can you post a screenshot of your render and your normal maya window?

Maybe this will help

http://www.kurgan.dk/mayafaq/faq7.html

take a look at the wiggle expression tied to a cameras position controller

most apps should handle the .obj file type

Basically its down to personnel preference, there is no magic software that will automatically get you a job in the industry, choose whatever you can work best in and produce the best results in.
...

try this?

http://www.subdivisionmodeling.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3580

what version are you using?

Mastone is right, layers in Maya have different types, You have regular layers called display layers, which can be used to hide and reference bits of geometry, for modelling or animation, Rendering...

go in to your show menu for each of those windows that don't show anything , my guess is you have selection highlighting turned off, as well as manipulators and other things, turn them back on.

Hi, this should be easy enough for you to follow:

http://localhostr.com/files/34ede1/edges.jpg