3d Objects

If you want to make fantasy 3D games, and if you're watching this video there's a really good chance that that is the case, you are probably going to have to model an arrow hitting an object at some point. Do it right! This two-part video will show you how to 3D model an arrow ...more

This clip discusses a technique for using the point cache tag and point cache deformer in Cinema4D. It will show you how to cache your objects deformation and then use this on many more duplicate objects without increasing the overall filesize in the same way that you would if ...more

If you are making games or hybrid machinima in 3D Studio MAX, the occasion may arise where you want to give one of your characters a massive two-handed weapons like a sword or machine gun. This video's sole intent is to teach you how to do that. It focuses on how to link parts ...more

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 popu ...more

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial on how to move objects around. You'll learn about the channel box and how to use your mouse to move around those animated 3D characters. You'll see how to rotate and flip objects and be the best 3D Maya modeler around. Y ...more

In order to create 3D lettered signs in lights, you will need to first create an object. Open Illustrator. Type your letters on the page. Adjust the font to the style you would like. Click on "effect". Then, click on "3D". This will allow you to rotate the image for the angle ...more

This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create an organic surface with a Metaball Object in Cinema 4D. 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 an ...more

Learn how to create animation rigs for creating 3D animations in Blender 2.5. 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 w ...more

This video from accredited Maya instructor Andrew Klein of the Art Institute of San Francisco will teach you how to use just one of the innumerable powerful features of Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling software. It covers how to use a spline IK and a dynamic hair curve to drive a j ...more

This clip presents a quick introduction to rendering within Blender, the popular (and free) 3d modeling app. 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 ...more

Before you learn the hard stuff of 3D digital animation with Pixologic's Zbrush 3.1 sculpting software, you might want to learn the navigation of things. Navigation is a very boring thing in Zbrush, but is very important for 3D modeling. This video will teach you to move objec ...more

Instructor Brian Maffitt gives a fast-paced recipe for creating a Saturn-like ring of text around an orange. Brian gives the Stroke, Path Text, and Basic 3D filters a good workout, stresses the importance of pre-composing, and tops it all off with an inverted mask. This is a g ...more

Learn how to set the current layer by selecting elements within an AutoCAD 2011 project. This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D drafting application or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yoursel ...more

This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to destroy a Suzanne object using external plane particles. 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 ...more

See how to use use the Retopo tool and View options to make round holes in tubes (or other surfaces) with Blender 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 th ...more

See how to project an image onto an object with Object Mapping in Blender 2.49b. 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 ...more

Learn how to use nodes and glsl in blender to create a realtime mist effect that fades out objects in the distance to whichever colors you want. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist ...more

This clip offers a look at how to measure objects and distances 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 wel ...more

The Mirror Modifier can be extremely helpful in modeling objects with Symmetry. 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 ...more

Want to select a certain object and nothing else? This clip will show you how to use Maya 2011's selection mask feature to achieve just that. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Ma ...more

Want to create a perfect duplicate of a modeled object in Maya 2011? Let this clip 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 ...more

This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to use the split polygon modeling tool in Maya. Learn how to use the split polygon tool to get full control over adding detail to your polygon object in Maya.

This two part Maya tutorial explains many elements of modeling and how to make sure you create geometry that is well constructed with good flow. It covers cutting holes in objects / Flowing one weird form into the next and still maintaining uniformed polys across the 3d surfac ...more

3D video capture isn't just for the Hollywood film makers, but it does take a bit of knowledge to set-up and configure. In this two part video series, the guide provides you with tips and information that will help you learn how to use your 3D camera rig and correctly adjust y ...more

This tutorial walks through the process of building a grungy scene. Starting with an overview of the process and scene elements, you will learn how to use stacked layers. Mixing them with alpha channels you can build up complex materials; in this case rust and dirt on a nice c ...more

This quick tip shows one way of using the material attributes window to preview your material on different objects. It also takes a look at using and setting up the content browser. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better ...more

Hosted by Rob Redman. This tutorial will guide you through the use of the transparency channel, using the refraction index and absorption. Then see how to use the alpha channel to add a decal/sticker to an object. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application ...more

This clip teaches you how to use a text spline object with a sweep NURBs. There is also a tip on using the sweep NURBs to animate your text. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its variou ...more

In this clip, you'll see how to use a variety of tools to build a chair. Starting with a spline and a sweep nurbs, you will learn how to create a frame. Then on to poly objects, using soft selections, magnet, bevel, extrude and more to create realistic cushions. Whether you're ...more

This quick tip demonstrates a method of slowing down your cloth simulations. This method can be used with various other animation techniques that involve deformation of your objects at a point level. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just loo ...more

If you are modeling a 3D game in 3D Studio MAX, you are going to need to know how to correctly model the destruction of many of your beautiful 3D models. This video is focuses largely on that. It will show you how to use the procutter tool and booleans in 3DS MAX to break up a ...more

See how to work with Blender's Camera Fly Mode tool. The tool is a great way to help navigate your 3D scene, and also for camera placement (or any object set to be a "camera", for example a Spotlight). Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D compu ...more

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 ...more

See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, ...more

This quick tutorial offers an overview of the 3D Studio Max Symmetry Modifier tool, a highly efficient means of modeling symmetrical objects. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the ap ...more

Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on how to use the Trax editor for your 3D animated object. If you're 3D modeling, then this is a must know. So watch this three-parter to animate your character with Trax, in a series of poses that need looped. Part 1 of 3 - How ...more

3D modeling tool Mayafrom Autodesk is a monster of a program, able to do SO many things. One of the things you'll need to learn is how to use the CV Curve tool. This will allow you to create objects with curves of any shape or dimension you desire. Let's be honest, most of you ...more

After Effects contains all manner of cool tools that you can use to create really appealing title effects for your films. This video will show you how to create one quick easy text effect in this powerful software suite by using a camera, null object, 3D text layers, and a par ...more

In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll learn how appending/linking can be used to bring in elements from another .blend file. These elements can be mesh objects, lamps, materials, or even sculpting brushes. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modelin ...more

See how to age a chrome metal shader within 3ds Max 2010. See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just ...more

In this clip, you'll learn how to use 3ds Max's Parameter Collector tool. See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasone ...more

See how to use Dreamscape to generate foam, how to export it as a bitmap sequence and how to control every single parameter to change its look. See how to use 3ds Max 2010's built-in grouping features to work on multiple meshes the same way you might work on a single object. W ...more

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 modelin ...more

This Houdini 10 user's guide offers a look at how CHOPs can be used to replicate animation from one object to many, or more precisely to vary that animation. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just intereste ...more

This four-part guide presents an introduction to physically-based rendering in Houdini 10, covering what PBR will and won't do for you, sampling settings, environment lighting, objects as lights, shaders, issues with specular highlights. Whether you're new to Side Effects Soft ...more

This quick tutorial demonstrates how to create object trails in Houdini, and then add a turbulence effect to them. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the a ...more

This clip discusses the use of bundles in Houdini. Bundles serve similar purposes to groups of objects and layers in other applications. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainti ...more

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 Fou ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to begin the process of completely UV unwrapping a low poly, hard-surface building. The tutorial provides tips on how to deal with a large number of replicated objects and unwrapping a multitude of small parts. Part one covers ...more

In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see a method for generating neat-looking blueprint graphics. This tutorial includes using the Gears add-on, creating outline-only objects, setting up the World to look like a blueprint, and more. Whether you're new to the Blender Foun ...more

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 ...more

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 appli ...more

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. Whet ...more

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 ne ...more

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 ho ...more

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. Wh ...more

There are tens of thousands of iPhone applications out there. Some are fabulous. Some are stinkers. From boredom-busting games to truly useful utilities, Fox News Tapped-In tell you which are worth a place on your iPhone. Their concise video reviews and how-tos let you see the ...more

If you've started bending your 3D animated character around in Autodesk Maya 8.5 and came across a broken bone sticking out that needs to pivot, then you've got a huge weighting issue. Check out this three-part video tutorial on how to correctly weight objects down in Maya. So ...more

Say you want to bring two objects together so they automatically flow from one piece to the next in Autodesk Maya 8.5, well, then you're going to have to bridge them. Check out this video tutorial on how to do just that. Combine them, then bridge them. It's that simple. So, fo ...more