A busy day for me so a quick answer for you. This question is either about you changing careers, or getting better architectural productivity.
Artlantis is simple enough so that you can make passable work in short order. It is the best choice for people who need to communicate architectural decisions quickly. I have just received the "Artlantis Missing Book" and do not recommend it, but until September when my Artlantis book arrives, it is the only choice. GET THE FULL FEATURED ARTLANTIS DEMO AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF. DO NOT BE TIMID. YOU DO NOT NEED A TEACHER FOR ARTLANTIS IF YOU HAVE ANY APTITUDE AT ALL. AFTER ALL, IT IS MADE FOR ARCHITECTS. HOW MUCH APTITUDE DO YOU THINK WE HAVE? INVEST AN HOUR.
DISCOVER THE MEANING OF GLEE.
Maya is a top-end animator's product that is applicable to, but hardly optimal for architecture. It is powerful and complex. You rarely need the wet fur tool in architecture unless rendering animated Kodiak bears emerging from fetid zoo drenching pools. Or Sullivan's purple spots. If you have aptitude for this stuff, leave buildings behind and work in the movies. Take the course, find out. Test Artlantis first.
C4D is an excellent compromise because it has professional animation tools, works well with Archicad AND allows model editing unlike Artlantis, but the time you need to get really good is quite long. Material controls are at issue here, with hundreds of possible settings and a new vocabulary to learn. A few guys in Southern California offer intensive courses. Maxon has excellent tutorials. Right from the get go you are making a spinning, exploding TV logo in space. Ooo, baby!
If you are an architect - Artlantis.
Changing career? Maya. [Or, the little-known but great artistic LightWave]
Professional illustrator/peripheral architect guy? Cinema 4D or passe but still powerful Electric Image. [mac]
How is that for an answer?
Dwight Atkinson