Hey evil guy look, The only programm that did really progress in the last years is blender. Me myself i´ve never used it because of its interface but sum days ago i download it again,the version 2.6 and i have to say they are gods,yeah i say gods. Belive me, it is much easyer then max,lightwave(anyway) and way more professional in its way.

Me myself i just did sum introduction manual and i have to say, I understand everything, its so logic and the shortcuts and.... Really its amazing

belive me,i´ve never though i would reccomend blender but i have to. Its the best and the manual and tuts do really help.
so go for blender (my opinion)