Creating a good 3D model in 3D Studio MAX is hard enough. Now I've got to model clothes onto them too? Why can't all 3D game characters be naked? Once you've resolved that debate in your head, watch this video. It will show you how to use the Reactor cloth system within 3DS M ...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
Creating good UVs with Maya can be tough, and get tougher depending on what type of object you are trying to unwrap. This short video tutorial covers how to create accurate UVs for long objects like rope or, in this case, shoelaces. This is a simple technique, but one that sho ...more
Link constraints are a simple and useful part of the toolset available to you in 3D Studio Max. They allow you to attach one object to another so that when one moves, it will only move in relation to some parameters governing its position relative to the other object. This vid ...more
Want to know how to create 3D polygonal objects when working in Maya 2011? 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 Maya 2011 workflow, you're sur ...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
Creating wires, cords, and other rope-like objects in 3D Studio MAX can be tough, as they are oddly proportioned and often oddly positioned. This two-part video will show you how to model such objects in 3DS MAX. Now you can model yourself sitting at the computer modeling with ...more
If you want to make fantasy 3D games, and if you're watching this video there's a really good chance that that is the case, you are probably going to have to model an arrow hitting an object at some point. Do it right! This two-part video will show you how to 3D model an arrow ...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
The video below demonstrates how you can convert you 2D Photos into 3D Models using 3Defy. You will need to follow these steps: 1. Select a photograph to work with. You can either upload one of your own photos, or provide a URL to an image on the Internet. 2. Identify the o ...more
This clip discusses a technique for using the point cache tag and point cache deformer in Cinema4D. It will show you how to cache your objects deformation and then use this on many more duplicate objects without increasing the overall filesize in the same way that you would if ...more
If you are making games or hybrid machinima in 3D Studio MAX, the occasion may arise where you want to give one of your characters a massive two-handed weapons like a sword or machine gun. This video's sole intent is to teach you how to do that. It focuses on how to link parts ...more
In this Cinema 4D tutorial, you'll see how to create a Target Effector MoGraph which is amazing. With only 4 simple steps, you can create a very special scene. Primitive Object, Cloner Object and Target Effector will be used in this tutorial. Whether you're new to MAXON's popu ...more
Check out this Autodesk Maya 8.5 two-part video tutorial on how to move objects around. You'll learn about the channel box and how to use your mouse to move around those animated 3D characters. You'll see how to rotate and flip objects and be the best 3D Maya modeler around. Y ...more
In order to create 3D lettered signs in lights, you will need to first create an object. Open Illustrator. Type your letters on the page. Adjust the font to the style you would like. Click on "effect". Then, click on "3D". This will allow you to rotate the image for the angle ...more
This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create an organic surface with a Metaball Object in Cinema 4D. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features an ...more
Learn how to create animation rigs for creating 3D animations 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 lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be w ...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
This video from accredited Maya instructor Andrew Klein of the Art Institute of San Francisco will teach you how to use just one of the innumerable powerful features of Autodesk's Maya 3D modeling software. It covers how to use a spline IK and a dynamic hair curve to drive a j ...more
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
Learn about some of the advanced features in Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended for animating 3D objects in this software tutorial. In this project we will create a solar eclipse simulation from 2D, and video images of the earth and moon. This is an advanced users tutorial so you sh ...more
Before you learn the hard stuff of 3D digital animation with Pixologic's Zbrush 3.1 sculpting software, you might want to learn the navigation of things. Navigation is a very boring thing in Zbrush, but is very important for 3D modeling. This video will teach you to move objec ...more
Need a little help with your Autodesk Maya 8.5? Are those 3D animated objects frustrating you? Is 3D modeling just a huge headache for you? Well, this video Maya tutorial might help a bit. You need to know what to constrain and what not to constrain. So, you'll learn here how ...more
Instructor Brian Maffitt gives a fast-paced recipe for creating a Saturn-like ring of text around an orange. Brian gives the Stroke, Path Text, and Basic 3D filters a good workout, stresses the importance of pre-composing, and tops it all off with an inverted mask. This is a g ...more
In this quick tip for after effects users, CreativeCOW contributing editor, Bob Thompson creates a complex looking animation using only a camera, 3d layer, null object, and some duplicated layers. In only minutes, you can get an animated look with only one layer to worry about ...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
This clip presents detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to destroy a Suzanne object using external plane particles. 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 ...more
See how to use use the Retopo tool and View options to make round holes in tubes (or other surfaces) with Blender 2.5. 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 th ...more
See how to project an image onto an object with Object Mapping in Blender 2.49b. 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 ...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
This clip offers a look at how to measure objects and distances 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 tricks, you're sure to be wel ...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
Want to select a certain object and nothing else? This clip will show you how to use Maya 2011's selection mask feature to achieve just that. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Ma ...more
Want to create a perfect duplicate of a modeled object in Maya 2011? Let this clip 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 Maya 2011 workflow, you're sure to be ...more
Learn how to interlace custom shapes in Adobe Illustrator CS4, an effect that's especially attractive when working with 3d perspective objects and shapes. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editor program or a seasoned graphic arts professional looking to be ...more
This 3D modeling software tutorial shows you how to use the split polygon modeling tool in Maya. Learn how to use the split polygon tool to get full control over adding detail to your polygon object in Maya.
This two part Maya tutorial explains many elements of modeling and how to make sure you create geometry that is well constructed with good flow. It covers cutting holes in objects / Flowing one weird form into the next and still maintaining uniformed polys across the 3d surfac ...more
This unbelievable paper craft toy is made of triangles and tape. Unlike origami, it has hinges and can transform to form many different 3D objects.
This tutorial teaches you how to use LightWave 9.0's Node Editor feature. This is a powerful tool that can be used for surfacing 3D objects. Part 1 of 3 - How to Use LightWave 9.0's Node Editor. Part 2 of 3 - How to Use LightWave 9.0's Node Editor. Part 3 of 3 - How to Use L ...more
3D video capture isn't just for the Hollywood film makers, but it does take a bit of knowledge to set-up and configure. In this two part video series, the guide provides you with tips and information that will help you learn how to use your 3D camera rig and correctly adjust y ...more
This tutorial walks through the process of building a grungy scene. Starting with an overview of the process and scene elements, you will learn how to use stacked layers. Mixing them with alpha channels you can build up complex materials; in this case rust and dirt on a nice c ...more
This quick tip shows one way of using the material attributes window to preview your material on different objects. It also takes a look at using and setting up the content browser. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better ...more
Hosted by Rob Redman. This tutorial will guide you through the use of the transparency channel, using the refraction index and absorption. Then see how to use the alpha channel to add a decal/sticker to an object. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application ...more
This clip teaches you how to use a text spline object with a sweep NURBs. There is also a tip on using the sweep NURBs to animate your text. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its variou ...more
In this clip, you'll see how to use a variety of tools to build a chair. Starting with a spline and a sweep nurbs, you will learn how to create a frame. Then on to poly objects, using soft selections, magnet, bevel, extrude and more to create realistic cushions. Whether you're ...more
This quick tip demonstrates a method of slowing down your cloth simulations. This method can be used with various other animation techniques that involve deformation of your objects at a point level. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just loo ...more
If you are modeling a 3D game in 3D Studio MAX, you are going to need to know how to correctly model the destruction of many of your beautiful 3D models. This video is focuses largely on that. It will show you how to use the procutter tool and booleans in 3DS MAX to break up a ...more
See how to work with Blender's Camera Fly Mode tool. The tool is a great way to help navigate your 3D scene, and also for camera placement (or any object set to be a "camera", for example a Spotlight). Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D compu ...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
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. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just looking to better acquaint yourself with the application, ...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
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
Check out this CreativeCow video on creating extruded or 3D text using After Effects. This new video tutorial from Paul Ezzy shows you the basics of using BCC Extruded Text in Adobe After Effects. BCC Extruded Text belongs to the 3D Objects category of filters which is new to ...more
3D modeling tool Mayafrom Autodesk is a monster of a program, able to do SO many things. One of the things you'll need to learn is how to use the CV Curve tool. This will allow you to create objects with curves of any shape or dimension you desire. Let's be honest, most of you ...more
If you've ever wanted to make your own video games and not known where to start, try Unity3D. It's a game development engine for the PC that has a free basic version and allows you to create pretty good 3D games easily. This video series will teach you the basics of Unity, inc ...more
In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll learn how appending/linking can be used to bring in elements from another .blend file. These elements can be mesh objects, lamps, materials, or even sculpting brushes. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular 3D modelin ...more
See how to age a chrome metal shader within 3ds Max 2010. 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. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasoned 3D artist just ...more
In this clip, you'll learn how to use 3ds Max's Parameter Collector tool. 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. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modeling software or a seasone ...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
Learn how to use influence objects in a smooth bind to help ease your blendshape woes...or if you like blendshapes, use them to help get that extra little tweak you always wished you could have. And this guide will show you how. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular modelin ...more