Tools:Graphic Tools

Raster based

 * Photoshop : The mother of all bitmap graphic applications. Bitmapwise there is virtually nothing that can not be done with Photoshop, be it photo realistic imagery, post proccessing or even sprite pixeling. (commercial)


 * The Gimp : A free image manipulation application that is almost on the same level as Photoshop. (open source)


 * Corel Paint Shop Pro : A feature-rich image manipulation program that aims more to the consumer market. Has many similarities to Photoshop. (commercial)


 * Alias Sketchbook Pro : Sketchbook Pro is a paint application especially tailored for use with graphic tablets. If you have good hand drawing skills, it is very useful for sketching out images and creating game artwork like background scenery or character avatars. (commercial)


 * Texture Maker : A powerful seamless texture generator and editor. (commercial)


 * Spiral Graphics Genetica : Another powerful texture generator that comes with a huge collection of preset textures. (commercial)


 * Filter Forge : It calls itself a "Photoshop plugin," but you don't need Photoshop to use it. It's a standalone product for making tileable and non-tileable textures. The Basic Edition is $59, which is what you want if you only need to make textures from filters that other talented people have created. Take a look at this one, for example Creeps 2 or this one Flame. (commercial)


 * Grafx2 : An 8bit paint program for DOS/Windows in the style of the famous Deluxe Paint for Amiga. (freeware)


 * Grafx2 Win32 Port : A Windows version of Grafx2 can be downloaded here. (freeware)


 * Pixel32 : An open source image editor for many platforms and with some useful features. (open source)


 * Pixel : This might be the latest version of the previous link, and hopefully someone more knowledgeable can check this out, then fix the Wiki(?)

Vector based

 * Adobe Illustrator : The industry standard vector drawing application. (commercial)


 * Inkscape : Inkscape is to Adobe Illustrator what GIMP is to Photoshop: Open source and almost as awesome. (open source)

3D modelling

 * Blender: Blender is *the* open source choice for 3d content creation. (open source)


 * Autodesk 3ds Max: 3ds Max. (commercial)


 * Autodesk Maya: Using Maya and/or 3DS Max by Autodesk for editing simple game graphics is like sending a grenade launcher after a field mouse. However, they have free trials and awesome deals for students, so if you are really keen on learning game design, check them out! Originally by Alias, Maya was assimilated by Autodesk and their distinctiveness was added to their own. (commercial)


 * Maxon Cinema 4D : Another very good 3D modelling package with a very intuitive interface. (commercial)


 * SketchUp : Aimed at architects but useful for modellers of all sorts for quickly fleshing out basic shapes. Note the limitations in the free versus commercial versions. Students get an awesome discount. (commercial)


 * Poser : Character modelling and animation package that has grown into serious application for character design. (commercial)


 * E-On Software Vue : A state-of-the-art landscape modelling and rendering package. (commercial)


 * Luxology Modo : A relative unknown 3D modeller and renderer that comes with very slick and intuitive modelling tools and a lighting fast renderer. It also features paint-textures-on-models-directly technology. (commercial)


 * Carrara : Carrara is a good mid-level 3D pacakge that comes with modeller, animation, landscape generation and very good Poser-Importing features. It also provides a true isometric camera which is useful for isometric game graphics. (commercial)