if you gotta problem with DLing programs your attempting the wrong hobby my friend, its time to broaden your horizens...(sp..i'm stupid)....if your making models from scartch, i suggest you either make or start the model in wings 3d if your new to the whole process of model editing...wings is very simple to use, but its used mostly for JUST modeling...nothing more nothing less...however it can export to 3ds and i believe you said thats what u have?...seriously...the DL is like 2mb, get it. About the tutorial...refer to nicolis modeling tutorial in the tutorials section, its the most helpful i've found sofar and its for creating models from scratch more specificaly | 
