Software Tips: Page 28

Working closely with SketchUp models is key to LayOut and the primary feature that makes LayOut so unique. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to place a SketchUp model in LayOut. To place the model, go to file and simply click insert. Find your model and then open it. The great thing about viewing a model in LayOut, is that it is presented in 3D form and you can build complex documents with infinite views of your model all with just one SketchUp model.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to create quick and easy copies as well as repeated copies, or arrays. As arrays are so easy to create, don't worry if you make a mistake. Simply undo the array and recreate it. This tutorial covers how to make one copy, creating multiple copies or arrays, changing the number of copies, the difference between external and internal array, and how to Create circular arrays.

Take a look at this instructional vidoe and learn how to use the paint bucket tool in Google SketchUp. Selecting the paint bucket tool will open the materials browser. The materials browser is different for windows and mac users. On windows, the browser has two main tabs to select and edit materials. On the mac, you have several tabs giving you different ways to paint colors into your model. To start using the paint bucket tool, simply pick a material and choose a surface to paint it into your...

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the navigation tools in Google SketchUp. This tutorial covers how to use the orbit, zoom, and pan tools; how to navigate using the scroll wheel on your mouse; tips for zooming; and the functions of zoom previous, next, and zoom extents.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the text and 3d text tools in Google SketchUp. There are several ways to create text and annotations in SketchUp. This tutorial covers how to create on-screen text and annotations, how to change text settings, the differences between pixel and real world text siz, and how to create 3d text.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the tape measure tool in Google SketchUp. You can use this tool to measure edges and distance, create construction geometry or dashed guidelines, and resize individual groups or the entire model. This tutorial covers all three of these functions in a step by step guide.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the walk tool in Google SketchUp. The walk tool allows you to explore model from eye height. When you click and drag, you'll see a plus sign appear. YOu'll be able to move slowly or rapidly accordingly. This tutorial covers how to walk around your model, collision detection, and how to use modifier keys for more options.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to draw a sphere in Google SketchUp. First you'll want to draw a circle, then orbit to a side view. Draw a second circle from the center and perpendicular to the first, then select the first circle. Pick the follow me tool and click on the second circle. Erase the first circle and you'll have your sphere!

New to Google SketchUp? Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to draw shapes in Google Sketchup. There are four fundamental rules to drawing edges. The first is that you must draw a closed loop of edges to create a surface, but your loop of edges must be coplanar. The second rule is to watch the axis directions and use inferring to line up the edges. Rule three is to learn and use the different inference points. These points are show in green dots. The final rule is to always...

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the rotate tool in Google SketchUp. When you pick the rotate tool, the icon orients itself to any surface you hover over. Click once to set the rotation and move away to set a rotation base. This is the controlling arm you will use to rotate your object. This tutorial covers how the rotate tool works, examples of the rotate tool in action, and how to lock or define the orientation of the tool.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the line tool in Google SketchUp. There are two ways to draw edges with the line tool. The first method is to simply click your mouse at various points around the screen to draw connected edges in succession. The second way is by clicking and dragging the mouse button to draw an edge, and release the mouse button to create the edge. This tutorial covers the best practices for drawing lines or edges, how to draw accurately, and divide...

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the "follow me" tool in Google SketchUp. Merging different shapes with different paths renders powerful combinations. This tutorial covers an introduction to follow-me capabilities, tips on how the shape and path work together, how to create instant follow-me results, and creating lathed objects.

Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the arc tool in Google SketchUp. Using the arc tool is a three step process based on defining the two endpoints of the arc first and then pulling out the radius of the arc. This tutorial covers how to draw arcs, drawing tangent arcs, continuous smooth arcs, and defining the number of arc segments.

Non-linear video editing tools are great, but they're not always the best tool for the job. This is where a powerful tool like ffmpeg becomes useful. This tutorial covers the basics of transcoding video, as well as more advanced tricks like creating animations, screen captures, and slow motion effects.

This software tutorial shows you how to use the video editing software Wax 2.0 to clone someone in a video. Learn to make multiple versions of yourself interact in one video in this Wax 2.0 cloning tutorial.

This video will show you how to create and edit Photoshop files without having to buy Photoshop. This also works if you have a .psd file from someone else that you need to work on and you don't have Photoshop. Learn to use Paint.net for Windows to edit Photoshop files.

This tutorial shows you how to create your own radio station with streaming music using Winamp, SHOUTcast plugin, and SHOUTcast server. Learn how to choose your music in Winamp and upload it to your own radio station on the SHOUTcast server.

This 2 part Houdini 9 tutorial focuses on creating wind spray generated on the crest of a wave. Water is one of the most basic effects 3D softwares are used for, especially oceans and waves. So watch and learn how to add particle spray to the crests of waves and make your 3D water look more realistic in Houdini 9.

Learn how to manipulate normals without using expressions in this 2 part Houdini 9.5 software tutorial. Watch how to ray normals in Houdini 9.5.

In this Houdini 9 software tutorial you will learn how to use the rail sop which is a surface operator used mostly for modeling but occasionally for animation as well. Watch and see how to use the rail sop in Houdini 9.