Hey, yes the new version does include the 3DS export plug-in.  I've only been using the program a few days and fairly impressed with it.  Being new to CG animation/modeling, I'm finding it pretty easy and intuitive.  However, yes, I have noticed a minority of people actually using it.

You CAN import into A.M.!   

.mdl   .lit   ..seg   .dxf   .3ds   .ply   .av2

Now, I am not sure what version you have, and what conversion plug-in's you have,

mine is old... v10.5 and I can do quite a bit with it.

.obj is not compatable.... but after you convert your .prg (native A.M. file)

to .3ds, then take the .3ds and convert IT to .obj using PoseRay

Sad to say, that is EXPORT only.... There is no way (that I know of) to IMPORT .obj into A.M.

Unfortunately,

I have looked for a plug in for AM 10.5 to use, to be able to import .3ds into AM. Well, my version of AM suposedly is able to import .3ds, but locks up every time I try it. So no, at least not for V 10.5.

Good luck though... the tutorials or plug-ins at www.hash.com have no working solution that I know of.

Even so, I still like AM and the way it handles, It is a very easy program to use, or, I am just so used to the way it handles, I am more comfortable with it than with any other 3d program out there.