2D & Vector Art
InkScape: http://www.inkscape.org/
An Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.
Drawplus: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/DrawPlus/default.asp
DrawPlus is the amazing drawing and graphics software that enables you to create stunning vector graphics, family trees, room layouts and even web animations.
ArtRage SE: http://www.artrage.com/
ArtRage 2.5 Starter Edition gives you 8 painting tools and lets you create, save, and print as many pictures as you like and doesn't limit their size.
Paint.NET: http://www.getpaint.net/
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.
Artweaver: http://www.artweaver.de/index.php?en_version
Artweaver is a simple Freeware program for creative painting, i.e. Artweaver offers you all artistic effects which you need for your work.
GIMP: http://www.gimp.org/
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages.
Project Dogwaffle Freeware: http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/free
Project Dogwaffle 1.2 is a freeware version of the Paint & Animation program Project Dogwaffle and PD Pro Digital Painter, developed by Dan Ritchie.
Pixia: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/pixia.html
Pixia is the English version of a popular Japanese painting and retouch software for full color graphics. It supports mask, layer and many other editing functions. You can use your own customized brush tips and even use an image file as a brush tip to create unique effects. Its user-friendly interface is suitable for beginners as well as experts. Pixia supports the most common editing techniques and presents a user friendly interface.
OpenCanvas Freeware 1.1: http://www.drawfurry.com/?p=42
A freeware release of version 1.1, An easy to use painting and illustration tool that mimics Painter X.
Apophysis: http://www.apophysis.org/
This is a great free open source fractal generating program for both windows and linux.
Their software and all source files can be downloaded from the webste.
Tutorials are also included and there are links to a few more advanced fractal programs.
3D Art
DAZ Studio: http://www.daz3d.com/i/software/studio?_m=d
DAZ Studio is a free, feature rich 3D figure posing and animation tool that enables users of any skill level to easily create stunning digital imagery. Whether you're a 3D newbie or an avid 3D artist, you'll find DAZ Studio is the perfect tool for designing unique digital art and animation with virtual people, animals, props, backgrounds and more.
Blender: http://www.blender.org/
Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
Terragen: http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/
Terragen is a scenery generator, created with the goal of generating photorealistic landscape images and animations. It is available for Windows and the Mac OS. At this stage in its development, Terragen is free for personal, noncommercial use.
OpenFX: http://www.openfx.org/
OpenFX is an Open-Source 3D modeling, animation and rendering suite created by Dr. Stuart Ferguson. He made the decision to release the source code to the public in the middle of 1999, and the product formerly named SoftF/X was renamed to OpenFX. It has now been released under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence.
Gmax: http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax
Gmax is a free 3D modeling and animation tool based on award-winning Autodesk, 3ds Max, software. Built for gamers to create their own in-game content for Gmax ready games, a gamer can produce everything from characters and vehicles to landscapes and props. Not only do you get to customize your games, you also learn 3D design within a professional-level tool. Build the worlds you want to see, in the games you love to play with Gmax software.
ClayWorks: http://cs-svr1.swan.ac.uk/~cstim/clay/index.html
ClayWorks makes use of an innovative procedural system for generating, modifying and storing 3D objects. Complex objects can be stored in very small files which are efficient to transmit.
Art of Illusion: http://www.artofillusion.org/
Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. It is written entirely in Java, and should be usable on any Java Virtual Machine which is compatible with J2SE 1.4 or later.
K-3D: http://www.k-3d.org/wiki/Main_Page
K-3D is free-as-in-freedom 3D modeling and animation software. It features a plugin-oriented procedural engine for all of its content, making K-3D a very versatile and powerful package.
K-3D excels at polygonal modeling, and includes basic tools for NURBS, patches, curves and animation.
3D-Canvas: http://amabilis.com/downloads.htm
3D Canvas is a real-time 3D modeling and animation tool that incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling.
Chaoscope: http://www.chaoscope.org/
Chaoscope is a 3D strange attractors rendering software.
Deep Paint: http://www.cnet.de/downloads/windows/20640/deep+paint.htm
Deep Paint 2.0 is an older version of Deep Paint 3D which Right Hemisphere USA has made available as freeware on Download.com. Deep Paint, like Corel Painter, is intended to allow an artist to paint on the monitor screen like they were painting on canvas. This program once sold for a few hundred dollars.
Autodesk Maya PLE: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7639525
Autodesk Maya Personal Learning Edition (PLE) software is a special, noncommercial version of Autodesk Maya software. It provides free access to many aspects of Maya Complete, but with no time limit—making it ideal for 3D graphics and animation students, industry professionals, and others who want to explore the software at their own pace.
VUE 6 PLE: http://www.e-onsoftware.com/try/vue_6_ple/
The Personal Learning Edition (PLE) is a fully functional version of Vue 6 Infinite/xStream (selection of Infinite or xStream is done during installation). With the PLE, you can:
- Create complete projects, save your work and export to other applications,
- Render stills and animations without size/length limit,
- Experience Vue’s power directly inside Max/Maya/LightWave/Cinema4D/XSI,
- Learn at your own pace (the PLE never expires)!
Alibre Design Xpress: http://www.alibre.com/xpress/
Primarily use 2D CAD software? Ready to get started with a real parametric solid modeler, but don't want to spend a bundle? Alibre Design Xpress delivers the features you need to tackle projects for your business or hobby.
truSpace: http://www.caligari.com/
trueSpace is a 3D-authoring tool, which provides a full balance of NURBS-based modeling tools, realistic rendering and advanced surfacing features. Caligari also provide free training materials.
Google SketchUp: http://sketchup.google.com/
SketchUp isn't CAD, but instead is a 3D software application used to create everything from 3D massing models to fully rendered and highly detailed models. While CAD products are ideal for developing construction drawings, they can be very complex and constraining in the design phase of a project. That's where SketchUp fits in. SketchUp is used predominately on the front-end of the design process where designs are in a fluid and tentative state.
Trial Products
Adobe: http://www.adobe.com/
Adobe Systems offer a wide variety of trial downloads for their products. While they arnt ideal they are good to give you an idea of the programs and how they differ from others on the market.
Poser 7: http://www.shareware-4-you.com/main_download.aspx?prodid=3230&action=download
Poser provides the easiest way to design with the human form in 3D. Using the rich collection of content included and powerful rendering to produce any style art, creative professionals, graphic artists and hobbyists can create stunning art, fine illustration and breathtaking animation for applications that integrate the diversity and spirit of human imagery.
Autodesk 3DS Max: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/mform?id=10083915&siteID=123112
The Autodesk 3ds Max 2009 30-day trial is a fully functional version of 3ds Max software that provides free access to 3ds Max for noncommercial use. The trial software gives 3D graphics and animation students, industry professionals, or anyone interested in breaking into the world of computer graphics the opportunity to explore all aspects of 3ds Max software.
Cararra 6: http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/carrara/
Carrara 3D Express is the fun, affordable, and easy way to get into 3D. This software benefits from the research and development poured into Carrara 6's advanced environment, animation, and rendering tools, delivering sophisticated results at a fraction of the price.
Aartform Curvy 3D: http://www.curvy3d.com/
Aartform Curvy 3D is an innovative sculpting package for Windows, ideal for first time 3D artists. Drawing is Fast: Curvy brings new speed to 3D modelling by letting you draw shapes straight into 3D. Create whole models with just a few strokes. Sculpting 3D models for art and games is quick and hassle free. Painting is Easy: Colours and shapes are easy to work with using Curvy's artist friendly tools.
OpenCanvas 30 Day Trial: http://opencanvas.en.softonic.com/
OpenCanvas is one of the best crossover programs you will find when moving on from real paint brushes to digital design. The installation process takes only a few minutes, after which you can begin drawing right away. OpenCanvas features a simple friendly interface, even for first-time users. Also, note that if you're used to Photoshop, you'll find OpenCanvas extremely familiar, as it follows the same basic guidelines: a large working area with floating windows displaying tools, settings, color palette and so on.
Modo: http://www.luxology.com/trymodo/
Modo delivers the next evolution of 3D modeling, painting and rendering in a single integrated and accelerated package for the Mac and PC. And now, modo is a true end-to-end solution that includes true 3D sculpting tools, animation and network rendering! More than just features, modo is a truly elegant integration of technology, raw horsepower and refined workflow.
ArchiCAD Educational: http://www.archicadwiki.com/ArchiCAD%20versions
(Prerequisite Student/Teacher)
ArchiCAD is a computer aided design software. Graphisoft offers the fully functional Education Version of ArchiCAD for Students and Teachers.
Anime Studio 5: http://my.smithmicro.com/win/animepro/trial.html
Free Anime Studio 5 Shareware Pro Demo. The free to try Professional Solution for Creating Animations! Anime Studio Pro is perfect for professionals looking for a more efficient alternative to tedious frame-by-frame animation.
Manga Studio EX: http://my.smithmicro.com/win/mangaex/trial.html
Manga Studio 3.0 Debut allows aspiring artists and hobbyists to create professional looking black and white manga and comic art.
Shade Proffesional: http://aladdinsys.com/mac/shadepro/trial.html
Shade 8 Professional delivers powerful 3D modeling, rendering and animation software, plus over 1,700 included 3D models to speed up the design process.
ZBrush: http://www.pixologic.com/zbrush/trial/
ZBrush 3.1 continues our mission of creating innovative and powerful tools for digital artists. ZMapper and Displacement Exporter have been ported for ZBrush 3.1 to allow more flexibility for exporting your sculpt. Using our Smart Resym technology, ZBrush 3.1 now includes Poseable Symmetry. Keep symmetry on your model at the click of a button. No matter the pose. Check out what its like to sculpt in the new ZBrush.
Hexagon: http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/support/downloads/-/?product=hexagon
DAZ Hexagon 2 delivers all the tools a graphic artist needs to create complete, detailed, textures 3D models ready to be rendered.
If you know of any software that is not on this list then please PM me or post it in this thread and I will endeavor to update the list to include it. This list took me several hours to put together so I hope some of you find it useful.
