can i use google sketchup or a CAD program to import meshes/textures into the oblivion CS? If so, what is the best free program to use?
-Thanks

I think it's possible to import sketchup file to blender(yes, you need blender or something with .nif plugin to export .nif files). For Google sketchup, search for 'import sketchup into blender'. You may find some tutorial for that.

i just downloaded blender. it looks like a cool program, but now i gotta go take some tutorials on it...
Would it be easier to create it in Blender or make it in sketchup and then import. I'm familiar with sketchup already.
-Thanks

Learning Blender is definitely the way to go. You'll end up with a lot of limitations and problems if you try to use Sketchup. Animations, collision, rigging armor etc - all that (and more) can't be done in sketchup. Sketchup is for making quick sketches and not a full-blown modeling software.

Sketchup is really only for simple models made mainly with shapes. Blender (I beleive) would be far better for anything with more detail, but it probably takes a while to learn