What is the best product to use?

[Array]

try softimage XSI 4.0

It has a feature where you can run a realtime 3d engine in a viewport and modify the objects within the engine in realtime.

[ntrivedi]

Thanks for the suggestion but it seems like xsi has a steep learning curve. Something like Lightwave seems to be easier to use (just by reading reviews and forum posts).

I'm just a little unsure about what these 3d products are capable of by themselves. I know they allow for scripting. Can I call external events via these scripts? By external events I mean C++ programs, OS services etc.
When the product says that it can be used for games, how does it work? Do I need other tools or products on top of the 3d app to create a game?
Is it more difficult to create a game as opposed to creating an animation that uses scripts to call external events?

Thanks!

[mummey]

I'm looking for a product which will allow me to create a realistic looking (2D or 3D, 3D preferred) animation which runs certain Java and C++ programs in the background. This needs to be interactive, allowing the user to click, drag and everything else.
So for example a user can start the animation of a car driving and click on the car to see it's properties, drag it onto a different road, etc. So pretty much like a game.
It has to be easy enough to used by a graphics beginner.
Would products such as Maya or Lightwave be useful? Thanks for the help!
If it were that easy none of us would have jobs... :shrug:

You need a 3D 'game' engine. (Game in quotes because it doesn't have to necessarily be a game engine; its just that most are in fact.)

Go check out http://www.gamedev.net and ask around there.

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