Hey all, i'm looking for some help on my latest project:

I need to control a 3D crane (built in 3D max) using a number of buttons.
e.g. When you press the 'left' button, it will start the crane moving left
until you press the 'stop' button.
Do you think its best to have a animation already set, or have the movement on
a loop. (If they do not stop the movement in time, it will carry on and crash
into a building...

How would I achieve this?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Andy