Software: Page 28

This tutorial goes over the various methods and techiques you can use to alter images using Adobe Flash CS3, such as extending the edges, trace bitmapping, patterning your images or shapes, and even set your bitmap as it's own fill color.

A masking animation is a small animation which reveals the image behind it, which can be used to call attention to an image. This tutorial shows you how to use the masking technique in Adobe Flash CS3 for your own projects and websites.

Set up a series of shifting panels or a slideshow in Adobe Flash CS3. This technique can be added to a website, where a user can click on an array of thumbnail images to cause your panels to transition. This technique shows you how to create this animation without using motion tools.

Flash can play on a laptop screen, a mobile device or even a wide-screen HD televsion. A Flash developer needs to make sure that, whatever your video is, you have coded it so that it can still play on any size screen without losing any content.

Always make sure what you want to animate is on its own layer. And always make sure that you indicate that your animation is a symbol. Observing those two rules will always ensure easy and workable animations when using Flash to create animations in CS4.

In need of a general introduction to NI's Massive synth instrument? Well, you're in luck, as this clip presents just that. For more information, including a detailed overview of the product, and to get started using Massive in your own sessions, watch this video guide.

In need of a quick general introduction to Reason's Malström synth instrument? Well, you're in luck, as this clip presents just that. For more information, including a detailed overview of the instrument, and to get started using it in your own Reason projects, watch this video guide.

In this tripartite tutorial, you'll learn the basics of FM, or frequency modulation, synthesis. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create and use FM synthesis virtual instruments yourself, watch this computer musicians' guide.

In this clip, you'll learn how to use the VSN plug-in to encrypt email in Microsoft Outlook. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this helpful how-to can present a complete overview of the app in just over five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

In this clip, you'll learn how to get started using Symantec's Endpoint Protection Small Business Edition on your Microsoft Windows PC. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this helpful how-to can present a complete overview of the app in just over five minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

This video tutorial is meant to help you model your own curtains in Autodesk 3ds Max. If you need some window curtains, this is the best way to model them. You'll learn how to do it using several modifiers and layer techniques. You can download the finished curtain from VisualKnights, which you can fully edit to your needs. This tutorial can also work with older versions of 3ds Max (previously called 3d Studio Max).

Hello everyone,

This tutorial shows you a very basic process in Adobe Fireworks - how to make a 3-D perspective box. The steps to complete this simple procedure are clearly outlined in this tutorial. Once rendered, you can even animate your little box and have it dance across the screen!

This is a custom particle effect, coded using ActionScript 3, that will recreate the effect of a rocket and fireworks explosion. The effect is also randomized, so you'll never get the same animation twice. This tutorial shows you how to code this effect using Fireworks.

Aimed at people who have never created a website before, this tutorial shows you how to use a graphics program to create a website that will have an impact, load quickly and index easily with various search engines. You won't even need to know much coding!

A 'rollover' is a little Java animation when one text or image replaces another one of similar size. This can call attention to a featured product or allow you to have a scrolling news or update feature. This tutorial shows you how to add a rollver to your website using Dreamweaver.

Cloaking is a function you can get to in the advanced menu of Dreamweaver, and it lets you designate a specific folder as being not for upload. This lets you save a folder full of pictures or code you may not want to use just yet.

A snippet is a piece of code which you may want to repeatedly use (like a login code). Snippets can also be global, which you can apply to every website you have. This tutorial shows you how to store and use snippets in Dreamweaver.

In this clip, you'll learn how to create a mental ray area light within Autodesk Maya 2011. Whether you're new to Autodesk's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Maya 2011 and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

You used to need scissors and glue to be able to create a collage. Now all you need is a selection of digital images and a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements! This tutorial shows you a few techniques to turn your favorite photos into a collage.

There are a variety of programs you can use to create any sort of 3-D image. As long as you can export as an .obj file, you can create and import custom mesh models from programs like Maya or SketchUp using Mudbox 2009.

This tutorial goes over a few of the advanced features offered in the special effects and video editing software WAX 2.0. Specifically, you'll learn how to add particle effects (like snow) and create a picture warp for transitions to add to your films and projects.

Looking for freeware alternatives to Photoshop? If you don't need all the bells and whistles of a huge program like Photoshop, this video shows you where to get free photo editing software with good developer support, like Paint.net, FotoFlexer or the GIMP.

Adobe Creative Suite is an expansive (and expensive!) array of programs for graphic artists of all kinds. However, you can assemble your own suite of completely free programs, like the GIMP, paint.net, Synfig, Komposer, PrimoPDF, InkScape, Scribus and Jahshaka - all freeware alternatives to Adobe programs.

Start blogging directly from Micrsoft Word! Use spellcheck, and never worry about your browser eating your post. You can write your own perfectly formatted blog posts using Word 2007. And when you're done, you can even publish the post directly from the program to your Word-compatible blog on the web.

You can drag and drop an email onto your Calendar icon in Microsoft Outlook, which then immediately gives you the option of setting up a new calendar entry. You can even color code your various events for easy reference later!

Always make sure you've formatted your numbers correctly within the proper cells when you're developing a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel. There are a variety of number formatting functions you can use to make your spreadsheet more readable, and this tutorial explains how to use number formatting correctly.

This tutorial shows you the basics of employing animation in your Maya project. Set up a series of rigid bodies, like dominoes, and then have them fall, one after the other, using the techniques outlined in this video. Make sure you've assigned them the proper attributes!

Copy the popular, retro-style 8-bit pixel art. You can use Adobe Illustrator to create this simple sort of art. This tutorial shows you how to set up your document and how to begin illustrating your project to get that old school feel for your artwork.

If you've already finished your movie and are ready to start distributing it, you're going to want to include a really awesome intro. Here's how you can use the iDVD program to create your own really cool DVD intro sequence.

This is a video aimed at those who are just starting to set up their own website. You're going to want to begin with creating a MySQL database on your server, and then set up a default layout in Dreamweaver, which you can then customize to your liking.

PHPMyAdmin is a tool for website creators who may not yet be comfortable writing custom database scripts using straight PHP. This tutorial shows you how you might use PHPMyAdmin for your own website and display all the information contained on your website in just one file.

You'll of course want to set up an admin account when you create your own website, so you can restrict access for everyone else but the admins. This tutorial shows you how to set up an admin account on your website using Dreamweaver.

Of course your website will be continually undergoing edits, adjustments and revisions. You can use PHP scripts to edit your already existing pages using the Dreamweaver software. This tutorial also covers a few extra tricks you can use when editing your pages.

Adobe Dreamweaver CS4 gives you several tools that you can use to manage your website without having to know the PHP or MySQL programming languages. This is a great way to keep track of and manage your website without having to learn how to code!

This is a useful technique to use especially when you're working with comic characters with the Cinema 4D modeling software. This tutorial shows you how to use line weight when you're manipulating 2-D line art for your own personal projects.

Show a separate clip in your larger video file, like an inset of yourself on a webcam when you're making your own tutorial video! This will show you how to set up your project to enable picture in picture viewing, for all or part of your video.

A watermark is like attaching your own personal sigil to a video clip. Camtasia Studio 5 offers a watermarking function you can add to your own projects. This tutorial demonstrates how you can create a watermark, and then add it to the videos you want to mark.

This very simple tutorial is ideal for a beginner to Autodesk 3ds Max. Start your project by creating a simple cardboard box. Then apply texture mapping, add graphics to the face, and then set the animation so your box behaves like a real one would!

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.