LEARNING HOW TO USE ILLUSTRATOR

Whereas Photoshop is used for editing photos, Adobe Illustrator is great for graphic art and abstract art. This program creates and edits vector images, pictures that maintain clarity no matter how much you zoom in on them. Using vector format allows one to print both an advertising flyer and a billboard sign using the same file. With Illustrator, there are no blocky or blurred edges. Listed below are a few websites for learning how to use vector editing software, especially Illustrator.

N.Design Studio

Vectortuts+

Tutvid Illustrator

LEARNING HOW TO USE PHOTOSHOP

Adobe Photoshop is a very powerful and versatile program. The possible uses range from removing red-eye on family photos to creating lightsaber effects. There are so many tools and effects available to the user! But Photoshop's strength is also its weakness. Having so many features (for over $600 it ought to have lots of features) can cause bewilderment for new users (and even experienced ones!). Fortunately there are plenty of helpful tutorials to be found that can illuminate the method of creating whatever effect you want. Below are a few websites worth visiting if you want learn how to use this impressive software. If Photoshop CS5 is too expensive, then Photoshop Elements is a good alternative. It has many of the same features but wears a much friendlier price tag.

Psdtuts+

Photoshop Essentials

Photoshop Lady

Tutvid Photoshop

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL—GOT TECH?

Today is the first of many in the new school year. As Eric Schmidt has recently pointed out, many schools have yet to fully integrate computer science into their curricula. Technology has the potential to greatly improve students' education, and computer literacy is an increasingly common job requirement. It seems that students must take the initiative in making technology part of their education. A technology progress checklist and list of ideas are provided at Dangerously Irrelevant. Students can now use software to take notes. There is an iPhone app for keeping track of homework assignments. There is even a planner/agenda app that is designed by students. A website can also manage class schedules. As demonstrated in a new commercial, the iPad can facilitate a highly interactive learning experience. Textbooks are much less of a burden when carried in PDF format. In these ways and many more, technology can improve students' learning experiences. 

 

DIY COMPUTER ANIMATIONS AND VIDEO GAMES

Have you ever watched a Pixar film and wished you could have a go at making CG animations? Do you aspire to becoming a video game developer, but you lack the resources to gain any experience? Blender might be just what you need. It is a 3D computer graphics program which is free and open-source. All you need is a reasonably fast computer and internet connection. This software is capable of building 3D models, rendering artwork, making animations, running user-created video games and simulations, and more. A diligent user's creations are only limited by imagination, and, in some cases, computing power. In commercial applications Blender has been used to make advertisements, short films, and was even used by the storyboard department of Spider-Man 2. The experience acquired from using this program can be invaluable if you are pursuing a career in the film/animation or video game industries. Learning to use Blender takes some time, but there is a lot of support via the Blender community. Users who are highly skilled often create tutorials to share their knowledge. Not only is the software free, but getting educated in how to use it is free, too. Below is a screenshot of Blender followed by a few short films.

Blender (software)

“Esign 2”

“Elephants Dream”

“Sintel” (some violence and blood)