Yes, the first picture looks like 3D, and it is probably done with an expensive 3D modeling program.
There is a free 3D program from Daz 3d, but you would have to use free models or you can buy models for that program. Other programs allowing you to do your own modeling are most likely going to be expensive.

The second picture could easily be done in a vector drawing program. It could be easily done in Xara Xtreme.