What Format Have I Chosen and Why?

After researching I have taken into consideration what format I am going to choose. I very much like the idea of creating an animation. The reason for this is because I would like to develop new skills and enhance any existing ones I have. This is because in creating the animation I will be using a few software programmes that I have not used before and some that are familiar to me. For example, if I am to make a 2D animation I will be using Flash and After Effects. These two programmes are software packages in which I have not used before and because of this I would like to explore their capabilities as well as my own.

My initial research into 3D animation tells me that the most popular software packages used in the animation industry are Maya and 3DS Max, which are programmes both owned by AutoDesk. Maya seems to have the edge over 3DS Max as it appears that studios such as Dreamworks and Pixar use Maya to create their productions.

As it is both of these programmes that are primarily used in the animation industry I shall, by using tutorials on You Tube, attempt to create a model before on both programmes before I decide whether to make an animation in 2D or 3D.