Equipment
Multimedia Resources
Resources
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Software
Illustrator
Illustrator is the #1 most essential tool for graphic designers today. This is mainly for the software's ability to create typography, logos, and vectors, and not for the frustratingly dumb user interface that will make you want to scream and throw things the first time you try to use it. You'll probably want to throw things the second time you use it too. On the positive side though, your graphics will look very clean and sharp.
Illustrator is the #1 most essential tool for graphic designers today. This is mainly for the software's ability to create typography, logos, and vectors, and not for the frustratingly dumb user interface that will make you want to scream and throw things the first time you try to use it. You'll probably want to throw things the second time you use it too. On the positive side though, your graphics will look very clean and sharp.
Photoshop
Photoshop is well known as the digital tool used to touch up photos ranging from selfies to cats. A lesser-known use is that it can also be used to create animated gifs. Photoshop is a great tool for editing photos or collages, but it also has potential to create completely original artwork and digital paintings. The key to mastering Photoshop is to utilize layers, opacity settings, brushes, and the magic wand background removal tool that never seems to completely get rid of that annoying pixelated edge outline.
Photoshop is well known as the digital tool used to touch up photos ranging from selfies to cats. A lesser-known use is that it can also be used to create animated gifs. Photoshop is a great tool for editing photos or collages, but it also has potential to create completely original artwork and digital paintings. The key to mastering Photoshop is to utilize layers, opacity settings, brushes, and the magic wand background removal tool that never seems to completely get rid of that annoying pixelated edge outline.
After Effects
After Effects CS6 is a video editing program, and it is probably the most user-friendly software you'll use in New Media. Despite the initial simplicity, this software is extremely versatile and has many advanced settings as well. It can be used to animate text or other 2D animation effects.
After Effects CS6 is a video editing program, and it is probably the most user-friendly software you'll use in New Media. Despite the initial simplicity, this software is extremely versatile and has many advanced settings as well. It can be used to animate text or other 2D animation effects.
Maya
Autodesk Maya 2015 is one of the top 3D animation packages today. It is also notoriously known to crash frequently and seems to thrive off the crushed dreams of aspiring animators. If you remember one thing in Maya, remember to SAVE CONSTANTLY. Also, be sure to set aside several days to to render final projects. A snail on crutches moves faster than Maya's rendering engine. Mental Ray or Pixar's Renderman are recommended add-on packages that can make your animation renders look very beautiful, but they will increase render time drastically.
Autodesk Maya 2015 is one of the top 3D animation packages today. It is also notoriously known to crash frequently and seems to thrive off the crushed dreams of aspiring animators. If you remember one thing in Maya, remember to SAVE CONSTANTLY. Also, be sure to set aside several days to to render final projects. A snail on crutches moves faster than Maya's rendering engine. Mental Ray or Pixar's Renderman are recommended add-on packages that can make your animation renders look very beautiful, but they will increase render time drastically.
Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro is another cool video editing program that notably has an audio editing tool that might be a little more intuitive to use than After Effects.
Premiere Pro is another cool video editing program that notably has an audio editing tool that might be a little more intuitive to use than After Effects.
Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver is a html editing program used to code websites. Coding websites from scratch can be a pain, but it teaches the essentials that will help you think about your layout decisions rather than just using gerneric templates.
Dreamweaver is a html editing program used to code websites. Coding websites from scratch can be a pain, but it teaches the essentials that will help you think about your layout decisions rather than just using gerneric templates.
Processing
This simplified javascript editor is taught as a general intro to programming.
This simplified javascript editor is taught as a general intro to programming.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro specializes in different generated video effects.
Final Cut Pro specializes in different generated video effects.
Text Wrangler
Text Wrangler is an html editing program used to code websites.
Text Wrangler is an html editing program used to code websites.
CoffeeCup
CoffeeCup is an alternative html editing tool that many people seem to like.
Brackets
An html editor that allows you to see automatic updates in an open browser window.
In-Design
In-Design is used to create multiple-page layouts for pamphlets or books and such.
Google Drive
Free cloud storage and file sharing for group projects
Audacity
Audacity is a free audio editing program
Handbrake
Handbrake is a video compression tool that will make your video files much smaller. Please use it, since professors don't like getting enormous project submissions in their dropbox and they will just ask you to resubmit if your file exceeds 18GB.
ToonBoom
A 2D animation program
A 2D animation program
Mudbox
Mudbox is a 3D modeling program used to create much more detailed high-poly 3D models than Maya. It is good for sculpting naturalistic folds and textures or detailed landscapes.
Zbrush
Zbrush is similar to mudbox, but with more features and a little more of a learning curve. Learning this program is not required, but it is strongly recommended for anyone who wants to work in the 3D modeling trade.
3DS Max
3DS Max is another 3D animation program not covered in the New Media curriculum. It has a slightly better modeling toolset than Maya, but isn't quite as adept at rigging or animation.
Unity
Unity is a game engine. It isn't taught in New Media, but for anyone interested in game design, this software is a good place to start.
Unity is a game engine. It isn't taught in New Media, but for anyone interested in game design, this software is a good place to start.
Inkscape
A freeware vector editing program similar to Illustrator
A freeware vector editing program similar to Illustrator
Gimp
A freeware program similar to Photoshop
A freeware program similar to Photoshop
Quicktime 7 Pro
This can be used to compile rendered frames into a short video
This can be used to compile rendered frames into a short video
Autodesk Sketchbook Pro
A drawing program
A drawing program
Netbeans
A Java development platform
A Java development platform
Sublime
An html editor
An html editor
SpeedGrade
A color correction tool that is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud
A color correction tool that is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud
Arduino
Generally used in conjunction with simple robotics programming
Generally used in conjunction with simple robotics programming
Nuke
A powerful rendering engine used in the animation industry
A powerful rendering engine used in the animation industry
Mocha Pro
A program used for visual effects and post corrections, specifically planar and motion tracking, rotoscoping, and masking
A program used for visual effects and post corrections, specifically planar and motion tracking, rotoscoping, and masking
Supplimental Installed Software
Adobe Creative Suite 6
Adobe Flash Plugin
Adobe Shockwave Plugin
Scanner software (Canon 9000F, Mark II)
Printer software - HP 4240N and HP 3800DN
Eclipse
Fetch
Firefox
Flip Player
Google Chrome
Greenfoot
iWork
Jiggler
Max Runtime
Octave
Opera
Pd
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Silverlight
Real Player
SketchUp
TextEdit
VLC
Wacom driver
Xcode
Quarts composer
Additional Tools
Many of these programs are available to students for free non-commercial use student-licenses. All of these programs will require additional practice and tutorial videos outside of class if you really want to improve at using them.
For more software options and technical details on programs, check out the Resources Page.
If you are having difficulty with a program, check out the Multimedia Resources Page for help.