Creating good UVs with Maya can be tough, and get tougher depending on what type of object you are trying to unwrap. This short video tutorial covers how to create accurate UVs for long objects like rope or, in this case, shoelaces. This is a simple technique, but one that should enable you to model much more smoothly and accurately in the future, especially if you often find yourself creating 3D models of shoes.
This video from accredited Maya instructor Andrew Klein of the Art Institute of San Francisco will teach you how to use just one of the innumerable powerful features of Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling software. It covers how to use a spline IK and a dynamic hair curve to drive a joint chain and geometry for wiggly objects like hairs and antennae. Hair is a really tough thing to model well, so watch this video and master the art.
This video, from accredited 3D art instructor Andrew Klein, will teach you how to use one of the many powerful features in Maya to manipulate you 3D models. Specifically, it will teach you how to use the LOD (level of detail) tool in order to control how much of your model loads at any time, making it animate more smoothly in games and other applications.
Maya and Photoshop CS4 may be made by different companies, but that doesn't mean they can't work together. This video will teach you how to take a 3D model from Maya, import it into Photoshop, and then use Photoshop CS4's new 3D editing tools to overpaint the rough texture seams in the model. The end result will be much prettier than the model that you could have created with Maya alone.
In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see how to make a lowpoly model appear smoother than it actually is by using an Edgesplit modifier. This technique also resolves the issue with artifacts you commonly face when displaying a lowpoly model as smooth. 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 ...
Arguably the single most important aspect to modeling is topology. This Blender 2.5 overview tutorial takes a look at the topology of the human shoulder, examining each of the main edgeloops, poles, etc.
This clip presents a general introduction to animating models when working in Blender, the popular (and free) 3D modeling app. 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 on how to create your own simple ani...
Materials allow you to just the colors and specularity of your 3D models. 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 on applying materials to your own Blender models, take a look!
This clip offers instruction on how to export a model from Blender to Unity 3D and import it into a game. The tutorial also demonstrates how to bake a normal map and a color map from a highpoly model to the lowpoly counterpart, real-time display of the color/normal maps in the Blender viewport with GLSL shading, and real-time updating of assets in Unity. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely ...
This clip demonstrates the process of creating a model of a strand of Christmas lights in Blender 2.5. The tutorials covers modeling and how to use array and curve modifiers to create a strand of lights that will automatically lengthen as needed. 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 fro...
This clip demonstrates how to use the box-modeling technique to create a full character. The box-modeling technique is a good way to quickly visualize the shape of your character, rather than a creating the detail from the beginning. 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 a...
It is quite common for imported models to come into Blender with duplicate vertices and triangulated faces. This quick tip demonstrates how to very easily fix these two issues, leaving you with a model that is ready to go. 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...
Making use of multiple modifiers and projection painting this tutorial covers the entire process of modeling and texturing an old, wooden barrel 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 ...
With the release of Blender 2.49, comes the ability to stencil images onto your model via projection. This tutorial goes through the process of setting up your model and it’s UVs in order to “projection paint” your textures onto the model. 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 f...
This clip will walk you through the process of modeling a fairly cartoony praying mantis from a sketch. The tutorial covers the entire modeling process and some simple materials. 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-st...
This clip will walk you through the process of modeling a pumpkin in Blender. This tutorial uses a combination of mirror and lattice modifiers to create a model that can easily be shaped without disfiguring the original mesh. 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 Coo...
In this tutorial, you'll see how to unwrap the UVs on a human head model in Blender (including the use of seams and pinning). 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!
This clip will walk you through how to create a procedural tile material in 3D Studio Max. It also covers composite materials, masks and noises. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, take a look!
See how to take advantage of 3ds Max 2010's in-built tear modeling feature, which provides 3D artists to quickly cut a cloth as if due to a strong stretching force or a reaction to a hard collision with other rigid body meshes. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, take a look!
Interested in making the next Finding Nemo? Learn how to model and render a complete underwater scene using 3ds Max 2010 with this video guide. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. Specifically, this clip discusses each of the following topics:
Want to create a perfect duplicate of a modeled object in Maya 2011? Let this clip show you how it's done. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For specifics, watch this free video guide.
Want to know how to do proportional modeling when working in Maya 2011? This clip will you how to do just that using the program's Soft Select tool. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For specifics, watch this free video guide.
In this video, Howard shows you a simple method of enlarging your model's head in Photoshop! As if his head is not big enough already, Zac Efron gets the PS treatment from IceFlow Studios and TutCast for this screencast tutorial.
If you're fond of remote-controlled vehicles, you might appreciate this video tutorial on how to assemble a Traxxas high-current connector. To add a high-current connector to your Traxxas R/C model vehicle, you're going to need some pliers, wire strippers, flathead screwdriver, solder and a soldering iron. Replacing the old connector is easy, and will help give your hobby RTR (ready to run) nitro and electric model car or monster truck some life in needs.
This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to use the split polygon modeling tool in Maya. Learn how to use the split polygon tool to get full control over adding detail to your polygon object in Maya.
So we got half a Maya model...now what? We mirror it over and merge the vertices, all with one command, to get us a solid object. We use the dolphin from our organic polygon modeling series, but the technique can be applied to any polygon model. Watch and learn how to mirror geometry the new school way in Maya (with the mirror geometry tool!) NOTE: there are often problems with this method of mirroring, but don't worry, they're covered.
The Bridge tool in modo 202 is a phenomenal modeling tool for any workflow. This video will get you a quick ramp up to the full power of the Bridge tool in modo. The bridge tool allows seamless stitching between discontinuous areas of a mesh. See how to use it for any type of 3D modeling within modo.
Real airplanes can't take any sort of crashes whatsoever. Lighter model planes can take a bit of roughing up, but nothing severe. If you crash all the time this may help ease the learning curve process, which includes some necessary crashing. This video shows you how to keep the wings from folding in tight loops, how to beef up the tail feathers and tail boom, and how to get more elevon movement for tighter turns and loops.
These two Houdini 9 lessons illustrate a valuable and efficient means of modeling an animated surface in a manner not generally considered. It provides an explanation of the advantages to this approach and compares it to a more traditional means of animating a surface. So watch the tutorial and learn how to animate a stingray in Houdini 9 using newer style animation methods.
A demonstration of how to model a human torso simply and effectively using image planes in Maya. This is a detailed tutorial but it will help if you are familiar with the Maya interface.
In this Hobbies & Toys video tutorial you will learn how to assemble a model rocket for launching. This video will show you how to do this using the Estes Alpha model rocket. For this project you will need the rocket kit, masking tape, glue, sand paper, a knife, scissors and a pencil. First you sample the engine mount, glue it up and set it aside to dry. Next you cut out the fins and sandpaper them together. Then you apply glue on the inside of the tube up to 1 1/2" and push the engine mount ...
The X-Wing might be the single most famous spacecraft ever depicted on screen. This two-part video explains, in great detail, how to make a 3D model of the iconic starfighter using the 3D modeling software Blender. If you've ever wanted to make a digital recreation of the epic space battles from the Star Wars films, watching this video is one important step on your path to success.
The creator of The Flower God demonstrates how to create a flower armband that links around the hand. The very quick video begins by the illustrator wrapping wire around the model’s arm, hand and finger. It is not restrictive, but allows flowers to be added all around the model's arm, including her fingers. The wire is flexible and cut to fit the model exactly, no one size fits all in this design. After the wire is placed and cut, flowers are applied to the wire. While the video is shown at 6...
Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk said during the Model 3 launch party Friday night that all Tesla cars in production have the same driverless hardware, signaling that Tesla's jump to Level 4 hinges on a software update — but Musk didn't exactly say that.
Tesla's Autopilot self-drive interface in its new Model 3 signals the carmaker is already prepping its cars for Level 4 driving years ahead of the competition.
Buyers can't wait for their Tesla Model 3 to be delivered. But with no clear arrival date in sight, buyers are starting to get a little antsy waiting to see what the Tesla Model 3 will look like up close. Luckily, Tesla accessories seller EVANNEX partnered with technology firm Kinetic Vision to try and satisfy buyers for a while by creating an app that lets you view an augmented reality Tesla Model 3 that's nearly life sized.
According to Electrek, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in a covert conference call with a select few investors, commented in detail about his plan to have Tesla's Model 3 driving on the road earlier than we all expected.
This video tutorial shows how to send exclusive gifts in FarmVille (11/27/10). Sending gifts to your friends is one of the many ways that FarmVille helps you stay connected to people on Facebook. This video will teach you how to send the FarmVille.com exclusive gifts in Facebook, which normally isn't possible. Show your love for your friends by sending them the best gifts possible!
In this tutorial, we learn how to create a plankton science model. You will first need a clear bucket with water, modeling clay, toothpicks, sponge, beads, buttons, pipe cleaners, Styrofoam peanuts, and more. To make the plankton, you will first take the peanut and stick a toothpick into it. Then, add a paperclip on top of that to give it some weight. Drop it into the water and see if it floats or sinks. Add some more weight to it to see how much weight it takes to sink it to the bottom. Have...
The core principle of origami is folding something from a single sheet of paper. The idea is to challenge your mind to create something fabulous out of very limited material. And while this is quite the poetic journey, as you'll see with modular origami and this origami tutorial, sometimes more than one sheet is necessary to get the job done.
