Nothing in life is FREE, well except for this software

Sometimes the best software for you to use is FREE. Open source coded software, freeware and "light" versions of software is the "FREE" of the design world...sometimes even better than their commercial counterparts.


INKSCAPE

An Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.

Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more.

Price $FREE
Available at www.inkscape.org


ART OF ILLUSION

Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. Many of its capabilities rival those found in commercial programs. Highlights include subdivision surface based modelling tools, skeleton based animation, and a graphical language for designing procedural textures and materials.

Price $FREE
Available at www.artofillusion.org


SCRIBUS

Scribus is an Open Source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/UNIX, Mac OS X, OS/2 Warp 4/eComStation and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout. Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, Spot Colors, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.

PRICE $FREE
Available at www..scribus.net


FREE SERIF SOFTWARE

PhotoPlus PhotoPlus SE is the perfect choice for editing and enhancing your digital images and photos for print, email and the web.

PagePlus PagePlus SE is a great way to get into desktop publishing and easily design professional-looking documents for every occasion.

WebPlus WebPlus SE lets you quickly design and publish stunning websites - no HTML or previous web design experience required!

DrawPlus DrawPlus SE has all the power and tools you need to create attention-grabbing logos, striking text and artistic masterpieces.

Scrapbook Artist Digital Scrapbook Artist Compact allows you to quickly and easily create beautiful scrapbooks using your photos and keepsakes.

All of these are "lite" versions of Serif Commercial Software.

Price $FREE
Available at www.freeserifsoftware.com

You can also check out http://www.osalt.com for tons of open source alternatives to commercial software...and not just PC software. MAC & Linux too.