I figure I'd open this up because there are a number of awesome open-source image creation and editing softwares around that noone seems to know about...post your own if you find some...
Modelling-
~Blender(3ds max/Maya)- an awesome 3d modeling and animation tool, the interface is a bit unlike the normal modellers, but it certainly is possible to create quality models with it.[Windows, Mac, Linux]
Image Editing(Photoshop/PSP)-
~The GIMP- forget the low cost alternative of Paint Shop Pro...how about the no cost alternative? The GIMP offers everything that Photoshop has to offer: layers, filters, image creation, manipulation, as well as many of the plug-ins that you would have to buy to get(such as the fractal makers FractFlame and FractExplorer). Must also download GTK for it to work properly. [Windows, Mac, Linux]
~Irfanview- a fairly popular and useful image viewer that can be used to manipulate images, but it's major selling point is the amount of different file formats that can be used(such as icon and animated cursor formats) and it's speed.[Windows]
Landscape Renders(Bryce)-
~Terragen is a software that is free for non-commercial use. I debated whether putting this one up or not because it's truly not freeware, but still it's good software. This is a very good program for creating realistic landscape renders. It's also quite easy to use. [Windows, Mac]
Fractals-
~Tierazon is a good program for creating abstract fractals. The software used to be freeware, and still is, but he's started having people pay money to keep his server online. However, it is still possible to find the freeware installer.[Windows]
~Gnofract 4D has similar features to Tierazon plus a few. I've never used this one, although it looks good.[Linux, ports to Mac]
~Apophysis is a very good freeware frax flame editor and renderer.[Windows]
~ Quat is a 3d fractal making program that can be made to create quality images.[Windows, Linux]
~Note: The GIMP(mentioned earlier) can also be used to make fractals.
Other Stuff-
~and for those who like to mess with audio, Audacity[Windows, Mac, Linux] is great for sound manipulation, and Anvil Studio[Windows] is about as good as it gets freeware-wise in the composition department.
~Messengers
Trillian[Windows] a very good all in one messenger, GaIM[Windows, Linux] is another.
~Spyware and Antivirus
AVG[Windows] or Clamwin[Windows] both very good virus removers and shields. I'd also recommend Lavasoft's Ad-aware[Windows] and Ccleaner[Windows] for other various errors and spyware removal.
Modelling-
~Blender(3ds max/Maya)- an awesome 3d modeling and animation tool, the interface is a bit unlike the normal modellers, but it certainly is possible to create quality models with it.[Windows, Mac, Linux]
Image Editing(Photoshop/PSP)-
~The GIMP- forget the low cost alternative of Paint Shop Pro...how about the no cost alternative? The GIMP offers everything that Photoshop has to offer: layers, filters, image creation, manipulation, as well as many of the plug-ins that you would have to buy to get(such as the fractal makers FractFlame and FractExplorer). Must also download GTK for it to work properly. [Windows, Mac, Linux]
~Irfanview- a fairly popular and useful image viewer that can be used to manipulate images, but it's major selling point is the amount of different file formats that can be used(such as icon and animated cursor formats) and it's speed.[Windows]
Landscape Renders(Bryce)-
~Terragen is a software that is free for non-commercial use. I debated whether putting this one up or not because it's truly not freeware, but still it's good software. This is a very good program for creating realistic landscape renders. It's also quite easy to use. [Windows, Mac]
Fractals-
~Tierazon is a good program for creating abstract fractals. The software used to be freeware, and still is, but he's started having people pay money to keep his server online. However, it is still possible to find the freeware installer.[Windows]
~Gnofract 4D has similar features to Tierazon plus a few. I've never used this one, although it looks good.[Linux, ports to Mac]
~Apophysis is a very good freeware frax flame editor and renderer.[Windows]
~ Quat is a 3d fractal making program that can be made to create quality images.[Windows, Linux]
~Note: The GIMP(mentioned earlier) can also be used to make fractals.
Other Stuff-
~and for those who like to mess with audio, Audacity[Windows, Mac, Linux] is great for sound manipulation, and Anvil Studio[Windows] is about as good as it gets freeware-wise in the composition department.
~Messengers
Trillian[Windows] a very good all in one messenger, GaIM[Windows, Linux] is another.
~Spyware and Antivirus
AVG[Windows] or Clamwin[Windows] both very good virus removers and shields. I'd also recommend Lavasoft's Ad-aware[Windows] and Ccleaner[Windows] for other various errors and spyware removal.
Have fun!