We all love it when the Google logo changes to celebrate or commemorate special events— pop-culture touchstones, civic milestones, scientific achievements and holidays— their latest one for this holiday season is a Christmas card to everyone— an interactive Google Doodle with 17 artworks from different artists, each depicting a seasonal greeting from a variety of cultures and countries.
A croquem-what? A croquembouche is not the easiest dessert pastry to pronounce, but trust us, once you've made this sugary, fluffy French dessert once you'll never forget its name again.
In this After Effects user's guide from Red Giant Software, you'll learn how to create an impressive 3D motion graphics sequence. 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. Create ...
Learn how to use Trapcode Particular 2 to generate a realistic crowd scene within Adobe After Effects. 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. Create a crowd scene with Trapcode...
Learn how to use Trapcode Particular within After Effects with this helpful video guide. 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. Composite with particles in Trapcode Particular ...
In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see show how you can change the unit of measurement within Blender away from the default Blender Units to either Metric or Imperial units. Doing this makes it much easier to accurately create objects to scale. 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 in...
Camera mapping is a clever technique that allows you to take a still image and convert it into 3d geometry for use in an animation. This powerful technique is used extensively by visual effects studios for feature films, commercials and television shows. It's especially useful for faking helicopters flyovers because it costs just a fraction of the cost of hiring a real helicopter.Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just inter...
This is a short tutorial about the application of shape keys to create control to animate architectural elements. 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! Animate sliding doors with shape keys in Blender 2.5.
In this 3ds Max tip tutorial, you'll learn how to work with the program's various modeling tools, taking a look at features like spline shape modeling, the lathe modifier and connect compound object to create a simple cup of tea. You'll use spline and lathe to create the cup body, then use loft to create the handle and last step will be connecting these two parts to create the final cup of tea. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to ...
In this clip, you'll see how to create custom shaped light sources using simple meshes and adding an Arch&Design shader to it to render the scene with Mental Ray. 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, and to get started using shape lights in your own Max projects, take a look!
This tutorial discusses how to create a comet or an asteroid using different techniques within 3ds Max 2010 or 2011. You'll start by modeling the base object, making a not-so-complex mesh, and then you''ll work on particles. 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, and to get started creating your own 3D space rock...
This clips presents a look at the standard volume light, one of the oldest 3ds max features. See how to add it on the scene, how to tune its volume parameters, attenuate it and create complex final looks like the addition of dust in the air. 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, and to get started using volumetr...
See how to create a realistic depth of field effect with Mental Ray in 3ds Max 2010. Learn how to add it to a scene, working with its parameters, and how to control it to achieve desired results. 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, and to get started using this useful effect in your own Max projects, take a lo...
This clip presents a general introduction to Blender's useful built-in interaction presets. 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 use these presets in your own Blender projects, take a look! ...
This tutorial presents a general introduction to using the LuxRender rendering engineconjunction with Blender. Learn where to get it, how to run the script, and how to render to 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 from the folks at CG Cookie. For more information, including ...
Learn how to go about rendering a car within modo. This clip discusses basic shader creation, studio lighting setup and how to approach to every single material using shader trees, raytracing with blurry reflection and global illuminations. What's more, you'll see how to create glasses, rims, brakes, tires, different car paint surfaces and more. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tri...
In this clip, you'll see how to use sub-surface scattering inside modo, learning how to create a simple skin shader for a goblin creature using diffuse color and a custom procedural map to control skin roughness and bump effect. You'll also see how to create a simple but efficient lighting setup using two point lights and one area light source. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tric...
Learn how to import files into and export files from modo, the 3D modeling app. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 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 modo tutorial from the folks at CG Cookie. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look! Import and export within modo 401.
See how to add motion blur effect in animated scenes, how to control it and which kind of type of motion are supported by modo. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 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 modo tutorial from the folks at CG Cookie. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look! Create realistic motion blur effects in modo 401.
This modo tutorial offers instructions on how to create a simple scene with a basic photographic lighting setup as well as how to create some simple glasses using bezier curve and sweep operator tools. This guide also presents an overview on material and shader creation using the modo Shader Tree to render glasses and liquids. Whether you're new to Luxology's popular 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to...
This Blender tutorial presents a look at how to enhance your reflections by using High Dynamic Range Images. 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! Use HDR images in Blender for enhanced r...
Object association in 3ds Max allows you to define certain relationships between two or more objects. Selection sets is one of the object association types. In this video tutorial you will learn how to 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! Create selection sets in 3ds Max.
One of the object association types in 3ds Max is groups. In this video tutorial we will learn how to create the relationship in 3DS Max. The author compares groups to dating, where each individual has higher commitment yet they still retain their own identity. 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! ...
Did you know germs can travel pretty far? If you store your toothbrush in the bathroom like almost everyone does, you may need to give it a good wash now and again. In this tutorial, learn how to remove germs from your toothbrush, and stay healthier. This video will show you how to use common, natural household items to clean your brush instead of harmful chemicals.
This video is demonstrating how to make a Tuscan minestrone soup. She uses some olive oil into a pot and put it on top of a Dutch oven. She uses zucchini, summer squash, carrot, onion and adds garlic into the whole thing. All these vegetables are minced already. She uses some seasoning powder. She lets the vegetables sit for 10 minutes until they get soft. She then adds some about 4 cups of chicken broth and adds some diced tomatoes. Afterwards, she adds the pasta and lets it cook! Make Tusca...
There's a ton of videos on the web of musicians playing homemade PVC instruments, but I just recently stumbled upon the impressive work of PVC pipe player Kent Jenkins, aka Snubby J. His most recent video features a duet with his faux-twin, playing "Wizards in Winter" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Turns out, he's been a PVC maestro for awhile now and even auditioned for his inspiration, the Blue Man Group, at the age of seventeen. Though he wasn't picked, they saw potential in him and aske...
Google+ isn't filled with just Google workers and tech-obsessed nerds. Many creative people are part of the community, and they're using Google+ to connect with their fans. Authors, especially, love talking to people about their work. We've rounded up the best published authors for you to follow on Google+. We've listed their best known works so that you can get an idea of the topics they write about.
Last night was an amazing game for the Philadelphia Flyers. It was a huge win for the boys is in black and orange. The flyers have now widen the gap for the penguins in the division and the conference by 4 points, the flyers now lead the east and the division with 102 points. There were many keys to the game in this one. For one, the goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky. He's been quite inconsistent this season, except for the past week or so. All season he's been amazing one game (the best in the...
Here's something that I use to boost the stove top type stuffing mix. With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought I'd share it. The mix is often as cheap as the croutons for stuffing and it already has pretty good seasoning so I don't mind using it. However, what it lacks is the vegetable content that good stuffing should have. What I do is add the classic veggies to hop up the mix. Ingredients1 box of stuffing mix1 tbl Butter2 rib Celery finely chopped1/3 Medium Yellow Onion finely chopped1 tsp...
If you're a tuna lover, but aren't really fond of the raw sushi tuna variety, this could be the perfect blend of both worlds. Tuna enthusiasts no longer have to have it one way or the other… go in-between with a lightly torched tuna meal. Lightly torched tuna (yes, a blowtorch is used) joins a sweet, salty and tangy vinaigrette with fresh herbs and anchovies. Piled atop vibrant radishes, scallions and peas, the dish was beautifully assembled and presented to an appreciative farmers' market cr...
Pie and pi lovers rejoice: whether you like eating pies or calculating their area, 3/14 is your day. March 14 is a holiday for both bakers and math nerds: Pi Day, where the day and month correspond to the first three digits of the most famous mathematical constant.
Last year, I wrote a post on "10 Thrifty DIY Christmas Gift Ideas" for people looking to get crafty during the gift-giving season. It seemed only right to do a followup this year with 10 more ideas!
Keep an eye out for when these crabs are in season, they're a delicious entree! For this recipe, you will need: 2 cups flour, 2 cups cornstarch, 2 cups semolina, a pinch of cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 lemon, 1/2 cup capers, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 2 soft shell crabs, canola oil, unsalted butter, garlic and shallots. Cook fresh soft shell crab in a caper and brown butter sauce.
When you're baking your cookies this holiday season with the children, try something that's both beneficial to your family and your guests— cookies that also act as sweet party favors. Dani tells you what to do in order to transform your Christmas cookies into beautiful holiday treats— tasty, take-home ornaments. Decorate your centerpiece with them before having guests take their favorite home for an easy, affordable way to be an innovative holiday host! Make homemade Christmas cookies as tre...
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a 3D claymation scene in Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Blender 2.5 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide. Create a 3D claymation scene in Blender 2.5 -...
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a 3D model of a Tim Burton-style skull in Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Blender 2.5 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide. Create a 3D model of a Tim Burton-style sk...
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a 3D model of a werewolf in Blender 2.5. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the 3ds Max 2010 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide. Create a 3D model of a werewolf in Blender 2.5 - Part 1...
In this video tutorial, we learn how to configure the Ribbon UI within Autodesk 3ds Max 2010. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the 3ds Max 2010 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide. Configure the Ribbon UI in Autodesk 3ds Max 2011.
Are you a beef guy? Then it doesn't get any better - or simpler - than this star anise-crusted, seared sirloin steak. Whether you're running low on time or simply want to make a dish that's uncomplicated, this sirloin steak makes a fine choice. Make it for your family tonight and we guarantee you'll receive requests for more.
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create a comprehensive 3D model of a cupcake complete with paper within Blender. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better your skills, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started using the lessons imparted by this free video software tutorial yourself, watch this free video guide. Create a 3D model of a cupcake in Blender - P...
