Hot Software Tips How-Tos
How To: Draw a female vector cartoon character in CorelDRAW X4
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw a female vector cartoon character in CorelDraw X4. Start out by drawing the head of the character with lines that are curved. Then, add in the pupil and color of the eye. Don't forget to add in the lines underneath and on top of the eye, as well as the creases above them. Copy and paste this to create the other eye, then add in eyelashes and eyebrows. Then, draw in a nose and shape the face. add in additional details to the face, then add in the colors t...
How To: Optimize photos in Xara Xtreme / Xara Web Designer
This is a video tutorial in the Software category where you are going to learn how to optimize photos in Xara Xtreme / Xara Web Designer. This is really very easy and simple to do and takes practically no time. Open up Xara Xtreme and go to the object gallery and select a photo that you want to work on. You can now resize the image by simply stretching or shrinking it in any direction. You can also drag and position the image at any part of the canvas that you desire. You can now go to file a...
How To: Revert to the Fixedsys font using mIRC
This is a video tutorial in the Software category where you are going to learn how to revert to the Fixedsys font using mIRC. Click on the channel icon and select font. Here you can select the font and the size and then click OK. If you have Windows XP or older version of Windows, you can type in fixedsys in the font window, select the size, click OK and the fixedsys font will be selected. But if you have Vista or Windows 7, this will not happen. So you bring up the Windows explorer and in th...
How To: Reduce noise in RAW Therapee
In this tutorial, we learn how to reduce noise in RAW Therapee. First, open up your photo in the software that you want to reduce the noise on. Then, open up the detailed view of the photo and click on then click on the detail button. Through here, you can sharpen the image or you can change the noise reduction for the color and luminance. Click on the drop down menu for the luminance and then enable to checked section. Then, move the edge tolerance to its maximum to see the full effect on th...
How To: Customize bash prompts with the PS1 variable
In this tutorial, we learn how to customize bash prompts with the PS1 variable. The PSI variable will say what something does. You can change this using the export command. Basically, you just type in the same thing and add in something. You can do this by simply typing it in using your keyboard. After this, press enter on your keyboard, then continue to change more things. There are a ton of different things you can do with this. You can find more from the website: http://pastebin.com/f2309f...
How To: Use guitar, bass amp, & speaker emulation in Line 6
In this tutorial, we learn how to use guitar, bass amp, & speaker emulation in Line 6. First, plug in your guitar, create an audio track, and add a line 6 amp. The line 6 amp comes with 3 amplifiers. While the bass amp lets you choose between two. When you change the amp, the compute will change cabinets to go with it in the program. To load a combinatory pre-set, click the folder to open up the path browser. The record sound bank includes a lot of sound bank options, so choose the ones that ...
How To: Edit quick shapes in Xara Xtreme
In this video, we learn how to edit quick shapes in Xara Xtreme. First, open up Xara Xtreme and select the quick shape option. From here, you will create the shape on your screen. Then, alter the number of spokes you see. You can hold down or select any nodes that you see. Pull these into the center and then it will create a thin star. Undo this and then hold down the control key while pulling in the center to create a twisting effect in the middle. All of these will look different and you ca...
How To: Extract .RAR files
In this tutorial, we learn how to extract .RAR files. First, right click on the file, then click on "extract files". Once you are in a new window, you will be able to choose where you are opening the file from. Once you do this, the file will show up on your desktop in different icons. This is handy if you want to extract a file but don't have time to waste waiting forever. You can also open up the file by right clicking on it and opening it up in notes, where you will see the file waiting to...
How To: Use the New Features in Windows Live SkyDrive 2011
Gain control over your files online with Windows Live SkyDrive 2011, just one of the many new features of the newly released Windows Live Essentials 2011. You get 25GB of free online storage and tons of new features. You can store tons of documents, access all your important files and share the plethora of pictures you've amassed, all within SkyDrive.
How To: Use the New Features in Windows Live Hotmail 2011
Hotmail just isn't the same anymore— it's better! In the just-released Windows Live Essentials 2011 from Microsoft, Windows Live Hotmail 2011 is jam-packed full of new features.
How To: Use the New Features in Windows Live Messenger 2011
Microsoft has finally released Windows Live Essentials 2011, their suite of consumer applications designed to compliment Windows and compete against Apple's iLife software. Windows Live Essentials 2011 is only available for Windows Vista and Windows 7 and can be downloaded from the Windows Live website.
How To: Make a signature with an image in Windows Live Mail
Whether you own a business or work for a company, you probably send out millions of emails every day corresponding with clients, PR, and whoever else you have to deal with. It's hard enough making sure you get around to all of them, but what's more is that even after you've finished composing the message you have to add your name, company name, phone, etc.
How To: Use Reason Soul School
In this tutorial, we learn how to use Reason Soul School. First create a Doctor X loop layer. After this, browse for a loop and search through the different folders that contain loops. These will mimic different sounds depending on which one you want to use. Each category contains drums, bass, tempos, and more. Load the different sounds from the folders as you would like. Then, when you have your desired sounds, start to edit them and change how they sound. You can then add in new loops to th...
How To: Use Eraser to permanently erase data
In this tutorial, we learn how to use Eraser to permanently erase data. First, open up Internet Explorer and search for "eraser". Once you do this, click on the first link that you see. Then, go to the download section of the website and download the first version that you see, it will be the newer version. Choose the bit processor that you have, then wait for it to download on your computer. Now install it and go to your Start menu to find the application. After this, open up the Eraser, the...
How To: Use the foobar2000 freware audio player on a Microsoft Windows PC
In this clip, you'll learn how to use the foobar2000 MP3 player on a MS Windows PC. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use the array modifier in the 3-D modeling software Blender 2.5
There are dozens of modifiers available to a designer working with Blender 2.5 to get the effect you want. This tutorial covers the array modifier - a way to replicate a single object and modify them as a whole, such as an array of pillars.
How To: Program your own arcade game with characters, backgrounds and music
Replicate the old arcade games like Pac Man or Galaga by downloading the free software Gamemaker 7.0. After you've downloaded the program, create your own sprites in an image editor, use the sounds already provided in the software and finally load your background. Then set up your game script, and you have your own arcade-style video game!
How To: Turn a CAD blueprint into a Google Sketchup project
Use a CAD plan as a reference for your Google SketchUp project. This tutorial shows you how to use the rectangle tool to create building walls and outline your building for SketchUp. Use the eraser tool afterwards so you can erase unneeded lines.
How To: Add special effects to your movies using a green screen and PhotoKey
PhotoKey is a cheaper alternative to Photoshop if all you want to do is work with green screen effects. This tutorial shows you the basic Chroma Key functions available to editors in PhotoKey, so you can start adding your own backgrounds and special effects.
How To: Animate a dragon in flight with Blender animation software
After you've already modeled your dragon (or any other winged creature) in the 3-D modeling and animation software Blender, you can then set it to fly! This tutorial shows you how to apply a flight animation to your new Blender projects.
How To: Use the Unreal Engine to improve your Papervision 3D usability
The Unreal 3 Engine is one of the most common and prevalent engines used to create and mod video games. This tutorial shows you how to integrate UDK and Papervision 3D to increase your productivity when creating a game, 3-D animation or other similar content.
How To: Create terrains and textures using the Unreal Development Kit for Papervision
The Unreal Development Kit lets you create terrains and add textures. This tutorial shows you a few tips to making a terrain, and then demonstrates how you can take this textured terrain and port it into Papervision 3D for your own projects.
How To: Create a transporter in the Unreal Development kit for Papervision 3D
The Unreal Development Kit contains tools and functions which can be of great use to someone interested in developing games with Papervision 3D. This tutorial shows you how to build a transporter using the UDK and then work with it in your Papervision project.
How To: Create skydomes in the Unreal engine and incorporate it into Papervision
Skydomes are effects you can use when mapping an outdoor level or map area to simulate the open sky. This tutorial shows you how to create a sky dome using the Unreal Development Kit and then incorporate that sky dome into your Papervision 3D project.
How To: Control a Collada file and animate it in Away 3D Lite
Take an object you've already created as a Collada file, like a die, and then use Away 3D Lite to control the animation! This tutorial shows you how you can use Flash to create this animated effect and roll dice!
How To: Use Fruity Loops 9 to create custom button sounds in Flash
Stop using the same button sounds everyone else uses! Create your own custom button sounds with Fruity Loops Studio 9, then incorporate them into your Flash buttons using Action Script 3 and Adobe Flash CS3 (or any other version of Creative Studios).
How To: Design your own first-person shooter game using free software
Looking to create your own mod or write a game to round out your design portfolio? By using the free Reality Factory software, you can create levels, weapons, monsters and everything else that goes into writing a video game. This tutorials shows you how to create an FPS game using this freeware.
How To: Model hard surfaces or inorganic surfaces for 3-D models using Modo 401 3D
This tutorial shows you how to use the 3-D modeling software Modo 401 3D to create hard or inorganic surfaces for your models. Using an eight sided cylinder as the base example, you're shown various techniques to create hard surfaces for your models.
How To: Familiarize yourself with the various tools available in Silo 3D
Take a visual tour of the 3-D modeling and animation software Silo 3-D! This video shows you the various tools at your disposal when using this program, as well as showing you how to access the various features and functions for your own projects.
How To: Use MPEG Streamclip to transcode video for use in Premiere Pro
Use content taken from a variety of different sources or file types and transcode them so you can begin working with them in Premiere Pro. This tutorial shows you how to use a software program called MPEG Streamclip to achieve this on a Mac computer.
How To: Build a low-poly arcade machine for background in Modo 401 3D
Starting from scratch, this tutorial for the 3-D modeling software Modo 401 3D shows you how to create low-resolution, low-poly background pieces that nevertheless look professional and polished for your setting. Use multiple instances to populate a background easily and quickly.
How To: Install your software in bulk to set up a new computer
Tired of having to install multiple files every time you set up a new computer? This tutorial shows you how Ninite.com to set up a free installer so you can install all your free software applications at once (like web browsers, iTunes, GIMP, etc), instead of having to do it one by one.
How To: Turn particles into surface geomtery using 3-D modeling software Houdini 10
Trying to animate a 3-D object, like a roll of paper towels, unspooling? This tutorial shows you how to use Houdini 10 so you can turn particles or points on your grid into surface geometry so you can turn it into the right kind of animation.
How To: Make a screen saver for your DVDs using Windows Live Movie Maker
Take a few photos and still images, then use Windows Movie Maker to turn them into a screen saver style loop. This tutorials hows you how to use Movie Maker so you can burn your own short movie onto DVD.
How To: Sync your files and access data from multiple computers using Dropbox
Dropbox is a program (free at the basic level) which will allow you to access important files from multiple files. Just drop your chosen files into the Dropbox folder, and you'll be able to use and access these files from synced computers. You can even add music to iTunes remotely!
How To: Organize vocabulary words and study terms with Keep Your Word for Mac
Keep Your Word is an innovative and simple Mac application which will let the user keep track of different words - useful for anyone whose area of study gives them a lot of vocabulary words or glossary terms to keep memorized.
How To: Collect and organize web information with Yojimbo for the Mac
Yojimbo is a great Mac program which allows the the user to collect bookmarks, notes and entire webpages and assemble it into a single document. This tutorial shows you how to get it and then takes you on a visual tour of the program.
How To: Use iFlash on your Mac computer to make flashcards as study aids
Looking for some good study programs? iFlash, an application available for Mac users, allows you to create flash cards, which you can sort by semester, year or subject. Then, export your cards to your iPhone or iPod Touch to study on the go!
How To: Create your own animated .GIF image from a movie file with Gif Builder
Make your own small .gif animations on a Mac! This tutorial shows you how to use GifBuilder Carbon to take small movie clips and render them into your own .gif animations! This will work for any movie file except Windows Media Player formats.
How To: Install and run video editing software Eyeon Fusion on a Mac OS X
Even though Eyeon Fusion has been designed to run on a PC, you can still get it to run well on a Mac. If your computer is already Intel-based, you can use Bootcamp to set up a partition and run Eyeon there. Alternatively, you can parallelize your desktop and use this to run Eyeon Fusion.