you can use mel scripting and c++ together for really neat iface stuff..
maya is more commonly used (industry standard: used in lotr )but is alot harder to use with
flash production and web development stuff like this guy's website.
http://billybussey.com
so i guess it depends on what you're doing really...
they're all g0od.
you have made some nice pictures though daniel. good job ! :-D