Maya and SoftImage are also popular in the broadcast animation industry, as are Lightwave and 3D Studio Max. In the video game development industry, 3D Studio Max is the current favorite. If you're curious about the job market for 3D animators, check out this article , as well as the sites in my 3D Resources section. Finally, remember that the computer is only a tool, like any other tool at the artist's disposal. You can buy software that has lots of bells and whistles and gadgets, but it will ultimately come down to your skill and experience to make good animation.
Animation is very hard work, but it's extremely rewarding and a lot of fun.
A good resource for learning more about CG character animation is CG-Char , which features a FAQ and an email list populated by professional and amateur animators alike. I have found this list to be an invaluable source of feedback and critique for my work. I didn't have any reference for the animation in this clip, nor did I use any kind of motion capture technology, as some have accused. I did have to act out some of the gestures in front of a mirror to figure out the mechanics, though. First off, I just don't have the time.