1. Design & Illustration

Design & Illustration Learning Guides

Discover our selections of the best free design tutorials on a range of topics, all in one place. If you want to brush up your Photoshop skills or learn a new piece of software like Adobe XD, you’ll find learning guides here to help you do that. Or maybe you want something more specialised, like learning how to draw textures or how to paint hair. We’ve got guides to help you with that too.

Just browse through the list and click on a topic that interests you to discover more and to find links to our hand-picked selection of free tutorials, designed to teach you that new skill or software as easily and enjoyably as possible.

  1. Model a Photorealistic Boss Tu-2 FX Pedal in Modo

    2 Posts
    In this two-part series, you'll learn how to model the Boss Tu-2 FX pedal using Luxology Modo 302. Taking advantage of Modo’s workflow enhancing tool-set, the model will be highly-detailed, and suitable for close up renders from any angle. These tutorials can also be used as a crash course in using Modo for product design work.
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  2. An Introduction to 3D Studio Max: Polygonal Modeling

    2 Posts
    Of all of the high-end 3D apps on the market, 3D Studio Max is by far one of the most powerful. It is however, also one of the most complex and daunting programs to learn. In this two part tutorial series, professional video game artist Kaleb Aylsworth, will give you a detailed introduction to 3D Studio Max, as it pertains to polygonal modeling and the video game industry.
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  3. Next-Gen Weapon Creation

    4 Posts
    Creating effective weapons for next-generation games, requires detailed knowledge of a variety of very specific skills and tools. In this series, you'll build a high-poly knife model using 3ds Max. And then learn how to cleverly reverse engineer it to create a second low poly version, that you'll later use for UVMapping, Baking and Texture Creation. The final result will be a robust, ready to use, next-gen asset.
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  4. 3ds Max 2010: Graphite Modeling Tools

    2 Posts
    3ds Max 2010 introduces a vast array of new tools and features, not the least of which, are the new Graphite Modeling Tools. In this two part video tutorial series, professional game environment artist, Kaleb Aylsworth, will walk you through all of these new tools, and show you how to use them effectively in a practical, every day workflow.
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  5. Photorealistic USB Cable with Maya and Mental Ray

    2 Posts
    In this series you'll go through the process of modeling and rendering a photo-realistic USB cable in Autodesk Maya. You will also learn to use Mental Ray, along with the new architectural materials, render layers, and Photoshop, to create a fast, accurate, photo-realistic depth of field.
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  6. Texturing a Human Face

    2 Posts
    In this two hour, multi-part video tutorial, you'll follow professional Game artist and teacher, Dan Cox, as he provides insight into his thought process and workflow when unwrapping and texturing a human face. The techniques and theories that Dan teaches here can be used in either video game, or film work.
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