Since budget is tight, here are some free software programs that will help your freelance career:
1. Open Office – OpenOffice.org 3 is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can be downloaded and used completely free of charge for any purpose.
2. Gimp - GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages.
3. 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. We also aim to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open, community-oriented development.
4. Sketch-up -
SketchUp is a 3D modeling program designed for architects, civil engineers, filmmakers, game developers, and related professions. It also includes features to facilitate the placement of models in Google Earth. It was designed to be easier to use than other 3D CAD programs.
A feature of SketchUp is the 3D Warehouse that lets SketchUp users search for models made by others and contribute models.
5. Blender 3D – Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
6. Wax - Wax is a high performance and flexible free video editing software program. It
started out as a college project, and has since grown. Wax is good for both
home users and professionals. It can be used as a stand-alone application, or
as a plug-in to other video editors. The software also features unlimited video and audio tracks with top-down compositing.
7. Audacity – Audacity® is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.