Software Tips Features

How To: Use the AutoCad 2011 Materials Browser

Need some help wrapping your head around AutoCad 2011's Materials Browser? Don't fret: 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: Create and use the Human Meta-Rig tool in Blender 2.5

Learn how to create and use a human meta-rig 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. Create and use the Human Meta-Rig tool in Blender 2.5.

How To: Make your own mug shot without going to jail

At Daily Mugshots, you will be able to save your own mug shot. The first thing that you will have to do is sign up for an account. You will need a Flash Player in order to use this site. After you have your account set up, you can take a picture from your computer. You can also upload pictures that you have taken elsewhere. When you save your picture, you will have to wait until it is finished processing. When the blue bar is filled, then it will be stored in your mug show.

How To: Create a 3D model of a cupcake in Blender

In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a comprehensive 3D model of a cupcake complete with paper within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better your skills, 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 cupcake in Blender - P...

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 homemade CGI match move with PFTrack

This tutorial covers the basics of creating homemade CGI with PFTrack, a Swiss Army knife of visual effects software. Using PFTrack, PictureBandit takes you through the different features of PFTrack, and shows you how to use it to match move your scene. Make your video project look as professional as possible with this PFTrack tutorial.

How To: Create a 3D Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon in modo

Breast cancer is one of the most deadly and tragic diseases afflicting women today. If you are interested in spreading breast cancer awareness and also in 3D modeling, then this video is a must-watch. It will teach you how to create a 3D model of the pink ribbon synonymous with breast cancer awareness, which you can then use on your website or in any other digital locale you wish.

How To: Convert color images to black and white in Aperture

This Software video tutorial shows how to convert color images to black and white in Aperture. Scott Bourne presents this video. Open up ‘aperture’ program and select a color photo that you want to convert to black and white. Now move from the ‘projects’ page to the ‘adjustments’ page by clicking on it. Then click on the ‘+’ sign and select ‘Monochrome Mixer’. When you do this, the picture instantly turns to black and white. It’s as simple and easy as that. For editing the picture further, on...

How To: Use V-Vocal in SONAR 5

SONAR Producer Edition features Roland® V-Vocal™, an exclusive vocal editing tool. V-Vocal features state-of-the-art VariPhrase technology for working with vocals. This SONAR 5 tutorial shows you how to use this powerful audio production tool to create perfect vocal tracks and create edits you never imagined possible all with the V-Vocal tool. The worst karaoke singer will soon be the best pop singer around!

How To: Use tile clones in Inkscape

This open source software tutorial shows you how to use the tile clone tools in Inkscape. The tile clone tool allows you to create the first few tiles and then clone them to create an entire grid or fill a specific area with the tiled pattern. Check out this Inkscape tutorial and start expanding your graphic design abilities.

How To: Create 3D magic wand particle effects in Blender

This video tutorial series will show you how to create a magic wand particles effect, the sort of visual effect you might see when a “magic wand” is waved. This will be similar to a “pixie” dust effect, although not so complicated. 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 ...

How To: Change the unit of measurment in Blender 2.5

In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see show how you can change the unit of measurement within Blender away from the default Blender Units to either Metric or Imperial units. Doing this makes it much easier to accurately create objects to scale. 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 in...

How To: Render millions of particles in Houdini 10

This two-part tutorial looks at the techniques for rendering millions of particles in Houdini 10. The first part looks at using the popsolver to manipulate particles using both the standard pop nodes and dynamics forces. We use the interact pop, and random grouping of particles to build an ink like effect. We set up a smoke simulation and use the velocity field of that to advect (move) the particles. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned gra...

How To: Create transparent glass lettering in GIMP

Learn how to achieve a stunning glass text effect. Whether you're new to the GNU Image Manipulation Program, GNU's popular free graphics editor, or a seasoned designer just looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started creating glass-like text headers in GIMP yourself, take a look!

How To: Use GIMP & the render flame tool to create backgrounds

In this tutorial on GIMP, the render-flame tool is looked over in detail. GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free software raster graphics editor. It is primarily employed as an image re-touch and edit tool. It not only offers freeform drawing, but can also accomplish essential image workflow steps such as resizing, editing, & cropping photos, combining multiple images, & converting between different image formats.

How To: Crop and translate images in Blender 2.4 or 2.5

Cropping and translating images is a common workflow. This Blender user's guide will show you how it's done. 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 titles and credits within Blender 2.4 or 2.5

This clip explains how to use Blender to title your video, layer your titles on top of video, or stencil your video on top of title text. 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: Burn AVI files to a playable DVD in Mac OS X

First of all go to the website source forge and download the file 'DVD Flick'. Once you get it you now need to install this in your computer. Accept the ‘user agreement’ and then choose the folder where you wish to put in this file. You may also choose to store this in your programs directory. Then click on the ‘next’ and then ‘install’ to continue. This shall take some time. Now open this application. Take any YouTube videos. First of all click on the 'add title' from the left side top menu ...

How To: Model realtime water (animated normal maps) in Blender

Learn how to create simple animated normal maps for a realtime water effect within Blender 3D. 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!