http://www.blenderguru.com/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-a-computer-for-blender/ I dont know if it will link or not but that is an article about selecting a system for blender and cycles(works for all softwares like it). It talks about the hardware and software needs versus the budget.

I hope that I am reading the question correctly, but you are asking how to build a computer for 3d graphics and animation. Is that correct? If so almost any of the mid range gaming systems will work off the shelf for most softwares and even most of the more advanced softwares. I run simulations on an old Acer Aspire with little issues and relative speed. There are some crash issues if I try to do anything else but that is to be expected from a 10 year old computer. The bits and pieces are up to the individual because budget always plays a massive part. There are no 1 stop answers that say "this one" because just like the modelers the systems have to fit the user.

the older versions of blender used less intense versions of graphics cards and memory, i still use 2.49 for modelling and take that into the newer versions for sculpting and matting. older versions were simple to me and they are what i learned on so they are my comfort level.

Prior to being able to answer or assist it is important to know which version of Blender you are using because the different versions have vastly separated tools and functions. In older blenders just selecting a group of verts and pressing F would ask AUTO, MAKE F GON, CLEAR F GON, SKIN FACES/ EDGE LOOPS. In that case you cannot complete any of the commands because there are too many connective verts. In the version of 2.69 that I use if you do the SHIFT+D to duplicate and then press SHIFT+F it shifts the focus of the camera but CTRL+F it will give you face options but just F will auto fill the face. I have not gone above the original 2.69 as of yet but I did just test render a basic vessel and liquid and based on your sample instructions and the F I had no problems after I separated the liquid from the glass as separate objects in object mode. Perhaps a screen shot or rendered image would help.

First have you gone through the make seam part? CTRL+W. Mark seam. That is the first part and will make it easier. But as far as a tutorial even the older tutorials are still relevant since the basics have not changed alot. http://www.blendernation.com/2013/10/24/learn-how-to-use-uv-unwrapping-in-blender/   try this one and see if it helps, if not there are more around that people here will be happy to help with. sadly I am still the sites hold out that refuses to grow up from 2.49b.

See I have never wanted to make things for Poser or Daz I make them for me and if others can use them then the better

and ECLARK the image did not show please re-upload because it was looking pretty good as it was

edit it does show

depends on the version of blender and cycles because labels changed

what was one name is now another and it all got odd

For an example of what I do and what I call low poly. 56308 faces per blender

the few items i make are hated by people with weaker systems because i use massive amounts of polys

i am a detail fan because if it does not look real why bother

Geometry of object (mesh) is defined in 3D modeling space with Cartesian coordinates x, y and z.
UV texturing (UV mapping) permits polygons that make up a 3D object to be painted with color from an image. This process transforms the 2D image (called texture map) onto the 3D object in a way similar to decorative gift wrapping. In contrast to x, y and z Cartesian coordinates, which are the coordinates for the original 3D object, another set of (2D) coordinates is required to describe the surface of the mesh, so the letters "u" and "v" are used to designate those coordinates.

UV map is just an ordinary image in any popular format. Term "map" is used because process in which pixels of 2D picture are associated to points on surface of mesh resembles what cartographers do when they use flat paper to represent points on spherical surface of the globe.

as for the other questions all 3d apps have some design features in common that include the x,y,z and for the 2d part u,v

seems to me that you want issues with blender and all other softwares

blender is open source and is developed by thousands of people and adapts to the needs of the users unlike most other softwares

there is alot i can say negative about the others but wont because i am above that

please do not make this about which software you prefer over blender.....do not blender bash

http://3dreferenceimages.com/

try there they do have a toaster but so far its not all that populated

Chainmail Seamless Tile And Maps Merchant Resource by fictionalbookshelf
http://renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/?item_id=73125

heres a place to start

for the bevel mod the closer you start to the origin point the faster it bevels and the farther away you are the more precise it is

i model at 100times studio size just because i like massive details and im used to multi-million poly meshes which tend to crash daz and poser

as far as pixar that was almost 8 years ago and it was a proprietary version for a studio

as far as the rotate tools if you use R it locks to an axis R+Y, R+X, R+Z  locks it to those axis but using the MMB+ALT+CTRL  will give better control

as i said im used to the older versions so the newer addons are a mystery to me

quick tip

you do not need to select a face, vert or edge before using the linked hotkey (L). it can be used to select the linked surfaces beneath the cursor as long as nothing else is selected or to multi select when the CTRL+L is used

http://cgcookie.com/blender/cgc-courses/blender-basics-introduction-for-beginners/

i would suggest that as a primer for all new users because it touches on the basics that can be expanded on later

as far as specifics with the 2.5 and later versions im a bit lost because i still use 2.49b and refuse to leave it nut alot of the basics are the same in all versions

im trying to understand teh rotate in box mode question but for all areas the rotations are controlled by one of teh key combos

ALT+Shift, ALT+CTRL, and Shift+CTRL

its a bit odd for people from a studio background but not all that far from when i used pixar