So many things you haven't told us...
DBPro should load 3DS files, but I've noticed that some models with DDS textures needed the texture loaded as an image and then applied to the object separately. If I didn't do this, the object appeared solid black.
What colour is your backdrop? If it's black, then the above problem would show up as what looks like a blank screen.
Are you using AutoCam Off and positioning/pointing the camera at the object manually? If not, do it. You can then move the camera away from the object and see if it appears. (If the object is too big, the camera can be inside it and the cull settings make it invisible to you.
As for object animation, take a look at Play Object.
TDK