Holiday Season Search Results

How To: Mask with alpha channels in Adobe Photoshop CS4 or CS5

Much can be said of masking: Masking is the art of using the image to select itself. Masking lets you apply the entire weight of Photoshop to the task of editing a selection. And masking, thy name is alpha channel. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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 de...

How To: Create smart objects in Adobe Photoshop CS4 or CS5

Smart objects aren't all that smart. And they aren't objects. What they are is envelopes. The kind that hold things. And keep them safe. So that everything you do protects the image from harm. This is Photoshop at its best. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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, inc...

How To: Rotate images with Photoshop's Free Transform tool

As powerful as Photoshop is, there is little about the program that is obvious. Case in point: How do you rotate a layer? Right-click on it and select Rotate? Choose Rotate from the Layer menu? Click on the Rotate tool? The answer is no, no, and no. Fortunately, there's the Free Transform command, which rotates the active layer and much, much more. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with th...

How To: Use Photoshop's liquify filter to change how you look

The Liquify filter lets you paint in distortions so you can perform digital nips and tucks. You can slim people down, edit their posture, and make them look exactly how you want them to. See how in this video. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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 detaile...

How To: Create masks with the Brush tool in Photoshop CS4/CS5

The modest brush tool is one of the deepest, most versatile tools in Photoshop. It's not only a terrific painting tool, but it is also invaluable for masking, as this video demonstrates. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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 instruc...

How To: Use the Pen tool in Adobe Photoshop CS3, CS4 or CS5

Many folks select images in Photoshop with the likes of the Quick Select and Magic Wand tools. Highly automated, but these tools rarely work accurately. Experts use the Pen tool. Using the Pen tool is an art form worth learning, because it always works. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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 tutor...

How To: Merge channels to create an alpha channel in Photoshop

One of the oldest, most abstruse, downright incomprehensible commands in Photoshop, Calculations lets you merge two channels to create a new alpha channel. Learn it: It's the backbone of masking. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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-ste...

How To: Automate selections with Photoshop's Refine Edge tool

Photoshop offers lots of tools for automating selections, but two stand out from the pack: The first, Refine Edge, lets you modify your selection using five different parameters and preview the results in five different ways. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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, i...

How To: Create layer comps in Adobe Photoshop CS4 and CS5

Layer comps let you assemble multiple image variations or even independent pieces of artwork inside a single Adobe Photoshop file. The Layer Comps palette gives you the freedom to explore. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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 instr...

How To: Reset and purge in Adobe Photoshop CS4 or CS5

Deke gets things started with a pair of options that can clean out Photoshops plumbing when things get clogged up: Reset and purge. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editing software or a seasoned 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, watch this free video guide.

How To: Use noodle-based compositing in Blender

Conceptually, what is node-based compositing and what do nodes do? This clip uses the factory analogy to convey the concept. Blender can process video, images, sequences, and families of images in a directory. Then you'll fire up Blender and talk about threading nodes and how images are duplicated and routed through the compositing network ("noodle"), how threads are created between sockets. Creating threads, cut threads. The clip also points out common threading errors and misrouting threads...

How To: Create new Screen Layouts in Blender 2.49 or 2.5

In this clip, you'll see how to create a new Screen Layout (workspace, desktop) to use when Compositing: 8-Nodes. and initialize this new default User setup used in all future tutorials. This clip will also teach how to move the window around, what the starting nodes are and do (RenderLayer, Composite, Viewer) Backdrop, , how threads work in the noodle, rendering the composite and discusses basic window management and splitting, and using the UV/Image Editor to view images/results. Whether yo...

How To: Use the basic editing tools within Blender 2.5

This tutorial presents a general introduction to the basic editing functions and tools available within Blender 2.49 & 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: Create and use influence objects in Maya 7 or later

Learn how to use influence objects in a smooth bind to help ease your blendshape woes...or if you like blendshapes, use them to help get that extra little tweak you always wished you could have. And this guide will show you how. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with application and its workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, ...

How To: Use Paint Effects in Maya 7

Paint Effects are a great tool that help us fill out scenes and do all sorts of things quickly and easily. Learn how to find the brushes and use them, as well as some of the up sides and down sides of using them. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with application and its workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed instructions, watch this free ...

How To: Use the Media Browser Panel in Adobe Premiere Pro

This clip explains how the Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 Media Browser panel can save you time and keep your projects tidy. Also learn about Equalize Volume within Soundbooth to make volume matching files easy. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular non-linear editor (NLE) 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 detaile...

How To: Create DVD menus with Adobe Encore CS4 or CS5

Encore CS4 ships with several gigabytes of content to help you create dynamic menus for your DVDs with ease. But what if you want to take a button from one and a background from another? See how it's done with this video guide. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular DVD authoring 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, inc...

How To: Choose a wedding dress neckline for your body type

Spring and summer are the prime seasons for weddings, which in turn means loads of brides searching for the perfect flattering wedding dress. But while some designer wedding dresses look great on the rack and maybe on pin-thin models, finding the right wedding dress for you means taking into account your body shape.

How To: Texture a head with projection painting in Blender

This clip provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to texture a head with projection painting 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, and to get started texturing modeled heads yourself, take a look!

How To: Render a Blender 3D model with LuxRender

This timelapse video shows how to start a simple model in Blender 3D and set up a render in LuxRender. The video also demonstrates how to create a daylight simulation and set up UV Maps in LuxRender. 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 inst...

How To: Create a realistic lightning storm effect in Blender

Add energy and excitement to your scene with lightning! During this tutorial you will discover how to quickly model a detailed lightning bolt, make an object disintegrate, create light flashes, add glow and glare effects in the compositor. 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 ...

How To: Create 3D realistic rain within Blender

Learn how to create realistic rain for animation or stills, how to add droplets to the camera lens, reduce your render time and create a glowing sky with this clip. from Blender Guru. 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...

How To: Crack 3D objects in Blender

Learn how to create a crack in a 3D object in two minute or less with this video guide. The technique involves no scripts, just a powerful tool that has been right under your nose for years! 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,...

How To: Customize the Blender user interface

There seems to be a growing number of people who decide to try out blender but when you download Blender and start it the first time, it doesn't look very inviting, does it? Well, here's a little tutorial for those who are annoyed by Blender's default 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 ...

How To: Model a 3D character from start to finish in Blender

Learn how to create and rig a 3D model of a 3D character 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: Create a rig when animating a 3D model in Blender

Learn how to create a character rig when animating 3D models in Blender. Specifically, this clip addresses the following topics: Bone creation, splitting and re-parenting. Weighting with bone heat, mirrored weight painting and posed weight painting. IK setup, bone roll, and pole targets. Advanced foot rig with control to pivot off of the heel, toe, ankle or ball and control to lift the toes. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or...

How To: Create a low-poly model of a tree in Blender

This five-part guide presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create a low-polygon model of a tree 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, and to get started making your own 3D trees, take a look!

How To: Get sun-kissed, beachy summer hair

Summer is beach season, but that doesn't mean you have to hit the beach daily to get that characteristic sun-kissed, scrunched up beachy hair look. Even if you're going to be sitting at your office desk for most of summer, you can still look like you spent a day at the beach by watching this tutorial, which teaches you how to get bohemian waves.

How To: Poach shrimp properly

In this tutorial, we learn how to properly poach shrimp. Poaching will make your shrimp tender instead of tough, which is what happens when you boil shrimp. To know if your water is at poaching temperature, it will be steaming and hot to the touch. When it hurts to touch the water, then you will know it's ready to be mixed with a lot of salt. Once it's the right seasoning and temperature, add in your ice cold shrimp. While the shrimp are inside of the water, move them around with a strainer u...

How To: Set up and manipulate action constraints in Blender

This Blender tutorial discusses how to set up action contraints, where you can use a bone to control things like finger curl/expand, or something more advanced, like facial expressions. 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 ste...

How To: Recover a lost file in Blender 2.5's autosave feature

With this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see how to stave off frustration in the case of a crash or lost work by using Blender's autosave feature to recover your work. 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 ins...

How To: Use Blender 2.5's external drag and drop feature

In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see how to use the new external drag and drop functionality recently added to Blender. This feature enables you to drag and drop images and videos from your operating systems file browser into 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...

How To: Place decals onto 3D models via empties in Blender 2.5

This Blender 2.5 quick video tip demonstrates how to easily place decals onto your model with empties. This technique provides you complete control over the location, rotation and scale of your decal without the need for UV maps. 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...

How To: Create a 3D blowing leaf animation in Blender 2.5

This clip demonstrates how to create a simple scene of blowing leaves. This technique makes good use of alpha mapped leaves, particle systems and a particle instance modifier to achieve the result. 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, i...

How To: Model the topology of a human foot in Blender 2.5

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 foot, 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,...

How To: Smooth out 3D models with Blender's Edgesplit modifier

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 ...

How To: Use Blender's Fly Mode feature to position the camera

In this quick Blender 2.5 video, you'll see how to use the fly mode to position the camera. This method allows you to fly the camera around from a first-person perspective. It can aid in setting your camera angle and provide a bit of fun. 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 fo...

How To: Create a 3D chain model in Blender 2.5

This Blender 2.5 video tutorial offers a lesson in how to create an easy chain with nothing more than a single link, a array modifier and a curve modifier. Then see the process of using the freshly created chain in a simple scene. 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 C...