DirectX 7 - Direct3D - Desperately Seeking Tutorials

[seanm]

Does anyone know where to find Tutorials on DirectX7 Direct3D? I'm looking to produce 3d animated sprites, and a concise, understandable tutorial would probably help. I have been looking at the ones that come with DX7. Helpful, but not that helpful.
Also, does anyone know where I could get a 3D graphics program? Preferably cheap, like, free.

[Sam Finch]

Yeah I've just been looking around and http://visualbasic.about.com/compute/visualbasic/library/weekly/aa032599.htm has a whole list of recomended ones.

I havn't been through them yet but there's a whole heap of them.

[KENNNY]

try
http://www.redrival.com/voodoovb/
for tutorials (and a good msgboard) too.
the SDK can help too.