Free PSD

Some useful, and some not so useful, FREE PSD files : http://inspirationfeed.com/2011/05/50-stunning-pixel-perfect-psd-freebies/

Free models

Nice collection from HAY

Click here for there website, which is cool too.

Free models

Great chairs - Alias Design

Free models

A great collection of sofas, chairs, armchairs, bookshelves, rugs, tables, coat stands and accessories by Arketiop

Free models

Links to manufacturers and other websites providing free models:

Herman Miller

Max memory tip.

3ds Max becoming a bit of a slouch, or running out of memory when going for a render?

Found this useful set of script functions recently:

gc() : garbage collection, clears any remnants of commands and objects in the file

freescenebitmaps() : cleans up texture memory

clearundobuffer() : clears out your undo list

Just type the command into the little pink box in the lower left hand corner of your 'max screen and press enter one after the other.

Sketch Up

So my efforts to learn sketch up are continuing. It took a moment when using 3ds yesterday to remember how it worked! Same after using PhotoShop, takes a while to stop pressing the space bar to pan around the work space.
What I can say is that components are your friends. Use them often.