Computer Graphics Resources
Are you wanting to learn computer graphics? Would you like to become a Photoshop pro? Do you want to do great computer graphics, but can't afford Photoshop?
If you want to learn computer graphics, you have two great choices to learn computer graphics. Everyone is familiar with Photoshop. But did you know that there is a great computer graphics program you can get for free? It's a great program called GIMP.
Whether you are using the phenomenal Photoshop or the great GIMP, you can learn to make great computer graphics. With these resources, you can learn to retouch photos, create cutouts, design web graphics, and a lot more.
If you want to learn computer graphics, you have two great choices to learn computer graphics. Everyone is familiar with Photoshop. But did you know that there is a great computer graphics program you can get for free? It's a great program called GIMP.
Whether you are using the phenomenal Photoshop or the great GIMP, you can learn to make great computer graphics. With these resources, you can learn to retouch photos, create cutouts, design web graphics, and a lot more.
Table of Contents
- Learn Computer Graphics on Photoshop
- Great Books To Learn Photoshop
- Learn Computer Graphics Using GIMP
- Great Books to Learn GIMP
- Computer Graphics and Image Editing Programs
- Autodesk Maya -- 3D modeling and Rendering
- Great Books for Learning 3D Graphics using Maya
- 3D Graphics Using Blender 3D
- Great Books to 3D Graphics Using Blender
- 3D Computer Graphics Programs
- New Guestbook
Learn Computer Graphics on Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is the powerhouse of the computer graphics industry. It is the standard by which all others are measured. Whether you want to retouch photographs or paint a digital picture, this is the program used most by professionals.
But as powerful as it is, the program has a lot of features. Some may be obscure and rarely used. All can allow you to do some pretty amazing things if you know how to use them.
Here, I've collected 3 resources that I believe can help anyone to learn how to use Photoshop.
Photoshop Magic for Newbies
The first program is Photoshop Magic for Newbies. Photoshop Magic for Newbies is targeted mainly to portrait and wedding photographers. Fabian Barajas, the creator of the program, created 10 videos. In these videos, you can learn Digital Makeovers, Color Sepia Tints, Painting Effects, Magazine Covers, Black/White/Color tints, Creating and Editing Picture Packages, Digital Picture Frames, and Corrective Glamor Editing. If you're looking for tutorials that focus on photography, Photoshop Magic for Newbies is a great place to start.
Photoshop in a Day
The Photoshop in a Day is another great system to learn computer graphics. It is an e-book manual you can store on your computer and access whenever you have the time to work on it. Photoshop in a Day covers all the features of Photoshop and works with CS3 and earlier versions. Learn how to use layers, curves, the gradient tool, all of the painting tools, and so much more. If you want a comprehensive manual, this is the choice for you.
Graphics Champ
Are you looking for a video series that has it all? Do you want to learn how to use Photoshop to create web graphics, retouch photos, design book covers, and a lot more? Then Graphics Champ is the system for you. Learn to create web sites and logos, cut out backgrounds, fix and touch up pictures, create corporate seals, ecovers, and advertisements and design tshirts. If you want to be a graphic designer, this is the course for you.
Check out one of these great programs, and start learning Photoshop today!
But as powerful as it is, the program has a lot of features. Some may be obscure and rarely used. All can allow you to do some pretty amazing things if you know how to use them.
Here, I've collected 3 resources that I believe can help anyone to learn how to use Photoshop.
Photoshop Magic for Newbies
The first program is Photoshop Magic for Newbies. Photoshop Magic for Newbies is targeted mainly to portrait and wedding photographers. Fabian Barajas, the creator of the program, created 10 videos. In these videos, you can learn Digital Makeovers, Color Sepia Tints, Painting Effects, Magazine Covers, Black/White/Color tints, Creating and Editing Picture Packages, Digital Picture Frames, and Corrective Glamor Editing. If you're looking for tutorials that focus on photography, Photoshop Magic for Newbies is a great place to start.
Photoshop in a Day
The Photoshop in a Day is another great system to learn computer graphics. It is an e-book manual you can store on your computer and access whenever you have the time to work on it. Photoshop in a Day covers all the features of Photoshop and works with CS3 and earlier versions. Learn how to use layers, curves, the gradient tool, all of the painting tools, and so much more. If you want a comprehensive manual, this is the choice for you.
Graphics Champ
Are you looking for a video series that has it all? Do you want to learn how to use Photoshop to create web graphics, retouch photos, design book covers, and a lot more? Then Graphics Champ is the system for you. Learn to create web sites and logos, cut out backgrounds, fix and touch up pictures, create corporate seals, ecovers, and advertisements and design tshirts. If you want to be a graphic designer, this is the course for you.
Check out one of these great programs, and start learning Photoshop today!
Great Books To Learn Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a Book
Amazon Price: $34.64 (as of 11/15/2009) 
Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers: A Professional Image Editor's Guide to the Creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC
Amazon Price: $26.97 (as of 11/15/2009)
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book
Amazon Price: $34.64 (as of 11/15/2009)
The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers
Amazon Price: $34.64 (as of 11/15/2009)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 Classroom in a Book (Book & CD-ROM)
Amazon Price: $29.69 (as of 11/15/2009)
Learn Computer Graphics Using GIMP
Ever heard of GIMP? Unless you've already searched for an open source image editor or are using a version of Linux, odds are, you might not. So what is GIMP? GIMP stands for the General (or some might say Gnu) Image Manipulation Program.
What can GIMP do? Well, it can create or modify any rasterized image. What does that mean? Put simply, it means that GIMP can manipulate any image that is in a pixel format. While it can't edit vector graphics, if the vector graphic is "rasterzed", or turned into pixels, then GIMP can work with it.
How does that help you? All photographs taken with a digital camera are already in a pixel format. That makes GIMP great for photo retouching. But it also has plenty of other tools that make it a great paint program too.
Want to know the best part? Because GIMP is Open Source, you can download it FREE!!! To learn more about GIMP, you should visit their website, Gimp.org. You can learn more about the features of GIMP and get a copy for yourself there.
But, I will tell you, the interface for GIMP takes some getting used to. And it has almost as many features as Photoshop. That makes GIMP an affordable alternative for someone just learning or on a budget. Though you can use many of the same techniques of Photoshop in GIMP, it can take some time to master the program. Here are a few programs that can help.
Graphic Videos
Learn computer grahics using GIMP with Graphic Videos. This course contains 12 videos that take you through installation, learning the interface, using text, removing objects from a photograph, and more. Learn how to manipulate your images with ease with these great videos.
Master The Gimp
With more than 20 videos, Master the GIMP will be able to get you up to speed whether you are a brand new beginner or someone who has done computer graphics for years. This course even offers videos on how to create Web 2.0 graphics and how to use Script-fu to make your work easier. Learn GIMP with this program and start building graphics for your pages today.
The GIMP Video Lessons
Learning the GIMP can make it easier to build your website. The GIMP Video Lessons shows you how you can create stunning web graphics to use on your web page. Learn how to create banners, buy now buttons, use special effects on your web page, and more. See how you can create your own professional website graphics in minutes.
Check out one of these great resources and start learning how to create your own computer graphics today.
What can GIMP do? Well, it can create or modify any rasterized image. What does that mean? Put simply, it means that GIMP can manipulate any image that is in a pixel format. While it can't edit vector graphics, if the vector graphic is "rasterzed", or turned into pixels, then GIMP can work with it.
How does that help you? All photographs taken with a digital camera are already in a pixel format. That makes GIMP great for photo retouching. But it also has plenty of other tools that make it a great paint program too.
Want to know the best part? Because GIMP is Open Source, you can download it FREE!!! To learn more about GIMP, you should visit their website, Gimp.org. You can learn more about the features of GIMP and get a copy for yourself there.
But, I will tell you, the interface for GIMP takes some getting used to. And it has almost as many features as Photoshop. That makes GIMP an affordable alternative for someone just learning or on a budget. Though you can use many of the same techniques of Photoshop in GIMP, it can take some time to master the program. Here are a few programs that can help.
Graphic Videos
Learn computer grahics using GIMP with Graphic Videos. This course contains 12 videos that take you through installation, learning the interface, using text, removing objects from a photograph, and more. Learn how to manipulate your images with ease with these great videos.
Master The Gimp
With more than 20 videos, Master the GIMP will be able to get you up to speed whether you are a brand new beginner or someone who has done computer graphics for years. This course even offers videos on how to create Web 2.0 graphics and how to use Script-fu to make your work easier. Learn GIMP with this program and start building graphics for your pages today.
The GIMP Video Lessons
Learning the GIMP can make it easier to build your website. The GIMP Video Lessons shows you how you can create stunning web graphics to use on your web page. Learn how to create banners, buy now buttons, use special effects on your web page, and more. See how you can create your own professional website graphics in minutes.
Check out one of these great resources and start learning how to create your own computer graphics today.
Great Books to Learn GIMP
Beginning GIMP: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition
Amazon Price: $31.49 (as of 11/15/2009)
Gimp 2 for Photographers: Image Editing with Open Source Software
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/15/2009)
GIMP User Manual: GNU Image Manipulation Program : Photo Retouching, Image Composition and Image Authoring
Amazon Price: $30.05 (as of 11/15/2009)
GIMP: The Story Behind the Star of Murderball
Amazon Price: $5.58 (as of 11/15/2009)
Gimp: The Official Handbook: Learn the Ins and Outs of Gimp from the Masters Who Wrote the GIMP User's Manual on The Web
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
Computer Graphics and Image Editing Programs
![Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 [OLD VERSION]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vqDZb1A1L._SL75_.jpg)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 [OLD VERSION]
Amazon Price: $72.99 (as of 11/15/2009)
Adobe Photoshop CS4
Amazon Price: $642.49 (as of 11/15/2009)
Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate
Amazon Price: $53.99 (as of 11/15/2009)
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X4
Amazon Price: $227.99 (as of 11/15/2009)
Autodesk Maya -- 3D modeling and Rendering
An area of computer graphics I've recently been exploring and having a lot of fun with is 3D graphics. These are computer graphics that are modeled in a "3D" workspace, given textures and colors, then rendered into images.
One tool used to make many of the video games and in a lot of movies is Autodesk's Maya. This program has been around for years, though it has changed hands a few times. It is considered one of the best on the market.
The biggest drawback to this program is that it is very expensive. Buying this program can cost thousands of dollars. For most individuals, that can make this program out of their budget.
Fortunately, if you want to learn how to use the program, you can go to their website and get the personal learning edition. The PLE version is a great way to get to learn how to use Maya. But all the features may not be available and you can't use some of the add ons that really make Maya powerful. Also, the render gets a ghosting image, making it unusable for commercial purposes.
Still, Maya can be a great way to learn how to do 3D computer graphics.
One tool used to make many of the video games and in a lot of movies is Autodesk's Maya. This program has been around for years, though it has changed hands a few times. It is considered one of the best on the market.
The biggest drawback to this program is that it is very expensive. Buying this program can cost thousands of dollars. For most individuals, that can make this program out of their budget.
Fortunately, if you want to learn how to use the program, you can go to their website and get the personal learning edition. The PLE version is a great way to get to learn how to use Maya. But all the features may not be available and you can't use some of the add ons that really make Maya powerful. Also, the render gets a ghosting image, making it unusable for commercial purposes.
Still, Maya can be a great way to learn how to do 3D computer graphics.
Great Books for Learning 3D Graphics using Maya
Learning 3D computer graphics can be difficult. Here are some great resources for learning how to use Maya to create 3D graphics.
Learning Autodesk Maya 2008, (Official Autodesk Training Guide, includes DVD): Foundation
Amazon Price: $44.09 (as of 11/15/2009)
Learning Autodesk Maya 2008, (Official Autodesk Training Guide, includes DVD): The Modeling & Animation Handbook
Amazon Price: $44.09 (as of 11/15/2009)
Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right
Amazon Price: $31.49 (as of 11/15/2009)
Advanced Maya Texturing and Lighting
Amazon Price: $37.79 (as of 11/15/2009)
Mastering Maya 8.5
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
3D Graphics Using Blender 3D
Obtaining Autodesk's Maya to do 3d graphics can be very expensive. Fortunately, there is an open source program that is very good for doing 3d Graphics that is free.
Blender is a powerful program for doing 3D graphics. It is available on many platforms and can be obtained for free.
At one time, Blender was used in a professional setting. But, when another company bought the company that made Blender, they decided they did not want to continue to develop the program. The program creators then lobbied to get the rights to the program so they could make it available for development. After obtaining the funds they needed, the released Blender to the open source community where it has gained much favor and support.
Though the interface is a little confusing and can be a little difficult to learn, Blender is a very powerful program able to create images that look every bit as real as images created with the more expensive Maya.
With a rendering add-on called Yafray, images can approach near photographic quality. Yafray is an add on program that provides ray tracing, a complex algorithm that "emits" light from the source and determines how that light wave would bounce, bend, and reflect as it moves through the scene.
Blender allows you to model, create textures, emit particles, and many other tricks to help create images. It has a sequence editor that can allow you to put pieces of of animation together. And this is only the beginning.
Blender is a powerful program that can be difficult to learn. But it can produce images of a high quality and can be used for any type of task.
Blender is a powerful program for doing 3D graphics. It is available on many platforms and can be obtained for free.
At one time, Blender was used in a professional setting. But, when another company bought the company that made Blender, they decided they did not want to continue to develop the program. The program creators then lobbied to get the rights to the program so they could make it available for development. After obtaining the funds they needed, the released Blender to the open source community where it has gained much favor and support.
Though the interface is a little confusing and can be a little difficult to learn, Blender is a very powerful program able to create images that look every bit as real as images created with the more expensive Maya.
With a rendering add-on called Yafray, images can approach near photographic quality. Yafray is an add on program that provides ray tracing, a complex algorithm that "emits" light from the source and determines how that light wave would bounce, bend, and reflect as it moves through the scene.
Blender allows you to model, create textures, emit particles, and many other tricks to help create images. It has a sequence editor that can allow you to put pieces of of animation together. And this is only the beginning.
Blender is a powerful program that can be difficult to learn. But it can produce images of a high quality and can be used for any type of task.
Great Books to 3D Graphics Using Blender
Learning to use Blender is difficult. These are some books that can help you learn how to use the program.
The Essential Blender: Guide to 3D Creation with the Open Source Suite Blender
Amazon Price: $29.67 (as of 11/15/2009)
Blender 3D Architecture, Buildings, and Scenery: Create photorealistic 3D architectural visualizations of buildings, interiors, and environmental scenery
Amazon Price: $35.79 (as of 11/15/2009)
Introducing Character Animation with Blender
Amazon Price: $26.39 (as of 11/15/2009)
Bounce, Tumble, and Splash!: Simulating the Physical World with Blender 3D
Amazon Price: $31.49 (as of 11/15/2009)
The Official Blender GameKit: Interactive 3D for Artists
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
3D Computer Graphics Programs
Autodesk Maya 2009 Unlimited
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
Poser Pro
Amazon Price: $422.49 (as of 11/15/2009)
Bryce 6
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
LightWave 3D 7.5 Windows/Mac Duo-Dongle
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
3DS Max 6.0 (Discreet)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/15/2009)
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