u need 3d studio max 4.0 - version 5.0 if u wanna use the art tools which makes it easy but that program cost way too much if u try to buy it, u could use gmax which is free but im not sure how u can get models out of there for wc3
u can get it for 20 dollars and all other programs u need to get the models into your mape are for free. it works fine to make skinned animated models! and to get them into a map