Free 3D Modeling and Animation Software

3D Canvas - for a fee it can be upgraded to one of two more powerful versions.

Art of Illusion - 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 JDK 1.1 or later.

Blender - fully integrated 3D graphics creation suite allowing modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, realtime interactive 3D and game creation and playback with cross-platform compatibility.

DAZ|Studio - a "feature rich 3D figure posing and animation tool".

Delgine Project - This project focuses on the development of 3D game development tools.

Dryad - lets you intuitively create beautiful trees for your virtual world or game.

Maya Personal Learning Edition - a free version of the professional software. Watermarked images prevent you from using the program for commercial purposes and it uses a custom file format. Currently this program is not useful for hobby game developers.

OpenFX - an Open-Source 3D modeling, animation and rendering suite. A powerful feature-set includes a full renderer and raytrace engine, NURBS support, kinematics-based animation, morphing, and an extensive plugin API.

Pov-Ray - a free raytracing program. Provides a great environment to learn 3D graphics.
The POV-Ray Include Files page has some great enhancements to the core package.

Softimage|XSI Mod Tool - a free version of the high end program Softimage|XSI. It has the full feature set of the full program with only a few limitations. It uses a custom file format.

TrueSpace3- fully featured, with no save restrictions, no time limit, no artificial limits to the size of your images or length of your animations. It is free since it is an older version of TrueSpace.

Wings 3D - an open source modeler based on Nichimen's Nendo, a professional application.

Free 3D Modeling Accessories

UVMapper Classic - a free tool for mapping and editing the UV coordinates of low poly models. There is also a professional version.

Free Image Editing Software

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program runs on many operating systems.

MapZone - a procedural texturing tool.

Paint.NET - image and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools.

PhotoFiltre - free for a private, non commercial or educational use (including non-profit organizations). Here's a short review.

Free Video Editing Software

Avid FreeDV - feature-streamlined, standalone software which includes basic video and audio editing capabilities, up to two streams of real-time effects and support for both Windows XP and Macintosh OS X platforms.

Jahshaka - Cross platform, Open Source, Realtime Editing and Effects System. Jahshaka takes advantage of the power of OpenGL, OpenML and GPGPU to give you exceptional levels of performance!

VirtualDub - captures and cleans up video.

Miscellaneous Free Software

SourceForge has an entire section of open source graphics programs that you can contribute to or use.

3dcgi.com Home Page