gmax is a cut down version of 3ds max, and was free about a year ago, I believe. '3d world' magazine regularly has free old versions of software ('amapi' most recently) and excellent platform independent tutorials on all issues related to 3d modeling. I think Bryce & ray dream are great, by the way, although I now use 3ds max. Amorphium is good for making planets and free sculpting (it also exports to .3ds). Poser was given away free with 3d world a couple of months ago.
Cheers Shawnus
Cheers Shawnus