Tag: Software

The Most Popular 3D Art Styles
by David Burgess on 0

The Most Popular 3D Art Styles

However, there are many other types of 3D art that are becoming increasingly popular. Here are some of the most popular 3D art styles:

1. Photorealism

Photorealism is a type of 3D art that attempts to recreate an image or scene as realistically as possible. This can be achieved through the use of advanced rendering techniques and software.

2. Vector Art

Vector art is a type of 3D art that uses mathematical algorithms to create images. This technique can create images that are very detailed and accurate.

3. Pixel Art

Pixel art is a type of 3D art that uses pixels to create images. This technique can create images that are very detailed and accurate.

4. Sculpting

Sculpting is a type of 3D art that involves the creation of three-dimensional objects. This can be done using a variety of materials, including clay, wood, metal, and plastic.

5. Modeling

Modeling is a type of 3D art that involves the creation of three-dimensional objects. This can be done using a variety of software programs.

6. Animation

Animation is a type of 3D art that involves the creation of moving images. This can be done using a variety of software programs.

7. Digital Painting

Digital painting is a type of 3D art that involves the creation of images using a computer. This can be done using a variety of software programs.

But what’s the difference between the two?

Pixel art is made up of small pixels that are put together to form an image. Low poly art is made up of bigger polygons that are put together to form an image.

Pixel art is usually more detailed than low poly art. Low poly art is usually more abstract than pixel art.

Pixel art is usually more time consuming to create than low poly art. Low poly art is usually less time consuming to create than pixel art.

So, which is better?Pixel art or low poly art?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something more detailed, then pixel art is probably better for you. If you want something more abstract, then low poly art is probably better for you.

Share on Read Full Story
How To Create 3D Art From Scratch
by David Burgess on 0

How To Create 3D Art From Scratch

Creating 3D art can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be a bit daunting if you’re starting from scratch. In this tutorial, we’ll take you through the basics of creating 3D art, from finding inspiration to choosing the right software to get the job done. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own amazing 3D art!

Finding inspiration for your 3D art

The first step in creating any kind of art is finding inspiration. When it comes to 3D art, there are a few different sources you can turn to for inspiration. One is other 3D artists, either online or in person. Another is 2D artists, since many of the same principles apply to both 2D and 3D art. You can also find inspiration in nature, architecture, or any other source that strikes your fancy.

Once you’ve found some inspiration, it’s time to start thinking about what you want to create. 3D art is a wide field, so it’s important to narrow down your focus a bit. Do you want to create a realistic or abstract piece? What kind of mood are you going for? What colors will you use? Answering these questions will help you start to form a vision for your piece.

Choosing the right software

Now that you have a vision for your 3D art, it’s time to choose the right software to bring it to life. There are a few different options available, but the two most popular choices are 3D Studio Max and Maya. Both programs are powerful and capable of creating amazing 3D art, so it really comes down to personal preference. If you’re just starting out, we recommend 3D Studio Max because it has a slightly more intuitive interface.

Once you’ve chosen your software, it’s time to start learning the basics. If you’re new to 3D modeling, we recommend checking out some tutorials online or in your software’s documentation. There are also a number of books available on the subject. Just make sure you choose a tutorial or book that’s geared towards your software of choice.

Bringing your 3D art to life

Once you’ve got the hang of your software, it’s time to start bringing your 3D art to life! Start by creating a basic sketch of your idea, then begin fleshing it out in 3D. As you work, keep your inspiration in mind and experiment with different techniques and styles. The beauty of 3D art is that there are no limits to what you can create, so let your imagination run wild!

Once you’re happy with your piece, it’s time to render it. This is the process of creating a final image or animation from your 3D model. Rendering can be a bit technical, but there are a number of tutorials available to help you get the hang of it.

And that’s it! Now you know the basics of creating 3D art from scratch. Just remember to have fun and experiment, and you’ll be creating amazing 3D art in no time.

Share on Read Full Story
How To Turn Photos Into 3D Art
by David Burgess on 0

How To Turn Photos Into 3D Art

Do you have a bunch of 2D photos that you would like to turn into 3D art? It’s actually quite easy to do with the right tools. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to turn photos into 3D art using the popular 3D printing program, Tinkercad.

First, you’ll need to sign up for a free Tinkercad account. Once you’re logged in, click on the “Create New Design” button.

Next, you’ll need to upload your 2D photo. To do this, click on the “Import” button and select your photo from your computer.

Once your photo is imported, you’ll need to resize it. To do this, click on the “Edit” button and then click on the “Resize” option.

Now that your photo is the correct size, you’ll need to convert it to a 3D object. To do this, click on the “Create” button and then select the “3D from 2D” option.

Tinkercad will automatically convert your 2D photo into a 3D object. All you need to do now is click on the “Export” button and select the “STL” option. This will save your 3D object as an STL file which you can then upload to a 3D printing service or print on your own 3D printer.

In the past, creating three-dimensional art required a lot of expensive equipment and materials. Today, with the advent of digital technology, artists can create 3D art using nothing more than a camera and some software.

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to turn your photos into 3D art:

Step 1: Choose your subject matter

When choosing a subject for your 3D art, it’s important to pick something that has a lot of visual interest. This could be a person, a landscape, or even an inanimate object.

Step 2: Take multiple photos

To create a 3D image, you’ll need to take multiple photos of your subject from different angles. The more photos you take, the better.

Step 3: Upload your photos to a computer

Once you have your photos, upload them to a computer. You’ll then need to use some software to stitch them together into a single image.

Step 4: Export your image as a 3D file

Once you’ve created your 3D image, you can then export it as a file that can be viewed on a computer or printed out.

And that’s all there is to it! With just a camera and some software, you can easily create stunning 3D art.

Share on Read Full Story
JVC Everio GZ-HD500 Overview
by Leland Richardson on 0

JVC Everio GZ-HD500 Overview

The JVC Everio GZ-HD500 is a high definition camcorder that records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format with a built-in hard disc drive.

The GZ-HD500 carries a suggested retail price of $549. Full technical specifications for the GZ-HD500 can be found here.

JVC Everio GZ-HD500 Video Features

The Everio GZ-HD500 uses the full AVCHD format for 1920 x 1080 high definition recording. It supports 24Mbps recording, the highest bit-rate available in the AVCHD video format. The HD500 features a 1/5.8-inch, 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor. Unlike JVC’s mid-range models, the HD500 cannot record in standard definition (not that you’d really miss it, would you?).

You can snap still photos with the HD500, however there’s no built-in flash so unless you’re operating in plenty of sunlight and keep steady, you’re likely to get blurry pics from it.

Optical Features

You’ll find a 20x optical zoom lens on the Everio GZ-HD500. This optical zoom is joined by a digital zoom which increases magnification to 200x. The lens uses JVC’s “Enhanced Advanced Image Stabilizer” for keeping your footage relatively shake-free. According to the company, the image stabilization technology can compensate for camera shake at wide-angles and is four times as effective in combating shake than the Advanced Stabilization found on less expensive models in the Everio line. In our experience, JVC has some of the best image stabilization technology in the camcorder market.

The HD500’s lens is conveniently protected by an automatic lens cap.

Memory and Display

The GZ-HD500 offers an 80GB built-in hard drive plus a single microSD/SDHC memory card slot. Unfortunately, it doesn’t accept higher-capacity SDXC cards for additional storage capacity, although with 80GB on board, you probably will not find yourself running out of memory. There is no seamless recording on the HD500, so you will need to manually switch between hard drive and memory card recording.

You’ll frame your recordings on a large 2.7-inch Laser Touch LCD display. The Laser Touch display is something of hybrid – it’s not a touch screen but there are no tactile buttons either. Instead, you’ll find a serious of touch-sensitive controls on the edge of the display, including a swipe bar, for navigating around the HD500’s menu items. In our experience, this Laser Touch display can be more responsive than small touch screens although it takes some getting used to.

Design

Design-wise, the HD500 is bulkier than JVC’s flash memory camcorders and much heavier at 1.82lbs (by contrast, JVC’s flash camcorders usually weigh about half as much). The HD500 measures in at 2.1 x 2.4 x 4.8 inches, roughly the same form factor as the entry-level series of Everios, and features a zoom lever on the top of the camcorder and a record shutter located on the side, next to the camcorder’s battery. Open the display and you’ll find buttons video playback, scrolling and info, plus the camcorder’s ports: component, HDMI, USB and AV.

The camcorder uses JVC’s two-way grip, which is a dual-purpose strap lets you hold it aloft or dangle the camcorder securely from your wrist.

Aesthetically, the HD500 is available in black.

Shooting Features

The Everio GZ-HD500 is outfitted with face detection and a face flow playback, which highlights faces in a frame in the playback menu so you can search your footage by the people you’ve recorded. There’s also an Auto Record function which starts recording automatically whenever an object moves into the frame. The camcorder will automatically end recording if motion stops after five seconds, so the camcorder can double as a motion-activated video camera (the battery won’t last long enough for it to truly replace a security camera though).

Among the other features you’ll find on the GZ-HD500 is a time-lapse recording function that lets you record one frame at a time for a selectable time interval (between one and 80 seconds).

Finally, you can add basic animated effects to video in the camcorder as well as to still images. JVC’s Everio Media Browser software is built-in the camcorder as well for disc-free loading when you attach the camcorder to a computer via USB. The software supports basic video editing (color changing, clipping, etc.) as well as sharing via YouTube and Facebook.

Connectivity

The Everio GZ-HD500 offers a built-in HDMI output for connecting the camera although the cable is not included. You can also connect to a PC via USB cable. There is a built-in button for YouTube uploading as well so you can send videos to the online sharing service when you camcorder is connected to your PC.

Impression

Hard disc camcorders are not nearly as popular as they used to be but still serve a niche for those who value large amounts of on-board camcorder storage. In our view, flash camcorders are more attractive options because they’re lighter, more energy efficient and tend to be more responsive. Still, if you want hours upon hours of recording capacity without breaking the bank, a hard drive camcorder is the way to go.

Share on Read Full Story
Guide to 3D Camcorders
by Leland Richardson on 0

Guide to 3D Camcorders

Camcorders and TVs have a symbiotic relationship (like those birds that pick food off of a rhino’s back). When TVs converted to high definition, it wasn’t long before high definition camcorders appeared. So it’s no surprise that with a new generation of 3D HDTVs hitting the market, 3D camcorders have trotted along behind. Here’s what you need to know about them.

How 3D Camcorders Work

To get a true 3D image or video, you need a camcorder that uses two lenses and two image sensors to capture two sets of images.

This creates the “stereoscopic” effect that fools our brain into thinking we’re seeing depth on the screen. In some cases, these two lenses are built into the camcorder itself. In others, a double-lens kit is sold as an accessory: it can be attached to the camcorder when you want to film in 3D and removed when you want to film in 2D.

Since two lenses and two image sensors can add cost and bulk to a camcorder, some manufacturers have opted to do 2D-to-3D conversions using software inside the camcorder. Many purists would object to the use of software since it’s not creating a full-resolution 3D image, but if you only want to dabble with 3D on occasion, the software conversion minimizes your costs.

Will You Pay More for 3D?

The short answer is basically yes, for now. There aren’t many 3D camcorders on the market as this is written, but based on the selection currently available, you’ll definitely pay more for a camcorder that offers 3D functionality than one without (there are exceptions: see this roundup of 3D camcorders for the latest prices and models).

Do You Need Glasses to View Your 3D Videos?

That depends. Some camcorders offer special LCD screens that can display 3D footage without the use of glasses. The technology is called a Parallax Barrier: it basically embeds the polarized glasses that you’d typically wear on your face, on the display itself.

If the camcorder does not require glasses to view your videos in 3D it will typically work with a dedicated media viewer – basically a small digital frame – that uses the same parallax barrier technology found in the camcorder’s display.

Other camcorders require you to output your video onto a 3D capable TV via an HDMI cable, where you will indeed need glasses to view your videos in 3D.

Can You Edit 3D Video Files?

Yes. Some of the major video editing programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Sony Vegas Pro have added 3D video editing options already. Software included with Panasonic’s first 3D camcorder also allows you to edit the 3D video file as you would a 2D file.

3D Doesn’t Mean HD

It may seem a bit obvious, but don’t assume that a 3D camcorder is recording in high definition. Some 3D camcorder models currently on the market record in standard definition.

Do You Need a 3D Camcorder?

You should definitely not consider buying a 3D camcorder unless you already own a 3D HDTV. Otherwise, you’re only other choice to view 3D movies will be on a small 8-inch media viewer – and that’s not the ideal viewing experience for your home movies. You should also steer clear of 3D camcorders if 3D footage makes you ill. For now at least, most consumers would be better off taking a wait-and-see approach with 3D.

Share on Read Full Story
Guide to Camcorder Software
by Leland Richardson on 0

Guide to Camcorder Software

These days, you’re just as likely to view your camcorder videos on a computer as on a TV (if not more so.) That’s why every camcorder is packaged with some basic video software that will let you perform some routine tasks with your camcorder video. Here’s what you can expect:

Basic editing: While you shouldn’t expect to edit your Hollywood blockbuster on the included software, the basic editing features are usually there – some color corrections, trimming, along with the ability to add titles and transition effects.

Sharing: Whether you want to post your videos to Facebook or YouTube or send them to friends and family via email, the software included in your camcorder usually contains tools for Web sharing.

Transcoding: If you want to watch your home movies on DVD, smartphone, portable media players or even a PlayStation Portable, you may need to transcode your video – i.e. turn it into a file format that can be recognized by these devices. Most bundled software will have an option to output your video file for viewing on various platforms.

Organize: The more videos and photos you record with your camcorder, the harder it is to keep track of all your digital files. Included software will offer a basic organizer that will let you keep track of your ever-growing digital library.

DVD Burning: One of the most routine tasks you’ll need to perform with your camcorder’s software is burning an archival disk of your footage. If it does nothing else, your software should allow you to burn DVDs of your home movies.

Perform Specialized Tasks: Some high-end camcorder features can only be accessed through specialized software applications not found on off-the-shelf software.

Sony’s GPS camcorders are a case in point: you can only access map views and “geo-tagging” if you use the company’s included software to organize your files.

Built-in Software

There’s a growing trend among camcorders to ditch the CD-Rom and load their software directly into the camcorder itself. The software will typically install itself on your computer the first time you connect the camcorder to the computer. The virtue with the built-in approach is that you can upgrade computer (of suffer a hard drive wipe out) without worrying about losing your software.

Share on Read Full Story
GPS Camcorders: A Guide to GPS Camcorders
by Leland Richardson on 0

GPS Camcorders: A Guide to GPS Camcorders

The current technological sophistication that quite amazes me is they can know where you are. That is a very rapid progress in my opinion. This technology is very beneficial for some sectors of life, be it the business world or even for those of you who love to travel.

The same global positioning system (GPS) that helps you navigate around town in your car has started to appear inside digital camcorders.

The first GPS camcorders were introduced in 2009 courtesy of Sony and include the HDR-XR520V, HDR-XR500V, HDR-XR200V and HDR-TR5v.

What Does An Internal GPS Receiver Do?

Courtesy : /images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com

The GPS receiver collects location data from satellites circling the Earth. Sony’s camcorders use this data to automatically adjust the unit’s clock to the proper time zone. Not much use if you’re filming the backyard barbeque, but certainly a convenience for international travelers.

The camcorders also use GPS data to display a map of your current location on the LCD screen. Don’t confuse these GPS camcorders with navigation devices, though.

They won’t offer point-to-point directions.

A New Way to Organize Video

Courtesy : /assets.pcmag.com

The real benefit of the GPS receiver is that it saves location data as you film. With this information, the camcorders will create a map on the LCD display with icons marking all of the locations where you shot video. Rather than search for saved video files by time or date, you can use this “Map Index” function to find your videos by location.

When you’ve transferred your video to a computer, Sony’s Picture Motion Browser (PMB) software will automatically merge the location data from the GPS receiver with the appropriate video clips and then plot those clips on a map as tiny thumbnail images. Click on a thumbnail in a given location, and you can view the video you filmed there. Think of it as new way to organize and visualize your saved video files.

Can You Geotag Videos Like Photos?

Courtesy : redhensystems-1634.kxcdn.com

Not quite. When you geotag a digital photograph, you embed location data inside the photo file itself. This way, when you upload photos to websites like Flickr, the GPS data goes with it and you’re able to use Flickr’s mapping tool to view your photos on a map.

With these camcorders, the GPS data cannot be embedded into the video file. If you were to upload video to Flickr, the GPS data would stay behind on the computer. The only way to plot your videos on a map is on your personal computer with Sony’s software. That’s definitely a limitation.

Do You Need a GPS Camcorder?

Courtesy :nerdtechy.com

If you’re a very active traveler who’s comfortable working with video files on a computer, the added functionality made possible by GPS technology is definitely beneficial. For casual users, GPS alone shouldn’t motivate you to buy these camcorders.

The true promise of GPS inside a camcorder will be realized when you can embed the GPS data inside the video file itself. Then you’ll be able to avail yourself to third party applications and websites that support location organizing and the mapping of videos.

Share on Read Full Story
What To Expect From The Software That’s Packaged In Your Camcorder
by Leland Richardson on 0

What To Expect From The Software That’s Packaged In Your Camcorder

If you just bought a camcorder, the manufacturer has put the default software in it to use video editing. Even though it is simple, it is enough to help you edit the video that you take.

These days, you’re just as likely to view your camcorder videos on a computer as on a TV (if not more so.) That’s why every camcorder is packaged with some basic video software that will let you perform some routine tasks with your camcorder video. Here’s what you can expect:

Basic Editing

Courtesy:http://reneescheltema.com

While you shouldn’t expect to edit your Hollywood blockbuster on the included software, the basic editing features are usually there – some color corrections, trimming, along with the ability to add titles and transition effects.

Sharing

Whether you want to post your videos to Facebook or YouTube or send them to friends and family via email, the software included in your camcorder usually contains tools for Web sharing.

Transcoding

Courtesy : www.wowza.com

If you want to watch your home movies on DVD, smartphone, portable media players or even a PlayStation Portable, you may need to transcode your video – i.e. turn it into a file format that can be recognized by these devices. Most bundled software will have an option to output your video file for viewing on various platforms.

Organize

The more videos and photos you record with your camcorder, the harder it is to keep track of all your digital files. Included software will offer a basic organizer that will let you keep track of your ever-growing digital library.

DVD Burning:  One of the most routine tasks you’ll need to perform with your camcorder’s software is burning an archival disk of your footage (read about how to archive your camcorder videos here). If it does nothing else, your software should allow you to burn DVDs of your home movies.

Perform Specialized Tasks: Some high-end camcorder features can only be accessed through specialized software applications not found on off-the-shelf software.

Sony’s GPS camcorders are a case in point: you can only access map views and “geo-tagging” if you use the company’s included software to organize your files.

Built-in Software

There’s a growing trend among camcorders (particularly pocket camcorders) to ditch the CD-Rom and load their software directly into the camcorder itself. The software will typically install itself on your computer the first time you connect the camcorder to the computer. The virtue with the built-in approach is that you can upgrade computer (of suffer a hard drive wipe out) without worrying about losing your software.

Share on Read Full Story
Four Things Every Camcorder Owner Should Do With Their Video
by Leland Richardson on 0

Four Things Every Camcorder Owner Should Do With Their Video

Everyone could have their own channel now since youtube was launched. This is good for camera video business, especially camcorder. You could get clearer video especially with the developing of the quality of camcorder video.

We tend to put a lot of thought into what kind of camcorder we want or we focus (if you will) on the event we’re recording. But what comes next – what you do with those videos when you’re done with them – is just as important. Here are four things every camcorder owner should do with their videos:

Keep them organized

Between our phones, cameras and camcorders, we’re amassing more digital files than ever. That means that staying organized is a priority. To ensure you know where your videos are when you need them, you need to create (and stick to) a simple organizational plan. It should start with immediately transferring videos from your camcorder to your computer. Letting videos pile up on the camcorder’s memory is a recipe for disorganization (and disaster – you could lose the camcorder or drop it in the toilet).

Clearly label your folders with relevant information

The next step is to clearly label your folders with relevant information regarding the videos they contain – including date and location. You needn’t rename individual video files, per se, but containing folders need to be clearly labeled and all stored in the same place. Wherever possible, it’s better to use software to transfer your videos onto your PC or Mac. Video software (either the program that shipped with your camcorder or a third party application) offers more tools for organizing videos, such as the ability to tag your files with location or personal data.

Share them

With the proliferation of video-sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo, it’s never been easier to share your video, even your high definition or 3D video, with friends and family no matter where in the world they live.

You can create personal pages on a number of online sites to host your videos and invite friends and family by email to let them view your movies. Or, make the pages public and let the world in on the fun. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter are getting increasingly video-friendly.

You can also share them via email.

Most camcorders ship with software that will enable you to email video clips, including the option to resize (i.e. shrink) your video down to a reasonable size, so they won’t clog your recipients inbox. Free software, such as Google’s Picasa, can also do the trick.

There are also conventional ways to share – such as viewing on a TV, either via a direct connection from your camcorder to the TV (via A/V or HDMI cable) or by burning your video to disk. In this digital era, many media players, such as the Boxee or TiVo, can display any videos stored on a home network on your TV, bypassing the need to either connect your camcorder to your set or burn DVDs. Be warned, though, that streaming HD video on a home network can tax older wireless networks.

You can also project videos from your camcorder using a pico-projector (some camcorders are now being built with their own projectors as well).

Create: If you cringe at the thought of video editing, you’re in good company. It can be a laborious process. Fortunately, there are several software programs, and online tools, that can automatically blend still photos and HD video from your camcorder into a multimedia show that can be uploaded to YouTube (or Facebook, or Vimeo, etc.) or shared via email. Services such as Animoto and software like Muvee Reveal offer a very straightforward approach to video product – with a few drag and drop effects, captions and titles standing between yourself and a professional-looking video creation.

Back them up

Courtesy : www.aiseesoft.com

This is, without a doubt, the most important step. Many newer camcorder owners, and especially pocket camcorder owners, likely save their videos directly to a hard drive. If you’re among them, your videos are in jeopardy. Hard drives won’t last all that long. If you only store your videos on a hard drive, you risk losing them all in one catastrophic hard drive crash. Consider purchasing an external hard drive or using a cloud storage service (or, ideally, both) to save your videos to. (You can learn more about archiving your videos here.) Suffice it to say that you should immediately created duplicate copies of your videos files on an external drive and/or cloud service right after you transfer those videos to your computer. Future generations will thank you.

Share on Read Full Story
How to make Fractals
by David Burgess on 0

How to make Fractals

Fractals are beautiful computer generated images

Make your own unique images for use as wall paper on your computer desktop, as background art on web pages or simply to enjoy.

Fractals are drawn by your computer with a little help from advanced mathematics. The great thing is, you can easily create your own fractals without understanding math. Fractal images can be made by you self by the use of easy-to-use, free computer programs.

This easy guide helps you on your way to fractal heaven.

Fractals – the basics

calculating the image

Fractals are generated by calculating a complex mathematical formula. Each point is checked for how fast it goes to infinity. The result is mapped to a colour, and so the images appear.

The same formular can generate different images depending on the parameters used and the zoom level applied.

There are a lot of different formulas, all giving different, fantastic looking images.

Fractals are rooted in chaos theory, and because of their unpredictable (not really, but they look unpredictable) nature they are great for organic looking artwork and landscapes.

Enjoy these images

Large enough for use as images

Make your own fractals

Fractal creation is a fun challenge for programmers. So several programs exist to make your own fractals.
See the link list below and try out the different programs. If you don’t know where to start, try ChaosPro! It is free, easy to use, and generates many different types of fractals.

Find and download software for fractal generation

there is plenty of software to draw fractals
Here are links to sites that offer software for making fractals, much of this software is free. Take a look at the programs, and cast a vote on the one you like best.
You can even submit a link, if I forgot one. The link needs approval by me, but I’ll get to it soon.

More fractals

Big enough for wallpapers


Books on fractals

here is where you can lean even more about these amazing images
Fractals are based in mathematics. So there is of course many books on the subject. Some deal with the theoric background and others just explore the beauty of the images.

And then some fractals

you can download them as wallpapers

Share on Read Full Story