We ladies have had to primp and scrutinize ourselves for thousands of years, painstakingly plucking, waxing, painting, and slathering in order to conform to societal ideals of the perfect woman. And until recently men haven't felt the need to conform physically to much of anything until recently. According to British publication "The Guardian," there's a new revolution in male grooming and accessorizing/dressing where men actually want to look model thin, well dressed, and well groomed.
Using motion capture is one of the easiest and most effective ways to animate the motions of a bipedal character who is proportional to a normal human. When the character is not in proportion, like the World of Warcraft low-poly models in this video, it gets a little more complicated. This video will teach you how to use motion capture in 3DS MAX to animate a goblin WoW character, making them almost ready to use in your hybrid machinima videos.
The silent film era ended long before anyone had conceived of something like machinima, so your machinima movie had better have some talking! This movie will teach you how to use morph target in 3DS MAX to give your imported World of Warcraft characters facial expressions and animate their mouths to make them appear to be talking. You'll also learn how to make your model sneer, smile, and perform other facial actions.
If you want to model a character in 3DS Max and don't want them to be nude, you are probably going to have to work with 3D cloth. This three-part video will teach you how to create cloth in 3DS Max (without using Reactor), attach it to your character, and make it animate properly with the character. It makes use of the Garment Maker mod for for 3DS Max, and should have your characters clothed realistically in no time.
Causing World of Warcraft characters to do what you want them to do in your machinima film can be a major challenge. Motion capture is one useful tool that you can use to solve the problem. This video will teach you the basics of using the Biped plugin for 3DS Max to animate WoW characters with motion capture data. Give your models the realistic stride that they've deserved all along.
In this Cinema 4D tutorial, you'll see how to create a Target Effector MoGraph which is amazing. With only 4 simple steps, you can create a very special scene. Primitive Object, Cloner Object and Target Effector will be used in this tutorial. 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 sta...
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...
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...
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.
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, ...
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 ...
Wearing layers and layers of makeup during the day is just asking for disaster, especially now that the humidity is soaring and temperatures are climbing up higher and higher.
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.
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!
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 ...
RayFire is a really powerful (and expensive) plugin for 3DS MAX that is designed to facilitate destroying, shooting, and otherwise causing harm to your 3D models. No, it won't destroy the files, just the images, which is very important for video games or film work. This two-part procedural video follow one artist as he creates a demolition video using Rayfire inside 3DS MAX.
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...
This Blender 2.5 video tutorial offers a demonstration and overview of clean hand topology. The tutorial includes tips on how to structure your mesh, including clean topology, mesh flow and edgeloop density. 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 info...
This Blender 2.5 video tutorial tackles something that is on most people's "create -before-I-die" list, a Jedi light saber. This tutorial focuses in on the post-processing aspect by setting up a node network to create the effect of the glowing blade. Modeling is not covered in this tutorial. 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 s...
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...
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...
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-...
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....
A TIE Fighter might not ever see the light of day outside of the television. Not a real starfighter, anyway. But you can model our very own Star Wars TIE Fighter with some simple paper. It might take a while, but folding this origami Star Wars TIE Fighter will be worth every second. Use the origami diagram, from Star Wars Origami. You can find two different versions there.
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...
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...
In this new 3D Studio Max tutorial from Max Cookie, you'll see how to use the Prime Focus Krakatoa plug-in. Specifically, you'll see how to create a volume, how to pick an animated mesh, and then how to make a good setup to create a basic sand creature. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software, new to Krakatoa, or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with either, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get s...
This origami tutorial is called "how to fold a vixen," but we're not giving you instructions on how to fold a miniature Megan Fox (sorry, dudes).
This Cinema 4D tutorial offers a lesson in creating a very fast and easy comedy title sequence using MoGraph, MoGraph Spline Effector and a bit of compositing in After Effects. 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, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.
Want to create a surface that isn't complete smooth when working in Maya 2011? Then, my friend, you'll want to know how to use the program's displacement and bump mapping tools. This clip will 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.
Meet the Maya 2011 UI! Before you get started working in the program, it stands to reason that you know how to work with it. 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 the Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the new Maya 2011 interface yourself, watch this free video guide.
Do you have a lot of old Xbox controller sitting around now that the newer, sexier Xbox 360 has taken over originals place in your life? Give them new life! This video demonstrates a method for turning an old Xbox controller in to a USB fan! For those for whom buying a small hand-fan from the store is just too easy, this DIY trick will have you a much more cool-looking, geek-fame-worthy model in almost no time at all!
Flip open any major women's glossy - or just look at the covers - and you'll see that Victoria's Secret hair (i.e. full, voluminous waves that land somewhere between full-on curls and pin-straight hair) is the most common hairstyle used.
If you've ever flipped through a Victoria Secret's catalog, you probably have noticed the uber gorgeous Brazilian model, Adriana Lima and her smoldering good looks. In this video presented by Fashion face TV, learn how to apply Adriana Lima dewy makeup for all skin types! Products used in this tutorial to achieve this look, include:
Your mother has put up with your crap all these years, so why not repay her with a long-lasting Mother's Day gift? Learn how to make a twisted origami flower that can be turned into a pin or even a hair decoration by watching this video.
About to attend an Easter bash or baby shower but don't have enough time to pick up a present (or simply getting tired of cliche pastel pink and blue teddy bears and microsized baby clothes?).
A Christmas present is not the only thing you can get crafty with. Why not put that mix tape into a homemade origami box for a truly personal touch?
Get ready for Teacher's Day or simply show your teacher how much you care by making one of these cute as a button grannysmith apples. Apple-shaped pencil holders and notepads are sweet, but these origami apples show you took a bit of time out of your busy day to really make something special.
Fold your own gift boxes with this tutorial on how to origami a collapsible box. Traditionally known as a water dish or orisue, this box is a cute way to box up small presents like earrings and necklaces.
This is one water bomb that's more postmodern art than scary - though fun - splashy summertime weapon. Using intricate tessellated origami folds and a drawn-on grid you'll learn how to create this interesting shape.
