This Houdini 10 user's guide offers a look at how CHOPs can be used to replicate animation from one object to many, or more precisely to vary that animation. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just intereste ...more
This four-part guide presents an introduction to physically-based rendering in Houdini 10, covering what PBR will and won't do for you, sampling settings, environment lighting, objects as lights, shaders, issues with specular highlights. Whether you're new to Side Effects Soft ...more
This quick tutorial demonstrates how to create object trails in Houdini, and then add a turbulence effect to them. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainting yourself with the a ...more
This clip discusses the use of bundles in Houdini. Bundles serve similar purposes to groups of objects and layers in other applications. Whether you're new to Side Effects Software's popular 3D production program or a seasoned graphic artist just interested in better acquainti ...more
Add energy and excitement to your scene with lightning! During this tutorial you will discover how to quickly model a detailed lightning bolt, make an object disintegrate, create light flashes, add glow and glare effects in the compositor. Whether you're new to the Blender Fou ...more
In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to begin the process of completely UV unwrapping a low poly, hard-surface building. The tutorial provides tips on how to deal with a large number of replicated objects and unwrapping a multitude of small parts. Part one covers ...more
In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see a method for generating neat-looking blueprint graphics. This tutorial includes using the Gears add-on, creating outline-only objects, setting up the World to look like a blueprint, and more. Whether you're new to the Blender Foun ...more
In this tip video, you'll see how to set the aspect ratio of a plane object to match that of the image mapped to it. This is important to prevent distortion in the mapped image. This knowledge will be helpful when using image planes for cutout trees and people, instanced image ...more
In this quick Blender 2.5 video tip, you'll see how you can use the Screw modifier to quickly create threaded objects or springs. This method is non-destructive and very quick to use. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics appli ...more
When you begin working with complex scenes, you'll often find yourself applying the same material to a multitude of objects, which becomes quite time consuming. By using blender's "Make Links" tool you can quickly apply a single materials to as many objects as you'd like. Whet ...more
Grouping in blender allows you to better oganize the objects within your scene by grouping them together. This is particularly use for complex scenes with large numbers of objects. It also allows easy selection for different types of objects at the same time. Whether you're ne ...more
Blender’s curves tools are quite a powerful and convenient way to model all kind of things. Tubes, lathe-objects, logos, tentacles and much more. This tutorial shows you how to use the different types of curves, control-points and handles and how to use them. You will learn ho ...more
This tutorial teaches how to use Blender’s particles system to “paint” instanced objects onto mesh surfaces. Similar to Maya’s “Paint Effects,” though not nearly as powerful, it’s a very nice way to fill a scene with flowers, vegetation, rocks, pebbles, gravel, debris, etc. Wh ...more
There are tens of thousands of iPhone applications out there. Some are fabulous. Some are stinkers. From boredom-busting games to truly useful utilities, Fox News Tapped-In tell you which are worth a place on your iPhone. Their concise video reviews and how-tos let you see the ...more
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
Say you want to bring two objects together so they automatically flow from one piece to the next in Autodesk Maya 8.5, well, then you're going to have to bridge them. Check out this video tutorial on how to do just that. Combine them, then bridge them. It's that simple. So, fo ...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
Autodesk Maya, affectionately known as just Maya to its users, is a 3D computer graphics software that makes it easy to create impressive, realistic models of real-life - or imagined - objects. Super useful for graphic designers, film makers and web designers, the program is o ...more
There are a lot of videos out there about creating models and animating them using 3D Studio MAX. What isn't often discussed is the next step in creating a movie out of your models, adding sound and syncing your animations to the sound. This eight-part video series will show y ...more
The mushroom cloud is one of the iconic images of the 20th century, calling to mind destruction, progress, and arguably the single most important event of the century. This video will show you how to create a 3D model of one using 3D Studio MAX 4 or higher. This can then be us ...more
Systm is the Do It Yourself show designed for the common geek who wants to quickly and easily learn how to dive into the latest and hottest tech projects. We will help you avoid pitfalls and get your project up and running fast. Search Systm on WonderHowTo for more DIY episode ...more
This three-part series presents a look at the various forces in DOPs and how they work. This tutorial covers all the major forces except for the vortex, bouyancy and fluid forces. It covers both basic aspects and some more advanced techniques (animated masks, using RBD object ...more
One of the most popular and basic origami geometric shapes is the "water bomb," which is a simple inflated cube. With a few extra folds and only a minor shift in approach, a more complex geometric shape can be achieved. This 24-faced, 3-dimensional object is formed using 8 id ...more
This software tutorial series teaches you how to box model in 3DS Max. Specifically, you will learn the basics of box modeling in 3D Studio Max, then box model a jet and animate it for PaperVision3D. PART 1: covers the basics of shapes and objects and do a review of keyboard s ...more
Destroying crowds of little people has been a favorite passtime of dictators since time immemorial, but also a colossal waste of manpower. Now you can get some of the same thrill without all the needless death using 3D Studio MAX. This video will show you how to model, animate ...more
Illustrator's gradient mesh tool is a powerful one for vector artists... if you know how to use it. This tool can help create beautiful and vivid mesh-based vector portraits, as long as your skills are up to par. If not, try out some of the beginner tutorials on WonderHowTo fo ...more
Creating a 3D object in Blender is just a small part of the 3D graphics process. Now it has to move! This video will show you how to animate a 3D object in Blender, in this case a Star Wars Lightsaber. Without the benefit of having Mark Hamill to swing the thing around, you'll ...more
In this technique, we'll create a blend of 3D objects in Illustrator and export it as an animated Flash file. We'll create a series of objects that emulate the rotation of an item through space. We'll create one 3D object and duplicate it, adjust the 3D settings, and then blen ...more
This video shows you how to use the 3D camera tools in Photoshop CS3 to navigate a 3D scene. You learn how to orbit, roll, pan, or walk the camera around an object, and how to manage camera settings. This video also contrasts 3D camera tools with the 3D object editing tools. U ...more
Check out this 3ds Max video tutorial on how to modify a 3D object. If you plan on being a 3D modeler/animator, then why not take a gander at these educational software videos? Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution for game ...more
Check out this 3ds Max video tutorial on how to create objects quickly by adding, subtracting, and intersecting objects. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution for games, film, and television. All you graphic 3D designers ou ...more
Finding the surface area of a pyramid is a bit different than finding the surface area of a 2D triangle. But, don't be scared, it is not as hard as it sounds. Have a look at this tutorial, and learn exactly how to find the area of a 3D object, specifically a pyramid. The good ...more
While not as advanced as some of the dedicated graphics packages such as Adobe Photoshop, Open Office Draw still allows you to create nice looking images. In this tutorial, Steve shows you how to quickly convert a 2D shape into a 3D object, and edit the settings to get the loo ...more
A cool feature of Rhino 3D is the ability to draw a shape and then "extrude it" to a 3D object. Here we use that technique to draw a 50's or 60's style coffee table.
Aharon Rabinowitz shows you how to use Photoshop CS3's Vanishing Point tool to convert a flat 2D image into a 3D object in After Effects CS3. This may sound pretty basic, but After Effects doesn't always import the Photoshop coordinates correctly and this tutorial shows you ho ...more
Do you have interest in creating 3D objects? Open illustrator and draw a star tool with gradient fill in it. Then go to effects>3D>Extrude/Bevel. Select preview to view the star in 3D while changing its settings. One can rotate the star in any angle as well as change the thick ...more
Want to see your Minecraft creations in real physical form outside of your server? Mineways is a free program for Linux or Windows users that renders all of your Minecraft builds into full color 3D model files. Those files can then be sculpted using your own 3D printer (if yo ...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
Creating any object you want is as simple as point and click if you have a 3D printer at home. If you don't have one handy, there are a few companies that offer printing services online. But to help services realize your design in extruded plastic, you have to make a 3D comput ...more
Setting up shadows takes just as much time and attention as setting up lights. You can think of all of your illumination as one half of your lighting design, and shadows as the other, equally important half. Shadows can add richness to the tones and shading of your image, tie ...more
This software tutorial will teach you to use the 3D layer function in Adobe Photoshop CS3. You will learn how to use the 3D tools to move and manipulate imported 3D objects. So find some 3D objects and learn to import and use them in Photoshop CS3 with this tutorial.
All you 3D modelers and digital animators out there, watch this video to see how to take any photo image and wrap it onto the surface of an object in 3ds Max 8. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and rendering solution for games, film, and tel ...more
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 to see how to beautify your objects with materials, change their shininess, reflectivity, opacity, etc. A valuable tool for any digital 3D modeler/animator/sculptor. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling and ...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 After Effects CS4 tutorial shows you how to animate 3D effects. After opening and then saving a 3ds file in Photoshop Extended, bring it into After Effects CS4 for some 3D animation. The new CS4 version of After Effects includes some new controls for animation, as well as ...more
Learn to Use the Lathe Editor for lathe-machined objects in Swift 3D v6. A lathe machine operates by spinning an object really fast while it is held tightly at both ends. The lathe operator uses cutting tools and coolants on the side to shape the object. Whether you're new to ...more
For all kinds of 3D material channels, it sometimes benefits the project to have a small, tileable image that will fill the surface of the object without an obvious seam. Of course, a tileable image will show the duplication if the instance shows up enough times. The trick is ...more
Three-dimensional printing is one of the many wonders of modern technology. It's the first step towards real life Star Trek replicators and Timeline-esque teleportation chambers. While we aren't at the level of reconstructing strands of DNA, it's already possible to make tons ...more
Want to create a replica of your 3D object? This basic tutorial covers the duplicating of objects into copies and instances in 3ds Max. You will learn the difference between making a reference, a copy and an instance. For detailed information, including step-by-step instructio ...more
In this tutorial, you'll see how to export UV and Object Buffer passes from Cinema 4D, and how to use those passes to re-texture objects in 2D inside of Fusion 5. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Ci ...more
Learn how to use Cinema 4D's Metaball object to create eye-catching abstract animations. 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 and functions, you're sure to enjoy this ...more
This clip presents a general introduction to the object axis tool in C4D. 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 and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video soft ...more
Learn how to morph one object into another using the Thinking Particles module of 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 and functions, you're sure to enjoy t ...more
Watch this 3ds Max video tutorial to see how to get an object to follow a path with constraints to get procedurally control over your object with those constraints. Perfect for you digital animators/modelers. Autodesk's 3D Studio Max is a customizable and scalable 3D modeling ...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
In this software tutorial you will learn how to sculpt geometry using the sculpt geometry tool in Maya. The sculpt geometry tool is like a paint brush that allows you to paint the surface of an object in 3D. It is best used for creating terrains and other organic geometry. Thi ...more
Learn how to pick your rotation or rotate an object around another object in 3D Studio Max.
This video shows you how to move an object in 3D Studio Max in all three axis at once.
Learn how to convert an object into an editable polygonal object in 3D Studio Max.