Hot Software Tips How-Tos
How To: Use the VoodooPad organizational tool in Mac OS X
In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig of MacMost.com takes a look at how to use Flying Meat's VoodooPad, the personal wiki software for Mac. He uses it for to-do lists, taking notes and organizing information. Get organized with this VoodooPad and this how-to.
How To: Create a podcast with Blackboard
This tutorial shows you how use Blackboard, a popular content management system, to make a podcast available to your students. Blackboard provides an easy an easy way to upload a podcast and make an RSS feed for it available to your students. The tutorial is available on the companion Tech Ease for Mac site and includes a PDF document with the instructions. Learn how to upload podcast content to Blackboard and how to make an RSS feed available so you students can subscribe to the podcast feed...
How To: Collect, organize, and visualize data in InspireData
This tutorial on the companion Tech Ease for Mac site shows you how to use Inspiredata to collect, organize, and visualize data using several types of diagrams supported by the program. The movies were recorded on a Mac, but Inspiredata is a cross-platform program so the steps shown should work on the Windows version of the program as well. Inspiredata works like a database system that allows you to add notes and more.
How To: Create concept maps in Inspiration 8
This tutorial on the companion Tech Ease for Mac site shows you how to use Inspiration to create concept maps that help you brainstorm and organize your ideas. The movies were recorded on a Mac, but Inspiration is a cross-platform program so the steps shown should work on the Windows version of the program as well. Watch and learn how to use Inspiration to create concept maps.
How To: Use and configure WebCamMax
This software tutorial shows you how to configure WebCamMax and then how to use it to add notifications and emoticons to your web camera output or feed. If you want to add more info and customize your webcam videos, learn how you can do it with WebCamMax and this tutorial.
How To: Make a super-fast pie chart with Create a Graph
There are times when you need to make a super-quick pie chart (such as to insert in a blog post or quick printout) but find that doing it in Excel or OpenOffice takes a bit more effort than you’d like. Is there a faster way for quick’n'dirty pie charts? Yes. You can use Create a Graph. Stupidly easy to use and very fast, just the way people like it. Learn how with this video tutorial.
How To: Create a table of contents in OpenOffice Writer
This brief instructional video, which demonstrates how to create a table of contents in OpenOffice writer, is for those who are (or thinking about) writing a book in OpenOffice Writer. It's also for those who have done the same thing in Microsoft Word but don't exactly know how to perform the same function in OO. See how it's done with this video.
How To: Build a complete digital home in Blender 3D
In this extensive three part video series, you'll learn, quite literally, how to build a fully furnished home in Blender 3D. Starting at the basic blueprint, to adding free furniture off of various internet websites, you'll get the full walkthrough in each part of the video.
How To: Bake render compositing nodes in Blender
This Blender tutorial covers methods for bake rendering compositing nodes and ways to speed up render times. We will pre-render the objects and save the precious time when rendering animations. We'll discover the challenges that we meet (such as missing specular in the baked texture) and suggest workarounds.
How To: Create great image effects with SketchUp & Photoshop
You can create some great image effects when you combine Google SketchUp with other graphics software such as Photoshop or Gimp. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the fog setting in SketchUp to create a depth map that you can use in Adobe Photoshop for some very interesting effects.
How To: Autofold with the move tool in Google SketchUp
Autofold is part of the move tool and allows you to automatically create folding edges for new geometry. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the move tool to autofold in Google SketchUp. The autofold can be activated by pressing the Alt key on the PC or the Apple key on a Mac. Autofold let's you move a point, edge or surface in any direction automatically creating fold edges as needed to do so.
How To: Use layers in Google SketchUp
Using layers in SketchUp is different than many other applications. This instructional video to learn how to use layers, the layer dialog box, as well as some layer tips. In other applications, layers control actual geometry. This is especially true in CAD software. SketchUp's layering system only controls the visibility of the geometry, not the actual geometry itself.
How To: Place a Google SketchUp model in LayOut
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.
How To: Create shapes in LayOut
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the drawing tools in LayOut to create shapes. Although the tools work the same in both Windows and Mac versions, they are organized differently. Line tools infer the same way SketchUp does when you set down to create shapes. When using the Curve tool, click between points to draw straight lines, and drag the mouse button to create curves. Create waves and free form shapes with the freehand tool.
How To: Use Style Builder in Google SketchUp
Style Builder is a companion application to Google SketchUp 6 Pro that allows you to create, mix, and modify your own unique style that you can use and share in SketchUp. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use this new software. This tutorial covers loading and mixing strokes, creating custom strokes, and how to finish the style in Google SketchUp.
How To: Create easy copies or arrays in Google SketchUp
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.
How To: Use the scale tool as a mirror in Google SketchUp
Although there isn't an actual mirror tool in SketchUp, it is easy to mirror anything with the scale tool. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the scale tool for mirroring purposes in SketchUp. This tutorial covers, how to mirror objects using the scale tool, how to use modifier keys, and mirroring symmetrical components or shapes for efficiency.
How To: Work with hyperlinks in OpenOffice writer
Wondering how to handle links, or hyperlinks, in OpenOffice Writer? This tutorial will show you how to create, edit, remove and navigate to hyperlinks in the OpenOffice word processor. Take a look.
How To: Use the paint bucket tool in Google SketchUp
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 you...
How To: Use the section tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the section tool in Google SketchUp. This tutorial covers how to create cut-away views of your model in any direction, the context options for the section plane, and how to move and rotate the section plane. You can lock the section orientation by holding the "Shift" key.
How To: Use the position cam & look around tools in SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the position camera and look around tools in Google SketchUp. This tutorial covers how look around is a stationary viewing tool, how position camera allows you to place your view, how to position your view exactly, and change your field of view.
How To: Use the navigation tools in Google SketchUp
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.
How To: Use the axes tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the axes tool in Google SketchUp. The axes tool will be particularly helpful if you want to draw rectangles and lines in a different orientation. This tutorial covers how to reorient the default red, green and blue axes, and tips for quick axes orientation.
How To: Create your first OpenSceneGraph program for Mac OS X
New to OpenSceneGraph and not quite sure where to begin? If so, you're in luck. This tutorial will walk you, step-by-step, through the creation of your very first OpenSceneGraph program for the Mac OS X platform.
How To: Use the text and 3D text tools in Google SketchUp
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.
How To: Use the protractor tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the protractor tool in Google SketchUp. To measure in any direction or orientation, the protractor will align itself to any surface that it touches. This tutorial covers how to measure angles, create construction guidelines, control the tool orientation, and how to establish roof slopes.
How To: Set up an email account in Mozilla Thunderbird
If you're new to Ubuntu Linux and, for whatever reason, not so very keen on Ubuntu's default email client, Evolution, then you might like to try Mozilla Thunderbird. In this tutorial, you'll how learn how to go about setting up an email account in Thunderbird. Take a look.
How To: Use the tape measure tool in Google SketchUp
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.
How To: Use the move tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the move tool in Google SketchUp. The move tool is actually several tools combined into one. The move tool functions as an auto fold and an array tool as well. This tutorial covers how move is an auto-selecting tool, how to pre-select objects for more control, moving objects with precision, and some common problems.
How To: Use the scale tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the scale tool in Google SketchUp. The key into using the scale tool correctly is in the scale grips. This tutorial covers how to scale in 2d and 3d, accuracy when scaling, how to use modifier keys for more options, and paying attention to the axis when scaling.
How To: Use the walk tool in Google SketchUp
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.
How To: Use the offset tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the offset tool in Google SketchUp. To click on any surface to offset its edges, in or out. The tool auto selects any surface if no particular surface is selected. You can select a number of different surfaces or an individual surface. This tutorial covers offsetting surfaces versus edges, inferring, and some speedy tips.
How To: Learn the basics of components in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn about the basics and functions of components in Google SketchUp. The difference between components and groups being that groups have no relation to each other. Any of copy of a group is a completely separate entity. This tutorial covers components versus groups, how to edit components, and the component browser.
How To: Draw a sphere in Google SketchUp
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!
How To: Create a chair in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to create a simple chair in Google SketchUp. This tutorial covers how to render this piece of furniture in two different ways, and then shows a third more advanced method to introduce some new tools in SketchUp.
How To: Learn to use the push pull tool in Google SketchUp
Are you new to Google SketchUp? With the push pull tool, you'll be able to render any two dimensional shape into a three dimensional ojbect. Take a look at this instructional video and learn the basics on how to use the push pull tool in Google SketchUp. If you're concerned with the accuracy of your dimensions such as if you want an object to be approximately five feet in length or so, you can type in a value for it and it'll adjust accordingly.
How To: Draw shapes in Google SketchUp
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.
How To: Use the select tool in Google SketchUp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use the select tool in Google SketchUp. Making good selections in SketchUp is crucial in properly using the other tools available in this 3 Dimensional modeling program. This tutorial covers the basic selections, window selections, modifier keys to add to and subtract from your selection, and tips for accurate and quick selection sets.
How To: Install OpenSceneGraph from the binary package on OS X
This video tutorial demonstrates how to install OpenSceneGraph, the high-performance graphics toolkit, in Mac OS X from the binary package. While this how-to is particularly geared towards non-expert users of Mac OS X, it is certain to benefit anyone interested in stalling the OpenSceneGraph toolkit.
How To: Use the rotate tool in Google SketchUp
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.