cadd Center where I get my software from and the News is true going forward they will not be offering new versions of Viz.  But if you have a susription then you will get a version of 3d Max minus some of the features.  The good news is that they are offering a chance to upgrade to a full version of 3d Max or from Viz to 3d Max at a speacial rate.

3ds Max is essentially the same program as Viz… with a few more bells and whistles.

See my post:
click on the link

max design is not going to be the same as viz

There seems to be a lot of confusion and mis-information out there about this.  Here’s the scoop

1. Viz development has been discontinued.
2. You can still buy VIZ, but only until August of this year.
3. If you bought VIZ before Feb 12 (?) of this year, AND, you’re on subscription you can get 3ds Max Design for $295
4. If you bought VIZ before Feb 12 (?) of this year, and No Subscription - it costs $1395 (that gets you on subscription as well).
5. VIZ was a stripped down version of MAX., missing lots of features. 
6. 3DS Max Design 2009 has all the features of 3ds Max, plus an additional lighting analysis tool.  This means you get Biped/Particle FX/ Hair and Fur/ Reactor/Network Rendering, everything.
7. The only thing lacking in the VIZ replacement is that the SDK isn’t included.

that pretty much explains the differences between max 09 and max design 09 and viz

unless your in the uk...RE>>
3. If you bought VIZ before Feb 12 (?) of this year, AND, you’re on subscription you can get 3ds Max Design for $295

upping to max design from viz2008 if your on subscription is £520 plus %
or around $1040 or 4x the cost for usa based viz2008 users