Free to use with option lower resolution output plus a $99 / year "Starving Artist" (good name) option for higher output resolutions suitable for portfolios is a great great way to foster a community and make it easy to get into.
I'm in the process of producing a breakdown video that will give some insight into the process. The software used for line drawing and rendering was Houdini by Side Effects Software.
Also, way to stick to your guns and post it on vimeo over youtube.