Ok this is awesome!
Shane told me about a program called google sketch up.
http://www.sketchup.com/3Dfor/film-stage
This looks like the coolest design environmnt around and it is meant to be very easy to use.
http://www.sketchup.com/3Dfor/game-design

He said it doesnt render very well so here is a oplug in place to help with that.
http://extensions.sketchup.com/

I think it could be cool to quickly make cool places in this and then if needed exp[oprt them out to 3d max and the have my 3d characters put in after.



here is a character design page for making characters in sketch up.
http://www.giantmonster.tv/giant/?p=396