This clip covers the confusing array of buttons and controls in Blender that are used for the different functions. Specifically, it talks about context and sub-context buttons, presets for TV broadcast (and the different standards for those) in HD or high-definition broadcast. ...more
Use nodes to compute the difference between two images, usually a matte or background shot and then the same shot with actors in the set. This technique was used in the film "Death Becomes Her" starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis. Use this technique to create ...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
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 ...more
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 po ...more
Learn how to create a motion blur effect with Mental Ray in 3ds Max 2010 or 2011. See how to control the camera's shutter speed, the quality of motion blur, and how to decide if a single mesh has motion blur or the entire scene. You'll also take a look at fast motion blur opti ...more
See how to create photorealistic glass shaders with the Mental Ray rendering engine in 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 application, you're sure to be well served ...more
Learn how to create an icy glass shader using Mental Ray in Autodesk 3ds Max 2011. 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 tuto ...more
See how to use the contour shading feature in Mental Ray to create basic inking or schematic rendering and how you can mix it with standard shaders, ambient occlusion or ink&paint shader to achieve better results. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a ...more
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 artis ...more
This tips tutorial takes a look on how you can use Reactor's dynamic features to simulate a scene with rigid and soft body meshes. See how to configure it and how to use the constraint to animate it. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D a ...more
See how to model a pair of cartoon eyes and then create a way to automatically control their orientation. You'll use two simple sphere primitives and then you'll create a simple standard material for the eye color, just using a Gradient Ramp map. Your basic orientation rig wil ...more
An introductory video tutorial on the material editor within 3DS Max software. Learn about material selections, shaders and more. 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 2011 w ...more
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 ...more
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 ...more
In this 3D modeling software tutorial you will learn how to use Zspheres in Zbrush. This tutorial gives a general overview of how the Zsphere tool works and then how to use it in Zbrush. PART 1: What is a Zsphere PART 2: Warnings of the Zsphere PArt 3 and 4: More tips on worki ...more
The technique shown in this 3ds Max tutorial is meant to be a design modeling technique. Watch and learn how to model the Beijing Olympic Stadium in 3D Studio Max. A form that resembles the stadium was modeled then sliced randomly to get edges in an editable poly. Those edges ...more
This is a 3ds Max tutorial that David Fano has tuned into a video from a PDF written by Theo Calvin and Omer Barr. Using wire parameters and expression controllers in 3D Studio Max we will make a panel that opens and closes based on the distance of a point. Learn how to model ...more
The morph modifier in 3ds Max is mostly meant for storing animation procedures like facial animations, but that's not all it can do. In this tutorial you will learn how to use 3D Studio max morph modifiers to store modeling deformations. Using the Morpher modifier to create a ...more
In this Rhino video tutorial we cover how to make a sine and cosine curve with Explicit History (Grasshopper). The initial set up for this Rhino tutorial can be used to test any of the math functions. We set up a a simple interface to drive range parameters which can then conn ...more
This 3D software tutorial shows how one can start to use Rhino’s implicit history tool for parametric design. The commands used in Rhino are Loft, and FlowAlongSurface. Using the implicit history tool in Rhino 4 allows you to update models by changing earlier steps or parts of ...more
This software tutorial demonstrates how to build with primitives in 3DS Max for Papervision3D. This first part demonstrates 3D Studio Max basics and how to build a column base using primitives. This second part demonstrates how to use the Shift clone tool. This third part demo ...more
It slices! It dices! See for yourself the amazing powers of Axis Slice in modo! This 3D software tutorial shows you how to use the axis slice tool in modo 102 and higher. The modo Axis Slice tool is a way to subdivide the polygon surfaces of a model. Choose the number of slice ...more
Working closely with SketchUp models is key to LayOut and the primary feature that makes LayOut so unique. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to place a SketchUp model in LayOut. To place the model, go to file and simply click insert. Find your model and the ...more
Check out this video tutorial on how to model your very own Apple iPod in Maxon's Cinema 4D. Why go out and buy one when you can make your own animated version? Cinema 4D has everything to satisfy your professional 3D modeling, texturing, animating and rendering needs. It's f ...more
In this 3d Max video tutorial you will learn how to create and edit a box. This is known as polygonal or "box" modeling. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. There is no sound, so you'll need to watch the pop-up directions. C ...more
Creating hair is often a challenge in 3D modelling. In this video tutorial you will learn how to to create and adjust hair. Please note that this process is VERY processor intensive. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. There ...more
Go beyond the traditional 3D workflow to an immersive creative experience with the software Modo, created by Luxology. Modo is the next evolution of 3D modeling, painting and rendering for Mac and PC. Modo includes 3D sculpting tools, animation and network rendering, and advan ...more
This 3D software tutorial shows you how to use the delete mesh modifier when modeling in 3ds Max. Delete Mesh provides parametric deletion based on the current sub-object selection level in the stack. The possible choices are faces, vertices, edges, and objects. Apply the Dele ...more
In this Rhino 3D / Grasshopper software tutorial we expand on a previous video from the site, Rhino - Patterning Based on Point Distance with Grasshopper. The idea is to use 2 points rather than one. The logic is borrowed from Andy Payne on a 3ds Max model with wire parameters ...more
This six-part 3ds Max video tutorial will guide you step by step through the process of exporting from 3D Studio Max into the award-winning, science-fiction, first-person shooter, computer game Crysis. You'll see how to take an MD 500 helicopter and prepare it inside 3D Studi ...more
This is a three-part 3ds max video tutorial that takes a look at using reference photos for creating a head texture. If you have photographs that can work, there really isn't any reason not to use them since they can often provide plenty of subtle details that would be very ti ...more
Autodesk's Maya is a 3D computer graphics and 3D modeling software used in the film, TV, computer and video game industries. This video series shows you how to use it. Part 1 of 20 - How to Use Maya. Use Maya - Part 2 of 20. Click through to watch this video on expertvillage.c ...more
Hard drive space is one of the cheapest things you can add to your computer. But people take it for granted, thus game developers have given up any efforts in keeping games compact. With all of its expansion packs, World of Warcraft takes up more than 60 GB of hard drive space ...more
STANDP'S WINDOWS 7 "ASTON-2" CUSTOMIZED DESKTOP IT ROCKS COMPLETELY!. DEC 07 Computer Backup If you have taken good care of your computer then you know what you have to do to keep it running smoothly. It has to be cleaned regularly so there isn't any dirt and dust on it. It ...more
It's tough to figure out what a mummy would have looked like when he was alive; soft tissue of a human body decays, even in ice. But, Dutch brothers Adrie and Alfons Kennis took the challenge. Using techniques that belong to both science and art, they managed to reconstruct th ...more
Whether you're new to Autodesk'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 ...more
China's latest futuristic project is a massive "3D Express Coach", a clever project proposed by Shenzhen Hashi Future Parking Equipment Co. as a solution to traffic in the extremely overpopulated country. The gigantic bus will allow cars less than 2 meters high to travel unde ...more
Maya is one of the most powerful 3D asset creation programs in the world. It is also fantastically difficult to use. This seven-part video will teach you how to model an interior environment using Maya. All this video covers is modeling, nothing on lighting or any of the other ...more
Wow, naked + batman + tattoo/body painting = some pretty "out-there" art... Korean artist Kim Joon has been fascinated with tattoo culture ever since his days in the military as a young man. Since, he has taken his obsession into the fine arts realm, treating the human body l ...more
Any hardcore Final Fantasy VII fan will appreciate this mod. Watch and learn how to install the APZ Cloud Battle Model mod for Final Fantasy 7 PC. This mod is a huge improvement on the original Cloud Battle Model, so make sure and try it out. The APZ Cloud Model, was created ...more
K'NEX is one of the most popular construction toys on the market, right next to Lincoln Logs and LEGOs, but what makes K'NEX stand out is the fact that children can build mechanically derived toys. Instead of blocks or little logs, kids use interconnecting plastic rods and con ...more
In this video series, you will take a look a the new Houdini 9 interface and learn how it will make your work faster and easier. Part 1 covers interface navigation: Preliminary tour of the default interface of Houdini and how to navigate in the 3d viewport. As well, how to bri ...more
There are varied approaches to using SketchUp with CAD files. This video series presents one method we suggest as it is quick and creates a good clean SketchUp model. In the first video we import a CAD plan, group and lock it, delete extra layers and create a unique layer for ...more
Material texture and lighting within the 3D modeling Community is a skill in itself. Hopefully this will help those that are trying to go down the road of a texture artist. part one covers editing multiple uv's at the same time on a model in Maya using the Maya UV editor. part ...more
From Major Nelson, Xbox 360's spokeperson: Kinect Pricing: Existing Xbox 360 owners can purchase Kinect and Kinect Adventures for $149.99 (U.S. ERP). Remember, Kinect will work with every Xbox 360 ever made. Xbox 360 4GB Console: The new Xbox 360 4GB Console includes built i ...more
The right combination of an appropriately awkward protagonist, a clever script with , and truly remarkable animation (including 3-d flying scenes that trump anything in ), made this flick a blast from start to finish. When he finds the fallen dragon, injured and helpless in t ...more
If you've run out of time for all of our more time-consuming Halloween costume ideas, here are some places on the web for free, downloadable paper masks. There must be at least 100 options among these links to satisfy your last-minute costume needs! Just download, print, and c ...more
Gil Adam, a student of Industrial Design in Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, Israel, has created a 3:1 scale model of his favorite plastic camera, the Holga. While the camera is just a model (non-operational), it's pretty fun to see the oversized object next to ...more
I’m seeing a flood of posts on youth football forums and even getting a few e-mails from youth football coaches complaining about “player agents” also known as parents. Most of these unhappy coaches are dealing with parents that have non-issues, have an agenda, are misinformed ...more
If you're like me, you were always jealous of the kids with rich parents who got to ride around in their own Power Wheels cars. Now that I am tall enough to sell my body and time, I find myself attaining childhood dreams like buying my own Power Wheels car. I would not have ch ...more
With the purchase of my latest computer, installing Linux turned into a nightmare from Hell. The graphics drivers are probably the biggest issue that anyone with a newer computer will run into when installing Linux. AMD and NVIDIA are the dominant ones on the market, both of w ...more
In 1969, the Apollo 11 crew were the first to walk on the Moon, the New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts in the third Super Bowl ever, Led Zeppelin released their first studio album, and one of the most pivotal moments in music history happened—Woodstock. But that's not ...more
Whereas yesterday's segment of Making Art on Your iOS Device focused on the technical elements of drawing from life, today we enter the painterly realm of David Hockney and Jorge Colombo. The apps below can be categorized under "painting"—or more accurately, the digital creat ...more
Our hacked Kinect series has demonstrated amply how the Kinect is changing the worlds of business, art, medicine and robotics. But where does it go from here? That will be determined by the thousands of dedicated DIYers out there doing work like you've seen here over the last ...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
A November release week in May It used to be that games marked to be blockbusters (expected to sell more than a million in their first month) would always be released during the holiday September to December season. November was always the month companies chose to release the ...more
Sometimes an iDevice is best used for idle, pointless fun. Today's segment of Making Art on Your iOS Deviceis a mixed bag of time-wasting cool effects and random, but useful art-making tools. Below, 10 apps for creating anything from erratic hand-shaken digital effects to your ...more
From the onset of the popularization of apps for the iDevice, users have experimented with creating original artwork on their iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. And when famed British artist David Hockney christened the iDevice with his painterly digital drawings, the trend exploded even ...more
In 2007, Nintendo introduced the world to motion control video games with the Wii. Microsoft and Sony built on Nintendo's phenomenal success and released their own motion control products for the XBox 360 and Playstation 3 late in 2010: the Kinect and the Move. The Move is bas ...more