I have my game in a state where I need to start thinking about graphics. I am good at art, but I have never done 3D. I really don’t know here to start or what software to use.
Can someone recommend some affordable 3D software that makes it easy for a beginner to sculpt some game assets? Freeware would be nice, but I am not holding my breath. 
Blender is affordable… being free. Easy for a beginner though? Remains to be seen.
Best suggestion would be try out trials of all the well supported apps out there, see which one you feel most comfortable working with, then save up and invest in a full copy.
Thanks. I have heard of Blender. I will give it a try and hope I do not become overwhelmed.
I am really hoping to find the MS Paint equevelant of 3D 
Check out Blender and Sculptris. Sculptris is a dynamic subdivision organic modeling program and Blender can do pretty much everything. Someone also posted a link recently to Mesh Mixer, which has some interesting features.
Search the forums - the topic’s been covered to death.
Blender, definitely. Download version 2.56 at www.blender.org and watch some tutorials over at www.blendercookie.com. You will thank me one day. Of course, if you have money to spare more options are available, but the new Blender is absolutely amazing, especially since it is free and all.
I like 3ds max didin’t take me long to figure it out and It’s free if your a student.
If you can get used to blender’s awkward interface, its a good program for indie game makers. It has a lot extensions and user made stuff that the big programs don’t have (since they aren’t open source). Since your new, you may not notice how awkward the interface is. If you get used to Maya or 3d studio, you won’t be able to handle blender’s clumsiness.
I state again: The topic has been done to death. Seriously. There’s Pros and Cons for each and every major or minor piece of 3D art software out there. As long as it supports polygon modeling and FBX export it can work with Unity.
Blender, Cinema 4d, Maya, 3DS Max, Modo (no bone based character animation yet, thoug), Lightwave … they all work and I know someone for each software who would advice to use it over any other. It’s personal preference and that can only be gained by trying the demos.
Personally I advice to use Cinema 4D for a first app and then go further or stick with it. No better commercial App to learn 3D. Why not Blender although it’s free? Because it’s still too poorly documented. The software itself is pretty capable and cool but as soon as you’ve got a workflow problem - better hopt to get it solved yourself or with the help of the forums.
Hey mate. I used the Blender Underground community. They have some REALLY long and in depth beginners tutorials, that covers ALL the basics you need. Really informative, and i still use it as reference
Blender, Cinama4D, Chita3D