Hot Software How-Tos
How To: Turn your image into Shrek using Photoshop
Everybody has a little ogre in 'em, don't they? Make your inner ogre stand out with this tutorial. In it, you will learn how to change a picture of anyone into a Shrek! This fun process is easier than you might think and can be done totally within Photoshop.
How To: Allow only Monday dates in a cell in Microsoft Excel
New to Microsoft Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this MS Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 593rd installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to add data validation to allow only Monday dates in a cell using the custom option and the WEEKDAY function.
How To: Do bank reconciliation in Microsoft Excel
As you might guess, one of the domains in which Microsoft Excel really excels is business math. Brush up on the stuff for your next or current job with this how-to. In this tutorial from everyone's favorite digital spreadsheet guru, YouTube's ExcelIsFun, the 37th installment in his "Excel Business Math" series of free video lessons, you'll learn how to do bank reconciliation when accounting in Microsoft Excel.
How To: Sort columns in MS Excel
In this how to video, you will learn how to sort columns in Excel with the Excel Experts. This is great if you want to learn the basics of sorting in the program. First, you must have Excel installed and running. Open up a spreadsheet that needs columns to be sorted. Select the column. Go to data and sort. Click options and select left to right. Choose the row you want to use and select the order. To undo this, go to sort and change the sort order. This video offers straight forward advice fo...
How To: Improve your text by using Illustrator text effects
In this video, we learn how to do basic text effects in Adobe Illustrator. First, open up Adobe Illustrator and make a new document. Now, type in your desired text and change your font to one that you prefer. To make your text turn into a radiant, you will click "file" then "type" then "create outline". Now you will click on your text then click your radiant swatch. Then, go to "gradient" and adjust your colors to which you prefer. You can now put a stroke on it using the "stroke" tool and ch...
How To: Retrieve the name of a lowest-bidding vendor in Excel
New to Microsoft Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this MS Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 283rd installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to use the INDEX, MATCH and MIN functions to retrieve vendors name when they have made the low bid.
How To: Create an in-cell dropdown menu in Excel 2003
1. Select the cell for which the dropdown menu is to be applied. 2. once the cell is selected goto DATA menu select VALIDATION.Data validation dialog box will be displayed.
How To: Create a sudoku puzzle in Excel with array formulas
New to Microsoft Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this MS Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 242nd installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to create a sudoku puzzle using array formulas, the INDEX function with criteria and data validation.
How To: Make a gradebook based on percentage scores in Excel
New to Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 194th installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to use the SUM, VLOOKUP and ROUND functions to create a gradebook based on percentage scores that will calculate grade for you automatically. See also how the VLOOKUP and the percentage format can deliver the wrong grade when you dont use the ...
How To: Change columns from letters to numbers in Excel 2007
Teach Excel demonstrates how to change the columns from letters to numbers in Excel 2007. The first step is to click on the Office button in the top left part of the window. Next, you click on Excel Options and click on the Formulas tab. There should be a heading labeled "Working with Formulas." The checkbox for R1C1 reference style should be unchecked by default. Check that box and click OK. This changes the column headers from letters to numbers. In order to change back to letters, simply g...
How To: Generate a dynamic list from a table in MS Excel
New to Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 146th installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to extract records from table, putting one record on each sheet with records in rows. This is accomplished with Excel's VLOOKUP, COLUMN, FIND, REPLACE and CELL functions. See also how to create a formula for a sheet name (sheet tab name, works...
How To: Make animated pet dialogue using Crazy Talk software
In this video, we learn how to make an animated dialogue in CrazyTalk6. Once you are in CrazyTalk6, face fit your character then click on "script". You can re-name your characters as you wish. Once you have their names picked out, you can create a script for them. Press the red record button and record what you want the character to say and press "load". Then, choose what you want the facial features to look like. Load another script for the other animal and once you press play, you can see b...
How To: Use the EXACT function in Microsoft Excel
New to Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly advanced as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 9th installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to use Excel's EXACT function to check to see whether two text strings are equivalent and whether or not they have the same case.
How To: Make a footnote in MS Word 2007
This video shows you how to make a footnote in MS Word 2007. 1. Click on the last letter of the word where the footnote refers to. 3. Click on the References tab. 4. Click Insert Footnote. 5. A tiny number will appear beside the word where you clicked and a footnote number with a line on top will also appear on the last part of the page. 6. Type in the words or the notes. 7. You may now continue typing your work.
How To: Build a 15-minute schedule in Microsoft Excel
Want to make a time schedule in Microsoft Excel partitioned into perfectly regimented 15-minute intervals? It's easy, provided you know how to go about it. And in this Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 543rd installment in their series of Excel magic tricks, you'll learn how to do just that using the Fill Handle. For a complete walkthrough, watch this Microsoft Office how-to.
How To: Turn off AutoCorrect symbols in Excel
In this Excel magic trick video the instructor shows how to stop automatic copyright symbol ©. While using Microsoft Excel when you type the letter c in between a pair of curved braces Excel automatically turns it into the copy symbol © even if we did not intend to use it. Now to get rid of this feature go to the file menu and then to the options menu. In the options window that pops up go to the proofing sub menu and there is a button for auto correct options. Go into it and it shows the lis...
How To: Use the Photoshop CS4 patch tool
As each new version of the award winning Adobe Photoshop is released certain functions remain the same from prior versions while other functions are changed. In the latest version of Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop CS4, the patch tool works significantly differently than prior versions. In this video we are shown how the patch tool originally worked in Adobe Photoshop CS2 compared to how it now functions in Photoshop CS4. Finally the author gives us step by step instructions on how to operate the ...
How To: Make animation using clipping mask in Flash
clipping mask Sponsored by SimpleRetouch.com Start by creating a task with the name Mask, then Choose a color and a font size.
How To: Use the x-ray effect on GIMP
In this little video tutorial, kaje01 demonstrates both the basic edit and advanced techniques for applying the "x-ray" effect using GIMP. Now, what is there to x-ray? Hmm...
How To: Filter noise from an audio clip with Audacity
New to Audacity? Audacity is a free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.
How To: Use Trapcode Starglow After Effects plugin
This software tutorial shows you how to use the Trapcode Starglow plugin for After Effects. Add Hollywood glamour to text or shapes with the fast-rendering Starglow plug-in. With multiple colors and point and shimmer controls, the star power is all at your fingertips. If you have never used Starglow in After Effects, this tutorial will get you started. Use Trapcode Starglow After Effects plugin.
How To: Create a watercolor ink blot effect in Photoshop
This image editing software tutorial shows you how to create a cool watercolor or ink blot effect on photos in Photoshop. This is a simple and cool effect to make your photos look like they have been painted or made out of an ink/watercolour mark. See how to get painterly in Photoshop.
How To: Fill holes in polygons in Maya
Got a hole in your polygon object that the fill hole tool just can't fix? Check out this Maya video to learn how to quickly seal that object up. Learn how to not-so-magically fill polygonal holes in Maya.
How To: Import images with transparency into After Effects
In this software tutorial you will learn how to manipulate images in Photoshop to remove the background and then bring that transparent background image into After Effects without loosing the transparency. The Photoshop section covers the use of the Magnetic Lasso tool and Quick Mask to remove a background. With the image adjusted, you will learn how to import your new image into After Effects with preserved transparency.
How To: Fix missing grids in elevation in Revit Architecture
Have you ever had the problem where your grid lines will NOT show up in elevations?!?!?! This is of course after you have checked your VG settings and maximized 3D extents, still NOTHING! Chances are the elevation view is not perpendicular to the grid lines. In most cases this makes sense, how is Revit going to know where you want to intersect the infinite planes of the grid lines. In this Revit tutorial David Fano establishes the point of intersection as the point where the site boundary and...
How To: Import a MIDI file into GarageBand
This Apple software tutorial shows you how to explore MIDI files and learn how to use them in your GarageBand songs. Learn how to import MIDI song files into GarageBand.
How To: Enhance footage in After Effects
This instructional video will teach you how to enhance your footage [remove grain, bring out more color] with after effects. So enjoy this tutorial, and you don't need any additional plug ins, just the built in tools of after effects.
How To: Convert an image to sepia tones in Photoshop
Jordan explains how to turn a photo to sepia toned colors using Photoshop. Sepia toned images are great for creating an old photo or monochromatic artistic look. Learn how to convert your images to sepia images in this Photoshop tutorial.
How To: Insert joints in a joint chain in Maya
If you are working on characters or rigs, you are definitely working with joints. This video shows you how to insert a join in a joint chain if you need more or happened to miss one.
How To: Use Rembrandt lighting for images in Photoshop
This Photoshop video series is going to explain how to create a chiaroscuro lighting effect on an image. This art form was made famous by the Italian artist Rembrandt. Part one covers the origin of terms and how to create chiaroscuro dramatic lighting. Part two has instructions for downloading the image, and some very basic workspace and preferences instructions for beginners. Part three covers Duplicate Image, File Info, File Size, Eyedropper Sample, Doc Status Bar, Panels/Palettes. Part fou...
How To: Import models into Bryce
Sometimes you build the perfect scene in Bryce, but you want to include a model you built in Rhino or 3DS or Poser -- or whatever. Or you may decide to insert a pre-made model that you downloaded. This is a basic tutorial in doing that with Bryce.
How To: Create a blur in Final Cut Pro
You can learn how to create a blur to hide someone’s face in Final Cut Pro. The travel mat luma merges the top layer with the bottom layer and the black area is transparent.
How To: Change brush sizes in Flash
This video explains in 60 seconds a trick to change brush sizes in Flash using a combination of the paint brush tool, and zooming. For added stroke variance Tony is using a Wacom Graphire.
How To: Make extruded shapes emit from Particular
Here is a simple way to make an extruded shape emit from Trapcode Particular. Particular is a particle plug-in for After Effects and this two video tutorial will show you how to create and then use 3D stars with Particular. It's a simple example, but the creative possibilities are great.
How To: Replace colors in Fireworks 8
The Replace Color tool lets you select one color and paint over it with a different color. To use the Replace Color tool, choose whether you want to select replacement colors from the swatches or from the image itself using the From drop-down. This is not always the best method to do this, but it's one of the fastest and worth knowing. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. There is no sound, so you'll need to watch the pop-up directions. Repl...
How To: Use Auto Select Layer feature in Photoshop CS2
Have you ever got frustrated when you can't seem to make the right layer move? The Auto Select Layer feature in Photoshop comes in handy when you have lots of layers. In this Photoshop video tutorial you will learn how to use auto select to make selection easier. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. There is no sound, so you'll need to watch the pop-up directions. Use Auto Select Layer feature in Photoshop CS2.
How To: Combine Two Images in Adobe Photoshop CS5.1
Video: . In Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 there are several ways to perform same action. I make a video tutorial in which you can learn that how to combine two images to perform your different operations. I used a very simple and quick method. To follow my method you can get a quick adjustment of two or more then two images just in single frame and get the result you desire.
How To: Pin Applications to Task Bar Windows 8
In this Windows 8 Tutorial you will learn how to pin application to the task bar. If you work with certain programs very often it will be beneficial to pin those Windows 8 applications to your task bar in the desktop view. Once you pin an application to task bar in desktop view it will always be visible too you and with one click you will be able to launch application. Thank you for viewing our Windows 8 tutorials. If you need help with a certain area of Windows 8 and would like us to make a ...
How To: Convert Your Old Cassette Tapes into Digital MP3 Music Files
Before my time, people used to listen to music recorded on these things... I didn't really know what this thing was until my parents clarified and told me that they were called cassette tapes. These "cassette tapes" were utilized to store sound recordings on either side of the tape, which could usually hold between 30 to 45 minutes. I laughed at that information as I took out my iPhone 5 (roughly the same size), which can store roughly 40,000 minutes worth of music.
How To: Use GarageBand to Reduce the Vocals in a Song
GarageBand is a powerful tool for Mac OS X that lets you edit and tweak audio tracks. One of the many audio editing capabiltiies of the program is the ability to reduce the vocals in a song. Take a look at this guide on how to edit the song's vocals so they aren't so loud using the AUGraphicEQ tool.