I didn't like anim8tor either, maybe it was just too steep a learning curve and I'm too excited to move into game design to spend that much time learning one tool.
As a beginner I've had a lot of success with MilkShape and CharacterFX (shareware). I'll create the primitives and do some shaping of the basic model and initial texturing in Milkshape, export it as a Milkshape 3d ASCII and then import it into CharacterFX to animate it.
Character FX seems to export to DBP flawlessly, but I can't vouch for DBC. I wouldn't think it would be that different.
I also haven't gotten into complex texturing yet. When I do get there it looks like Lithunwrap will work just fine with MilkShape.
A Cloaking Robe of Elven-Kind hangs in my wardrobe behind
All those things that mother said were proper for a boy