Software Programs       (these are all resources and programs that I use myself)
See my in depth reviews of many of these programs at Amazon.com by clicking here.

Photoshop 7 integral for pulling in and tweaking images made in other programs to prepare for the web.

Bryce 5   3D Environment and terrain program (exports files in 3ds format- takes a long time to render).

Poser 5 Character development program using VRML (exports files in 3ds format).

Amapi 3D 3D modeling (exports files in 3ds format).

Carrara 3D modeling (exports files in 3ds format)
(since the 4 programs above all export in 3ds format you are able to import file from one to the other, however your texture will not always remain, and may have to be imported, recreated or substituted)

UV Mapper by Stephen L. Cox if you have Poser, you will want this to create texture map templates.
This program is free to download!

Flash 5 make vector based animations. (used for the splash intro on this site)

Maya (Personal Learning Edition) I would tell you more about this program, but I am still trying to figure it out. I was considering getting one high end modeling program, of those considered were 3D Studio Max, Lightwave and Maya. Maya offers this Personal Learning Edition for free, I thought I would try it out. This is the full program with no time limit, however it's studio is watermarked to prevent distribution. I now have Lightwave 7.5 to use it you have to plug a usb dongle into your usb port. This program comes with a giant user manual and a very high learning curve. After this initial reaction to Lightwave I looked at 3DS-see below.

Update: I've tried the others (Maya and Lightwave - above paragraph) and I have come to the conclusion that Discreet's 3D Studio Max animation program is the most user intuitive and powerful of the options. I have the program and received three certificate for the courses "3Ds Max 5 Fundamentals", for "Combustion 3" and "Character Studio4". See my animation page. 3DS has a lot of users and that means a lot of online communities, which is extremely helpful if you are ever in a bind or just want opinions on your work.

Hardware
Wacom Intuos2 6x8 Graphics Tablet (USB) by Wacom, read my review here get down to pixel power control in images you are creating with this pen using Photoshop as well as other programs.

Downloads for your programs
Daz 3D A+ Poser Modeling company. Buy Cd's or download from their website (which by the way install directly into your program unlike some other sites which require drag and drop), Poser content for your program. They also give away a free model every week. I've gotten a few of their CD's and have not been disappointed. I also go for the freebies.

Renderosity A+ site with tons of downloads for Bryce, Poser and 3D studio Max.

Books
The Poser 4 Handbook by R. Shamms Mortier.

Poser 4 Pro Pack f/x & Design -- by Richard H., Sr. Schrand.

Online Communities
Renderosity I use this site a lot. Forums, tutorials, shop you can spend days at the free downloads.

3DCommune good forum, downloads these guys send you a free snail mail magazine with hints and reviews.

TurboSquid excellent resource for models, textures and forum help for any cg artist application.

Magazines
Renderosity Magazine showcase of artist work, comes with a cd packed full of Poser content, Software demos and tutorials.

Digit  3D tips, news and reviews.

Design Graphics Reviews, features and how to stuff.

Computer Arts a UK magazine with tutorials and free CD demos and full programs.

3D World classy magazine with good tutorials.

Photoshop User really good tutorials all about Photoshop, if you want a subscription you have to become a member, or you can do what I do, and get them at Barnes and Noble.

Tutorials
Flash Tutorial at About.com

Poser Tutorial sites suggested by Curious Labs the Developers of Poser.

Also see my animation page. And visit the Museum of the Future to see my works.