Users in this forum may also use Photoshop....if you do not, I recommend you consider, despite the high cost (I'm a user only, no other business relation with Adobe)
I use Ps with TFP for inputs/textures/etc. and to adjust renders (contrast, effects, layers, blends, etc.) as a Ps task is usually much faster than fine tuning renders (try, render, try, render, etc).
So look around at these videos and be amazed at what is likely coming...
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/max-2011-sneak-peeks/max-2011-sneak-peek-video-meshes-/
Doug
Cool