easiest 3d software to use... sketchup
can learn it in like 2 days.... its very good but have to use 3rd party rendering software if you want realistic gi renderings....
software includes ppl plugins... print to scale function....

wat lightwave not great.... all the 3d software was great depands user only

"blender" http://www.blender.org
it is FREE and it is open source (and i use it )

i tried 3dmax, lightwave and maya before, and now using blender.

once you remember/master its keys on keyboard you will like it.
check open source 3D movie "elephants dreams" to see its capability
http://www.boinc.ch/~sleepsleep/viewtopic.php?t=10
http://orange.blender.org/