OK, a high-end graphics program has been released by the Alias company, a free download of their Maya 5 Personal Learning Edition - for non-commercial use.

If interested, see http://www.alias.com/eng/products-se...le/index.shtml and sign up!

"Maya Personal Learning Edition 5 Offers:


A new hardware rendering option using the power of next-generation graphics cards. Get near software-quality images at often dramatically faster speeds.
A unified rendering workflow for easy and consistent access through a common interface.

Animation enhancements to constraints, forward/inverse kinematics and ghosting for added flexibility.
Maya Paint Effects™ to polygon conversion for a whole new range of looks plus more editing and output options.
An improved polygon reduction method for making lightweight game models and MODs. "