Viper you can use hide(default minus key on numerical keyboard)/unhide feature to "get inside" model example if you want work behind some elements.

Animations are very simple you need to make object connected to other nullobject (m key) and make hierarhy. Then you need to know what period of frames should be used. Example animation from frame 50-100. You select object - parent, put (enter key) at frame 50 then move/rotate object to frame 100 and put (enter key). You have two key frames and animation will be generated automatically. Also between those points you can make more transitions.