I noticed that a lot of "start-up" machinimists have arrived unarmed with the tools to do the job. I have spent quite a while assembling a list of free programs to make my own machinima and thought this maybe useful for fellow "start-up" machinimists. The goal here is to help machinimists, like me, work around the need for the costly software recommended by the higher tier machinimists (Not that there’s anything wrong with buying those programs; it’s an investment some people can’t/don’t want to make from the beginning.) I write with 2 other goals in mind: to lessen software theft and encourage the growth of the machinima community.

This post may or may not be helpful as I am not too familiar with the programs myself (I am still learning too). Please don’t ask how to use these programs as I would be asking you the same.

All the programs are free…I didn’t say all the programs are user friendly.

Some programs may be helpful, some maybe extra baggage; experiment around and see which are the most useful.

File Extraction:

MpqViewer - I use it for extracting sound files from WoW’s mpq files (just go to CProgram Files\World of Warcraft\Data or wherever you installed WoW to). The process of browsing for the sword clash/ spell casting sound/ etc. you are looking for may require some patience. Extraction is not limited to sound as you can also extract models, skins, etc.
<http://wow.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/mpqviewer.aspx>

Mywarcraftstudio – It allows you to view models like WoW Model Viewer and can be used to extract files like MpqViewer. It doesn’t record with WeGame though.
<http://wowdev.org/wiki/index.php/Mywarcraftstudio>

Video Capture:

WeGame Client - It's free and great for the new machinimists who don't want to buy other capturing software. Remember to create a WeGame account so you can log in and use WeGame Client. You will probably need the K-Lite Codec Pack to handle the videos; I recommend you install the codec pack if you are going to use WeGame Client.
<http://www.wegame.com/download/>
<http://www.wegame.com/signup/?next=/home/>WeGame account registration)
<http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm> (K-Lite Codec Pack)

CamStudio2.0 – If you want to make software tutorials for others, this open source screen capture program maybe useful.
<http://camstudio.org/>

WoW Model Viewer – Allows you to view characters, creatures, weapons, spells, doodads, etc. found throughout World of Warcraft. Useful for capture against blue/green screen.
<http://www.zt3d.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=35&func=select&id=1>
Note: WoW Map Viewer doesn’t work with WotLK, so I capture my backgrounds in the actual World of Warcraft.

Video Editing:

Wax 2.0 – I use it for chroma keying green/blue screen. It is free, but patience is required to learn how to use it. YouTube/Google up some tutorials. There are a lot of visual FX you can add to your videos with Wax 2.0. I recommend editing individual clips before compiling in a video sequencing program.
<http://debugmode.com/wax/download.php>
Note: It’s not a simple drag and drop program, you have to import the media before you can manipulate it.

Windows Movie Maker – Microsoft’s easy drag and drop video editor. It’s easy to use and is found already installed on most Windows XPs. It can’t chroma key, and has a limited amount of available FX. You can go onto the Microsoft website and download free upgrades.
<http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx>
<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/results.aspx?freetext=movie+maker&displaylang=en&stype=s_basic> (various upgrades)

ZweiStein- ZweiStein is free, but technical video editing program that has a steep learning curve. It also
has chroma keying abilities and a list of other features and FX.I find that there are more tutorials for ZS 3.01 then there are for ZS4.
<http://www.thugsatbay.com/tab/?q=zweistein>
Note: Same as Wax 2.0’s note.

2D Editing:

GIMP 2.6.6 (GNU Image Manipulation Program) – A free image manipulation program for making promotional posters, frame editing, and your 2D editing needs. It works just as well as paid image manipulators (in my opinion).
<http://www.gimp.org/>
<http://www.gimp.org/downloads/>

GIMPshop–It is GIMP,  just changed so that the user interface has more of an Adobe Photoshop feel to it.
<http://www.gimpshop.com/download.shtml>

3D Animation + 3D Related:

Blender – A free 3D graphics program that is able of producing high resolution renderings. There is a steep learning curve and a technical UI that turns away most newcomers. Prior knowledge/ experience of 3D animation will really help here; if you are new, it may take a few months before you become comfortable with this program.
You will need to install Python to run Blender.
<http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/>
<http://www.python.org/download/> (Python download)
Note: I have not been able to find a way to import models extracted from WoW into Blender. You may not be able to use it to modify models, but you can certainly us it to create your own 3D objects/environments to add in your videos. Heck, you could deviate from machinima and make your own 3D animation.

GMax– This is a 3D modeling application that is free to download and use. You need to register GMax (registering is free) before you can use the software. Prior knowledge/ experience of 3D animation will help. As with any 3D program out there, patience is required when learning as a newcomer (I hear GMax is more user friendly then Blender though). Use it to create your own 3D content to add to your videos or (I’ve never tried this) import the WoW models you converted with the “Convert WoW models to Max” tool, manipulate models how ever you please, render, and then add to your video.
<http://www.turbosquid.com/gmax>
<https://www.turbosquid.com/Login/NewMemberLogin.cfm?blCreateAcct=TRUE&stgRU=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turbosquid.com%2FDownload%2FIndex.cfm> (Account Registration)

Covert WoW models to Max – This tool is used to covert the .wmo files that are extracted from WoW’s MPQ files to .ms script files that can be executed in 3DStudio MAX and GMax.
<http://users.telenet.be/u122561/>

Audio Editing/ Recording + Music Composition:

Audacity – A digital audio editor and recording application which I use for voice capture, sound FX capture, and
general audio editing. You can download some plug-ins to widen the list of features and FX available.
<http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/>
<http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/plugins> (plug-ins)
<http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3> (LAME MP3 encoder which allows you to export MP3 files from Audacity)

LMMS 0.4.4 (Linux Multi-media Studio) – There is a Windows version of this program despite its name. I use this program to write electonrica music. Prior knowledge/ experience of musical theory will help when composing. LMMS is also compatible with FLP (Fruityloops® Project) files.
<http://lmms.sourceforge.net/download.php>

Production Organization:

Celtx – This is a free media pre-production application that helps organize your media projects. This helps keep your production organized and on track. Its usefulness varies from machinimist to machinimist; for some, it really helps, for others, it just occupies memory space (I don’t use it much).
<http://www.celtx.com/download.html>

Web Design:

KompoZer 0.7.10 – KompoZer 0.7.10 is a free, user friendly (in my opinion) alternative to Dreamweaver (essentially a web authoring system). Of course knowledge/experience will help when designing web pages. I put this up for the machinimists who want to make their own websites.
<http://www.kompozer.net/download.php>
Note: The stable version (v0.7.10) is on the second section of the download page (just so you are aware that the first link on the page is for the unstable version (0.8a4)).

Communication:

Ventrilo Client – Download and install this program. Then, find the Myndflame vent server info though the “bright green banner”, a Myndflame regular, a vent info post, etc. Hop onto Myndflame’s vent and chat with the machinima community.
<http://www.ventrilo.com/download.php>

Everything on this list is free software. If you have any questions, ask me here at Myndflame; I’ll do the best I can to help. If you want tutorials or have software issues, please consult Google and YouTube. Besides, I’m probably no more knowledgeable than you are (assuming that I’m talking to a “start-up” machinimist).

If you know some good production-related, free programs, post them here.

A quick brief about me: I am a wannabe machinimist who has little skill or knowledge of machinimaking. I have made a minuscule amount of low quality content using some trials and “paid” programs. Right now, I’m stopping production to do things the right way; without stolen software/ overused trials.

Yes, I am the guy who sits in the quiet corner of the Myndflame vent.

Thanks

2 notes that I wanted to add:

-I have little idea of how to import WoW into GMax using purely free software (or with any software for that matter); my method of importing WoW to Gmax almost definitely will not work.

-There's enough programs here to make a decent machinima without spending a penny on software. Hope this helps those with low-budget to no-budget productions (my production runs purely off these programs).

-VirtualDub is quite useful for video manipulation too.