I quite like Anim8or, too. I found it much easier to learn than the other programs I've tried (though that's very a much a personal thing). It's the program I usually use for making props. However, I'm finding Extreme Morph 3D a lot better for the kind of shaping you need for creating head and body morphs. I've never tried Max. It's way too pricey for me at this point. But I'm curious about it. What does it give you for $3,000 that the free Anim8or doesn't have?