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
This clip covers the very basics of how lighting works within the Blender 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 and tricks, you're ...more
Materials allow you to just the colors and specularity of your 3D models. 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 ...more
This tutorial shows you how to link objects (parent) in 3D Studio Max.
In this clip, you'll learn how to create reflections for environment-less objects in Blender 2.5 without the use of raytracing. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yoursel ...more
This clip presents a general introduction on how to work with multiple objects simultaneously within Blender 2.5 and discusses the topics of loading and saving. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modeling program or a seasoned graphic artist just interes ...more
Create three-dimensional objects in 3d-making software, Blender with help from this video tutorial. Learn the basics of how to get started making these animations with step-by-step instructions from this Blender expert.
This tutorial shows you how to join and separate objects in Blender.
This clip presents a general overview of the Blender sculpting workflow. 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 b ...more
The last few months of WikiLeaks controversy has surely peaked your interest, but when viewing the WikiLeaks site, finding what you want is quite a hard task. Despite rumors of easy access via the Kindle and iTunes App Store, there currently is no way to view the leaked docum ...more
This quick Blender 2.5 video tip demonstrates how to replicate objects with an array modifier in the same way that the Spin Duplicates function works. This techniques maintains the objects edit-ability even after spinning. a while back i posted about having a nasal voice that ...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 clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to texture 3D objects with projection painting 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 looko ...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
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
Using Zbrush Jason makes very high resolution textures then adds them to objects in a scene in Maya. You'll also learn how to create lighting to add realism to the scene. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version of the first 5 minutes of this 60+ minute tutorial. A download link ...more
Flash and Actionscript can be used together to create damn near any sort of animation or website feature that you could want. This video will teach you how to do just one thing: generate a random frame using Flash CS4 and Actionscript 3. This is handy if you want to create a b ...more
If you have been learning how to work with smart objects in Photoshop CS3, you may have noticed that some funny things start to happen when you try to use layer masks with smart objects. Most often, you layer mask doesn't move with the smart object. This Photoshop tutorial wil ...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 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
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
Web users are for the large part nosy, spoiler-loving folks who refuse to let websites and other users keep secrets from them. Thwart these trolls! This video will teach you how to use Actionscript 3 to hide the context menu from your site's users, preventing them from skippin ...more
Want to write Java games and applications but don't know beans about object-oriented programming? Never you fear. This free video tutorial from TheNewBoston will help you on your merry way to accomplishing just that. Specifically, this lesson will demonstrate how to work with ...more
There are a lot of videos out there about creating models and animating them using 3D Studio MAX. What isn't often discussed is the next step in creating a movie out of your models, adding sound and syncing your animations to the sound. This eight-part video series will show y ...more
You can manipulate other objects beside human figure objects in Poser. In this Poser video tutorial you will learn how to link imported objects to models using the Change Parent menu. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. Ther ...more
Multi mesh objects can be a pain to pose. But this video tells you all you need to know to look out for in order for it to be painless. This is good workflow advice for moving and posing characters with lots of armor and tools in Zbrush. NOTE: This link is to a Flash version ...more
Software needed: Voodoo motion tracker, virtual dub and blender Open virtual dub. File, open video file, select video. You want to motion track. File, export image sequence. Export as a series of picture files. Create a project folder to keep all files. Open voodoo. File, loa ...more
In Zelda: A Link to the Past, the Titan's Mitt is a handy item that allows Link to lift heavy objects. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to get this time early in the game by using the mirror glitch. In order to get this item, you will need the magic hammer.
This Blender tutorial covers snapping points and merging objects as well as lofting between edges.
In this Blender lesson you will learn how create and use armature (arms or jointed objects).
This video tutorial shows you how to cut holes in mesh objects when using Blender 3D. This is important to know when building complex models from basic shapes. Cut Meshes in Blender 3D. Click through to watch this video on vtutorial.com
Learn how to make UVs in Blender and import the new UVs to Zbrush's High res model. This is important since Zbrush uses AUV's which are not recognizable by other packages or game engines. Once you have proper UV's, you will learn how to create the clothes (superhero costume) f ...more
What is a Data Structure? When we think of a "structure" we often think of architecture, but data also often has structure. There are many different types of data structures: arrays, graphs, queues, stacks, and so on. We use these structures in order to be able to effectively ...more
It's Monday, which means once again, it's time to highlight some of the recent community submissions posted to the Math Craft corkboard. I also thought that we'd try and create something known as an "Orderly Tangle" or "Polylink". This week we had a few submissions based off ...more
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 t ...more
A.J. Wood explores the new link panel in InDesign CS4. This is an important feature because this is where InDesign users go to check the status of the places objects in their documents. This includes using the panel to re-link, update, and sometimes even edit the original file ...more
This Blender tutorial covers methods for bake rendering compositing nodes and ways to speed up render times. We will pre-render the objects and save the precious time when rendering animations. We'll discover the challenges that we meet (such as missing specular in the baked t ...more
This is art at its finest. Portland sculptor Ron Ulicny created this faucet sculpture that spews out Scrabble tiles. It's simply called "Spew". Genius. It's just one of the many sculptures he's made repurposing ordinary objects and materials into new and unexpected things. Cl ...more
It's another Monday, which means once again, it's time to highlight some of the recent community submissions posted to the Math Craft corkboard. Additionally, I thought we'd take a look at the Mobius Strip. Rachel Mansur of Giveaway Tuesdays posted twice to the corkboard. The ...more
The Node Window is a workspace or desktop for compositing. This clip covers all the mouse and hot keys you use for navigating around and in that workspace and discusses how to add/delete/move nodes, pan/zoom/autozoom the window. Handy tip: Select a viewer node (or the composi ...more
This Blender 2.5 video tutorial will teach you how to model a simple palm tree using a series of modifiers and linked meshes. The tutorial also demonstrates a technique for quick and dirty outdoor rendering. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D ...more
As a kid, my favorite thing to do at the Natural History museum was a midday stop, when my family strolled past an antiquated looking vending machine in the museum's musty basement. The Mold-A-Rama machine was oddly shaped, George Jetson-esque, and spewed out made-to-order, br ...more
This Revit Architecture 2009 video tutorial covers how to import geometry from Rhino via Autocad. Really this technique will work for any program that can output a .sat. Even if the program cannot, Rhino imports many formats (such as .step or .iges) which you can then export a ...more
It's once again Monday, which means it's time to highlight some of the most recent community submissions posted to the Math Craft corkboard. I also thought we'd take a look at building a model that has appeared in numerous posts. It's the simplest of the intersecting plane mod ...more
Will the world end this coming December? If you believe all of the Mayan calendar hype, maybe. But whether you believe that doomsday is coming in 2012 or not, you can rest assured it won't be from a planetary collision. At least, according to NASA. One of the most shocking fe ...more
The "slide-together" paper construction method is a fun and satisfying way to build 3D geometric objects. It only requires paper, scissors or an exacto knife, and some patience. In Tuesday's post, we explored the slide-together method, using ordinary playing cards to build th ...more
Nick Campbell is the creative force behind GREYSCALEGORILLA, a blog of tutorials, ideas, news and inspiration for other creators. The Chicago-based motion graphics designer has worked on the graphics for Dexter, Target, Blackberry, and the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. A r ...more
This video shows you how to embed a YouTube video inside your PowerPoint presentation. Once you have the link for the video that you hope to embed in your presentation, open your PowerPoint. Click on the circular icon in the upper left hand corner. Go to PowerPoint “options”. ...more
Want to learn what it really means to put your faith in someone else? Try a trust fall, where one person falls backward, depending upon another to catch them. Step 1: Position person who will fall Instruct the person who will fall to stand with their eyes shut and their hands ...more
Picked up Metro 2033 from the Steam Sale. Wow is it pretty. At 1080p with DX11 and gorgeously detailed, it's hard to not stop and stare at every single thing! I wish there was a way to somehow convey this feeling.. Something like that. Beside the amazingly detailed texture wo ...more
To create glossy or reflective vector image, you will need to know how to use the offset options in Adobe Illustrator and the basics for pathfinder. You will be creating a vector image that can be resized without hurting its quality. To start select you text style, which be gl ...more
This video shows how to enter values into cells using Excel macros and Visual Basic. This includes a sample Expense Report that is used in this demonstration. In this demonstration, we will create the macro that inputs a title as "Expense Report", Three columns i.e. "Date", "I ...more
Here's a Math Craft project that takes less than 20 minutes, has an attractive, practical result, and is at least a little mind-blowing due to folding along curves. The designer of these boxes is Phillip Chapman-Bell, who runs an amazing origami blog and has a spectacular fli ...more
How to Create Scenery in FSX This article will show you how to create scenery objects in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (unfortunately not available to the Standard FSX, but it is available to standard FSX with the Acceleration Expansion Pack) that you can see in the 'real world ...more
It was brought up a while back in a Community Call to Arms that *math* is handy for encryption (and let's face it, everything) so let us go over things you just have to know. "In its simplest meaning in mathematics and logic, an operation is an action or procedure which produc ...more
Welcome to Minecraft World! Check out our advanced tutorials and come play on our free server. As we all know, redstone can be a very useful tool for make basic things in Minecraft more complex and intricate. For beginners to redstone, today's article will give you a basic un ...more
Torus knots are beautiful knots formed by wrapping a line around a torus and tying the ends together to form a loop. The resulting knot has a star-like appearance when viewed from above. The 36 examples with the least number of crossings can be seen at the Knot Atlas's page on ...more
The Tokyo Game Show (TGS) is the biggest video game expo in the most game crazy country on Earth. It is kind of a big deal. As such, their "indie" game showcase/contest Sense of Wonder Night (SOWN) is a major opportunity for developers of all shapes and sizes to showcase their ...more
The holiday season is here, and if you didn't already pick up a SCRABBLE set during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, then you still have time to buy the perfect gift for your lexical-minded friend. There's sure to be deals out there over the next couple of weeks, you just need to ...more