looking to create simple isometric assets like 3d cubes which i can colour each face. used pshop for years, but not so keen on 3d in pshop... wondering if there is a free or cheap 3d program for creating game assets?
You can try Qubicle, used to make isometric style art http://www.minddesk.com/guide/ Haven't used it myself but I think it's a very good tool plus it isn't too expensive
Adobe Illustrator ... You can make a grid of -30Shear and 30Rotate with 20x20 Grid layout. and then you can draw anything ... Hexels on Mac is also a good one ..
In Adobe Illustrator, Yes there is .. also its very easy .. i can tell you what are the steps ... Hexel gives you already generated grids to work on ...
Create Isometric Grids using Adobe Illustrator: http://design.tutsplus.com/tutorial...tric-grid-in-less-than-2-minutes--vector-3831