I missed the chapter on meshes

[The ultimate novice]

I think I know pretty much WHAT they are: used for characters, weapons, decorations, etc . . .
But is it realy necessary to use the ludicrously expensive 3d moddeling programs I've heard about so far?! Why didn't they incorporate mesh compiling into UED? What's so special about them that they can't be built with our little poygonal friends from the mapping buisness? Someone straighten me out, please! I feel realy stupid. :(

[Fuzzpilz]

You can use Milkshape (http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft), which isn't ludicrously expensive unless you don't have any money at all.