Software Tips Features

Dumpster Drive: Exchange Your Digital Trash with Strangers

Do you ever wonder if the files you're trashing on your Mac are actually trash? Let's say there are 80 million computer owners running Mac OS. If each user trashes at least 10 files each day, that's 800 million deleted files that cease to exist every 24 hours. If that doesn't sound like a lot to you, a month would equal 24 billion junked files, a year—nearly 1 trillion.

How To: Make a business card design in GIMP

This video is about how to make a business card design in GIMP. First of all, download some GIMP labels plug-in. Create a business card of required size by entering dimensions going to on “Toolbox”, then Xtns, then Misc, then Labels, then Rect Label. Now create image and text on business cards. The image should compliment it without overwhelming the text. Now add borders and accents. Select “Image”, then “Filters”, then “Combine”, then “Make Label Page” and insert the image. Check your contac...

How To: Make a setup with Visual Studio 2008 the easy way

Do you want to know how to make an installer using Visual Studio 2008? In this 9 minute video, the viewers will be taught the process of how to do so. All the viewer requires is a computer and the software. Some of the knowledge in this video is quite advance and require prior computer knowledge. However, the process itself is easy and if the viewer follows each step correctly, they should have no problem creating a setup file using Visual Studio 2008. However, prior computer knowledge is sti...

How To: Measure objects and distances within Blender

This clip offers a look at how to measure objects and distances in Blender. 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, including step-by-step instructions, take a look!

How To: Map, paint and texture UVs in Modo 201

Go beyond the traditional 3D workflow to an immersive creative experience with the software Modo, created by Luxology. Modo is the next evolution of 3D modeling, painting and rendering for Mac and PC. Modo includes 3D sculpting tools, animation and network rendering, and advanced features such as n-gons and edge weighting.

How To: Lock angles with the Ortho and Polar modes in AutoCAD 2011

Learn how to use the Ortho and Polar modes to lock angles in AutoCAD 2011. This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know. 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: Make easy flyers in Easy Flyer Creator

In this tutorial, we learn how to design custom flyers using Easy Flyer Creator. First, start a new deign in the software, then delete all graphics so the page is blank. Next, add in a background to the flyer and resize it to fit onto the entire page. Now, right click on the picture and choose 'set as background'. Now, add another picture on the page, then move it to your desired location to fit on the bottom of the page. After this, you can edit the picture further, if needed. When you are d...

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 Houdini voxel fluids

Created by Houdini Product Specialist Stephen Tucker, this crash course series focuses on the concept of fluid dynamics and how they work within Houdini. These videos on Voxel Fluids should help any artist get up in running with the foundation tools available for creating fluid effects in Houdini 9.5. Topics range from how to create a container to how to gain access to fluid attributes for shading, and even passing data from volumes to particles.

How To: Create indented text in GIMP

Hulldo teaches you how to create indented text in GIMP. First, create a new document of any size. Then use the text tool to write some words. Next, select that text and go to Script fu-layer effects-inner shadow. Once you've done this, duplicate the layer. You will now want to filter-blur-Gaussian blur. Apply that to your second layer. Now you can either merge the layers or leave them as they are. You can also play with the text settings, if you want a larger shadow, a bolder text and so on. ...

How To: Build a parametric truss system in Revit

This Revit software tutorial shows how to array a series of voids to create a changing truss system. Rather than thinking of the modeling in components what we are doing here is modeling a solid and using Revit’s cut geometry tool to slice a solid into stick members. The only catch to this techniques is that each truss has a slight slant on the top and bottom. This is something we can look past since it will be lost in the line weight. Once this model needs to transfer to a higher lever of pr...

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: Add lights and materials to models in Pro/DESKTOP

This CAD software tutorial shows you how to work with lights and materials in Pro/DESKTOP. This is an advanced tutorial that will show you how to add materials to a figure, add lighting, backgrounds and export the image. Rendering completed images is an important part of working in ProDESKTOP since it showcases your final products. Learn how to make your models good with lights and materials in this Pro/DESKTOP tutorial. This video is best viewed full screen.

How To: Install and setup JDownloader on Ubuntu Linux

In this video, viewers learn how to install and setup JDownloader on Ubuntu Linux Downloader is open source download manager. It simplifies downloading files from One-Click-Hosters like Rapidshare.com or Megaupload.com - not only for users with a premium account but also for users who don't pay. It offers downloading in multiple parallel streams, captcha recognition, automatically file extraction and much more. Of course, JDownloader is absolutely free of charge. This video will benefit those...

How To: View your iPod Touch or iPhone Screen on your desktop

This tutorial will show you how to view your iPod or iPhone screen on your desktop. First of all, you need to have a jailbroken iPod for the applications necessary and secondly you will need Wi-Fi. You will need to download the application RealVNC for your desktop and Cydia for the jailbroken iPod or iPhone. Within Cydia you will search for the program Veency and go to the homepage. From there you will go into settings Veency. Now you have down everything on your iPod or iPhone. Now on your c...

How To: Give your images a widescreen border in GIMP

Hulldo teaches you how to give your images a widescreen border using GIMP. Open up a picture and the click new layer. Next go to select - border and make it 3 pixels. Go to tool options and use black for foreground fill. Select none and create a new layer. Go to view and make sure snap to canvas edges is ticked. Go to rectangle select tool and go to its menu. Then select 640x30 pixels. Fill that layer with black and select none. Duplicate this layer. You place this one on the bottom and you a...

How To: Create a blog for a website in iWeb

By creating a blog, you can publish an online journal about anything you want. This iLife tutorial shows you how to create a blog to put on your website. iWeb makes it easy to add a blog to your site by providing templates. Learn how to create, add and delete blog entries in this iWeb tutorial.

How To: Bake a shadow map in Blender

Learn how to bake shadow maps when working in Blender with this handy 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 instructions, take a look!

How To: Print images in Aperture

Instead of using Photoshop, why not give Apple's Aperture a try? Aperture is designed more for post-production work for professional photographers, letting you cull through shoots, enhance images, manage massive libraries, and deliver stunning photos.

How To: Animate fingers with an easy rig in Blender 2.5

This Blender 2.5 video tutorial takes on the process of rigging the fingers to a human hand with only a few bones and constraints. This technique leaves you with fingers that are very easy to animate and control without the need for IKs or Drivers. 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 f...

How To: Set key frames in the Nuke 5 node compositor

Learn how to use set key frames (or keyframes) working in Nuke 5. Whether you're new to the Foundry's popular node-based compositing application or a seasoned post-production professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with Nuke 5's new features, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including a detailed overview, watch this free video guide.

How To: Create a 3D model of a werewolf in Blender 2.5

In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a 3D model of a werewolf in Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the 3ds Max 2010 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide. Create a 3D model of a werewolf in Blender 2.5 - Part 1...

How To: Use video transitions in Pinnacle Studio

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add video transitions to a video in Pinnacle Studio. This task is very easy, simple and fast to do. Begin by imputing the video clips into the time-line. Then click on the Transitions tab and select a transition. Once selected, simply drag the transition in between two video clips. There are many transitions to select from. Users are able to preview each transition by clicking on it and pressing the Play button. This video will benefit those viewer...

How To: Create a 3D natural landscape in modo

See how to create a complete natural environment in modo. See how to add a simple river mesh and then use procedural shaders and complex modo shader layering system to create a procedural rock shader and a basic water material. We'll use adaptive microtriangle displacement and bump mapping to achieve final rock look. Lighting will be based on internal daylight/skylight system to use global illumination to achieve a more natural result. Create a 3D natural landscape in modo.

How To: Compress files on a Mac using SimplyRAR v1.09

In this tutorial, we learn how to compress files on a Mac using Simply RAR v1.09. First, go to this website and download this software from http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/21430. Now, drag and drop this into your application and open it up. now, make a new folder where you want and name it anything you want. Next, drag and drop your movie into the SimplyRAR software, then choose a compression method. After this, choose the options you want that are on the lower right hand corner. Next, c...

How To: Paint with normal maps in modo

Devolped by the same team of engineers responsible for LightWave 3D, modo, lowercase, delivers the next evolution of 3D modeling, painting and rendering in a single integrated and accelerated package for the Mac and PC. And now, modo is a true end-to-end solution that includes true 3D sculpting tools, animation and network rendering! More than just features, modo is a truly elegant integration of technology, raw horsepower and refined workflow. With such a wealth of inbuilt features, however,...

How To: Set up audio & MIDI recording on a PC in SONAR 6

This audio production software tutorial shows you how to set up audio and MIDI recording devices on a PC using SONAR 6 Home Studio. See how to plug-in cables, and set up audio and MIDI for optimized recording and playback on a PC. This video shows the process in SONAR Home Studio 6, but the concepts can be applied to most Cakewalk software.