Thanks for the advice peoples. For now I'll be learning to use MED and WED as efficiently as possible. Much to learn. Eventually I'll need to enhance my working environment to get the visuals I need.

Robotronic, I'm very interested in doing some 3D animated shorts for cutscenes and other purposes. Would you have any suggestions for a low budget artist?

Ideally it would be compatible with GameStudio since I'm building my working environment around it. I can't think of anything more fun than to model and skin my own characters for stories that I write...