For some stuff I'm working on (e.g. AVIATR graphics), I'm looking for a cheap (<<$1K) and easy (intuitive) 3D drawing program program that would let me create a 3D model using measuring tools and Bezier curves between points, have surfaces, and adjust lighting. I'd also like to be able to rotate and spin the model easily in 3D using just the mouse. Above all, it needs to be super-intuitive, I hate reading manuals....

Any recommendations?

I've not found a single animation package to be intuitive. A few colleagues are using Blender - and getting great results. It's free...as in beer. Worth a look perhaps.

Really Doug? That's great news. Where can I get the free beer?

With every copy of Blender you buy from me for $5.

If I get Blender I'd rather have a margarita.

spend the thousands ( lots of $$$ ) on a pro software and the $$$ for windows 7

or spend the thousands on hardware server farm and install pixar's software
-- or --
blender

blender 2.49a or b is the current stable and getting better with each release

the svn blender 3 beta looks VERY nice
but all the python scripts need to be ported from python 2 to python3
so far the 3 beta can not do much

A bit late to write here, but you can use sketchup.

You can make Bezier curves through plugins.

This is your forum for asking questions and look for plugins: http://forums.sketchucation.com/

Sketchup is very intuitive.

You can render free with Kerkythea 2008 (a bit obsolete now), and plugins for Y(a)faray and Luxrender are being developed for sketchup.

Excuse my english