Digital Rules Search Results

How To: Hack Your Electricity Meter

This video will show you what you'll need to know to hack a digital electric meter. You'll need 2 magnets, one much bigger than the other, an AC adaptor that you'll cut into pieces, or some speaker wire, distilled water, electrical tape, a knife, some plastic wrap, and a plastic cup. Remember, this is illegal, and shown only for educational purposes.

How To: Make Korg nanoKontrol transport buttons work in FL Studio 8 or above

FL Studio is one of the biggest names in digital music-making software, and Korg the biggest in physical gear. Unfortunately, FL Studio and the Korg nanoKontrol USB controller don't get along out of the box, and the transport buttons on the Korg won't work with FL Studio. That is, until you perform the steps in this video that will lead to a blessed union of software and hardware.

How To: Make a harsh lead synth track with dissonance for hard techno in Reason 4

Nowadays digital and analog synthesizers can produce a nearly infinite number of sounds, and many of them sound terrible to most people. If you find yourself more in the Trent Reznor music camp though and love making dystopian, harsh sounds in your music, watch this video. It will teach you how to make a really harsh, dissonance filled lead synth track in Reason 4. Great for glitch, industrial, and other abrasive electronic styles.

How To: Create a super slow-motion effect with two images in After Effects CS4 or CS5

Can't afford a high-speed camera? Fake it! In this clip, you'll learn how to achieve a slow-mo frame-blending effect with Adobe After Effects CS4 or CS5 and two digital photos of your choice. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, s...

How To: Color grade your footage with Magic Bullet Colorista in Final Cut Pro

In this two-part video tutorial, you'll learn how to use Magic Bullet Colorista to color grade and color correct your digital video when using Final Cut Pro Studio. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, w...

How To: Use the SUMIF function with an array in Microsoft Excel

New to Microsoft Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this MS Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 694th installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how the SUMIF function (and COUNTIF, etc.) cannot accept arrays. If you need to sum by year from transactional data the SUMIF and YEAR functions cannot be used together. Instead we can use the SUMPRODUCT function.

How To: Get more megapixels and wider angles with a DSLR

Everyone who has a digital camera, no matter how high-end, wishes that they had more megapixels and wider angles at their disposal. Do you want to increase your megapixel count without buying a really expensive camera or camera parts? This video will show you some tricks for taking pictures with more megapixels and wider angles without buying a nicer camera, which will make your photos look better and make your work more professional. You will need Photoshop, but if you're serious about photo...

How To: Take photos of floating / flying / levitating people

Do you believe you can fly? Or at least, believe that you can take pictures where it looks like you or other people are flying? Or at least jumping really high? This video will show you how to take pictures of flying, floating, levitating, or high-jumping people using a digital camera, tripod, stool, and photo editing software like Photoshop or GIMP. Either way, the effect is surprisingly easy to create and can help you make some really amazing photos.

How To: Make a twisting particle field effect in After Effects

Particles are very useful for digital artists who want to create liquids, gasses, or clouds of small solids that react naturally. This video tutorial will show you how to use the twisting particle field effect to create a very cool title shown at the beginning of the first video. This particular particle effect is especially great for making galaxies and other fantastic images.

How To: Create a realistic 3D model of a human head in Blender

In this four-part tutorial, you'll learn how to create a full human head with Blender's 3D modeling tools. 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, and to get started modeling your own 3D heads in Blender, take a look!

How To: Model & animate a realistic 3D planet in Blender 2.5

This video guide presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create a realistic 3D model of a planet within 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, as well as to get started modeling your own planets, take a look!

How To: Create a film burn effect using Premiere Pro

Film burn was really annoying all those years ago when we used to have actual film and it used to actually burn. Now its acquired chic status, and people want it to add it to their digital films. This video will teach you how to create film burn effects using the Adobe Premiere Pro film editing software. This technique is very popular for Western and skateboarding films, so if you are into creating either of those types of videos this is a must-watch!

How To: Make shaders for ground and terrain surfaces in modo

See how to create a natural shader to render ground/terrain surfaces. This clip takes a look at diffuse color properties, displacement and bump channels. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 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 modo tutorial from the folks at CG Cookie. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look!

How To: Model the topology of a human head in Blender

Arguably the single most important aspect to modeling is topology. This overview tutorial takes a look at the topology of the human head, examining each of the main edgeloops, poles, etc. 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 s...

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: Make custom shortcuts for Blender mesh selection modes

Tthis Blender 2.5 video tutorial goes through the steps needed to create custom keyboard shortcuts for changing mesh selection modes (vertex, edge, face). This allows you to very quickly switch between modes by simply pressing 1,2,3 on your keyboard. 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...

How To: Model a human head using Maya

Maya can count itself among the most powerful and also most challenging programs in all of computing. It's 3D modeling potential is nearly limitless if you can master its intricacies. This video features a professional digital art teacher teaching you how to model a 3D head using Maya. You can download the skull he uses as a reference here.

How To: Model the feathery wings of a bird in Blender 2.5

This Blender 2.5 Video tutorial presents an overview of using the particle hair system to create downey feathers, then using the duplifaces technique to add the longer feathers, as well as their texturing and a quick rig setup. 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 C...

How To: Rig eyes for dilation in Blender

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to use driven shape-keys to dilate the pupil of an eye. The tutorial also demonstrates how to use custom bone shapes and limiting the transformation of a bone via constraints. 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 Co...

How To: Combine two rigs into one in Blender

This clip offers a trick for combining two rigs into one and demonstrates how to adjust the settings in the new rig to conform to the settings in the original rig. 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...

How To: Enhance and retouch eyes in Photoshop CS4

There are few features as difficult to touch up as eyes – and, what's worse, most people have two of them! Learn to retouch eyes with this Photoshop how-to. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular image editing software or simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial from TutVids. For more information, including step-by-step instructions on how to enhance eyes in a digital photograph, watch this graphic designer's guide.

How To: Create a fantasy sparkle dusting brush in Photoshop

Are your digital photos missing something? Could it be fairy dust? In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a custom brush to paint randomized sparkles to create a fantasy effect. Want to separate a foreground object from its background? Whether you're new to Adobe's popular image editing software or simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial from TutVids. For more information, including step-by-step instructions on how to cre...

How To: Make a "lomo effect" in Photoshop

Do you admire the look of vintage photographs? How about the production of the old plastic cameras like the Diana and Holga? You can create that same photo effect with your digital photographs through the use of Adobe Photoshop! In this video, learn how to create a faux lomography effect also known as the "lomo effect". By using Blend Modes and Adjustments Layers you can achieve a pretty cool effect that can be used on any photo!

How To: Make a 3D scanner with free software

Scanners have been around for a while. They allow us scan photos and documents into digital versions that are a lot less susceptible to damage over time. But what if you want to digitize the memories of something that isn't 2D? With this hacker's how-to, you'll learn a method for making a 3D scanner. To follow along, you'll need a computer, a printer, a web cam, white foam board and a laser pointer.

How To: Generate random numbers not divisible by 3 in Excel

New to Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 261st installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to generate random numbers within a certain range and with certain supplementary criteria (e.g., values that are not divisible by three) via the use of large array formulas.

How To: Use a micrometer

This is a Hobbies and Toys video tutorial where you will learn how to use a Micrometer. Micrometers are precision measuring tools and they can be calibrated in inches or in metric system. There are also digital micrometers available where the reading switches back and forth. Generally they are right handed. The micrometer shown in the video is calibrated in inch. Each division is one thousandth of an inch. A whole rotation of the knob is 25,000 and one division is seen on the bell. Two rotati...

How To: Begin circuit bending

Looking to get into the weird world of circuit bending? In this four part video tutorial geared towards beginners, learn in thirty minutes how to circuit bend. Tools you will need include a soddering iron with innerchangeable tips (thin pencil preferred), thin sodder, hook-up wire, a wire cutter, a wire stripper, a drill with drill bits, plyers (needle nose included), and screw drivers of various small sizes. Other useful tools include cresent wrenches for toggle switches, jewelers files, & a...

How To: Fake an HDR (High Dynamic Range) portrait in Photoshop

dekePod, a tutorial show on computer graphics and digital imaging from O'Reilly Media, Inc., shows us how to fake an HDR (High Dynamic Range) portrait in Adobe Photoshop. What's HDR? An HDR image packs more pixels than normal into a picture creating billions of color variations and razor-sharp detail. Think your camera can do that? Well, it's possible with special software, but here's how to fake it (good) equipped with only your drab jpeg image, Adobe Photoshop, and this tutorial.

How To: Use the JVC GY-DV5100U professional camcorder

Check out this cinematography tutorial video that demonstrates how to use the GY-DV5100U Professional DV Camcorder. JVC has upgraded the camera's features and digital processing circuits to meet the requirements of a growing number of broadcasters looking for cost effective alternatives to the over-priced tapeless solutions of other manufacturers. This video is great for cinematographers and filmmaking aficionados alike. Learn all the functions and settings on the GY-DV5100U with this instruc...