On the subject of file size, although your Bearcave file is reasonably large (what's left of it) it shouldn't be large enough to cause problems, unless your machine is limited in memory. Your file is around 40MB, I have an Anim8or file that is 287MB that opens, but the interface runs kinda slow. If you have at least 1GB of RAM you should be fine, unless you are running a lot of other stuff at the same time or trying to do long renders direct to AVI. The best way to prevent save errors is to back up regularly. Never work directly on your only copy of a project, always make a backup.
My advice to you is not to give up on Anim8or, but to keep it in proper perspective. It is not a professional package with hundreds of programmers and a massive budget (like Maya), neither is it an open-source concept like Blender. It is a home-made 3D design and animation package built by one bloke, and as such it can't really compare. Steve has left the .an8 file format in editable text so we can see how Anim8or works and fix problems if required, no professional package would do that I imagine.
Due to its simple but effective and efficient workspace and toolset, Anim8or is best as an introduction to the world of 3D animation and a springboard to packages like Maya, Lightwave, Carrara, 3DSMax, etc., but it is also useful as a quick, low-resource-impact modeller. Many animators and modellers who started with Anim8or and have since upgraded to a $$$ package continue to use Anim8or as a modeller. Some of these professional mobs could take a few tips from Anim8or, especially in terms of workflow, model/sequence/scene layout and organisation, and wireframe modelling.
Don't give up! Download the fixed version of your file above, finish it, and publish the results here, we'd all love to see your work. I couldn't help checking your modelling out when I was testing the fixed file, and it looks fascinating!
