Now streaming...
We are now watching my live lessons on your OWN screens in class using Google Meet. When instructed, click on the icon.
Links to Outside Information
These are semi-official links to the apps and websites we have used throughout the year. By no means complete, these links can help you fill out your portfolio or simply be the starting point to learn more information
2024 - 25 Instructions - Signing Into Adobe Creative Cloud.pdfCool Portfolio Trick - the One-Click Download Link
Creating a one-click download of a shared Google Drive file is easy. First, get the shared link. Then, find the part of the link between the ...file/d/ and the next / ---- this is the file ID. For example, the green text in this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ot9lAJU1G6i6h3Qan3DdJSxpShLW6Hrd/view?usp=drive_link
You just copy and paste that file ID to the end of this:
drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=
 and use THAT as you link for people to click and download without any extra steps:
drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1Ot9lAJU1G6i6h3Qan3DdJSxpShLW6Hrd
Free Sound Files
There are many "free" places to get music and sound, but not that many that give you the "Download" option without making you create an account of some sort that are also not blocked at school. If you find one, send email Mr. Hicks a link (and their logo image, if you don't mind) so it can be added here! Likewise, if one of these is not working, let me know so I can remove it. WAV and MP3 are two formats for sound files, but if given the option choose MP3 since the files are much smaller and you won't need to convert anything.
Here are some sites that may be blocked at school but if you are at home, you can find what you need, upload it to your Google Drive or OneDrive account online and then get it here at school. I like that method better than emailing it to yourself.
Windows Won't Open My File!
Sometimes Windows gets confused - in this case, upgrading Photoshop caused existing PSD files to be opened by Notepad, showing nothing but text. Right-Click and choose "Open With"... if you check the "Always open with" box and find the right program, the confusion is cleared up and the files will now open correctly.Â
230821 Week 1 Workspace Modifications.mp4Starting Out on a Fresh Computer
If you are starting with a "fresh" computer, whether as a new student, new period or different computer, there are a number of things to customize in the Windows environment in order to be more effective and efficient. Clean up your taskbar, disable Teams, sign in to OneDrive, etc.
230821 Useful Background and File Explorer Defaults.mp4Required Changes @ New Computer
All students need a desktop background that is useful. Ours has a checklist of daily requirements and keyboard shortcuts. File Explorer options also need to be changed so that Quick Access will no longer trick users into thinking they know where their files are.
An alternate pathway to working with 3D is available for students who find fractal mathematics interesting, fully understand keyframing and can export from Adobe Premiere. This free and tiny program was discovered in 2009 and STILL looks like it must have been written in the future. ;-)
Fractal Animation Professional
Julius Horthus is one of the premiere MandelBulb3D animator. His groundbreaking videos from 10 years ago inspired me to dig into this amazing world - he just created this update in 4K that will more than entertain you.
Blasts From the Past
Historic Ancient Compilation
Fractal Noise Clouds
Sketchup Castles Compilation
Random Cool Tutorial
Professional Results from Eevee
First of all, Blender Guru is a hero of mine, no joke. Secondly, what he teaches here cannot be found anywhere else on the internet. Thirdly, it's just plain awesome to get Cycles-quality renders at the speed of Eevee, so I had to save this tutorial.