CompuServe Messages

Could someone please share some thoughts with me on the suitability or otherwise of any 3D software in the following situation: At present I draft in 2d in Generic Cadd6, then export into 3D Studio[R2] to create, view and render & animate my 3D models. I also export out of 3d Studio into Autocad LT to print/plot hidden line removals. I wish to find a 3D Cad program to so as to be able to create 3D models in a more accurate fashion than 3D Studio will allow, thus skipping the 2D drafting stage, and also dimension and generate 2D views of sections through the model. Autocad itself is not an option because I loathe the clumsy way it operates, especially its 3D viewing options. Specifically: 1] What are brand X's 3D viewing, rotating, perspective controls like on a 1 to 10 scale? [Eg Autocad = 1, 3D studio = 10] 2] Will 3D models built in brand X export via dxf into and out of 3D Studio with no hassle, lining up perfectly, and keeping all surfaces intact? 3] Can 2D sections of the 3D model be easily generated? 4] Can symbols, blocks, components or whatever they may be called have attributes attached, and can these easily be edited and exported to external databases? 5] Can these components be updated, and can one component be replaced with another while still keeping the original components attributes attached? 6] Can entities be selected by colour, layer, type, weight etc as well as by window, crossing etc? Thanks in advance for any replies – I have looked at Microstation, Archicad and Autocad – there must be something better….(and perhaps cheaper). Of course, 3D cad features could be built into 3D Studio to create the perfect 3D program…….please!!!