This is a list I've compiled over time of resources that have either been helpful to me, or come highly recommended.
For those of you who use Macs (and so you can't use Genetica), FilterForge is a Node-based program that allows you to build your own Photoshop filters. It runs as a Photoshop plug-in or standalone, and runs on Mac or Windows. It's different than Genetica in a number of ways, but still very powerful and might just help you stop crying about the fact that you can't use Genetica. :)
- Compatibility: Works with Photoshop 6.0 through CS5
- Free Trial: Try it free for 30 days.
- Create Your Own: Use a node-based interface to create your own Photoshop filters.
- Seamless Tiling: Most filters in Filter Forge support seamless tiling, even for non-square textures.
- Resolution Independent: As all filters are generated procedurally, any filter can be rendered in any resolution without losing a detail.
- Online Filter Library: A free online repository of filters submitted by Filter Forge users. Contributors can earn a free copy of Filter Forge.
- High color depth: Utilizes 16-bit or 32-bit modes
- HDRI lighting effects: Lighting system uses high dynamic range images that capture real-world lighting conditions. As a result, you get real-world lighting which takes almost no time to set up. (NOTE: You can use Genetica to create the HDRI light-source images)
- High Resolution: Image sizes up to 65,000 x 65,000 pixels.
NOTE: FilterForge works as a standalone program on 32-bit and 64-bit systems, and as a plug-in on 32-bit systems, but will not work as a plug-in to 64-bit applications.
I'm a HUGE fan of Blender. This is my primary 3D modeling program. It's powerful, and Open-Source (which means it's FREE to use for commercial purposes!). For most things, it rivals the big, expensive guys. Blender includes...
- It's Free!
- Modeling: Powerful sub-surface modeling, sculpting tools, and an ever-growing modifier stack
- Animation: Rigging, Animation, keyframing, shape keys, and everything else you need for simple or character animation
- Special Fx: Fluids, Hair, Fur, Cloth, and volumetric materials
- Rendering: Includes Global illumination, Ambient Occlusion, Approximate or Raytraced, and there are numerous render engine plug-ins out there too including Indigo and Yaf(a)ray.
- UV Editing: Fantastic UV unwrapping tools (sometimes favored over the big name programs)
- Game Engine: Real-time Game engine with real-time graphics card shading even in the modeling environment
- Post-processing: Node-based Compositor for post-processing
- Compatibility: Runs on Mac, Windows, various flavors of Unix & Linux
- Did I mention it's Free?
Full Disclosure: Some product links on this page include affiliate codes which allow the software vendor to financially compensate me for directing people to their products. My opinions are still my own, and I only recommend resources I believe are of significant value for people interested in this site.