Some free 3D software I have found

In recent days I have been on a 3d software binge. I have been looking for ways to use 3d software in my image making. While I have not yet created any images using the various software I have found - I thought I would list it here.

Autodesk offers some freebies which are professionally done and work quite nicely. There are forums and tutorials on how to use the software. Here is what I have downloaded and installed:

1) 123D Design - Create 3D printable deigns
2) 123D Catch - Turn Iphone photo into 3D model
3) Meshmixer - Design triangle meshes
4) Memento - Turns photos into 3D objects

All of these are available for PC here.

Emulsion - A photorealistic rendering studio available here.

MeshLab - A mesh processing system available here.

DS Mechanical - a 3D mechanical design package available here.

I am only just beginning to understand the possibilities of using these programs in making images - perhaps I won't use it at all - but learning about the 3D software is incredibly interesting in itself.

Free Fonts, Layouts, Textures and other Stuff

As I said in my previous post, I like free stuff, especially when it is useful. I have found the fonts and textures which are free on DealJumbo.com are of high quality. I use them in photoshop for composites made from my photos. You can have a look here. DealJumbo also has some incredible deals on paid for items. Give them a look.

Free Software for Computer and Android

I like free software. Particularly free useful software. That is what I find at Shareware on Sale which can be found here. I suppose you could search the web daily for new, free software, but why bother? Just sign up for the daily list. Download what you want, disregard the other.

I like free software for my phone too. So I signed up for Hungry for Apps available here. This site is run by the same people who do Shareware on Sale. I have picked up some neat free software for my Android devices.

I haven't had any issues with malware from the downloads at these sites. Give them a try.

Two Free Software Sites

I have always been a fan of free software. I recently have come across two excellent sites for free or almost free software. The first site is Shareware On Sale This site offers a new piece of free software almost everyday. A good many of the titles are of interest to photographers. I have downloaded resizers, pdf editors, image editors, and other interesting software. Usually, you have to download and complete the installation in the 24 hrs that the software is available. You get a valid license. Most does not come with support or upgrades. You can pay a little more to get that if you want. All that is required is that you create an account.

The second site is Bits du Jour. Again, there are many free giveaways, almost everyday. This site seems to have a broader range of titles of interest to a bigger audience. However, there are still many titles available of interest to the photographer. All that is required is that you create an account and like Bits du Jour and the software maker on Facebook. You can always change that later.

I frequently get useful software from both of these sites without issues.

Using the open source Inkscape Vector tool for Photos

Inkscape is a vector graphics editor. There are some features which I like to use on my photos. I like to use the some filter effects on my photos. I like the "drawing" filter quite a lot. You can find it at Filters-->Image effects-->Drawings. The filter has no adjustments, but I like it just as it is. Better than the PS and other similar filters. Other filters I like are pencil, and blue print. To use the filters, you must import an image into a document. With the image selected, apply the filter. Then you will need to export the image, using the File-->Import tool, and the File-->Export bitmap tool. This is a bit cumbersome, but worth it for me to use the effects.

Inkscape can also generate some interesting textures for compositing images. I have created numerous textures to use as backgrounds in my images. To do this, open a new document. Set up the document to the size you want using File-->Document Properties. Then place a square on the document to cover the whole page using the rectangle tool. Fill this rectangle with whatever color you want. While the rectangle is selected, choose Filters-->Image effects, transparent-->dots transparency. You will get a nice image like the one shown below.

Try using all the filters to create some nice free textures for your use in compositing.

Update on Faststone Image Viewer

I last wrote on FastStone Image Viewer (FIV) in 2009. You can find that post here. I still use FIV frequently in my daily life at work and home. It is a fantastic free tool. While looking at the site the other day I discovered they have some good documentation that I had overlooked before. They have a good tutorial which is downloadable as a pdf and other formats.

This goes over most of the features and is a good reference.

Another free peeling paint texture

Free peeling paint texture by Wesley Phillips

Free Peeling Paint Texture

This texture came from Maryville School in Pacolet, SC. Enjoy.

Peeling Paint 1

HiRes Grunge Backgrounds

Here a two free hi-resolution mossy stone grunge backgrounds.

Grunge1

Grunge2

Enjoy!