Irrlicht Engine

hello, I am a blood newbie , what I can do is programming with c++, but I want to be an indie game maker.

I see many tools in the tools FAQ and it makes my eye ache.

Can someone give me a list of the essential and simple tools for making 3d model, animation, texture, level and what I don't know. I hope these simple tools could help me start.

I also need a tutorial about the basic information of IRRLICHT, such as is the world coordinates a left hand or right hand? Is the Z UP or north?

thanks.

Textures, Graphics: The Gimp
Models, Animations, Rendering: Blender

Z+ is north, X+ is west and Y+ is up.

and don't forget irrlicht examples

thanks,

and what is the tool for making level or terrain?