Hot Software Tips How-Tos
How To: Get edges on a faced to sink in in SketchUp
This video explains what to do when edges on a face won't sink in. Part of Chapter 16 of the book "Google SketchUp for Dummies" this troubleshooting video will definitely come in handy.
How To: Move components the way you want in SketchUp
You may find when you are working in SketchUp that you can't get certain components to move the way you want - this is because when you first use them, by default they are automatically stuck to the surface you first put them on (glued). This video that accompanies Chapter 16 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies will show you how to get around this.
How To: Keep your SketchUp model organized
This video series explains how to keep your SketchUp model organized. The videos correspond to Chapter 5 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 explains how to group things together. PART 2 shows you how to select and replace instances. PART 3 covers making new components (like groups but changing one changes them all). PART 4 shows you how to make your own doors and windows. The last part, PART 5, shows you how to put it all together.
How To: Present your models in SketchUp
This video series shows you all the steps involved in properly presenting your models inside SketchUp. The videos correspond to Chapter 10 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 discusses standing in the right spot and how to use the position camera tool. PART 2 explains how to walk around your model using the walk tool. PART 3 shows you how to stop and look around. PART 4 shows you how to set your field of view (how much you can see). PART 5 talks about creating actual scenes. PART ...
How To: Model with photographs in Google SketchUp
This video series shows you everything you need to know about completing a model from photographs in SketchUp. It follows Chapter 7 of the book Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 shows you how to add photos to faces. PART 2 explains how to move, scale, rotate, shear and distort your texture. PART 3 shows you how to stretch a photo over a face (of your object that is)! PART 4 shows you how to stretch or scale the model until the photo texture looks right. PART 5 covers how to map photos to fa...
How To: Establish the modeling mindset for SketchUp
This video series helps you understand and get in the right mindset to model in SketchUp. It accompanies Chapter 2 of Google SketchUp for Dummies. PART 1 explains the relationship between edges and faces. PART 2 shows you how to give instructions with the drawing axes. PART 3 explains about keeping an eye out for inferences which help with accuracy. PART 4 shows you how to use those inferences to help you model - specifically locking and encouraging them. PART 5 covers how to get the best vie...
How To: Build a building in Google SketchUp
This video series takes you through every step of building a building in SketchUp and is taken from chapter 4 of "Google SketchUp for Dummies" in case you want to follow along. PART 1 explains how to switch to a 2D view to get you ready to build the floor plan. It's a good idea to have accurate measurements of everything you want to build before starting this project. PART 2 familiarizes you with the tools available in SketchUp to help you create your floorplan. PART 3 shows you how to draw t...
How To: Create wire types in AutoCAD Electrical 2008
This tutorial shows you how to create wire types in AutoCAD Electrical 2008.
How To: Use panel layout annotations in AutoCAD Electrical '08
In this video Randy Brunette introduces the panel layout annotation and report tools of AutoCAD Electrical 2008.
How To: Explode an assembly in Inventor
This tutorial shows you how to create a presentation file in Inventor by exploding the assembly. Part 1 of 2 - How to Explode an assembly in Inventor.
How To: Apply shadows in Revit Architecture 2008
Lay Christopher Fox explains how to create shadows for any model in Revit Architecture 2008.
How To: Create a presentation file in Inventor 2008
Dan Banach shows you how to make a presentation file (exploded view of an assembly) in Inventor 2008.
How To: Use mass voids in Revit Building 9
Learn how to work with Mass Voids to create extrusions and blends in Autodesk's Revit Building 9.
How To: Use cameras & walk-throughs in Autodesk Revit Building
Learn how to use cameras and create walk-throughs in Autodesk Revit Building 9.
How To: Draw screw type threads in Inventor
A lesson in how to create screw type threads in the Mechanical CAD design application Autodesk Inventor.
How To: Start building 3D models in AutoCAD 2007
This AutoCAD 2007 tutorial gives an introduction to 3D modeling. You won't start any actual models but you'll learn how to use the interface, move around and other basics.
How To: Create contours in Autodesk Land Desktop
This tutorial shows you how to create contours for a surface model in Autodesk's Land Desktop software. You can control appearance and labels.
How To: Dimension circles and arcs in AutoCAD
This AutoCAD tutorial shows you two ways to dimension a circle or an arc. One method is to define the radius the other is to use the diameter.
How To: Sketch and sweep in Autodesk Inventor
This tutorial shows you how to create a 3D sketch using points and then how to use the sweep tool to create the final shape in Autodesk Inventor, a digital prototyping software. Knowing the interface of the software will be helpful so you can find the exact tools being used.
How To: Model a carved table and legs in Rhino 3D
Learn how to model a carved table in Rhino 3D. This is a more intermediate tutorial involving Filleted Edges, Spiral, Pipe, Truncated Cones, Differences, etc. This will get you a completed model of a carved table.
How To: Box model a spaceship in Rhino 3D
This tutorial shows you how to box model (polygonal modeling) a spaceship in Rhino 3D. Take a standard box and explode it, then turn on control points and rebuild it -- and THEN drag shapes out of the box! It's cool -- and pretty fun. Definitely a beginners tutorial.
How To: Create talking pictures with CrazyTalk 4
This unusual program (Crazy Talk 4) allows you to import a photograph and quickly have it talking to you.
How To: Model a coffee table in Rhino 3D
A cool feature of Rhino 3D is the ability to draw a shape and then "extrude it" to a 3D object. Here we use that technique to draw a 50's or 60's style coffee table.
How To: Create a goblet in Rhino 3D
Robert Griffith shows you how to model a goblet in Rhino 3D. This teaches basic 3D modeling skills using curves and the revolve tool.
How To: Create lightning effects in GIMP
If Photoshop is too complex for your tastes - or just takes a little too long - then GIMP may be the solution. GIMP is a photo manipulation software with super easy controls and tools. Generally it's used for photo retouching, but like Photoshop, the program allows you to add in special effects.
How To: Use Toad Modeler to build and manage databases
DBAs, developers and designers are often tasked with building and managing databases. Especially when the database has been developed by someone else, you have little to no insight into the database structure. Join Quest Software to learn more about Toad Data Modeler and its features that provide:
How To: Create a blood drip text effect in GIMP
A quick, simple, and effective way to make bloody, drippy text.
How To: Remove stop motion rigging with MS paint
This is a tutorial on how to remove rigging with MS paint (also known as rotoscoping). Turn your speakers up, as the audio is very quiet.
How To: Create a Star Wars lightsaber in Inkscape
This tutorial illustrates how to create a Star Wars Lightsaber using Inkscape v0.45. This version will show you how to make both the handle and the blade from scratch.
How To: Use particleIllusion
This tutorial is in the? tutorials map that comes with particleIllusion, but now available here! Check it out and learn the basics of how to use this particle generating plug-in software for After Effects, Sony Vegas and more.
How To: Create your own font with your own handwriting
GottaBeMobile.com's Dennis Rice shows us all how to create our own font using our own handwriting using the My Own Font utility for Windows tablet PCs.
How To: Create "to do" lists using iCal on your mac
Learn how to create a to-do list using the iCal application that comes standard on all Macs.
How To: Use Eazy Draw and Doozla Mac drawing programs
Gary Rosenzweig and Eve Park take a look at two programs for the Mac that allow you to draw. The first is Eazy Draw, a vector drawing program. The second is Doozla, a drawing program for kids.
How To: Fix Z fighting in SketchUp
Overlapping objects or surfaces (faces) can cause a flickering/flashing effect when you move around the object. This is a result of Z fighting. Z fighting is when two faces occupy the exact same space. This video from Chapter 16 of the book "Google SketchUp for Dummies" explains how to get around the problem.
How To: Create a screencast in Linux
I spent hours writing a guide on how to record a screencast, or record what is on the desktop, and convert it. I then found out that this is much simpler & faster and doesn't even involve opening the commandline.
How To: Create a circle button in GIMP
How to create a super easy circle button in GIMP.
How To: Create a smoke effect in GIMP
This tutorial teaches you how to make a smoke effect in GIMP.
How To: Use selection tools in GIMP
By following this tutorial you will learn the concept of selections in GIMP. Whenever he says "layer mask" he really meant "selection mask".
How To: Replace faces in photos using GIMP
This video shows how to use some basic image editing techniques to replace the face in an image with another face.
How To: Embed Google Calendar into a webpage with Contribute
If you want a calendar of events on your website, or just want everyone to know what you do all day, this video is for you. Learn how to embed your Google Calendar in a webpage using Contribute software.