Hot Software Tips Posts
How To: Create a drost effect on an animated GIF in GIMP
Watch and learn how to create a drost effect on images in GIMP. The end result will be a color cycled animated GIF. The theory behind this can be applied to make any other adjustments. Whatever layers you have can be cycled through continuously.
How To: Use interactive motion in Google SketchUp
George Maestri from Lynda shows how to add interactivity in Google SketchUp Pro using a variety of tools in the program. Adding interactivity allows for added dimension and interaction with an object. The example used in the tutorial was that of a fridge, which after adding interactivity, allowed for the doors and drawers of the fridge to be opened. To utilize this technique, the object's file (without interactivity) should be opened. By selecting the fridge and then going to component attrib...
How To: Create MouseOver State Xara Web Designer
In this web design tutorial learn how to create a mouseover state using mouseoff and mouseover layers. The mouseover state will allow more interactivity. Basically when a user places their cursor over the mouseoff object the mouseover object will be revealed. Common uses of this feature is to create a color highlight or texture change.
How To: Use shortcuts to rapidly rename tracks in Ableton Live
This audio production software tutorial will give you some tips to help with your Ableton Live workflow. Learn how to use shortcuts to rapidly rename tracks in Ableton Live. Make working in Ableton Live faster and easier with these shortcut tips.
How To: Use Blender 2.5.7 to create the time vortex fx from the Doctor Who titles
How cool is the time vortex effect in the opening titles of the BBC's Doctor Who? If you would like to know how to recreate that FX for your own video, watch this Blender 2.5.7 tutorial. The technique covered in this video can also be used to model a roller coaster track.
How To: Install AV Voice Changer Software with a free key
Learn how to install the voice changing software AV Voice Changer onto your desktop. The video will show you how to download VCS Diamond 6.0, how to install it, and gives you a free key so you can actually use it to start editing voices.
How To: Use Gimp to select a specific area of an image for editing
Gimp is an amazing free program that is capable of creating many of the same effects as Adobe Photoshop. In this video, you'll see how Gimp can be used to select one area of an image to be edited. Using a few of the program's many tools, you can transform images however you want.
How To: Create a burning match effect in Houdini 10
Learn how to use the Houdini SOP solver to create a realistic burning match effect within Houdini 10. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production 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 burning match effect in Houdini 10 - Part 1 of 4.
How To: Slice up images for HTML image maps in GIMP
See how to use GIMP to generate a HTML image map in minutes. This mimics the slice function from Photoshop. Whether you're new to the GNU Image Manipulation Program, GNU's popular free graphics editor, or a seasoned designer just looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started chopping up digital images yourself, take a look.
How To: Round edges with the edge bevel tool in modo
This 3D software modeling tutorial shows you how to use the edge bevel tool in modo 101. The Edge Bevel has the nifty "Round" option to quickly round off the hard edges of your polygonal mesh in modo.
How To: Make a creature in SPORE Creature Creator
Join Spore artist / animator John Cimino as he walks through the process of building a creature with the Spore Creature Creator. Learn how to move around, use the camera and everything you need to know to get started in this video game engine software.
How To: Light a house with ambient occlusion in Blender
This Blender 3D tutorial teaches you how to light a scene (in this case a house) from scratch using Ambient Occlusion, one lamp for the Sun and a hemi in the interior to fake radiosity. Ambient occlusion is a great way to light things, so if you need to learn 3D ray-trace lighting, this Blender tutorial will help.
How To: Configure your pop-up blocker setting in Mozilla Firefox
Do you find Pop-up ads annoying? This video will show you how to turn on the pop-up blocker tool in Mozilla Firefox. Feel like you are missing out on the excitement of pop-up ads? You'll also know how to allow them after watching this video.
How To: Create a brochure using VistaPrint
Here is a Quick Tip for Vista Print. Are you looking for an easy way to make a brochure? Follow the directions in this how-to video and you will have your brochure typed up and ready for the printer in no time. Start on the Vista Print Homepage and choose the theme you want for your brochure. Learn about Express Design and the different templates available. Learn how to put text on your page and how to insert images and logos to make your brochure personal and unique.
How To: Make great photo slideshows
This video provides tips to make great photo slideshows. Many people have found photo slideshows are a great way of celebrating memorable occasions, commemorate milestones or reminisce. First, choose your photo images carefully. Filter out irrelevant or blurry photos. Try using a photo editing program to improve your photos. Next, choose a theme for your slideshow. Then select transitions, being cautious to limit your use of transitions. Consider your use of intervals in the slideshow. Also, ...
How To: UV unwrap a full human body in Blender
In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to UV unwrap a full, stylized female character. The tutorial covers creating seams, unwrapping, pinning and techniques to reduce stretching. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial from the folks at CG Cookie. For more information, includi...
How To: Emit smoke, fire & liquid from particles in Houdini 10
This two-part tutorial looks at the basic techniques for emitting smoke from particles.
How To: Repair invalid DVD navigation and structure with FixVT
See how to repair invalid DVD navigation and structure with FixVTS. With FixVTS, you can easily repair the internal structure of a DVD. This is good for DVD menu correction, invalid DVD file structure and invalid navigation error messages.
How To: Make 3D characters in iClone
Paul Louis shows us how to create 3D characters iClone in this series of videos. Part 1 of 15 - How to Make 3D characters in iClone.
How To: Bookmark a Webpage!!
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How To: Use the AutoCad 2011 Materials Browser
Need some help wrapping your head around AutoCad 2011's Materials Browser? Don't fret: Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D drafting application or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the newest iteration of the program, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.
How To: Use the eraser tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the eraser tool in Google SketchUp. Keep in mind that the eraser tool only works for edges in SketchUp, and you won't be able to erase surfaces with the eraser tool. This tutorial covers how to erase single or multiple edges easily and how to soften or hide edges with the eraser.
How To: Match plane's aspect ratio to an image in Blender
In this tip video, you'll see how to set the aspect ratio of a plane object to match that of the image mapped to it. This is important to prevent distortion in the mapped image. This knowledge will be helpful when using image planes for cutout trees and people, instanced image planes for particle effects, and any situation where you need non-distorted images on plane objects. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned ...
How To: Use group masks in modo 301
This 3D software tutorial teaches you the power and simplicity of the group mask in modo 301. When you hear the term mask, you probably think of layer masks, but group masks are different and more complex. See how to use a single procedural, image or vertex map texture to modulate multiple complex material and texture sets in modo 301. Use group masks in modo 301.
How To: Model an eye for a character in Blender 3D
Writer,Directer And Producer Johnathan Williamson shows you how to model eyes for a character in Blender 3D in this software tutorial. Whether you are creating a video game character or a model of a human for something else, you will learn everything you need to model eyes for characters in Blender 3D.
How To: Eliminate the ads on Spotify
Spotify can be a really great music streaming program, but there's nothing like a loud, annoying ad to ruin your aural zen. With this video, you'll learn how to remove ads from Spotify in just a couple easy steps. When it comes to setting the Proxy, copy and paste the following:
How To: Erase a CD-RW & Reuse It to Save Money
We know, we know: How many people actually burn stuff onto CDs these days? Well, while external hard drives that hold several terrabytes of data and flash drives have kind of replaced our reliance on CDs, every now and then they're good for quickly compiling a "Pop Hits of the '80s" CD for your girlfriend or simply for storing your illegal version of Microsoft Office.
How To: Use the retopo feature of Blender
This tutorial shows you how to use the retopo feature in Blender to surface drawn lines.
How To: Make a basic map and door in Valve Hammer Editor
Learn how to make a basic map, a door, and spawn points with a buyzone in Valve Hammer Map Editor. Usable in any video game using the source engine.
How To: Create reflective/refractive water in Blender
In this Blender tutorial you will learn how to create reflective/refractive water
How To: Use Quartz Composer together with Resolume Avenue on your Mac
Quartz Composer is a program you can use within Resolume Avenue 3 to help manipulate the audio for your projects. This tutorial shows you how these two programs can interact together, thanks to a newly released series of patches for Resolume.
How To: Use Adobe Lightroom to whiten teeth in a digital photo
In this clip, you'll see how to utilize Adobe Lightroom to brighten someone's smile. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular photo application or a digital photography professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with Photoshop Lightroom 3, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, as well as to get started using Lightroom 3 yourself, take a look!
How To: Add a title in Pinnacle Studio
In this tutorial, we learn how to add a title in Pinnacle Studio. First, click drag and drop your movie into the movie screen and then click on the "edit" tab. Now go to the left hand side and click on the "text" button. Go for a standard title, or whichever you prefer and click and drag that into the video screen. It will now be in front of your video. Double click the video screen and then edit the text to say what you would like. Next, click out of this and add a transition from the right ...
How To: Model wires (twining meshes) in Blender 2.4 or 2.5
This clip presents instructions on how to create 3D models of wires within most versions of Blender. 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 and use grouping points in Houdini 10
This tutorial presents a guide on how to use grouping points and primitives in Houdini. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production 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 grouping points in Houdini 10.
How To: Use the basics of Pinnacle Studio
The video describes how to use Pinnacle Plus Studio. The narrator first describes the various tabs and features of Pinnacle Studio. He then describes how to import a video into Pinnacle Studio for editing. The video demonstrates how to add still photos, sound effects, music, and transitions to your video using the various tabs and options along with what the narrator calls the timeline. Finally, he describes how to make a movie after you have finished editing your video. He gives a good overv...
How To: Use the Wedge ROP in Houdini 9.5
The Wedge ROP is a render output driver, which can be used to change variables on the fly while rendering. This can be very useful when simulating, in that you can test out different parameters to see the different results. It's a relatively new feature in Houdini 9.5.
How To: Set up a seamless looping particle system w/ Trapcode
In this Episode, you will learn how to set up a seamless looping particle system. We will be using Trapcode Particular and Starglow to create a stylized holiday snowstorm, but the concepts can be adapted for anything from backgrounds to lower 3rds.
How To: Turn yourself into a Pan's Labyrinth creature in GIMP
All you need is a basic digital camera and GIMP photo editing software to create your own version of the Pan's Labyrinth creatures. The Keyboard Shortcuts used, in case you can't hear it properly: