OK I have the student edition of the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite, and it contains so much:

Maya (with backburner, matchmover, and composite)
3ds Max
Softimage
Motion builder
Mudbox
sketchbook designer

I am interested in cinema animation, not games no have decided to make Maya, not 3ds Max, my main application. I understand that Mudbox can help in character design if sculpting suites me, and I know that sketchbook designer will enable me to do paint images for character design, storyboarding, textures etc. I understand that backburner will help if I build a farm, matchmover is what I use to combine live and GGI footage, and that composite is used for - well compositing :-)

What really confuses me is how do Motionbuilder and Softimage can fit into the mix - or do I just put them on one side along with 3ds Max?

I am interested in 3 type of information:

1) Motionbuilder/Softimage have this really useful component that you should use e.g.:
a) Softimage Face Robot Toolset
b) Use Motionbuiler to build your story boards using the Story tool.

2) Macro workflow suggestions: i.e. Model in X rig and animate in Y render in Z

3) Micro workflow suggestions: e.g. Motionbuilder has fast previsualisation which can be used to plan out your animation before you do it for real in Maya.

Any insights welcome.