Hot Software Tips Posts
How To: Mantra micropolygon works when rendering with Houdini software
Perfect your mantra with this tutorial. Going over one of the functions available with the Houdini software program, this delves into the intricacies of using the Mantra micropolygon renderer. There are various controls you can use when working with Mantra, and this tutorial also goes over all of them. Mantra micropolygon works when rendering with Houdini software.
How To: Work with smoke and liquid effects in the Houdini software
It can be difficult to get smoke and liquid just right when working with 3-D imaging software. This tutorial shows you the various ways you can use Houdini to make smoke come from a moving object, and work with the various permutations of fluids in your project. Work with smoke and liquid effects in the Houdini software.
How To: Model and texture a car tire using the Blender software
Starting from a blank document, this tutorial shows you how to design a car tire using the Blender 3-D modeling program. It details mimicking the exact texture of the treads you'd find on a commercial tire, as well as a few useful animation techniques.
How To: Animate textures using offset parameters when working in Blender
Using an animated movie strip as an example, this tutorial for Blender shows you how to properly animate textures. You can achieve this effect by making use of the offset parameter function within Blender, and this tutorial demonstrates how.
How To: Hulk out any image using the GIMP photo editing software
Turn a photograph of a regular person into an image of everyone's favorite muscular green psychopath! Using the hue slider, saturation tool and the Iwarp function, you can distort your picture in GIMP to make it look like a picture of Hulk instead.
How To: Create a lomograph effect on your digitial image using GIMP
The lomograph technique in photography involves letting light bleed into the shot. Fortunately, you don't need expensive camera equipment to get this same effect. You can use the free GIMP software to create a lomo effect on any digital image which includes a lot of sky.
How To: Get a screen grab easily using the GOM Media Player
Want to capture frames from your movies? GOM Media Player has a built in screen capture feature for the video files it plays. You can even zoom in and out, adjust the brightness and contrast, and even turn your new screengrab into your computer desktop wallpaper!
How To: Use the Handbrake program to back up your DVDs and watch them on your iPod
Handbrake is a free software program you can use to take video files off a DVD or CD and rip it into a format you can use to watch it on iTunes, your iPod.. or even watch them on your XBox 360! Make sure you're not trying this on an encrypted DVD, though.
How To: Work with the dynamic components feature in Google SketchUp 7
Dynamic components, such as a staircase that knows it's a staircase, can add a bit of intelligence to your Google SketchUp 7 project. Add pickets to a fence or shelves to a bookshelf when using SketchUp by making use of the 'interact' tool.
How To: Work with dynamic components in Google SketchUp 7
Google SketchUp offers a new feature in the most recent version of their program - dynamic components. Dynamic components add a certain intelligence to objects within your project, as well as make interactivity easier. This series shows you how to alter your component and take full advantage of the dynamic component feature.
How To: Work with the advanced sections tool in Google SketchUp
This tutorial goes into a few more advanced uses of the sections tool in Google SketchUp. You can use this tool to control the display of section cuts, change the width and color of section planes and even create section animations.
How To: Use Google SketchUp if you've never used 3-D modeling software before
SketchUp is a free 3-D model you can download from the Google website. This tutorial introduces new users to the basic tools, features and functions in order to get started using SketchUp. This also explains a few concepts useful for 3-D modelers.
How To: Create a Google SketchUp image that you can upload to Google Earth
Import a satellite snapshot from Google Earth to Google SketchUp, then use the 3-D editing techniques and a few 2-D photograph as outlined in this tutorial so you can create your own unique image of a landscape that you then re-upload back up to Google Earth!
How To: Bake a Ptex texture onto a mesh with existing UV maps in 3-D Coat
A useful tutorial for those who like using the software program 3-D coat. If you have a Ptex file and want to keep your texture format, or use an existing UV map so you can work with your figure in Photoshop, this tutorial will demonstrate how you can 'bake' your texture.
How To: Develop a mobile application which makes use of the device's accelerometer
An accelerometer is capable of detecting how the device is being moved by the user, a feature which can add an extra level of functionality for an application which knows how to take advantage of it. This video explains several different methods for incorporating the presence of an accelerometer into your mobile content.
How To: Use free MediaMonkey software to organize your music collection
MediaMonkey is a freely available app you can download onto your music that will help you organize all your music files. No matter where they're hiding, MediaMonkey will find them and make them avaiable for organizing (and you can use MediaMonkey to listen to your music, too!)
How To: Create a 3D model of an apple in Blender 2.5
This clip presents a thorough overview of how to model a realistic apple within Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Create a 3D model of an apple in Blender 2.5.
How To: Set up a rain system in Particle Flow in Autodesk 3ds Max 2010
Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Set up a rain system in Particle Flow in Autodesk 3ds Max 2010.
How To: Create and apply an ice shader in Luxology Modo
In this clip, you'll learn how to generate and apply a realistic ice shader in modo. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look.
How To: Generate and loop a basic walk cycle in Blender 2.5
In this clip, you'll learn how to create a and loop a simple walk cycle within Blender 3D. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Generate and loop a basic walk cycle in Blender 2.5.
How To: Unwrap a model of a building in Blender 2.5
In this two-part tutorial series, you'll learn how to unwrap a building in Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Unwrap a model of a building in Blender 2.5 - Part 1 of 2.
How To: Create a complete underwater scene in Luxology Modo 401
This three-part series presents a complete walkthrough of how to go about creating a complete underwater scene in modo 401. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Create a complete underwater scene in Luxology Modo 401 - Part 1 of 3.
How To: Create a 3D model of an urban stairway platform in Blender 2.5
In this multi-part tutorial, you'll learn how to model an old stairway platform in an old abandoned building. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Create a 3D model of an urban stairway platform in Blender 2.5 - Part 1 of 4.
How To: Create a 3D model of a styrafoam coffee cup in Blender 2.5
This two-part tutorial will walk you through the process of modeling a 3D coffee cup within Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Create a 3D model of a styrafoam coffee cup in Blender 2.5 - Part 1 of 2.
How To: Model and rig a stylized dragon character in Blender 2.5
Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Model and rig a stylized dragon character in Blender 2.5 - Part 1 of 11.
How To: Create a 3D model of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS in Blender 2.5
This nine-part series presents an exhaustive overview of how to create a realistic 3D model of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS in Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Create a 3D model of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS in Blender 2.5 - Part 1...
How To: Use the bump and displacement options in the modo Shader Tree tool
In this tip tutorial we'll continue to talk about the Shader Tree feature. This time we'll take a look at basic differences between bump and displacement, then we see how to use a procedural map to create some interesting displacement effects, and we'll take a deeper look at noise procedural map with all its parameters. Use the bump and displacement options in the modo Shader Tree tool.
How To: Create and use the Human Meta-Rig tool in Blender 2.5
Learn how to create and use a human meta-rig within Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Create and use the Human Meta-Rig tool in Blender 2.5.
How To: Create a 3D model a male or female torso in Blender 2.5
This clip presents an overview of the topology of the human torso. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look.
How To: Create a 3D microscopic virus effect in Blender 2.5
This clip presents a complete guide on how to model a 3D virus within Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look.
How To: Retopologize a high-resolution object for rendering in Blender 2.5
In this clip, you'll learn how to retopologize a high-res sculpted object into a low-res object suitable for rendering. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Retopologize a high-resolution object for rendering in Blender 2.5.
How To: Fake reflections for objects without an environment in Blender 2.5
In this clip, you'll learn how to create reflections for environment-less objects in Blender 2.5 without the use of raytracing. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this free video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, take a look. Fake reflections for objects without an environment in Blender 2.5.
How To: Create a rhythmic gate effect in Ableton Live 8
This clip provides an overview of how to create a dancy rhythmic gate effect in Ableton Live 8. Whether you're new to computer recording, new to the Ableton Live DAW (digital audio workstation) or just looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to benefit from this free video software tutorial from NextStepAudio. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use modules when working with Joomla
Go to your Joomla admin page. Now go to extensions, module manager. Now on that page, click on new. Now select login button and click on next. Now type the name and set the position, it depends on the template you use like if you have the help file of that template, you can figure it out by checking that but many free template does not contain the help file. So for now, set the position left and click on save. You can arrange the order of your modules just by clicking the up icon or just by e...
How To: Create image galleries with Konqueror
You can create an image gallery of any directory on your file system with Konqueror. If you are a KDE user and you need to see the images in any directory, but if there are any other stuffs beside images in that directory then you will see that stuffs too. So if you do not want this, you need to click on tools in Konqueror menu and choose "create image gallery" for the current directory. There will be many options like folder, look etc. so set your options as you like and click on create, it ...
How To: Use dontzap to kill your X session in Ubuntu
You can kill the x in Ubuntu with dontzap. Its really convenient if you like it. First thing you need to do is to download this package called dontzap. Now you can run the command sudo dontzap -d, it will disable that feature that Ubuntu uses and it will let you kill x by just pressing the ctrl + alt + backspace. It is really simple as that and there is no chance that you accidently pres the ctrl + alt + backspace and kill your x session. So after that you need to reboot your computer and you...
How To: Make 2-layer stencils in GIMP
In this tutorial, we learn how to make 2-layer stencils in GIMP. First, cut out the background before you begin. Now, right click on your main layer and then select "add alpha layer". After this, select the magic wand tool and delete all the white areas on the outside of the picture. Now duplicate the layer, then hide the top layer and select the bottom layer. Now, go back to threshold and move it all the way to the right to get an outline of the image. From here, go back up to the top layer ...
How To: Make a new menu in Joomla
In this video, we learn how to make a new menu in Joomla with Chad. First, log into your Joomla account and go to the menu button. Click on "menu manager", then you will click on the "new" link. After this, enter in the unique name, title, description, and module title in the appropriate boxes. Once you do this, click "save", and now go to the menu items icon under the links menu. Now, go to "new", then "external link". Enter in the menu item details in the appropriate boxes, then add in the ...
How To: Install plug-ins on a Joomla website
In this tutorial, we learn how to install plug-ins on a Joomla website. First, download the AllVideos plug-in through extensions.joomla.org. To upload, go to the extension manager and then enable to plug-in. Now, go to extensions, then plug-in manager. Once here, you will have access to all your plug-ins. From here, you can control which ones you want enabled and disabled. After you do this, you will be able to use the plug-in that you just uploaded to your website. Do this with all the diffe...
How To: Use KeePass password generator
In this video, we learn how to use KeePass password generator. First, open the entry to edit the existing password and type in your username and e-mail address. Type in notes if you need it, then click on the bottom key icon. This will generate a password for you when you click on it and cover it up. If you click it once more, it will uncover what the password is. You can decide what kind of password you want and make one specific for the account you're using. When finished, you will have a n...