So far I have given you a break down of what I need overall, and most of the system specifics. Today, I am going to run down the rest of the build.

Component #6: Power Supply

Part of planning for it is getting enough power.  New Egg has a calculator ( …

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Last time I ran through the basics of what I need.  Now it's time to really start picking components to build my system.

Component #1: Processor…

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A while back, I started a series on how to build your own PC based on my experience building my own rig.  I'm going to pick that up again, but as my build is a year and a half old at this point, I'll look at what I would build today, and what I could get off the shelf for the same price.  As I already have my gaming/graphics rig, I'll be looking at what I…

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One of the fairly unique features of this site is the granite outcropping that runs along its eastern edge. Giving a feature like this both realism and readability is something that requires multiple

layers of textures, with manual manipulation required to give it an

organic, natural feel.

I am again using a photo I took as the base for my granite material. This…

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Dirt is one material that, while rarely fully exposed, is often a base material that other elements are placed over. Many times these elements will have gaps between them where there is exposed dirt, whether it be in a mulch-less planting bed, or in areas like a dense forest as we have here. You cold also combine the dirt with another layer of material, like a scattered moss or leaf-litter, to add some depth and realism. I have used this in 3D models before with good results, but in a 2D…

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As it is with many things, my technique for turf, and the similar techniques I use for other materials, were born of other needs. Namely, I hated the way my turf looked in 3D renderings. You could use a created texture, but it never looked organic. You could use a photo, but you got TERRIBLE tiling effects. You could do a slight color overlay to soften the impact of the tiling, but the color was always off, and you would lose to much of the internal texture. I tried all of these, before…

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When starting a digital rendering, just like with a hand rendering, the first step is always to create the lines you are going to render within. Generally people use lines directly taken from AutoCAD for digital renderings as these are the "cleanest" lines, and allow for some shortcuts such as exporting each area as its own file.

This method, which I have used often, involves turning every layer off…

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After about a week and a half of fine tuning techniques, taking tens of photos for reference use, and taking hundreds of screen shots, my relaunch of Tutorial Tuesday is imminent. This time, I am adding a twist to the formula. Last year, I came up with the idea of doing the tutorials based on a single project, and walking you through my process. This started with my SketchUp models. Unfortunately, soon after I began making the project model, intended to be a base for a new website, I decided…

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When you start your 3D model, you start with a cad base, just like you have for your plan graphics and for your Bid Set. However, there are some tweaks that need to be made, and things you have to pay more attention to then normal. In this tutorial I'm going to take you up to the point of bringing your model into SketchUp. Next time we will get into tweaking topo and base modeling, and then after that, the fine modeling level, and adding plants. But for now, we are focusing on the base, as… Continue

The first thing you have to figure out when you want to make a 3D model for a rendering is if you really want a 3D model rendering. This decision is similar to the question of if you want a hand rendered plan or a Photoshop plan. There are of course aesthetic reasons involved. Both can work extremely well, and look amazing, but by understanding your client, your design, and the look you will get from either method of rendering you can make the choice of which is best for you on a given… Continue

Due to some circumstances revolving around my current employment situation, I am taking a few weeks off of the Tuesday tutorial while some stuff gets sorted out. I have a few traditional posts on the burner, as well as a plan to shift to some 3D rendering tutorials for a bit, but I need to take care of some things before I can drop the needed time into them.





In the mean time, please take a look at my old tutorials, use them, abuse them, change them, and let me know what you… Continue

One of the things that most people can get to look pretty decent, but not great, is wood decking. Unlike wetlands its not one of those things that, when done wrong, looks like something fundamentally different, but being able to create a deck that really shines without spending a ton of time on it really can make a great touch.



Step 1:Paint Outside the Lines



This is a very familiar step, select and area larger then the deck itself. You need the extra room to allow… Continue

Waterfalls and streams are things that, in my opinion, can greatly effect the quality of your overall render , even if they are only a minor component of the design. Done correctly, they can add life and movement to your rendering, done wrong and they become strangely shaped pools. Today I'm going to go over my rendering techniques for these critical items. As always, feel free to use them, tweak them, or ignore them. Let me know what you think!



Streams and… Continue

"Don't get me wrong, these plans look good, but after a certain point any student can do a technically good Photoshop rendering. The key is to add something else to it. It needs some artistic flair, some of your personality to really stand out, and to really work"



That is what I heard from one interviewer while looking at my portfolio shortly after I became a "Free Agent" in August - I am, after all, not technically unemployed, as I am employed by Best Buy, but I am looking… Continue

So I came across a feature in Photoshop that I had never seen before. It is called Vanishing Point. I was new to me and I thought it might be useful to

others so I made a quick tutorial.



Vanishing Point is basically what you would expect; it allows you to move things in perspective. This can, obviously, be quite useful.



To demonstrate I am using this picture of an old greenhouse at my in-laws.

The windows have been damaged by many hurricanes over the years but it… Continue