I really need to learn how to make units. I have posted some units that I would like in "Unit Request Thread #2" but I think it would be good if I could make some myself. I have no artistic ability whatsoever, would it be difficult to make ones that actually look ok?

It's difficult to say for you if it's "hard" or "easy". If you have any experience in 3d-modelling, then it won't be so difficult, but otherwise it might scare the bejesus out of you (altough there are some exceptions to the rule - some people venture the masochistic route called Cut&Paste, which means editing existing units by hand).

But you never know unless you try.
You may find several tools in the utilities-forum, and there is currently a discussion about unit-making tools in this (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=95891) and that (http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=95600) thread

Well, if you really have "no artistic ability whatsoever" I guess it would be quite difficult. But bear in mind that most people wouldn't be able to create perfect units if they never tried something similar before. So if you are patient and willing to invest (probably a lot of) time I don't see why you couldn't learn it. If you are routined with 3d software everything is of course much easier, so the question is if you want to go into that. ;)

About making human models, what is the hardest? Making props for the model (not many do that, IIRC) or animating it?

Both :D However, you probably can find good free models, also human models on the net, but animating is always to do, so all in all I find this more difficult.

the closest thing to 3d modeling I have done is "Parametric Modeling with I-DEAS 9" in my Engineering Graphics class. If it is anything like AutoCAD or I-DEAS then I should be able to catch on fairly easily. Has anyone ever used those programs and if so, are there any free programs that are similar? If so, I may check it out sometime in the next couple of weeks, otherwise it will have to be once I finish my Calculus class and actually have time to sit and do a lot of experimenting.

I never did CAD stuff, but I read somewhere that raytracing/3d-rendering was developed to visualize CAD stuff. So CAD knowledge could turn out quite helpful.

BTW, IMO in the beginning it helps a lot if one learns the basic stuff of 3d software by plaing around with free models from the net. Once you're familiar with the software, you can still try to model your own things :) Of course others may prefer another approach.

yea.. i only knew bout AUTOCAD too...

if it was text commands like that on POV ray in some sort of way it would be a bit more comforting.

sorry to say i havent seen anything like that yet.

lots of buttons or lots of text (blender and pov ray)

Has anyone used MerlinVR and can it be used for unit creation?