Yea active*, those aren't 3d GFX software... I would say Ulead Cool 3D, or Bryce are the easiest to use... i found C3D easy, and that was the firs time i had ever used it.
Heh well maya, 3ds max, and lightwave are the more difficult ones IMO. They are the ones that have more features and such usually in the end making them more ocmplicated. IMO c4d and ms3d(milkshape 3d) are the easiest ones for beginners as they are very simple and in general more easy to understand and such.