How to Use Autodesk

Get the finest level of control over your animation with the curve editor. Just check out this 3ds Max video tutorial on how to do low level animating. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution for games, film, and television.

If you're an Autodesk Maya user and you're looking to create rocks, boulders or rock walls, check out this excellent 7 part tutorial and learn how it's done. Maya is a massive 3D creation tool with so many aspects it's really mind blowing. This tutorial will help you improve y ...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

If you're a digital 3D modeler or animator, you should check out this 3ds Max video tutorial to see how to use real world lighting calculations to get soft, beautiful lighting in your scene with radiosity. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling an ...more

Learn how to take use the Slate material editor in 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 3ds Max 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. Fo ...more

In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern will show you how to create a simple morph effect using time remapping and pixel motion. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, video editing, and media production professionals in broadcastin ...more

In this Boris FX video tutorial we show you how to employ the power of vertex shaders to warp, deform and even explode 3D extruded text using Adobe After Effects and the new 3D Objects from Boris Continuum Complete 6 AE. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, ...more

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with the mia_material shader tool in Maya 2011. 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 ...more

Check out this two-part 3ds Max video tutorial which exploits a little known capability of Max to create a head. You'll find this technique easier than box modeling for heads since your topology and edge flow are there from the beginning. With box modeling, there's a lot of di ...more

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 o ...more

If you're in a 3D modeling class, then you might want to check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial. These videos cover how to do a duplicate mirror merge. So, if you want to build an animated character in Maya, just watch for these tips on a dup mirror merge. Pa ...more

In this episode of Red Giant TV, Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to create the effect of text (or a logo) dissolving to sand and blowing away. You'll also learn how to reverse the transition, so that sand forms into text. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, ...more

In this four part video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Carl Larsen shows you how to create a 360 degree camera-aware environment in After Effects without the use of third-party plug-ins. In part two, build a title sequence within the 360 degree environment created in part one o ...more

Okay, make some bones with no orientation and watch this Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial. This video will show you the industry standard IK Handle tool and how to use it with your character's animated bones. So, if you're a wannabe 3D modeler, then you should probably watch t ...more

This is a 3 part tutorial. Be sure to click on Chapters 2 & 3 to get the full tutorial. In Part 1 of this 3 part Adobe Illustrator tutorial series, Vincent Rosati explains how to use the free transform tool to take the first step in creating a helix with AI. In Part 2 of thi ...more

The Bend modifier in Autodesk's 3ds Max lets you bend the current selection up to 360 degrees about a single axis, producing a uniform bend in an object’s geometry. You can control the angle and direction of the bend on any of three axes. You can also limit the bend to a secti ...more

If you need to create an animated character, Maya is the software program for you. If you don't know how to make that character you've dreamed up, then maybe you should check out this Maya video tutorial on an important step -- creating a skeleton structure. Creating bones cou ...more

Check out this video tutorial on how to use Omni Lights in 3ds Max. You'll learn how to make the light dimmer and create shadows in your 3D animation. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution for games, film, and television.

Watch this 3ds Max video for an introduction to a complete series of tutorials for modeling and texturing a human head sponsored by Ego Farms. This is the very start of learning how to use this digital animating software. You'll also get insight on Adobe Photoshop, since you'l ...more

Transforms are a fundamental part of 3D graphics. It's important to know this well before moving on to making perfect 3D models with 3ds Max. So, check out this video tutorial to see how to move, rotate, and scale objects in Autodesk's 3D Studio Max, the graphic digital modeli ...more

This session is tailor-made for advanced Studio users aiming to achieve ultimate quality surface creation. This in-depth tutorial goes through the build up of a sports car exterior at Class-A surfacing standard using the Autodesk (Alias) Studio tools. Class A Surfacing is the ...more

In this video tutorial, Creative Cow Contributing Editor Eran Stern will show you how to create a fiery iris animation which has laser beams shooting from a girls eyes. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, video editing, and media production professionals in ...more

Learn how to take advantage of the CAT feature in 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 3ds Max 2011 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For ...more

In this tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Carl Larsen shows you how to use the Pixel Bender Toolkit to create a recursive image set in Adobe After Effects CS4. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, video editing, and media production professionals in ...more

Building a robot in real life is not an easy task, and not usually accomplishable unless you have a degree in electrical engineering. But building one virtually on your computer is something almost anyone can do, if you know what program to use. This Autodesk 3ds Max tutorial ...more

See how to work with the SketchBook Pro 2010 color selector. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular raster graphics editor or a seasoned graphic artist merely looking to better acquaint yourself with SketchBook Pro 2010, you're sure to be well served by this free video softw ...more

See how to use a composite map to create a wet effect or a water presence effect over a surface in a very simple and fast way within 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 t ...more

New to Maya (AKA Autodesk Maya)? Not to worry. This tutorial will save your day! Not only will you learn how to use all the basic tools in the graphic design software, but you will also create your first impressive 3D model - a house made from polygon shapes. This simple hous ...more

In this 3ds Max video tutorial you'll see how the spline method can be used to model a very complex form, such as the ear, in Autodesk's 3D Studio Max digital graphic modeling software. You'll see several tools found in EditPoly for creating overhangs, and also look at attachi ...more

In this video tutorial, Creative Cow leader Michael Park shows you how to recreate the opening gun barrel sequence from the two newest James Bond movies in 3d Studio Max using the default scanline renderer, minimal modeling, and only standard materials. Creative Cow is a supp ...more

We know of several artist friends who are practically reborn Monets with their pencils and brushes and can sketch out anything they imagine, except for hands. Not that they can't draw hands, but it seems that hands are the Achille's heel for many art students. And it's no sur ...more

Using a UVW unwrap modifier, this tutorial shows you a few Autodesk technqiues to unwrap a 3-D model and then apply your own texture to it. It also outlines a couple pitfalls animators sometimes experience, and how to avoid them in your own work. Part 1 of 3 - How to Unwrap a ...more

Want to incorporate your 3D objects into real photos? 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 i ...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

In this Episode, Rob Birnholz shows you a great technique for quickly creating a 3D picture montage with Trapcode Particular. It takes just minutes to set up, but can save you hours of work. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, video editing, and media produ ...more

How does one snap in Autodesk's 3ds Max and how can one move things dimensionally? This 3ds Max video tutorial explains both of these questions as well as angle snaps and axis constraints. Topics Covered are Snapping, Angle Snaps, Axis Constraints, Absolute World vs. Offset w ...more

Having a little trouble putting skin on your 3D animated characters in Autodesk Maya 8.5? Well, check out this five-part video tutorial on how skinning is done for your animation. You'll need those bones built, a nice skeleton structure to put some skin on, so get started. In ...more

In this Autodesk 3ds Max video tutorial, you'll learn about a cool plugin that can create cloth-like animations. 3ds Max does have a built-in cloth simulation, but it's rather complicated to work with. The alternative to using the built-in feature is using the plug-in SimCloth ...more

This video tutorial takes front and side reference images in Adobe Photoshop and prepares them for use as reference plates in your 3D modeling package of choice, like Autodesk's 3D Studio Max. Distortions introduced by the lens, camera, and photographer are removed and key fea ...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

Want to share a screenshot of a 3D Studio Max project with your art director? With the built-in Grab Viewport tool, it's easy. 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' ...more

Interested in making the next Finding Nemo? Learn how to model and render a complete underwater scene using 3ds Max 2010 with this video guide. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the ...more

Interested in making some eyeballs? Here's a quick and easy way to make them using textures readily available on Highend 3d and a NURBS sphere. 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 ...more

Need some help wrapping your head around bump mapping in 3ds Max? 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 application, you're sure to be well ser ...more

In this 3D Studio Max tutorial, you'll see how to use procedurals to create a rock texture. Specifically, the guide addresses displacement tuning in Mental Ray, specularity properties and using stacked procedurals to create cracks, rust, and bumpy structures over the surface. ...more

Replicate the famous double helix structure of DNA using the 3-D modeler Autodesk. This tutorial shows you how you can create your own 3-D model of a strand of DNA by applying the lattice modifier and then twisting and coloring it.

See how to influence an objects motion animation with controllers in this 3ds Max video tutorial. So if you're a digital 3D modeler/sculptor/animator, then this is the video for you. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution fo ...more

Check out this 3ds Max video tutorial on how to turn those objects into an image or movie you can share with others by rendering your modeled 3D scene. This is helpful to all digital animators/modelers/sculptors. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D mode ...more

Hey all you 3D digital animators out there, check out this 3ds Max video tutorial on how to precisely align the texture/image on your object using projection UV coordinates. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution for games, ...more

If you're a master at Autodesk Maya 8.5, then great, but if you are feeling a bit rusty, maybe this review on cleaning up your geometry will help. This video tutorial will help your animated character come to life in Maya by doing a little geometry cleanup. So, for great 3D mo ...more

This tutorial shows you how to take a model figure created using the Poser program and export them for use in Autodesk 3DS Max. While you can use Poser Fusion, it can be somewhat unstable on a Mac, and this tutorial shows you a few workarounds and alternate methods. Part 1 of ...more

This video tutorial goes over methods for defining the topology of an organic object in Adobe Photoshop. This is helpful as a planning stage before you begin your 3ds Max 8 digital 3D modeling to make sure that your have proper distribution of faces and your target mesh will d ...more

This 3ds Max video tutorial will show you how to create procedural objects from your 2D shapes, extrusions, and bevels. This is a must for all you graphic digital animators/modelers. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution fo ...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

Check out this two-part Autodesk Maya 8.5 video tutorial on creating set driven keys. If you're and animator and your having trouble with your organic or unorganic animation, maybe this is your problem; it's a very powerful tool in 3D modeling in Maya. When ever you come into ...more