Hot Software Tips How-Tos

How To: Create ghosts in Blender with difference keying

Use nodes to compute the difference between two images, usually a matte or background shot and then the same shot with actors in the set. This technique was used in the film "Death Becomes Her" starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis. Use this technique to create ghosts, glass people, or to uncover watermarks and prove video ownership. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting your...

How To: Use the Blender Video Sequence Editor

This clip presents a general introduction to working with the Video Sequence Editor in 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: Use noodle-based compositing in Blender

Conceptually, what is node-based compositing and what do nodes do? This clip uses the factory analogy to convey the concept. Blender can process video, images, sequences, and families of images in a directory. Then you'll fire up Blender and talk about threading nodes and how images are duplicated and routed through the compositing network ("noodle"), how threads are created between sockets. Creating threads, cut threads. The clip also points out common threading errors and misrouting threads...

How To: Create new Screen Layouts in Blender 2.49 or 2.5

In this clip, you'll see how to create a new Screen Layout (workspace, desktop) to use when Compositing: 8-Nodes. and initialize this new default User setup used in all future tutorials. This clip will also teach how to move the window around, what the starting nodes are and do (RenderLayer, Composite, Viewer) Backdrop, , how threads work in the noodle, rendering the composite and discusses basic window management and splitting, and using the UV/Image Editor to view images/results. Whether yo...

How To: Use Retopo to punch a hole in an object in Blender

See how to use use the Retopo tool and View options to make round holes in tubes (or other surfaces) with 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: Create a face rig for a 3D model in Blender 2.4 or 2.5

This clip presents a general overview of how to go about creating a custom face rig for character animation within Blender 2.49 or 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: Create fur for 3D models within Blender 2.49 or 2.5

This tutorial presents a general primer on how to go about creating fur for furry creatures within Blender 2.49 or 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: Use the Scale Node in the Blender 2.5 Compositor

In this tutorial, you'll see how to use the Scale Node in the Blender Compositor to manipulate an image. You'll see how to stretch it, spin/rotate, and have all sorts of fun with uniform linear distortion. The clip discusses the difference between resolution handling between the renderer and the node system. Hence we have the scale node to scale an input image at one resolution to match the render resolution. I discuss using Absolute scaling, and relative/percentage scaling, relative aspect r...

How To: Model hair with polygons in Blender 2.49 or 2.5

This clip offers a short overview on modeling hair using mesh planes in Blender 2.49 or 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: Unwrap UVs in Blender 2.49 or 2.5

This clip presents a general introduction into UV unwrapping 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: Use the subdivision and subsurf tools in Blender

Here's a lesson on how to use the subdivision (sub division) and subsurf (sub surf) tools in 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: Work with multiple objects at once in Blender 2.5

This clip presents a general introduction on how to work with multiple objects simultaneously within Blender 2.5 and discusses the topics of loading and saving. 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 model of a briefcase in Blender 2.4 or 2.5

This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to go about modeling a briefcase or suitcase within Blender 2.49 or 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, and to get started modeling your own suitcase, take a look.

How To: Move the camera & user the render panel in Blender 2.5

This Blender user's tutorial covers camera movement from camera view, the render panel, and the ambient occlusion panel. 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: Model with mirroring in Blender 2.5

This Blender user's guide introduces mirroring, the object center, editing with precision and recalculating normals. 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: Use the basic editing tools within Blender 2.5

This tutorial presents a general introduction to the basic editing functions and tools available within Blender 2.49 & 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: Create realtime-modifiable text within Blender 2.5

See how to create text that is modifiable in realtime for the Blender Game Engine. 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: Redirect edge flow in Blender 2.5

This video offers a few quick tips on tricks on redirecting edge flow (or edgeflow) when working 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: Use the rip tool when modeling in Blender 2.5

This quick clip offers a few handy tips and tricks on using the rip tool when working 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: Create and edit keyframes in Blender 2.5

This clip presents a general overview on how to keyframes (sometimes written "key frames") 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.

How To: Use the Object Mapping feature in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

See how to project an image onto an object with Object Mapping in Blender 2.49b. 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: Use the Curve Modifier tool in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

Here are a few quick tips and tricks on how to take advantage of the Curve Modifier feature in Blender 2.49b and 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: Create and edit Shape Keys in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

This clip offers a few quick tips on how to create, edit and otherwise manipulate Shape Keys when using Blender 2.49b or 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: Display keys in 3D when working in Blender 2.49 or 2.5

This clip offers a quick tip on how to view the keys in the 3D View using Blender 2.49b or 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: Use the mouse to create animations in Blender 2.49/2.5

Here's a quick tip on using mouse movement in the IPO Curve Editor to animate when working in Blender 2.49b or 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: Use the IPO Curve Editor in the Blender 2.49 sequencer

Here's a quick tip on using the IPO Curve Editor in the Sequencer in Blender 2.49b or 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: Link scenes in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

This clip offers a few quick tips on scene linking within Blender 2.49b or 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: Use the Grease Pencil tool in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

This clip offers a number of tips on how to use the Grease Pencil feature within Blender 2.49b or 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: Create explosions in Blender with the explode modifier

This clip offers a few quick tips on using the explode modifier in Blender 2.49b or 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: Create and edit Force Fields in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

This tutorial presents a number of quick tips on using force fields within Blender 2.49b or 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: Create & manipulate soft bodies in Blender 2.49 or 2.5

This tutorial presents a few quick tips on Blender's soft bodies. 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: Model a LEGO minifigure head in Blender 2.49b or 2.5

This video tutorial presents a number of quick tips on making a Lego minifig head within Blender 2.49b or 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: Create and work with environment maps in Blender 2.49b

A quick tip on environment maps in Blender. Blender 2.49b. 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: Remove silence from an audio track in Audition 3.0

Learn how to remove silent bits from your audio tracks when using Adobe Audition 3. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular digital audio workstation (DAW) software or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and plugins, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.

How To: Create DVD menus with Adobe Encore CS4 or CS5

Encore CS4 ships with several gigabytes of content to help you create dynamic menus for your DVDs with ease. But what if you want to take a button from one and a background from another? See how it's done with this video guide. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular DVD authoring software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, inc...

How To: Create volume node textures in Blender 2.5

This is a quick tutorial on setting up a nodes-based texture for 3D volumes in Blender 2.5. Were you aware Blender 2.5 includes a cloud generation script? See how to use it with this video guide. 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. For more information, including step-by-step instruct...

How To: Work with point density volumetrics in Blender 2.5

This clip offers a quick guide on how to work with point density volumetrics within Blender 2.5. This same technique can be used to make tornados, drifting fog, dry ice and a great number of other things. Were you aware Blender 2.5 includes a cloud generation script? See how to use it with this video guide. 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 s...