Help with a freeweight work out routine

So since my surgery in August I've been hitting the gym at least three times a week. Well I've normally been just doing the circuit weight machines. Everyone says you get better results with free weights. My problem is I have no idea where to begin with free weights or even the motions to do with them. Could someone help me develop a good free weight routine for working out 3 nights a week? I would greatly appreciate the help.

 The other folks on here have a lot of experience so they may have a lot more personal advice, but I used this guy's site and learned a whole lot.  He has various  workouts on there too that I use (right now I am using his intermediate plan).  The only issue I have is he really stresses pullups and dips, which when I first started out, were pretty silly (I couldn't even do a negative).. of course at most gyms they have a assisted pullup/dip machine which works great:    http://scoobysworkshop.com/

Thanks helpful site. Are you seeing good results?

 I've seen really good results, if I can brag a little.  I really focused a lot on my arms cause I was really paranoid of having saggy upper arms, and I have to say I am pretty happy with where I am at.  I am really ramping up my running now as I'm prepping for a half marathon, and its really forcing me to cut back on the lifting, but I still try to do the intermediate plan on there, minus leg work, and keeping it to 2 exercises per muscle group.  I was doubter myself in terms of free-weights versus machines, but I can tell you its such a difference when I cheat and use the machines versus doing my normal "at home" dumbell/barbell workout from Scooby's site.

Here is what I am doing... Click on the specific excercises, and scroll down a hair, and there is a brief demo of every excercise posted here:

Important Notes:

• Warm up with cardio for 5-10 minutes.
• Stretches and flexibility exercises for 5-10 minutes.
• Stretch the worked muscles at the end of the workout, and cool down 5-10 minutes.
• Abdominals on Monday and Thursday

Daily Workout Schedule:

Monday - Shoulders and Triceps
Shoulders
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Smith Machine Shoulder Press	4	12,10,8,6
Dumbbell Lateral Raise	4	12,10,8,6
Dumbbell Reverse Fly	4	12,10,8,6
Dumbbell Shrugs	4	12,10,8,6
Triceps
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Lying Tricep Extension	3	10,8,6
One Arm Cable Extension	3	10,8,6
One Arm Dumbbell Extension	3	10,8,6

Tuesday - Back
Back
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Wide Grip Pull Up	4	12,10,8,6
Close Grip Pull Down	4	12,10,8,6
One Arm Dumbbell Row	4	12,10,8,6
Bent Over Barbell Row	4	12,10,8,6

Wednesday - Rest Day

Thursday - Chest and Biceps
Chest
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press	4	12,10,8,6
Barbell Bench Press	4	12,10,8,6
Incline Dumbbell Flys	4	12,10,8,6
Cable Crossovers	4	12,10,8,6
Biceps
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Incline Dumbbell Curl	3	10,8,6
Preacher Curl	3	10,8,6
Standing Hammer Curl	3	10,8,6

Friday - Legs
Quads, Hamstrings & Glutes
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Squat	4	12,10,8,6
45 Degree Leg Press	4	12,10,8,6
Leg Extension	4	12,10,8,6
Stiff Legged Deadlifts	4	12,10,8,6
Calves
Exercise	Sets	Reps
Seated calf Raise	3	10,8,8
Standing Calf Raise	3	15,12,10

Saturday and Sunday - Rest Days