Hi Gary, we can work with you on a simple tutorial, say making a cylinder, placing words, textures, decals, and paint on it using only Carrara.  With that knowledge, you can make neat space ships, furniture etc.  We can get you up and running in a day or two. 

We just need a screen shot of your vertex model room since I don't have Carrara 6 (I have Carrara 5 and 8 and need to see which one to use for the tut.  Jan