OK now what

OK, I found it. I have to right click on a blank model screen and then go down to plugins/import. trying that : thanks I am sure I will have tons of questions as I go along. I have played with light wave a while and found that in order to accomplish the animation I want not only did I need to purchase the program but I also had to purchase many assorted plugins. A friend told me about the advances AM has made since I last tinkered with it and I have viewed quite a few of the animations that others have accomplished with it. So luck willing once I have learned enough I will be able to do the animation I have desired to do for the last 5 or so years. the reason I inquired about the import feature is that I have a lot of models in LW that I have worked on and would like to get them into AM. I realize that they will need a lot of tweaking once they are in AM but since most will not need animation it should work ok. There are a couple that will need animation but will paint that fence when I get to it. I am going through the TaoAM right now doing the tutorials. It was also suggested that I check out the online tutorial covering the same information in the book as they have a bit more detail to them. Again, thanks and will be around for a while. Oh yes, I am always one to get 2 steps ahead of myself I see that AM has contests from time to time, where can I find information on upcoming contests?

I have looked there. Here are what my choices are.

I have been doing 3D for a bit now and played with AM back in 8.5 (i think that was the verson) any way I have been going thru the forums (using the search as suggested) and see that AM will import 3DS and OBJ files. I have tried following the directions but hit a blank wall. As per directions File/Plugins/Import... this is where I get lost as There is a File/Plugins/Export, but no Import option. I am running V15 (the newest verson as of 2 weeks ago). I have also tried looking for available import plugins using the search feature to no avail. Any ideas or help? Thanks