Answer:
The following should be found via Google.com
Special effects:
LSMaker, Wax 2.0 and Winmorph (Debugmode.com), Virtualdub, Blender3D (3D environments), Anim8or (Simpler 3D environments), Bryce (Outdated versions are made free to public and are quite nice), FormatFactory (universal conversion program to make compatible with different programs)
Basically you can use all of these put together and get some/most effects, although very cheap looking, that After effects can do. You just need to know how to use them well.