A short list of software I use in conjunction with creating 3D art
The list is roughly ordered from my most useful to least
Honeyview is my absolute favorite image viewer due to how fast it opens and how much of the UI you're able to hide in the settings. You can also navigate everything quickly with a few hotkeys, eg. X to close window
It does exactly what the name of the software suggests and is very user friendly
Click Monitor DDC is an exceptionally useful tool for adjusting screen brightness. The scripting for hotkeys is straight forward enough and allows you to set hotkeys to change all monitors brightness's simultaneously and/or individually
I have this constantly running on a server in my home as I have 2 workstations & a laptop that I need to be able to access any of my Maya project files on at any moment. I also use it to sync my configuration files for Zbrush, Maya prefs, etc.
Super handy for windows 10 to get a real start menu back. I have a completely stacked start menu with this software that gives me quick access to all of my software packages
Ever remember exactly what a file is named but not where you saved it to? instantly find it with Everything
Its decent, you probably already use it
Useful for custom key binds being mapped to the mouse side buttons (if the mouse doesnt already have drivers to do that / the driver software is too heavy)
Worth using if you have huge library of textures, materials & model parts.
It is a free and visual creative assets management for 3D models and textures. It can even preview .SBSAR files & you can neatly drag them from the Connector file browsing window into substance painter.
If you use Windows 11 you're on your own.
SPECIAL BONUS MENTION
Making Windows 10 look and feel just like Windows 7!
For me Its harder to make art when your studio is so uninspiring. For myself I caught the magic of computing on my first ever own desktop computer which ran 32bit Windows 7 (later 64bit).
Nowadays (2026) I am forced to use Windows 10, but thankfully this bit of software completely changes the feel of W10 back to Windows 7 & even includes a few features I would recommend choosing not to install:
Do not install the windows 7 Task Manager. I have to admit Windows 10 Task manager is better for ease of use
Do not install the old Sounds/Volume features, It becomes much harder to switch audio devices on the fly with the old version
WARNING: This software could break your install of Windows in very many ways. I only recommend this for a fresh install of windows & people with a good risk tolerance - Ive got this running on 4 different computers and they all have something slightly quirky and frustrating going on with them.