just starting

[loismustdie89]

I'm thinking about starting to model and skinning and I was wondering If anyone had any suggestions for a newb.
Here's what I need:

Program (free or cheap because I don't wanna pay a lot for using it a few times if i don't like modeling)
tutorial

[CheapAlert]

Free:

http://www.blender.org
http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax

Cheap:

http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft