I use 3ds max 2008.
It's easy to use and the auto key function is handy ( i don't know if this is a regular function... ) .
But if the scene is too complicated the rendering is slow.
So i vote for 3d studio max.

I use Blender
What\'s The Best 3d Animation Software?

I use Blender, which is free. It really can do almost anything you could imagine. There's also tons of scripts or pluggins that other people from the blender community create and you can download for free. It also has one of the best GUIs I have ever seen. I suggest for those who are starting to get into 3D animation, and those already into it ofcourse, to give blender a try.

Www.Blender.Org

try maya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What\'s The Best 3d Animation Software?

If I were you I would deffenetly try maya 2008 it has an non resonable price ($50 to $250) but I garentee it will have asume graphics and even better features! ofcourse if you cant afford it you should use maya 8.5 it still has all the main features but looses the extras and cool graphics anyway you should try any maya program, best part you don't need any advanced programing skills!~by fritz



-reply by fritz

best software
What\'s The Best 3d Animation Software?

Well I know max, maya, lightwave, blender..
But to vote for best software I go for max..
Even though maya is superior.. But max has simpler interface than maya.


-reply by Ovesh

I am a professional 3D Animator...:) :)
I vote for MAYA 8.5 simply because the question was..."which is the best 3d Animation software?". Maya wins ANIMATION although I would rate XSI Softimage pretty close to it in animation sector.

When I joined Multimedia stream, I got in touch with the 3D anim part through 3DSMax. Its a loveable software. But when limited to Animation or Dynamics, Maya is the better one easily.
Its better than 3dsmax, softimage & lightwave among the softwares I've worked on.[no idea about others in market.]

-reply by Krishna

Depends on the question and how you wish to have it answered, both software programs are quite powerful in both capability and rendering. The pros and con are so minute they are almost non existent, I'm not qualified to be listing pros or cons however from my experience. I found maya simple to use and hard to master where as max is hard to use but simple to master overtime. The conclusion, maya although available on pc and mac is purely meant for the mac market and hence is mainly used for the animation department. Where as max is available to pc users and unlike maya makes use of directx and is purely used for but not limited to modelling, texturing, rendering, landscaping and architecture etc... It all comes down to what you plan on spending and what your target goal with either software is, so there is no real easy way to answer such a simple question.

-reply by Someguy