Most of the people here use Autodesk 3D Studio Max + Brazil for the easy renders. If you still want to use 3dsmax and go more advanced, you'll be using 3dsmax + VRay. If you want a freeware 3d app, you'll be using Blender.
Well I got The Gimp and Paint Shop Pro 9...i doubt i can do anything with those? Im new to PSP9 but iv had The Gimp for awhile but never messed with them...so i dont know what they can do...