For anyone after a very high quality free 3D engine (we're talking Quake/Unreal quality) and well priced VB control to access it (if you want to avoid a lot of coding yourself) then try
http://www.psigames.com (they have a link through to Genesis 3D which is the engine
at www.genesis3d.com)

I haven't implemented this one yet myself but by all accounts it is supposed to be something special. Hope this helps out a few people...in return does anyone have a collection of graphic effects for smooth screen wipes, disolves, fades, zoom in/outs etc?