i learnt 3d max through the tutorials given with the program and also from the internet
still learning and after 2 months i can produce some ok arch visuals

only problem i face is exporting to scale... the elevations... plans etc

anyone here who knows how to that, feel free to share

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....