3D Modeling
3D Studio Max
3D Studio Max is the main program used by Blizzard Entertainment for
their products. A great editor, more based on pipeline workflow than user-friendlyness,
the program is still worth every penny. Most affordable via
student discounts. Otherwise be prepared to pay thousands of dollars per
update.
Maya
Maya is a program designed more for functunality and solo-projects.
It's aim is animation over modeling, and special effects. Why these two programs
must compete is unknown. All is known is it is generally a matter of taste as to
which you will ultimately select. They are owned by the same company, and both are
just as expensive.
Design
Workship Lite
"The complete freeware DesignWorkshop Lite software package provides all you
need to build your own 3D models for home design and visualization of architecture,
landscapes, exhibits, or any kind of spatial design. With DesignWorkshop Lite you can
view and walk-through ready-made models of any size, like the free 3D building models
in the Great Buildings Online, in DXF, DesignWorkshop, or 3DMF format, with amazing live
3D speed."
Gmax
A stripped-down version of 3DS; you can create models with this,
but you are limited in what you can do compared to the real 3DS. It's free,
so give it a whirl. If you plan on buying 3DS, this should give you a good
idea of what it can do, though highly limited.
Milkshape
3D
A low-poly modeling program, some people have found a use for this
in Warcraft III (though not a simple task). It's shareware, however, good
for 30 days, or you can buy it for a mere $20.
Paint Programs:
Paint
Shop Pro
Simple program used to do general graphics (web and otherwise). It doesn't have
all the eye-candy-like features of Photoshop, but it has all the basics and
won't break your budget. This is all you'll ever need for touch ups and doing
semi-spectacular splash screens, etc.
Photoshop
THE paint/graphics program to get... if you can afford it. It can
do some spectacular things -- much more than touch ups and simple graphic
effects. There are also a slew of nice plug-ins for it that you can find in
assorted net locations. If you want to create something new and spectacular,
Photoshop is the way to go. There are also Student Discounts available.
Movie Programs:
Smacker Utilities
The cool thing about Rad Games is that this entire thing is completely free
and it can do anything you need to smacker videos (the file type used for
Starcraft's movies and unit portraits). Convert between avi, animated gifs,
import frames, what ever you need. (ED: You want the Old Smacker Tools listed
in the downloads page if you're using this for Starcraft animations)
