No other 3D application comes remotely close to what Cinema 4D offers in terms of integration with After Effects (and Final Cut Pro and Combustion in the soon to be released version R9). Because of this, Cinema 4D is king in 3D for motion graphics.
Go to Maxon's site and check the information on C4D > Integration. If you have any questions regarding that, let me know.
Also, as IQ Nill said, C4D is as intutive and easy to use as pro 3D app can get. Heck, some of the new interface elements in the new version even resemble Apple's Motion!
I have been using C4D for less than a year and I don't find it hard at all to do what I want (in motion graphics, I mean, I have no clue about character animation).
Hope this helps.
Adolfo Rozenfeld
Buenos Aires - Argentina
http://www.adolforozenfeld.com
adolfo@adolforozenfeld.com
