You want to use 3D software and blend it into photoshop, fine.
IF you go overboard, I will probably only give you a nice comment but not a vote.
...as for Gifs, I tend to agree with the rest of the class. They have a place here, but only a few choppers actually submit them (like myself) so why bother with it's own category. It is one of the few file extensions that are allowed for uploading, so I see nothing wrong with them competing in the "daily" normal contests. What would be cool is having a gif contest day, where everyone needs to make a gif... but on that day, someone would make a static image and win
All that being said, for a $50 prize contest, I'm not going to vote for a gif no matter how well done it is. Because I really don't feel its fair to the rest who take the time and effort to make a story using one frame instead of making a story using 15-20.
Thats my inflated 2¢
Final Summation:
1) 3D software is OK to use as a supplement/compliment, but not as a final end product.
2) Gifs OK for daily fun contests but not for prize money.
3) Lets have a GIF day.
now everyone STFUAC.
Stepping down from lurkers soap box and blending back into the crowd.