If you've ever wanted to make an even slightly fantasy-flavored film, you've probably wanted to make one of your characters fly. Unless you're working with a bird or some really crazy rigging, you're going to need to make this special effect happen in After Effects, or whatever compositing software you use. This video will show you how to create a flying effect with a sonic boom on takeoff in After Effects, and following it's instructions will help you learn a lot about how to use After Effec...
In this C4D user's guide, you will learn how to create a cabinet, complete with a sink, taps, and a mirror. Add some details and group everything together for easy import into the final scene. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projec...
For 3D artists new to 3DS Max, learning your way around this massive piece of software can take a long time. It need not do. This video will teach you how to use some of the many hotkeys in the program to navigate it like a pro, easily accessing all of the most popular tools and allowing you to save a lot of time modeling. Now that you know what buttons to press to access functions, watch some of our other 3DS Max tutorials for more advanced functions.
Photoshop is the photo-editing software of choice for just about everyone these days. It is very complex; but you're in luck! We have many videos here on site dealing with how to use Photoshop's many functions. This video will teach you how to display a picture inside of text by using masking. The effect is very cool, and sure to zest up your website or film.
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!
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!
After Effects allows you to do all sorts of amazing things to your videos and images, but it cannot do it all alone. This video will show you how to use an After Effects plugin called Normality 3 to make lighting adjustments to 3D assets on the fly, having already rendered out a normal pass using either Cinema 4D or Modo (you can use other 3D software too, but those two are both shown as examples in the video). It will also demonstrate how to render out the normal passes.
Flashing the disc drive on the XBox 360 is the first step of truly hacking your XBox 360, enabling it to run whatever discs you like but also putting you at risk for being banned from XBox Live. Microsoft has used several different kinds of drives in the console over the course of its lifespan, so you have to check what type of drive you have before you attempt to flash it. This two-part video will show you how to flash the Hitachi 78FK drive used in many XBox 360's.
Stroke overlays allow you to put semi-transparent lines over you video while it is playing, creating a cool artistic look. This two-part video tutorial will teach you how to use apply stroke overlays to an image using the Adobe Premiere Pro video editing software. This is a very popular technique for fashion videos, so if you are involved in making those then this video should be very useful to you.
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!
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...
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...
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...
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...
As good as Swype's word prediction software is, sometimes we all make mistakes. If you are wondering how to go back and fix something that isn't right in your text messages, check out this tutorial. Fixing words with Swype is just as fast as texting with this lightening fast application.
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...
A cascading shower of M&M's sounds like a dream come true! Bert Monroy of Pixel Perfect shows you how to illustrate and style M&M's using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Whether you're new to computer graphics, new to Adobe Photoshop CS4 or a seasoned design professional just looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to like this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own chocolate c...
Learn to create an erupting volcano with spewing and falling lava, smoke and highlights! This clip from PixelPerfect will show you how it's done. Whether you're new to computer graphics, new to Adobe Photoshop CS4 or a seasoned design professional just looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to like this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own volcanic eruptions in Photoshop, wat...
Learn the techniques to create three different types of shiny bars and buttons in Adobe Illustrator. The classic button, the rounded "ball" button, and your basic shiny toolbar. Using gradients, transparency, and simple shape tools, in combination with the pathfinder. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editor program or a seasoned graphic arts professional looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application...
Need help wrapping your head around how layer order effects visibility in After Effects when using 2D and 3D layers? This clip explains it all. With After Effects, it's easy. 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 instr...
Support and improve your stereo work by using Stereoscopic Scripts in Adobe After Effects. With After Effects, it's easy. 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, watch this free video guide.
This clip presents a brief look at some of the basics of working with Flash Video in Adobe Flash CS4. See how to convert to the FLV format, how to transform the video using, for example, the new 3d Rotate tool, and how to build a simple stop and play button setup. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Flash-development platform or a seasoned web developer looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to ben...
In this video, you will see how to create a complete, simple XML gallery using Adobe Illustrator CS4. This tutorial is somewhere between intermediate and advanced level, so if you know a little bit about ActionScript you should be just fine. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Flash-development platform or a seasoned web developer looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free sof...
Learn how to create flowing glass rollover buttons. This clips takes a look at tweening in the timeline to create a seamless loop, using the pen tool a little, masking, and reversing frames. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular Flash-development platform or a seasoned web developer looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, watch this Fl...
See how to build and animate a business card in Flash. The idea is that, when the user clicks the business card, it flips over and diplays information on the back and, when it is clicked again, it flips back over and displays the front again. This clip covers how to use the Motion Editor to tween using the 3D rotation tools in Flash CS4 as well as scripting the button to react to a click only when in a certain position. See how to create a simple nav bar when working in Adobe Flash CS4. Wheth...
Learn how to use a little bit of Photoshop and little bit of Imageready to add video to a normal graphic file. This is great for all sorts of things like video signatures and short video clips for your site!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 add video to image files with Photosho...
Into abstract art? Have Photoshop and a little spare time? This video demonstrates how to create a neat motion-streaking effect. 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 recreate this effect for yourself, watch this graphic designer's guide. Download the photo used in this tutorial rig...
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.
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...
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.
Gigafide explains that with so many different social networking sites, it is hard to keep information up to date on all of them. He first introduces TweetDeck, an amazing desktop application that allows a user to update information for their Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn accounts. If you don't want to go through the hassle of installing TweetDeck on your computer, there is HootSuite, a web application that allows you to do this and if you're interested in keeping track of much more...
The world has gone Lady Gaga MAD! Run for cover! ... But run for cover in STYLE with this makeup tutorial by makeup master, Michelle Phan. In this video, Phan re-creates the "big eye" look for Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" music video.
There's nothing better than a cool logo design, except maybe a cool 3D logo design. A 3D logo might just be what you need to have your company stick out. Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to learn how to make a 3D logo. You may want to apply a glassy text feel to the finished 3D text logo. It is a pretty complex logo, but it is good to learn some great techniques for doing some interesting things in Illustrator.
Create some cool comic vectored effects! Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to learn how to make some comic styled text. You will learn how to break text down and add gradients. You will also learn how to create a fake 3D effect as well as some stroke options. All of these techniques will come together in the end as we create a comic book cover worthy logo.
Retro is in, but then again… when was retro ever out? Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to learn about making retro looking sparkles for whatever reason you may need (or want) them. The bulk of the video will cover the many advantages to using symbols, when and where you can, in your illustrations when dealing with many of the same graphic objects. Learn to edit 100's of objects in no time, and learn about many of the symbolism tools available to you in Adobe Illustrator!
Metal is sleek, metal is stylish, so why not incorporate that metal look into your designs? Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to create those nice little metal buttons, which can also be used as icons for your phone or desktop. Everything in this video is 100% vector, so it can be used virtually anywhere!
The Apple iPod and iPhone are the hottest electronics on the market, so keeping up with the times means keeping up with designs people like. Apple incorporates all kinds of cool images and icons into their products, so learn how to re-create them so you can modify them or get ideas for your own designs. Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to create a gel progress / loading bar-similar to the progress bar found on an iPhone and iPod -- from start to finish.
Working with vectors isn't easy, and working with vectors means using paths. Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics application, therefore virtually everything in Illustrator is created using paths. The Pen Tool is the king of paths, you can create any kind of path using the pen tool, you just need to know how to use it! Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to learn how to use the pen tool and trace the outline of an object as well.
If you don't have CS3 and have an older one, you should still be able to follow along with this tutorial. Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to create vectored swooshes and swirls. Learn how to create vector swirls and swooshes which can be easily re-used by using these fairly well known techniques
This is all about vector, swirling rainbows. Have you ever seen those looping, swooshing, swirling rainbow graphics used in all kinds of graphics ranging from logos, and sketches, to grungy and retro illustrations? Well, you are going to create one of them in Illustrator. Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to create vectored rainbows. Also, learn how to export it to a program, such as Photoshop, as a smart object, to utilize it as a smart object so we can both retain vector scalability whi...
