Hot Software How-Tos

How To: Apply normal maps when creating textures and shaders in Maya 2011

In this tutorial, we learn how to work with normal maps 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. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

How To: Create a bootable CD with ImgBurn

Download the software from Imgburn. Choose mode, build, advanced, bootable disk. Go to allbootdisk to get a bootable image of your operating system. Choose from Windows 95 through Vista. Download the diskette image. Name and save to desktop. Choose volume and label. Click ok. Make the output burn to image file. Name the file and save it to the desktop. Download Sun Virtualbox. Test the image by choosing settings, storage, add device. Choose media manager. Select make primary slave. After test...

How To: Make an image strip using FastStone Image Viewer

In this tutorial, we learn how to make an image strip using FastStone Image Viewer. First, open up the images that you want to have inside the strip. Then, open up Fastone Image viewer and find the location of the images. From here, go to "create", then "image strip builder". This will bring up the builder window where you can add in the images you want to see on the strip. When finished, click on the "create" button. Now, the strip will come up on your computer in a new image and you will be...

How To: Remove audio, record voice over, unlock audio in Vegas

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove audio, record voice over, unlock audio in Vegas. First, load a video clip to the time line. Then, remove the audio by right clicking on the track and going to "group" and "remove from" Once you remove it, you can delete it and then add in new audio or a voice over. Just import media if you have an audio track you want to add into the time line. Drag and place it, just make sure it's not muted and play it. You can also record a voice over for the time l...

How To: Create A Nice Curtain In GIMP

Hello everyone, This is my first tutorial posted on WonderHowTo and as a starter I wanted to show you how to make a nice curtain in GIMP, the free Photoshop alternative. Even though GIMP does not have all the features of his expensive brother, you can still do some cool designs or photo manipulation.

How To: Use the pitch bend wheel in Fruity Loops Studio

When creating loops, or even playing the keyboard, you're going to end up using your pitch bend wheel on your midi controller. And don't diss the pitch bender, Stevie Wonder used it, and that guy is richer than you! If you're using Fruity Loops Studio and are wondering how to use the pitch bend plug in, this video is where to look. You will get a full walkthrough of using the pitch bend features in FL Studio.

How To: Warp Time with the Flex Time Tool in Logic Pro 9

Learn how to use the Flex Time tool to alter the speed and timing of your tracks without altering their pitch or introducing nasty artifacts. This clip presents an overview of how to use it. Whether you're new to computer recording, new to the Apple Logic DAW (digital audio workstation) or just looking to pick up a few new tricks, you're sure to benefit from this free video software tutorial.

How To: Navigate & use the Query by Example (QBE) interface in Microsoft Access 2007

In this clip, you'll learn how to take advantage of the Microsoft Access QBE interface. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular data management application or a seasoned MS Office professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Access 2007 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.

How To: Do video overlay in Sony Vegas Movie Studio

You can overlay your videos in Sony Vegas Movie Studio. First drag the picture of TV set in the timeline and drag it to the whole timeline and then place your video above it as showing in the video. Now click on the pan/crop icon and select the picture of TV set. Now resize your window and set your video in the TV set as showing in the video. Now you can play your video but it pops up as the video plays so to fade in your video, you just need to do is to drag the corner of your video as showi...

How To: Arrange email messages by date or sender in Microsoft Outlook 2007

Sort your emails by either date or sender within MS Outlook 2007. This clip will teach you how. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular email and scheduling application or a seasoned MS Office professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Outlook 2007 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, and to get started organizing your own inbox, watch this free video guide.

How To: Reverse video and audio in Sony Vegas

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to reverse video direction in Sony Vegas Movie Studio. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Begin by importing the video clip(s) and/or audio into the time line. Then right-click on the clip and select Reverse. To reverse the audio, right-click on the track and select Reverse. To undo the video or track, right-click it and select Reverse once again. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy editing and creating videos, and would like t...

How To: Use the DATEDIF function in Microsoft Excel 2007

Looking for a primer on how to use the DATEDIF function in MS Excel 2007? You're in luck. Whether you're new to Microsoft's popular digital spreadsheet application or a seasoned business professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the Excel 2007 workflow, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Add location shortcuts to KDE open file dialog

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add location shortcuts to KDE open file dialog. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Begin by opening the program. Then click on File and select Open. In the Open File window, right-click on the left side panel and select Add Entry. In the Edit Quick Access Entry window, type in the description, URL and select an icon. Finish by clicking OK. This video will benefit those viewers who use the KDE program, and would like to learn how to add ...

How To: Link two (multiple) workbooks & cells in Excel

In this tutorial, we learn how to link two workbooks and cells in Excel. First, save both of the files that you want to link together. Make sure you only have one Excel window open, then double click the other Excel file, don't open separately. Next, type in the equals sign into the "A" column, then to go the window menu and you will be able to see all the Excel files currently open. Now, click "link" and you will be taken back to the original worksheet. Now, you will be linked to the other n...

How To: Create a spotlight lighting effect in Sony Vegas Pro

See how to create a simple spotlight effect in Sony Vegas Pro. (NB: This effect can NOT be done in Movie Studio or Platinum.) Whether you're completely new to Sony's popular nonlinear editor (NLE) or are a seasoned digital video professional simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Fade video and audio in and out in Sony Vegas

In this clip, you'll learn how to create fade-ins and fade-outs using Sony Vegas Movie Studio or Pro. Whether you're completely new to Sony's popular nonlinear editor (NLE) or are a seasoned digital video professional simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Show file names in the Sony Vegas timeline

Use this simple tip to automatically show file names of all elements in your project's timeline. Whether you're completely new to Sony's popular nonlinear editor (NLE) or are a seasoned digital video professional simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Create a time lapse in Sony Vegas Movie Studio or Pro

In this clip, you'll learn how to use Sony Vegas to compress hours of footage into the space of a few seconds. Whether you're completely new to Sony's popular nonlinear editor (NLE) or are a seasoned digital video professional simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Add a watermark in Camtasia Studio

This video tutorial belongs to the software category which is going to show you how to add a watermark in Camtasia Studio. Open up Camtasia Studio and either import a video or open up a saved video to add a watermark. You got to edit your video and be ready to publish it because adding a watermark is the last step. Now click on 'produce video as' and the production wizard will come up. Here you can select a preset mode or create a custom one. Then you go to 'add / edit preset' and click on 'e...

How To: Create fins using the Extrude tool in MAXON Cinema 4D

This clip presents an overview of how to use the C4D Extrude tool to model fins. 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 software tutorial. For more information, including complete instructions, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create the Half-Life 2 Portal storm in After Effects

Half-Life 2 and it's brilliantly creative baby Portal refuse to die, offering the same great gameplay today that they did when they were released in 2004. This video will show you how to mimic, in After Effects, a very cool effect from the game called a portal storm. It basically looks like lightning on steroids, and will give any movie that you are compositing in After Effects some really legit sci-fi flair.

How To: Create light wrapping and edge blurs in After Effects

This quick AE user's guide presents a lesson in light wrapping and edge blurs in After Effects. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.

How To: Create a wipe with a mask animation in After Effects

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a wipe by animating masks in After Effects. This tutorial is for beginners and should give you an idea of how to animate a mask and what alpha channels are. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular motion graphics and compositing software or a seasoned video professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including d...

How To: Create and use Xrefs when working in MAXON Cinema 4D

This tutorial looks at streamlining your C4D workflow, organizing your assets and working with groups. Xrefs can be incredibly useful and as well as helping you to stay organized can also hugely reduce hard drive space used. 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 software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this tr...

How To: Animate materials when working in MAXON Cinema 4D

This clip presents a general introduction to the process of animating materials within MAXON 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 software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Control hair & fur settings with UV maps in Cinema 4D

In this tutorial, you will learn how to utilise UV maps for both root colour and hair length. This guide also offers a quick look at polygon selection tags and organising a scene with hair objects as well. 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 software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cin...

How To: Create a grassy landscape within MAXON Cinema 4D

This tutorials shows you how to set up a grassy scene, using C4D's Hair engine. Learn about the importance of lights and shadows and scene scale. 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 software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.

How To: Create a basic hand rig within MAXON Cinema 4D

This tutorial covers the C4D rigging system, applying it a model of a hand. It goes from start to finish covering all the different aspects of the technique. 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 software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.