i use 3ds max because it has much more tools and it's more usefull, anim8or is more limited and simpler, i attempted to use anim8or to make this machine and i spent a hour on it, and i didn't even have a floppy drive, cd drive, not even a power button!
anim8or is too limited to make a good model, if you do make a good model, it will take you weeks, months, mabye even years.
3ds max has a hell lot more tools and is mabye even simpler to use because the added tools, and it definatley isn't as limited as anim8or.
example: the model isn't made up of "just boxes", i used the great "connect" function when i select 2 lines, creating a divider, which makes creating faces way way faster and easier then with anim8or, this is a feature i would love to see in anim8or.
you also can apply several materials to different faces in 3ds max, you might be able to do this in anim8or, but i get the chills at even thinkin about starting simple limited anim8or to see for myself...