Monthly Foundation Search Results

How To: Match plane's aspect ratio to an image in Blender

In this tip video, you'll see how to set the aspect ratio of a plane object to match that of the image mapped to it. This is important to prevent distortion in the mapped image. This knowledge will be helpful when using image planes for cutout trees and people, instanced image planes for particle effects, and any situation where you need non-distorted images on plane objects. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned ...

How To: Sculpt scales with Alpha Brushes in Blender 2.5

This sculpter's guide presents a look at how to create reptilian scales with alpha maps as a custom brush. The tutorial makes use of both Blender 2.5 and Photoshop. 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 instruction...

How To: Model a strand of Christmas Lights in Blender 2.5

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...

How To: Box model an alien in Blender 2.5

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...

How To: Use the Blender snapping tool

The snapping tool in Blender allows you to snap your mesh selection to any other vertice, edge, face, or volume. This is a very handy technique for precision modeling. 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 instruct...

How To: Clean up imported 3D models in Blender

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...

How To: Create a three-point lighting rig in Blender

A good lighting setup is essential to effectively displaying your model. Without it your hard work might as well be for nothing. This tutorial takes a look at how to make a good three-point (+) lighting setup in Blender. The tutorial covers the different kinds of lights within Blender, the different configurations needed, and some general tips and tricks to creating a good setup within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application...

How To: Control edge flows in Blender

When working with a high density mesh in Blender, maintainig a firm grip on topology is essential. This quick video demonstrates a few tips for increasing/decreasing your topology in a given area and for redirecting the flow of your topology. 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 th...

How To: Create threaded models with Blender's screw modifier

In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see how you can use the Screw modifier to quickly create threaded objects or springs. This method is non-destructive and very quick to use. 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-...

How To: Create 3D cartoon cumulus clouds in Blender

This clip offers a look at how to create non-photorealistic cumulus clouds in Blender. These techniques are taken from a Siggraph 2009 paper titled “Painting with Objects,” created by Isaac Botkin. 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: Texture with projection painting in Blender 2.49

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...

How To: Create a face rig in Blender

This tutorials covers how to create a more advanced type of facial rig, showing you how to use the "stretch to" constraint to give the face a more fluid way of animating. The "stretch to" is great for things like lips and eyelids (which is shown in this tutorial); in addition, you'll see how to make the eyelids "stick" to the eyeball surface, so there's no unwanted gap between the two while animating. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics appl...

How To: Create a 3D model of a screw in Blender

This is a quick tip on how to model a screw within Blender. But more so on covering the “threading” of the screw itself. 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!

How To: Render an infinite ground plane in Blender

This clip goes through process of setting up a infinite ground plane with shadows to better display your models within Blender. The tip also looks at a couple of tweaks while using Ambient Occlusion to adjust the shadows. 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....

How To: Model a 3D praying mantis in Blender

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...

How To: Create a 3D model of a witch hat in Blender

This tutorial covers how to create a witch's hat in Blender using a combination of modeling and cloth simulations. Basic materials are also covered. 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!

How To: Cut a whole in a curved mesh in Blender

Cutting a hole into a curved mesh is a common problem, particularly for new modelers. This tip shows you how to go about doing it using Blender's retopology 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 from the folks at CG Cookie. For more information, including step-by-step instructions...

How To: Use the Solidify Selection script in Blender

In this tutorial, we'll take a look at a built-in script called the Solidify Selection script. This script, created by Campbell Barton, will allow you to solidify a mesh by adding a second "skin" to it based on the selected geometry. 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...

How To: Model a pumpkin in Blender

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...

How To: Use the Blender Make Links tool

When you begin working with complex scenes, you'll often find yourself applying the same material to a multitude of objects, which becomes quite time consuming. By using blender's "Make Links" tool you can quickly apply a single materials to as many objects as you'd like. 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 v...

How To: Model a human hand in Blender

Modeling a human hand is a challenging task. Both to create a natural-looking hand and to create one with good topology. This tutorial is an effort to address both of those issues. In this tutorial you will learn how to model a human hand with some box modeling techniques with clean topology 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 ...

How To: Pack a .blend file within Blender

When working in a production environment it is a common need to send a model, along with all of it's associated files off to another artist. Blender makes this quite easy by allowing you to pack (compress) all of the external data associated with the model into the .blend. 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 ...

How To: Rig a small piston with constraints in Blender

Blender's constraint system offers a very powerful feature-set. In this video tutorial we will look at how to rig a piston using several 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 Cookie. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look!

How To: Group objects in Blender

Grouping in blender allows you to better oganize the objects within your scene by grouping them together. This is particularly use for complex scenes with large numbers of objects. It also allows easy selection for different types of objects at the same time. 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: Apply a texture to the world background in Blender

In this tutorial, you will see how to apply a texture, in this case a subtle gradient, to the world background in Blender. Textures can vastly improve the presentation of your 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 folks at CG Cookie. For more information, including step-b...

How To: Use Blender's curves tools

Blender’s curves tools are quite a powerful and convenient way to model all kind of things. Tubes, lathe-objects, logos, tentacles and much more. This tutorial shows you how to use the different types of curves, control-points and handles and how to use them. You will learn how to trace a logo and to give it some depth, and how to create lathe-objects within Blender and add some variations to them by using the lattice- and the cast-modifier. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popu...

How To: Use the Shrinkwrap Modifier tool in Blender

This short video tutorial is going to take you through the process of using Blender’s new Shrinkwrap modifier to make clothing for a character. This modifier makes the process significantly easier and faster! It’s also a lot 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 folks at...

How To: Create a 3D model of a segment of rope in Blender

This tutorial takes a look at how to model a segment of rope in Blender and then replicate it along a path using an Array and Curve modifier. 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!

How To: Use Stencil maps in Blender

Stencil maps can help push your model to the next level by allowing you to layer materials exactly as you see fit. This tutorial covers how to create a stencil map, applying it to your model in Blender and then using it to layer two different materials via the Material Nodes. 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 fr...

How To: Paint instance objects in Blender

This tutorial teaches how to use Blender’s particles system to “paint” instanced objects onto mesh surfaces. Similar to Maya’s “Paint Effects,” though not nearly as powerful, it’s a very nice way to fill a scene with flowers, vegetation, rocks, pebbles, gravel, debris, 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...

How To: Use a VLOOKUP function inside a text formula in Excel

Love Microsoft Excel? This clip contains a tip that just might induce you to. With this free video tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 51st installment of his "YouTubers Love Excel" or YTLE series of free video MS Excel lessons, you'll learn how to use a VLOOKUP function inside a Text Formula to add a variable word (e.g., Annual, Semi-Annual, Quarterly, Monthly, or Weekly).

How To: Paint bloody vampire inspired nails for Halloween

This video shows the viewer how to paint their nails to give them a blood stained look for Halloween. This is done by first putting a small amount of dark red nail varnish onto a sheet of paper. Then apply this in many coats to the nail using a foundation brush to give a layered effect. Then place a small amount of black nail varnish on the paper and using the same section of the foundation brush apply some of the black nail varnish to the ends of the nails. Then apply some of the red varnish...

How To: Create a carbon copy "smoky purple eyes" makeup look

Watch this makeup video tutorial from Petrilude on how to create a carbon copy "smoky purple eyes" makeup look. What does carbon copy mean? Well, Xsparkage was inspired by Petrilude's "Jeweltone UV Neon" look and did her own version (which was beyond amazing), now Petrilude is copying and bettering one of her styles, the "smoky purple eyes" look. See how to do this new version of the smokey purple eyes.

How To: Use the iTunes music store with your kids

Kids can have fun using the iTunes music store while parents still control the credit card and content their children can access. Parents can restrict access to certain content, set up a shopping cart to review music choices before they're purchased, and give kids a monthly allowance.

News: Google Helps Tell the Story of Stonewall in Augmented Reality

Snapchat isn't the only tech company transforming landmarks with augmented reality for Pride Month. About four miles southwest of New York's iconic Flatiron Building, which is getting its own Pride makeover via Snapchat's Landmarker AR, Stonewall National Monument is also receiving some augmented reality treatment by way of the Stonewall Forever mobile app published by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center (better known as The Center) in partnership with Google.

How To: Do the Feather Stitch

The feather stitch is an easy stitch for hand embroidery. It's worked vertically, from top to bottom in a kind of back-and-forth, right-and-left motion. You can use the feather stitch in hand embroidery for edges and borders, it's used often in crazy quilting as a seam embellishment, and it also makes a good foundation of foliage or stems in flower designs, in Brazilian embroidery, and more. Watch this video from Needle 'n Thread to see how it's done.