Giveaway Tuesdays has officially ended! But don't sweat it, WonderHowTo has another World that's taken its place. Every Tuesday, Phone Snap! invites you to show off your cell phone photography skills. Submit your best shot to our weekly competition for a chance to win an awes ...more
Apple has implemented a new sensor on the rear camera of its fourth-generation iPad Pro, and it's pretty exciting. It's called the LiDAR Scanner, a scanning "light-detection and ranging" sensor, and you may very well be acquainted with it if you follow any driverless car news. ...more
Google's Pixel and Pixel XL flagship phones are a rousing success, with consumers praising the fluid user experience and overall performance as two of the devices' biggest strengths. But even though Google may have knocked it out of the park with a set of Apple-like smartphone ...more
New Year's Eve. It will be one hell of a chaotic night. Trust me. The overcrowded streets. Long lines for the urinal. Maxing out your credit card on that shot of Cuervo. You'll be lucky to make it out alive. If you do manage to stave off alcohol poisoning and survive the asc ...more
Introduction to the Basics of Off-Camera Flash There are a lot of resources on the web for using your flash. For Nikon shooters, the Strobist and Joe McNally are the best resources. For Canon shooters, maybe Syl Arena is the best. It doesn’t matter because if you are a Canon ...more
If you're always taking blurry and underexposed pics with your mobile device, try using some of the tips below to turn your phone into a valuable photography asset. It doesn't matter if you have an iPhone, Android smartphone, or even a first-gen camera phone... you can still t ...more
Besides the Apple vs. Samsung competition, few battles are as vocal as the battle between the best Pixel and best iPhone. This year, it's the Pixel 3 XL and iPhone XS Max, two phones that are equipped with minor hardware updates from their predecessors, though both showcase si ...more
When rumors first emerged of Sony's Xperia XZ3, many of us wondered why. With the Xperia XZ2 just releasing in April of this year, why is Sony already releasing its successor? But now that it is officially announced, it makes a bit more sense, as what Sony is calling the XZ3 i ...more
If bezel-less was the goal of OEMs in 2017, 2018 seems to be the year of the notch. Thanks in no small part to Apple's iPhone X, more and more smartphone manufacturers are designing their displays with this polarizing cutout. While many are frustrated with the trend, it's wort ...more
With any continuously active software, it can start to become fairly complex after a few years of updates. New features and revisions both get layered into a thick mesh of menu systems and controls that even pro users can get bewildered by. If you are new to a certain applicat ...more
There are over 1.6 million apps on the Google Play Store, which makes it the largest collection of mobile apps on the planet. However, a large portion of this total is occupied by apps with overlapping functions—think social media, news, weather, music players, and various oth ...more
There are seemingly endless photography apps for the iPhone—it is perhaps one of the most popular arenas for application developers. We've covered a few in Giveaway Tuesdays, but nothing comprehensive. We would be remiss to omit the two most popular frontrunners—Hipstamatic ( ...more
In this jam-packed October, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro has flown under the radar in the US. Due to Huawei's lack of presence in the States, many are unfamiliar with the second largest OEM in the world. Huawei has continuously put out amazing mobile devices, and this year they rele ...more
So, you've finally scored the coveted upgrade to chocolaty KitKat deliciousness, or you've managed to get your hands on a Nexus 5, the freshest thing from LG and El Goog. Satisfied with your new lease on life, you direct your phone's web browser to catch up on your Amazon Inst ...more
For 2019, Sony is trying to shake its failures of the past and start fresh. Following the unsuccessful Xperia XZ series, Sony is changing the name of their flagship to a single number: Xperia 1. With the name change comes a few upgrades, one of which is its new look. Secondly, ...more
The hugely successful S10 series of flagships may be a tough act to follow, but Samsung has proven that it's up to the task with the Galaxy Note 10. The latest phablet bearing the Note name is the first of its line to come with an even larger variant, and boasts an eye-pleasin ...more
Once again, LG is mixing up its launch. Instead of the announcing the latest entry in G series later in the year, the LG G8 ThinQ was announced at Mobile World Congress 2019, shortly after Samsung's Galaxy S10 event. And instead of trying to match what other OEMs are doing, LG ...more
While iOS 11 is ready to take over your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, let's take a step back and check out all of the new features that iOS 10 brought to the public when it was released to everyone in Sept. 2016. Some of the updates from iOS 9 to iOS 10 were huge, as you'll s ...more
Night Shift, Dark Mode, Reduce White Point, and Zoom's Low Light Filter all help reduce the harmful effects on your body's clock that bright iPhone and iPad screens have at night. But there's another option on iOS and iPadOS that turns your entire display red, and it's useful ...more
Night mode, which helps you snap great photographs in low-light environments, is a feature available only on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 lineups. It's a useful tool to have in your arsenal, especially if you're fond of nightlife photography. Still, you don't have to purchase a ...more
While photography usually gets all the love, our phones have gotten really good at capturing video. Think about it — when was the last time you needed a camcorder for a vacation? With mobile cameras getting better each year, we're now at a point where smartphones can be used f ...more
Overall, iOS is more impressive than ever with its stability enhancements, security tools, suite of apps and services, and intuitive user interface. With each passing update, things just get better and better for iPhone users. But don't think for a second that this is all beca ...more
If there ever was a day to eat green candy, St. Patrick's Day would be it. But is there something better than the banality of green candy swarming the streets on St. Patty's Day? Yes—glowing green candy, and Instructables user BrittLiv wants us to show you how it's done. She ...more
Ring Lights can create a specific lighting that brings out warmer hues from your actors/models, as well as giving you a cool effect for the eyes. If you're not looking to spend a fortune on buying an already made one, you can make one with items from around the house on the ch ...more
In the first tutorial, Creative Cow leader Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to use After Effects to simulate the popular light writing effect seen in recent Sprint commercials. The second video shows you how to improve the look of the light writing effect by adding intense poin ...more
This is a creative idea for a great light effect for any video project. If you're a cinematographer and are open to knew and creative ideas (and cheap!), then this colorful, moving lighting effect is perfect for your film. You'll need three plastic cups, a 5/16-inch metal rod ...more
This Adobe software tutorial shows you how to create falling snow in Flash with the help of some animation in After Effects. See how to use CS3 integration to create falling snow over an image of cedar trees. Use After Effects to create the falling snow, then export the effect ...more
Tom Green shows how to easily take an effect created in After Effects and bring it over Flash using the XML format. For more Adobe software tutorials from Layers Magazine, search Layers Magazine on WonderHowTo. WonderHowTo indexes all Layers Magazine tutorials for Illustrator ...more
Prevent indoor lighting problems with these great tips. -When a window is behind the object, bring lights closer to object or use a reflector using the light from the window to create a 3 point lighting effect. -To conceal someone's identity, eliminate all lighting and use a ...more
After Effects 6.5 shipped with many Cycore Effects one being the Light Sweep effect for fast and effective light gleams. In this video tutorial, DMN’s Stephen Schleicher walks you through the process of using the effect for your project.
Learn how to create a foreboding flickering light effect with just a single step when working 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 ...more
The Nintendo DS Lite is the best portable gaming system ever, and you want to make sure yours works forever. If you find that your unit won't charge or turn on and plugging it in makes the charge light flash, watch this video for a guide to taking the DS Lite apart and jumping ...more
Nikon's D700 digital camera provides FX-format performance combined with superior mobility and functional versatility. Check out this extremely helpful Flash video tutorial on how to operate your Nikon D700 digital camera to its maximum potential. You will learn all about taki ...more
If you've got a brick house and are looking to install a door in the brick, this how to will get you there. Be prepared, it's a big job and you'll need to be comfortable wielding several power tools. Are you ready to take the challenge? Here are the tools you'll need: a 4ft l ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to program the HomeLink setup in a 2010 Prius. This can be programmed to operate any HomeLink compatible device. Up to three devices can be operated from the vehicle. To program a garage door opener, simply press both the remote and home link but ...more
Have you ever wondered how to create that 'whoosh' effect, created by including a set of thin, glowing parallel lines? This tutorial shows you precisely how to use anchor points and blending tools to create this 'light rib' effect.
Pixel Perfect is the "perfect" show to help you with your Photoshop skills. Be amazed and learn as master digital artist Bert Monroy takes a stylus and a digital pad and treats it as Monet and Picasso do with oil and canvas. Learn the tips and tricks you need to whip those dig ...more
The evil monkey from my closet is back! Don't worry, that's just a picture of him that will rotate to point at your mouse cursor wherever it is. This video will teach you how to create this 3D rotational effect using Actionscript 3 and Flash CS4 or above. This effect will all ...more
A great free video training from tasktutorial on how to create a cool movie text effect in Flash. Start by creating the text; type in "cool", rename the layer and lock it. Now type "movie" and rename the layer. Type in "effect" and rename this layer as well. Now focus on the f ...more
Halloween has become one of the most popular holidays of the the year in the United States. Retailers even lease out empty retail spaces to put in Halloween stores. People hang Halloween lights on their houses, decorate the front yard and of course there are hundreds of haunt ...more
Looking to jazz up your Photoshop creations? Learn how to create 3D wrapping light streaks in Photoshop with help from this video. By starting with a simple 3D object created in Photoshop, "wrap" the object with light, specifically these light zips or bands to create this effe ...more
Taking great photos doesn’t mean you have to invest in an expensive camera. By learning a little bit about photography and the camera you have, you can use a simple point-and-shoot to capture amazing pictures. Try out these tips to begin! 1. Take the time to learn your camera ...more
Looking for a way to light your flame with flair? Look no further! In this clip, learn how to light your Zippo by smacking it on something - the bar, a hand, a friend.. without ever flicking the starter. This is a cool little trick to earn you some cred in your local pub. So, ...more
In this video, we learn how to reduce shoulder injuries with stabilizing exercises. This will not build your muscle, but it will help prevent you from hurting your shoulder, which will cause you not to work out. The first exercise you can do is to lay on your side and place a ...more
In this tutorial, learn how to do the popular Zippo trick, "The Twilight Zone". Basically, you will need to make a simple modification to your wick so that your flame looks extra spooky. With this effect, you will be able to "light" and "put out" your flame using only your fin ...more
Pixel Perfect is the "perfect" show to help you with your Photoshop skills. Be amazed and learn as master digital artist Bert Monroy takes a stylus and a digital pad and treats it as Monet and Picasso do with oil and canvas. Learn the tips and tricks you need to whip those dig ...more
Infrared photos are photos that are taken in such a way that they absorb light from beyond the visual spectrum, giving your pictures a cool, surreal effect. This video will teach you everything you need to know to take them yourself. You'll learn how to determine if you have a ...more
Why not make the best of an icy cold winter day and make something even cooler? In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a natural ice sculpture in your yard and light it up with LED lights for a cool, nighttime effect. You will definitely have the best house on the block ...more
Learn how to rig your Jack O'Lantern so smoke pours from its mouth! This is a simple and inexpensive Halloween pumpkin project. You need putty and incense to create the smoke special effect for your Jack'o'Lantern. Then light the incense inside the carved out pumpkin and it wi ...more
Videomaker Associate Editor Tom Skowronski explains how four basic steps can be used to improve the lighting effects for a video and give it a more professional look. - There are four basic steps to improve the quality of the video 1) Camera Controls: Three basic camera contr ...more
Code your Flash-based website so that your content can remain the same, no matter if visitors are viewing your site on a computer screen, smartphone display or even a high-definition TV. This tutorial shows how you can code your fluid website to achieve the true fit effect. Pa ...more
This Flash video tutorial looks at the basics of making buttons in Flash CS3. It covers the various states of buttons, and how to make a working rollover effect.
Create a 3-D room using Flash Catalyst. This tutorial shows you how to get a 3-D effect using several different planes to look like walls, floors and ceilings. All the techniques you'll need to know are demonstrated in this easy to follow step by step tutorial. Part 1 of 3 - H ...more
The Na'vi don't have eyebrows. While you could just paint your makeup on over your brows if you don't have prosthetic appliances to cover them, a neat trick is to take a giant glue stick (or the spirit gum) and go over your eyebrows with it, rubbing the stick in the opposite d ...more
This tutorial uses After Effects to design a quick animation that looks like several light streaks form the letters of a word. The letters burst from the light streaks with a particle explosion. This tutorial uses Trapcode 3D Stroke and Particular. Whether you're new to Adobe' ...more
Open the picture you wish to place a rainbow within. A good scene has clouds that are receding into the distance and the light angle coming in from the front of the scene. A rainbow effect appears when by the sun is shining from behind you into the mist-filled air where it is ...more
Learn how to create this mystery text effect by animating layer styles on a text layer in After Effects. For more Adobe software tutorials from Layers Magazine, search Layers Magazine on WonderHowTo. WonderHowTo indexes all Layers Magazine tutorials for Illustrator, InDesign, ...more
Using After Effects’ Shatter Effect to simulate a baseball going through a glass pane. For more Adobe software tutorials from Layers Magazine, search Layers Magazine on WonderHowTo. WonderHowTo indexes all Layers Magazine tutorials for Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acroba ...more
In this two-part tutorial, Tom Green opens up a picture of the Swiss Alps, re-sizes the image in Fireworks, and creates a rain simulation in After Effects. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using this fun effect in your own ...more
This Blender 2.5 video tutorial tackles something that is on most people's "create -before-I-die" list, a Jedi light saber. This tutorial focuses in on the post-processing aspect by setting up a node network to create the effect of the glowing blade. Modeling is not covered in ...more