Software Tips Features

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: Draw a house on Microsoft Paint

In this video, Lance Sisiolo draws a beautiful house using Microsoft Paint. He uses line tool to draw most part of the house. He uses different types of lines. He also uses curve tool to draw sky and the entrance of the house. The unwanted part of the picture is erased using erase tool. Then he uses fill with color tool and airbrush tool to paint the picture. He uses different colors to increase the beauty of sky and the house. Then some trees are added. Using airbrush tool he increases the b...

How To: Create a Diwali (festival of lights) greeting card in Microsoft Paint

It's time for the festival of lights— Diwali (aka Divali or Deepavali), which is a five-day festival celebrated in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. This festival usually occurs in October and November, and is an official holiday in India and other countries. But you can't celebrate Diwali without a greeting card! Luckily, this video tutorial will show you how to make on yourself in MS Paint. Finding one in stores can be tough, so it's necessary to resort to a DIY version in a program like Paint...

How To: Model a house from an image in SketchUp 6

You don't have to have an authentic 2-dimensional CAD drawing to model a house or building in SketchUp, all you really need is a floor plan or good image. If you don't have a CAD drawing to use to create your SketchUp model, learn how you can take an image of any floor plan and quickly turn it into a house in SketchUp 6.

How To: Remove backgrounds in Photoshop CS3

Put your character or subject in a new picture by changing the background in Photoshop. Not sure how to do this? Watch this tutorial and learn how to remove or delete the background from an image in Photoshop CS3. You will also learn how to feather the edges of your subject slightly to remove that annoying edge pixel. This Photoshop tutorial will give you a clean character with no background, perfect for popping into new images and scenes. Best viewed full screen.

How To: Play Google Video files in Windows Media Player

This video demonstrates how to download Google Video movies onto your computer and play them using Windows Media Player. The video walks you through downloading the right software, downloading the video you want, modifying the movie, and playing in Media Player. This video is silent and goes fast, so you will have to watch a few times to understand what is happening.

How To: Make real automotive vinyl stickers in CorelDRAW

This automotive customization tutorial shows you how to make pro-level vinyl stickers at home in Corel Draw. Vinyl stickers are used on all race cars for sponsor advertisement and to make their cars recognizable in a crowd. Learn how to create your own vinyl stickers for your race events, advertising needs, or just to make your car look cool. What's the secret? Using a vector based art software like Corel Draw and having inkjet waterproof vinyl.

How To: Pan zoom in slow motion in Pinnacle Studio

This is a helpvids video that demonstrates how to use the pan and zoom features in the Pinnacle Studio. By clicking on the video camera icon above the time line, you will see the special effects options. First select the scene you would like to add the effect to. Then chose the Pan and Zoom special effect. Key frames are used to control the zoom level and the panning. Insert the first key frame, set the zoom and pan position. Next insert the last key frame and set ending zoom level and pan po...

How To: Use the sandbox tools in SketchUp 6

SketchUp 5 and up has a Sandbox. But there are a few rules to know before you're allowed to play. In this episode of The SketchUp Show, Alex leads you in creating a landscape from scratch, and a second way to model terrain from existing contour lines using the sandbox tools. Landscapers will love learning to use the sandbox tools in this episode!

How To: Edit video in QuickTime Pro

While not an ideal video editor, QuickTime Pro can, in a pinch, be a flexible, powerful (and not to mention cheap) expedient. In this how-to, Gary Rosenzweig takes a look at the simple but powerful tool QuickTime Pro and how it can be used to edit and compile video.

How To: Use Reason's vocoder to record with live audio input

In this video tutorial the instructor shows how to hook up Reason's vocoder to record for use with a live audio input and how to put a vocoder on an existing audio recording. This vocoder is available only in record if you have Reason. So standalone users will not be able to use this tool. You can use the vocoder device along with live input from your audio interface and generate a robot voice singing. First create a vocoder carrier sync that will modulate with your voice and mix it with your...

How To: Tether in Aperture

The tether command allows you to tether your camera to your Mac and capture images directly into Aperture. It's fast, easy to set up, and gives studio photographers immediate full-screen feedback while they shoot.

How To: Make a bootable ISO file/disc

The video is about making a ISO file or a disc.To enable this you must have ISO installed on your system.The video begins by opening the Image burn setup wizard file.Once you have opened it , keep clicking next until you are finished with the installation. Then you have to insert a blank CD into the drive. Once you have done that a window will pop open displaying options for the CD.Click on the mode option in the window and select ec mode and then click on the first option displayed which is ...

How To: Add sound to an animation in Blender

In this short video tutorial, you will see how to add sound to an animation when working 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. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look!

How To: Make a greeting card for Diwali in Microsoft Paint

During Diwali, when family and friends can't be together to celebrate the festival of lights, then it's courteous to send an appropriate Diwali greeting card. But you don't need to fork out money on store-bought versions. You can make your own! All you need is MS Paint. Watch this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to make your own Diwali card in Microsoft Paint, or any similar program.

How To: Create a 3D video game using Alice online software

Shaun will teach us how to create a 3D video game compatible with MAC or PC with no prior programming knowledge. First download Alice, a 3D World program that can be turned into a video game. Open Alice, click on "add objects", click on "more controls" and select your choice of aspect ratio such wide screen. Now you can import your own 3D models that Shaun will show you at the end of the tutorial or choose from a wide selection that comes with Alice. In addition, if you click on "home," "web ...

How To: Convert VHS tapes to DVD with Roxio Easy VHS to DVD

This easy-to-follow video tutorial walks you through steps of converting old VHS tapes to DVD. Roxio Easy VHS to DVD is a combination of software and hardware that allows you to easily and quickly digitize old analog recordings. You simply attach the included hardware to a free USB 2.0 port on your computer, then capture from virtually any analog video or audio source.

How To: Use the line tools in Corel Draw X3

In this Corel Draw X3 tutorial you will learn how to work with the line tools. This video is geared towards wood workers who use scroll saw and want to create designs in Corel Draw X3. No matter what your Corel Draw needs, if you are just learning and want to understand how to use the line tools, this tutorial will break them all down for you.

How To: Build slideshows in Encore CS4

This Adobe CS4 tutorial shows you how easy and fun it is to create slideshows in Encore CS4. Learn how to import the images you want to use in your slideshow, adjust properties and add effects, and establish a default transition for your Encore CS4 slideshows. Build slideshows in Encore CS4.

How To: UV unwrap a full human body in Blender

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to UV unwrap a full, stylized female character. The tutorial covers creating seams, unwrapping, pinning and techniques to reduce stretching. 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, includi...

How To: Rip a copy-protected DVD with Handbrake

The procedure involves downloading a program called "hand brake". Hand brake is free to download. You can find it by searching for "hand brake" on Google. The direct website is Handbrake. You have to install this program on your computer. You must also download a program called DVD43. That program can be found the same way as hand brake, by using Google. DVD43 is also a free program to download. You use the DVD43 program to by pass copy protection on a DVD. You can use hand brake to change th...

How To: Record audio & MIDI tracks in SONAR Home Studio 6

This audio editing software tutorial shows you how to record audio and MIDI tracks in SONAR Home Studio 6. The SONAR 6 tutorial includes setting inputs, tempo, metronome, checking levels, inserting Virtual Instruments, and using the Session Drummer 2. If you are new to using SONAR 6 to edit and create music recordings, this tutorial will get you started.

How To: Use the intelligent scissors in GIMP

If you use GIMP image editing software you may be having trouble using the intelligent scissors tool. There are a few reasons, one being the version of GIMP you are using, and they are all covered in this tutorial. So watch and learn how to solve some of your problems with the intelligent scissors in GIMP.