I wish I started out in this areas as it really interests me. WOuld start learning today hwoever its hard enough to keep the skills I already have up to date.
blender I have heard good things about. My brother uses it, and although it looks fairly complex, it looks easy to use yet effective. Never used it myself, though.
for those who can not pay for one, you have some great and free blender.org, k-3d.org, artofillusion.org, softimage.com/downloads/XSI_Mod_Tool/default.aspx, zmodeler2.com