Hi,

I am thinking of maybe trying to learn a 3D anim software to see if I can do some units out of it of better quality than copy/paste and faster (I mean once and if learnt :p ).
But I need something free like a demo version and a software that has basic shapes (human, ... and other "prons (? is that it)) and a good tutorial.
And if possible compatible with most other people here (just in case).

Is that a dream ? Would Poser 4 fit for that role ?

Well as far as I know Poser doesn't have a demo version... Maybe you should look into Rhino. They have a demo version... And GMAX is basicly like 3DSMax only free (there are issues with what format you can save in but you could always take screen-shots of your renders.

I'm not sure, but I think that you can't render with gmax

Theres also Povray and Movray, maybe aaglo could make a torturial of how to "write" a unit:hmm:

I looked at Rhino and did not get it (maybe I am not fit for these softwares or maybe basic human is what I need to start).

Does anyone know of Maya (since someone posted a link to a free version) ? Easy, good or bad for units, models ... ?

Animation of human models is not easy in Rhino (it's just a modelling program, it doesn't even support animation), though if you are exprienced enough to make a model yourself, you can. Animation packages usually have humans models/skeletons with bones/chains for animation.
Maya is very serious 3d package so it has needed features I'm sure, but I don't know if anyone here uses it so he could help you. I remember some people mentioning it, but they never got a unit up and disappeared :/

Maya is great for making 3d scenes, animations, models etc, but it wouldn't be good choice for making units because it is very complicated program and for just one unit you would need very long time to make it. Not to mention how long it would take to learn such a program.
Rhino is best for NURBS, but you don't make units with NURBS.

Originally posted by Doc M
Rhino is best for NURBS, but you don't make units with NURBS.

Of course you do :). I did 3 units with NURBS (ships - it was really good for sails and hull), and Neomega did dozens, look at his mod. That's just the way of representing 3d model, way easier to handle than polygon meshes.
Unfortunately, it's still just a modelling package.