tech sectiontech sectionMaya is a 3-D modeling and animation program that allows 3-D artists to create complex scenes and fully animated characters. Maya aids artists in this respect by enabling soft body mesh creation. These meshes allow each vertex point of the model to move independently as though it were a separate particle, enabling the creation of wave effects, cloth draping and other complex animation effects. Soft body meshes can even replicate effects such as gravity, allowing for realistic drop effects in animations without the hours of work they would take to create by hand.
Mental Ray is a ray-tracing rendering plugin for 3D Studio Max, known as 3ds Max, and other 3-D modeling programs that allows 3-D artists to create high-quality photorealistic renderings of static and animated scenes. Using Mental Ray rendering doesn't guarantee photorealistic renders or a high render quality, of course; as with any other tool, the rendering plugin must be used correctly for high-quality results.
Autodesk's Maya is a 3D modeling and animation program that gives animators and modelers a variety of customizable tools to streamline or automate their work. One of these tools is the Expressions Editor which allows you to create automation scripts from within the program interface. The scripts, known as expressions, are typically used to automate animation actions to make the process of animating a rigged model go more smoothly.
A large part of making realistic models in 3D Studio Max involves covering the models in layers of material to simulate skin, fur or cloth. With early versions of 3D Studio Max, this was done either through the painstaking modeling of each fold and bunch of the covering layer or with the aid of a plugin. With new versions of the software, there are several choices of tools to use for the modeling and animation of clothing and other covering materials.
Autodesk TrueView is a free document viewer that allows users to view DWG and DXF files that were created by AutoCAD and other computer-aided drafting and design programs. While TrueView can theoretically open any supported file without problems, errors do occasionally occur when users launch or use the program. Some of these errors are fatal errors, resulting in TrueView's crashing completely.
3D modeling can be an extremely complicated process. Creating a simplistic model can require hours of work, especially if the model is covered with a texture and lit within for presentation. While many 3D modelers learn the art of 3D modeling on their own with a minimum of help from other users, there are classes available that will take a prospective modeler from familiarization with modeling programs to learning the subtle nuances of the modeling process that make realistic advanced modeling possible.
Autodesk’s 3D Studio Max 9 is an advanced 3D modeling and animation program designed to ease the animation process through its primary rigging features. Once you’ve connected the model to the rig, you can move the model smoothly simply by moving the rig as desired. With proper application of the rigging modes supplied with 3D Studio Max 9, you can control the movement of a model precisely, with each rigged section moving naturally along a jointed location.
3D Studio Max has allowed the use of OpenGL since the earliest releases of its modeling and animation software platform. As a graphics driver, OpenGL allows for quick modeling of complicated objects in 3D Studio Max, especially when those objects are based on polygons. The question on whether a user should run 3D Studio Max in OpenGL is largely dependent on what sort of object is being designed.
With the use of Google SketchUp, designers, engineers and average people can create 3D models of all sorts of different images. The 3D effect is essentially achieved by combining a number of polygons, or multi-sided shapes. As in any program, the more data that is added to a file, the more memory it will require from your computer. While there is no defined limit for the number of polygons you can add to a Google SketchUp project, having a high number of polygons may cause a number of issues, including computer crashes and slow rendering.
Adobe Illustrator CS5 makes it possible to create your own vinyl stickers. Vinyl stickers are resilient and useful for decorating windows, notebook covers, books, musical instruments and even dorm room walls. Vinyl comes in several colors and provides an option for high-quality art productions on a limited budget. Place stickers virtually anywhere that has a clean, flat and smooth surface. With the help of a vinyl-cutting machine, you can begin to create your own stickers and liven up your office or home with original creations.
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design program used primarily for industrial design projects. With AutoCAD, anything from furniture to circuit boards can be designed in 3-D. Because the application is capable of very precise detail, bad pixels on a monitor can interfere with the view, complicating design and obfuscating display of very small AutoCAD objects.
If you are interested in using real world simulations to propel a character in your animation, you can utilize motion-capture animation in 3D Studio Max. An artist creates traditional animation by drawing multiple frames with minute differences between each image. For example, a walking character is drawn many times, and in each image, the legs are repositioned ever so slightly to simulate movement. Using motion-capture technology, movement can be recorded from sensors fastened to an actor’s body. The resulting data file is then imported into a 3D Studio Max project and applied to a character, making it move in the…
Tricking the mind into believing a series of still frame images are moving across a video screen, animation creates the illusion of continual motion. A common use of animation is in the creation of computer simulated battle games, where action figures move and interact. For the deception of animation to work properly, each successive still image must be limited to small changes of position, so the image doesn’t seem to suddenly shift between different points on the screen.
A crash is a program's way of telling you it is unable to continue functioning as intended. It is usually accompanied by an error message, but it is also possible for a program to shut down without warning. SolidWorks 3D CAD works best if your computer meets the system requirements. Errors are possible even if your system is fully supported, but are more likely to occur if certain hardware isn't up to par.
AutoCAD standards help establish consistency and productivity in engineering design. Standards for industries such as electrical and mechanical drafting are supported by AutoCAD, which allows inventors to create industry-compliant designs for prototypes. AutoCAD connects with a database of top manufacturers who design buttons, switches and thousands of other parts, which is expressed in AutoCAD as symbols that resemble the physical parts.
Mastering the basics is essential to using Maya 3D correctly, but provides only a glimpse of its true potential. Tackling advanced techniques, such as 3D images with spark effects, moves you further up what can be a steep learning curve and closer to a full realization of all this animation software has to offer. Before taking on a project that includes spark effects, however, make sure that you fully understand the concept of “nParticles,” as they are a core component in the overall effect.
Maya 2011 is not backwards compatible with older versions. When you create a scene in the program, you are not able to open it in older versions of Maya using the default Maya file format. However, several other methods exist that you can use to port your scenes from one version to another.
Maya is a 3-D modeling program by Autodesk that provides a number of ways to create 3-D objects and animations. One method of creating objects in Maya is with the use of nonuniform rational b-splines, usually shortened to NURBS. With NURBS, you can create individual lines known as splines or "curves" and create complex polygon meshes that follow the contour set up by the curves. Once you create the curves, of course, you must know how to fill the space between curves with polygons to create a model mesh.
3DS Max is a three-dimensional (3D) modeling, animation and rendering tool developed by Autodesk. You can use it to create 3D models and animations for anything from computer games to movies. If you want to create realistic models, you must be able to bend objects easily and effectively, without giving the impression of artificiality. This is accomplished by using 3DS Max's skin modifiers. You can try the skin modifier by bending a cylinder that contains a few smaller cylinders (acting as bones).
AutoCAD is drafting software with computer-aided design that is used by engineers and technical designers. AutoCAD was launched in December 1982 by Marin-chip Systems, which later became Autodesk. The foundation of AutoCAD is the X,Y coordinate system, known as the World Coordinate System, which designates absolute and relative points in a drawing.
Files that are created with the Adobe Illustrator vector artwork application are saved with the .AI file extension. These .AI files can store metadata, such as the file's author, title and description. This metadata lets other users learn about the file and its author, so it must be accurate if it is to be informative. If you want to fix the metadata associated with your .AI file, you can do so through Illustrator's "File Info" menu option.
The Alienware Area 51 M9750 is a notebook released under the Alienware/Dell brand in 2007. At launch, the laptop was available with a variety of internal specifications and a 17-inch screen running at a resolution of 1,920 by 1,200 pixels. Among the internal components fitted into the notebook is a single standard definition NTSC-compatible TV tuner, which can be accessed via a coaxial port on the rear of the notebook. If you're experiencing issues with the built-in tuner, there are a number of ways to troubleshoot the problem.
An API, or application programming interface, is a software interface that allows applications to communicate with one another. Creating APIs encompasses numerous programming tools that help build routines and protocols. The SolidWorks Corporation offers a collection of 3-D software tools – including SolidWorks CAD, SolidWorks Simulation and SolidWorks Sustainability – for creating, managing and publishing data. The software developers at SolidWorks recommend a slate of programming tools for developing API applications compatible with the company's software.
Two primary triggers can cause the "Entry Point Not Found" error to appear in 3D Studio Max version 5.1 and above: backburner service incompatibility and object enablers. These program extras do not always work compatibly with 3D Studio Max and may bring your work flow to a halt if you don’t know how to resolve the resulting conflicts as they occur.
Autodesk's 3D Studio Max software is a 3D modeling and animation program that is used by game design companies, special effects studios and others who need powerful software to complete their 3D work. When creating a 3D scene in 3DS Max, lighting is an important component as it affects how the final scene is rendered. Users trying to master lighting in 3DS Max 7 should be aware of the different lighting options in the program to gain a better understanding of how to get the exact lighting effects they want.
Based on a 3-D program from Autodesk, Gmax is used to build three-dimensional models of objects and landscapes for computer games. Gmax can import two-dimensional images, and the user then builds the model based on the image. Gmax 1.2 is available as a free software download; it is no longer being manufactured or updated.
MacPorts is a free Mac utility that allows you to download and install programs from a library of open source software through a Terminal window. When you download a program, MacPorts automatically downloads and installs all of its dependencies as well. In most cases, this process takes minutes to complete. However, GIMP has dozens of dependencies and can require hours to install through MacPorts. Although the program appears to hang, it is still working.
Professional photographers and graphic artists rely on full-featured commercial software such as Adobe’s Photoshop CS5 to retouch photos. However, casual photographers want to organize, edit and share photos without spending hundreds of dollars on professional software. Programs available online give you these capabilities, and you don't have to spend a dime to use them.
When analyzing geographical survey data in AutoCAD Survey, a program from Autodesk, Inc., you might sometimes want to export a field book file, or FBK, to exploit the data in another application. A field book file is a text file format that contains a list of the various points and figures contained in a survey file. You can export survey data from AutoCAD Survey to the field book file format by using a specific export tool.
GIMP stands for Gnu Image Manipulation Program. It is a free, open-source graphics and image editing software that works on all major computer operating systems. The term "16-bit" describes the number of different unique colors a program is capable of handling when it edits an image. GIMP has some very professional features, but it does not support 16-bit color editing.
Plotting puts a final touch on an AutoCAD drawing in preparation for on-screen display or hard copy printing. Scale, layout and the dimension, weight and color of its plot style are important considerations and largely determine the quality of the resulting plot. Scaling and page layout come first and set the stage for a finished drawing. Plot style selections then determine the final look-and-feel of your AutoCAD drawing. The Plot Style Manager provides a variety of built-in styling options that you can use or override and create a custom plot style of your own.
Chroma key is a compositing technique that layers two images together. Referred to in film as a "green screen" technique, chroma key isolates one color in the color spectrum and makes it transparent. A bright green or blue is often used because this color rarely shows up in a person's clothing, skin or hair color. After making the color transparent, a new background or image is introduced into the film or photo, and the image is changed with the chroma key computer software.
Alerton VLC is a part of the BACtalk product line. It complies with ANSI/ASHRAE standards and is capable of acting as a standalone controller for machinery. It uses Alerton's BACtalk Microset or Microset II, which are wall sensor units with data displays and adjustable set-points.
The Maya animation program features polygon mesh modeling, fluid effects for animating water, advanced shading tools and physics simulators. Animators utilized Maya software to create blockbuster films like Avatar. It is one of the most popular professional animation programs used. The application also includes a built-in smoothing tool, which can be used eliminate creases in objects.
Digital artwork provides a colorful visual experience that highlights your text and content online and in professional documents. Because images are important for illustrating topics and catching a reader’s eye, you should provide attractive and high-quality art to accent your work. Vector artwork in EPS format provides crisp images for digital platforms, such as websites and blogs, as well as printed documents.
Regardless of which computer-aided drafting, or CAD, program you use to draw designs for anything from auto parts to buildings, you eventually need to share your work with others. Unlike word-processing software or Web browsers, you won't find CAD software on every computer user's desktop. To present your drawings for review by colleagues, you can export your CAD file in the Portable Document Format, or PDF. If your PDF files look blurry when you review them in Adobe Reader or another PDF-compatible application, check your CAD files and your export process for possible causes.
Maya, a comprehensive 3D graphic design package from Autodesk, enables designers and animators to create realistic shapes and images and integrate them into timed animations. The breadth of options available in Maya can make the program somewhat difficult for beginners, yet the program includes a number of simple tricks you can use to greatly simplify creative tasks. In the case of designing wheel or tank treads, for example, you can use the program's animation path and copying tools to easily create the object and set it in motion.
iPhoto puts photo editing into the hands of everyone, even beginning photographers. Though the program doesn't have some of the more powerful capabilities of professional photo editing software, it does allow for the editing of brightness, hue, saturation and other basic elements. If a photo has too much light, for instance, iPhoto lets you darken it with a simple command. To learn how to use iPhoto, play around with it, opening photos, adjusting them and experimenting with the program's various tools.
Google SketchUp is a free 3D graphics program that allows you to design, build and render 3D models with your computer. Because SketchUp is a complex 3D program, the program requires a specific hardware setup on your computer. If you are having display issues with Google SketchUp, you can troubleshoot your computer’s hardware as well as display settings within SketchUp to address the problem.
The NewTek animation company introduced LightWave 7 in 2007, while AutoDesk Maya introduced 3D Studio MAX in 2008. Both programs have been used in professional film productions around the world. Animators have used 3D Studio MAX, now known as 3ds Max, to create award-winning films like "Avatar." Both programs contain hundreds of cutting-edge tools for animation, modeling and effects. The largest difference between the programs is price.
Cohesion and coupling both measure the relationship between elements of computer software. Cohesion measures how the components of a software module or a class of software objects relate to each other. Coupling measures the relationship between separate classes and modules. Good programming increases cohesion and decreases the amount of coupling.
Corel Draw is a drawing program that lets you draw pictures and edit photographs. You can use it to create images and logos and to edit digital photographs. The DigiPro graphics pad or tablet, sometimes called a drawing tablet, is a device that connects to your computer's USB port. It has a stylus that looks like a pen and a flat area that is sensitive to the signals of the stylus. You hold the pen and "draw" on the tablet, and the cursor on your computer screen mimics the movements of the tip of the stylus.
Neon lettering is a great, fun way to get a person's attention. Get tips on how to do neon lettering in GIMP with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
You can view the DPI or "dots per inch" of any image you're working on in GIMP in just a few seconds. View the DPI of an image in GIMP with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
You can make a scroll in GIMP by selecting a few basic commands from the toolbar. Take a GIMP tutorial on making a scroll with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
Vintage colors are typically comprised of a specific look and style. Take a GIMP tutorial on vintage colors with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
The transparency tool in GIMP can come in handy in a number of different situations. Use the transparency tool in GIMP with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
Doubling an image in GIMP can be completed by using a very specific tool. Double an image in GIMP with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
GIMP breaks all projects down into a series of individual layers. Get tips on how to show layers in GIMP with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
GIMP allows you to take photos and fix blemishes that may be present on a subject's skin. Fix blemishes in GIMP with help from a web design specialist in this free video clip.
