If I wanted to make ships for a plugin, would AutoCAD(from my uncle) or I-DEAS(from school) be suitable or would I need to "liberate" a copy of 3d Studio Max or Maya from somewhere? I tried getting some of the free suggestions - Blender, Wings, trying AC3D - but I just couldn't get into them.

AutoCAD might work. I don't know about its texturing capabilities, though.

Nobody here will ever condone the 'liberation' of non-freeware software of any kind without paying for it. I suggest you don't try finding cracks or pirated software of any sort.

dsaf, I have to ask; what's the craft in your avatar?

It's a Lance Electra, one of my favorite ships.