[Exan]

You could use a program called Anim8or. It's free, simple and small. I don't know where you can download it though. Someone here posted a link about half an year ago. That's how I found it.

If you can get 3d studio max then that's great. Just do the "Modelling a low polygon spacefighter" -tutorial and you know the basics of how to create ships. It isn't that hard to learn.

Sundansyr:
I just realized something. Slotmodder offers a 'hardpoint number', which I thought was for weapons. Maybe that also goes for engines? I did not give engines/shields/armor 'hardpoint slot numbers', beyond their facing arcs.

No engines do not need hardpoint numbers. Only weapons does. However you have to turn the component type from hull to armor to armor slots. Only shields and armor requires facing. Weapon slots need the hardpoint number and the firing arc. The firing arc in the slot file must be the same as in the SpaceObjectsXFiles.txt