Request for advice on rendering and animating AutoCAD 14 solid model mechanical assemblies and devices

Hello everyone,

I have a small mechanical mechanism modeled as 3D solids in AutoCAD 14. I need a way to use the models to make a presentation to both illustrate the operation principles, and show how the parts fit together and operate.

I would like to do this in the form of a document with 3D drawings and rendered images, and supporting text. I would also like to animate the solid models, to show how everything fits together and assembles. I would also like to show the assembled device in operation (it's just basically a few rotating parts and some springs).

Ideally the animation itself could be distributed in a format that could be played by Windows media player, quick-time, real-player or some other free viewer.

I am using windows 98, (I know I need to upgrade) and I am looking for the least expensive way to render and animate the solid models. I would appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone can offer.

For the written document, I thought of just pasting some rendered images and 3D drawings into a Microsoft word document, and then adding supporting written text. I could also possibly make a power-point presentation. AutoCAD 14 does not seem to render very well by todays standards, so I will probably have to find something else to render the solid models.

As for the animations, I am not sure. I have seen some fantastic looking stuff made in 3D studio max, but that's very expensive like AutoCAD, and I would probably need an older version to run on windows

1. They make some freeware rendering animation programs like Povray
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   but all of the programs like this that I have seen, don't really lend themselves to working with CAD files or 3D solid models.

Hopefully there is some cost effective way for me to create the animation.

Thanks for your help. John