What tools are most commonly used for 3D animation in film production?

The most commonly used tools for 3D animation in film production are Autodesk Maya, Blender, and Houdini. Autodesk Maya is widely favored for its robust character rigging and keyframe animation tools, making it a staple in character-driven films. Blender, an open-source option, is valued for its integrated workflow covering modeling, rigging, and rendering, appealing to both indie and studio productions. Houdini excels in procedural animation and complex visual effects, ideal for dynamic scenes like explosions or fluid simulations in high-end films.