3ds is a 3D modeling and rendering software made by Autodesk.
This software is useful for creating animations of 3d models that were created in other Autodesk software such as Inventor.
A 3d model can be created or exported into 3ds where lighting, materials, animation, and cameras can be used.

Click on each link to watch a finished video that was modeled in Inventor, animated/rendered in 3ds, and edited in Adobe Premiere.