As a former LD (from many, many years past!), I got into using the visualizer as a way to stay in the field of lighting design while not being able to do it for a living anymore. Back in my day there was no software for lighting and though I have been a computer programmer for 30+ years and would have loved to use software like this back when I was an LD, computer technology just wasn't up to the task.
So imagine my excitement when I found DVC2 and the 3D visualizer, great stuff and a good way to play with million dollar rigs without having the means to do so otherwise. I am sad to see the limitation of 1U in the new product and while I (of all people, being a software programmer) understand the desire to make a living, forcing users to have your hardware is missing out on a facet of the product I think you could capitalize on.
I will never have the opportunity to setup an 8 universe, 80+ VariLite show in the "real world" but I can in DVC3, and though my personal use will likely never include controlling actual hardware, I could still be thought of as a potential customer. If you offered a way to enable the 3D visualizer as a licensed feature, an along with it, a stand-alone, non-hardware connected licensing fee, I would certainly be willing to purchase it. Of course the price would need to be right given it would be a virtual-only feature but the days of software like this only be used in the industry are gone and you should very much consider the potential new audience, like me
BTW, I am a serious user, here is a large show I did in DVC2 back in 2009 to Pink Floyd's "One of these Days", I'd love to see what kind of cool scenes and movement I could add with DVC3!
"http://www.flylowandfast.com/Files/Video/Lighting/Daslight - Monster 09.12.12 (HD 720).wmv"
Regards,
Jack