I've made some of the props using "google sketchup" which you can download the program and use for free http://www.sketchup.com/product/newin8.html

google also have a "google warehouse" where you can find props already made "without texture" that you can download individually when needed http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

you can use google sketchup to make animation and even movies but you can't animate people unless you green screen them into your google sketchup video, so instead I used another program called "iclone" with avatars that you can program to run jump talk and can even use a picture of yourself to make the avatars look exactly like you or anyone

I've made the above video using "iclone 4" and "3Dxchange" which they allowed me to download for free because they knew once you see what "iclone 5" and "3dxchange 5" can do that you will most certainly buy them because it has camera software that allows you to make your own motion that you can drop and drag onto your avatars among other much needed features


iclone 5 has a 30 day trial version http://www.reallusion.com/ICLONE/

Hey , great some folks actually responded, I was beginning to wonder! Mistress you can download Blender for free and order a book like Blender for dummies or Introduction to character animation with Blender off Amazon. The newest build is 2.66, so try to find a book for that version. You can also order dvd tutorials from the Blender website.http://www.blender.org/download
Funches, I have never heard of that software, sounds cool though. If someone can tell me how to post a jpeg , I'll show some of my work.