In theory you can get 3D Canvas, it's freeware, and the Pro-Version is 50$: http://www.amabilis.com/
you need then to export it as DX8 .X, then convert it to .B3D using Stickmans Converter from :
http://blitz.idigicon.com/filesystem_download.asp?NickName=Stickman&ProjectName=STK_DX8_to_B3D_file_Converter&Filename=DX8-to-B3D.zip
EDIT - wait a minute - my mistake: you need at least the PLUS Version of 3D Canvas to save the Animations as .X. The PLUS Version costs about 35$, and the PRO Version costs 70$ and offers even more.
you can try to free Vesion and see if you like it. you still can export your work after purchasing the PLUS Version.
personally I use CharacterFX too, but for CharacterFX you also need a Modeller and a Texturing Tool.
Oh, yeah, btw., just for in case: you don't need to test Anim8or - IT can animate and it can save .3DS...but it cannot save animated .3ds, only static ones. It can save animations only in it's own format which is pretty useless.
Not shure about the Animation export capabilities of: http://www.openfx.org/news/index.php
you need then to export it as DX8 .X, then convert it to .B3D using Stickmans Converter from :
http://blitz.idigicon.com/filesystem_download.asp?NickName=Stickman&ProjectName=STK_DX8_to_B3D_file_Converter&Filename=DX8-to-B3D.zip
EDIT - wait a minute - my mistake: you need at least the PLUS Version of 3D Canvas to save the Animations as .X. The PLUS Version costs about 35$, and the PRO Version costs 70$ and offers even more.
you can try to free Vesion and see if you like it. you still can export your work after purchasing the PLUS Version.
personally I use CharacterFX too, but for CharacterFX you also need a Modeller and a Texturing Tool.
Oh, yeah, btw., just for in case: you don't need to test Anim8or - IT can animate and it can save .3DS...but it cannot save animated .3ds, only static ones. It can save animations only in it's own format which is pretty useless.
Not shure about the Animation export capabilities of: http://www.openfx.org/news/index.php