Re: Thanks guys.

[Geoff Bailey] "AE is so limited"

Not for what it does. Only it is not an animation tool.

AE started out as a "CGI Optical Printer" but it did not branch out into a more generalized tool, so the functionalities are similar to the "parent" device, augmented. You can animate and sequence in an optical printer, it used to be done, but there are alternative methods that are more controllable. Even in the optical printer's league there was and is the Oxberry line of animation stands, infinitely better and the de-facto standard at pro drawn animation although they lack the creation of images thorugh automated sequencing of a printer.

Maya, on the other hand is built for animation. Anything goes. Animated sequencing is used everywhere, even for modeling. It has animated paint that grows, MEL, etc. It is very powerful, but you need to see things as an animator in terms of motion so your break-down of the process does not paint you into a corner.

Take care and keep keepin'.

.k.