How to Use Autodesk

Learn how to create depth map shadows when working within 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 video tutorial. F ...more

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 ...more

See how to simulate underwater lighting and caustic illumination 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 the application, you're sure to be well served by this video t ...more

Need some help figuring out how to use the 3ds Max Extrude tool to generate 3D models? 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'r ...more

The Surface modifier in Autodesk's 3ds Max generates a patch surface based on the contours of a spline network. A patch is created wherever the segments of the interwoven splines form a three- or four-sided polygon. The Surface modifier and the CrossSection modifier, taken tog ...more

Need some help wrapping your head around AutoCad 2011's Materials Browser? Don't fret: Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D drafting application or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the newest iteration of the program, you're sure to ...more

In this clip, you'll learn how to use the Hairfarm plugin in your 3ds Max projects. 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 t ...more

In this tutorial, you'll see how to create a grass scene using the stock modeling tools within 3ds Max 2010 and 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 t ...more

In this tutorial, Creative Cow contributing editor Carl Larsen shows you how to remove chromatic aberration from your footage using Adobe After Effects. If you are wondering what chromatic aberration is, don't worry he explains that too. Creative Cow is a support community fo ...more

The last thing you want is for your animated avatar to accidentally 'flash' your user by letting the flesh peek through the clothing mesh. This tutorial shows you how you can animate the clothing and avoid this situation when working with Autodesk 3ds Max.

In this tutorial, you'll see how to model and animate cloth in 3ds Max. 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 m ...more

Learn how to preview lighting and shadows when working 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 video tutorial. F ...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

Learn all about curves and how to manipulate their components in Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling and animating software.

See how to model a natural landscape within 3ds Max 2010 using the Displace modifier, a few simple primitives and some procedural maps nested in a precise way using the Composite map. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looki ...more

This Maya 7 video tutorial teaches you how to test Photoshop-made textures in Maya 7 from Autodesk. This video is from the "Tiling Textures" course. Shaders alone do a lot to give a realistic feel to various materials, and adding textures to the mix gives them even more impa ...more

This is a two part video tutorial. Be sure to click on Chapters 2 as well to get the full tutorial. Taking a look at the popular technique of designing lower thirds and the process it takes to design these using Photoshop. Photoshop is the perfect solution for this task with ...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

Something that's particularly useful in Autodesk Maya 8.5 is masking. Check out this video tutorial on masking for your animation. There's going to be all kinds of nasty little things in your character development, like bones, curves, geometry, and a lot more. This video will ...more

This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to make objects move. It covers basic keyframing and animation tools. Part 1 of 2 - How to Animate objects in Maya 8.5. Part 2 of 2 - How to Animate objects in Maya 8.5.

If you've designed the perfect 3D animated character in Autodesk Maya 8.5, then you might need to learn how to pose him correctly, right? Well, this video will show you how to pose the animated character correctly and in an easy way, watching out for the skin and bones and wit ...more

If you are apart of Jason Welsh's Autodesk Maya 8.5 online class, then you might want to check this six-part video out. If not, if your just some 3D modeler out there who needs a little help, then you can watch, too. You'll see how to use the split polygon tool, extrude, work ...more

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 so ...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

In this Blender user's guide, you'll see how to set up a "toon" shader, and use the Edge settings to apply a nice 2D cell-shaded look to your 3D models. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself ...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

See how to take advantage of 3ds Max 2010's in-built tear modeling feature, which provides 3D artists to quickly cut a cloth as if due to a strong stretching force or a reaction to a hard collision with other rigid body meshes. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling ...more

Take a look at this 3ds Max video tutorial on how to add shadows. Shadows show details in your scene and anchor objects in the scene. Learn what options you have as 3D modelers/animators/sculptors. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and render ...more

This 3ds Max video tutorial will show you how to modify an object at the lowest level, giving complete control over your objects appearance with EditPoly. So, if you don't know what a vertex is you digital modelers/animators, then you're missing something. Autodesk's 3D Studi ...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

This tutorial takes a general look at the structure of the Dreamscape lug-in, providing general information on how to use it. 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'r ...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

This Maya 7 video tutorial teaches you how to use four lighting techniques in Maya 7 from Autodesk. This video is from the "Game Lighting and Color" course. Shaders alone do a lot to give a realistic feel to various materials, and adding textures to the mix gives them even m ...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 Final Cut Pro tutorial, Richard Harrington takes a look at the gradient wipe transition. The gradient wipe transition is a highly customizable transition using greyscale patterns to create your own custom wipes. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, v ...more

Learn how to use and work with render layers in your Maya 2011 projects. 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 video tutoria ...more

A lesson in how to create screw type threads in the Mechanical CAD design application Autodesk Inventor.

In this Final Cut tutorial, Richard Harrington discusses what to do to correct your film when you shoot footage with the wrong white balance setting. This is a common problem if you step outside after shooting inside and you forget to rewhite balance. Richard uses the three wa ...more

This 3ds Max video tutorial will show you how lighting, like omnilights, mental ray rendered lights, skylights, and many more, can make the difference between amateur and pro. Take some time to learn the standard lights as digital modelers/sculptors/animators. Autodesk's 3D S ...more

This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to create basic objects. Part 1 of 2 - How to Create basic objects in Maya 8.5. Part 2 of 2 - How to Create basic objects in Maya 8.5.

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

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

Learn how to create global illumination photons when working within 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 video t ...more

This clip provides a quick reference on how to create realistic trim quickly using splines and editable polys. 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 we ...more

In this video, we learn how to use exposure controls within 3ds Max 2011. 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 v ...more

See how to apply a transparent texture to design objects in AutoCAD 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D drafting application or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the newest iteration of the program, you're sure to be well serve ...more

In this 2 part video tutorial, Eran Stern shows you the first step to create a retro design title animation for a fictional sci-fi movie. In Part 2, CreativeCOW leader, Eran Stern takes the next step in the science fiction classic and finalizes the promo by projecting graphic ...more

This 3D design and animation tutorial for beginners using Autodesk Maya 8.5 software teaches users how to create and model complex polygonal objects.

Learn how to use the new Smooth Bind function 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 video tutorial. For more i ...more

Learn how to use the ever-useful Quick Properties tool in AutoCad 2011. 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 yourself with the newest ...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

See how to create a complex falling sand Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software, new to the Krakota plugin 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 ...more

Check out this two-part video tutorial on learning some components and polyprimitives of vertices in Autodesk Maya 8.5. You'll get the best info on geometry for 3D animation in this 3D modeling video. See how to scale, rotate, and move vertices of your built animated character ...more

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 we ...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 fro ...more

Need a refresher on how to model when using 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 served by this v ...more

In this video tutorial, CreativeCOW leader, Eran Stern demonstrates using paint strokes brushes to automatically morph between path shapes. Creative Cow is a support community for digital video, video editing, and media production professionals in broadcasting, motion graphic ...more