Software
-----------------
Autodesk 3ds max 2009
- Paid software for creating 3d models, rendering and so on

UVLayout software(paid)
- Software for creating good quality uv maps fast and easy

Adobe Photoshop CS4
- Image editing and manipulating software

Sony Vegas
- Video editor


Plugins
-----------------
V-Ray for 3ds max 2009
- Rendering engine for all kinds of modeling packages.

MadCar plugin (free) [link] for max2009
- Plugin for creating driving cars fast and easy

SimCloth plugin (free) [link] for max2009
- Cloth simulator

LSCM unwrap plugin (free) [link] for max2009
- LSCM technique unwrapper for 3ds max.

Polyboost plugin(paid)
- Additional modeling features. Comes included with max2010

Rayfire plugin(paid)
- Physics, destruction.

NVIDIA normal map plugin for photoshop
- A plugin for photoshop that generates normal maps from color or diffuse maps

Thinking Particles plugin(paid)
- Advanced particle plugin

FumeFX plugin(paid)
- Plugin for creating realistic looking smoke and fire