Blender is a free 3D graphics application that can be used to create a 3D renderings for still images, animations and games (Wikipedia: Blender, 2009). There are versions for Win, Mac and Linux operating systems.Though having a reputation for being time-consuming to learn, it has features that rival and sometimes exceed those of commercial animation applications.
A still image can be taken from any angle of a 3D creation. 
Examples of its capacity include the house landscape on the left and the engine parts on the right. Note the level of detail and color. The landscape, sky and covering for the house can be selected like paint to serve as "skins" that are placed on top of geometric shapes and contours.
The Blender sculpture on the right rendered as a revolving animation is a single entity from which still images could be taken or an entity that then might be further animated to be a part of a movie on game. Many more examples of these designs can be found by searching YouTube and other video sites for "Blender animation" and other search variations.
When a script is created, larger movie productions can be created. The ten minute movie below titled Elephants Dream is an example of some of its animation capacity. This is a ten minute movie but play just a couple of minutes or using the slider to skim through to see various spots. That will be sufficient experience to become more aware of 3D composition and Blender features.
Elephants Dream from Blender Foundation on Vimeo.
Both the Blender.org site and YouTube searches for Blender tutorials will yield dozens of screen movies that can motivate teachers and students to learn more.
Chapter - Animation Composition Houghton Updated October 19, 2009