I use Carrara mostly for television work. You are not going to find a better program for this for under $1,000 bucks. I have looked long and hard but when it comes to integrating with after effects & Avid Carrara does what you will need. the field render works and Carrara does a GREAT job with the Alphas on animations. I looked around @ truespace & Animation Master and both have siginificant problems (from what I have read) generating alpha's. And I would bet that would be close to the top of your list for functionality. HOWEVER...if you are looking for character animation go elsewhere :( BUT for broadcast work (logos, text, basic animation) Carrara rules. + it's easy :)