I'm still learning the ropes in Blender, but I have to say I'm quite enjoying Blender - particularly the $0.00 price tag, compared to 3DS and Maya (I'm usually a generation or two behind because of the cost). Google Sketchup is interesting as well.

Just added Blender as an alternative to AfterEffects. While Blender does things very differently than After Effects, it holds most if not all the the same type of functionality in it's full 3D editing environment, node-based compositing system, and video sequence editor.

I've been learning to use blender, and while the interface is difficult to get use to, even at my remedial stage, I have a much easier time making something exactly how I want it than with other programs. If I had to pick a second favorite 3d program though, I would pick sculptris. I have achieved things with it that are comparable to what has been done with zbrushes, I just didn't pay anything for it.

Blender is a brilliant 3D programme. Its full of features, but best of all open source; by far better than the like of 3ds Max. The only draw back I can really see for Blender is that the interface takes a lot of getting use too, but then again so do many of the commercial programmes.

Blender's VSE is one of the most stable video editors for the Linux platform. You might not think of Blender as a video editor, but it really does work quite well and is pretty powerful after you learn it.
It does have a rather steep learning curve, though. It's also a bit more resource intensive than other editing software.

I've seen a lot of very nice results achieved with Blender, but it's quite hard to learn to use it for beginners. Anyway, I'm still keen to learn to use it, although I've also tried other easier programmes and like them.