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Lyx

Mel — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:00:03 +0000

Lyx is a free word document processor that takes the pain out of formatting your documents. Unlike other word processors that require you to do a lot of formatting, this one, created by the Lyx development team has taken care to make sure everything looks great from the start. Not only that, this program is also packed with some sweet features.

Lyx has a lot features ranging from math and science to creating documents, tables, and graphics. You can import Word, RTF, html ASCII, PDF, LaTEX, Postscript and many more. You can also send a fax from within the program. Lyx supports change tracking and it can compare different document versions plus you can make virtual sticky notes, perfect when you want to jot something down quickly.

One of the program�s biggest strengths, however, is in it’s structured document creation. If you�re creating long complex documents you will find features like bibliography, index, references, and labels very useful. Of course standard features like spell checking, cut/paste, opening multiple documents, undo, redo revision tracking and thesaurus can all be found here as well.

If those features are not enough, Lyx has support for different text classes so you can type LinuxDoc, presentations, movie scripts books, articles, letters and more. In addition, text classes for sciences societies are supported as well. Speaking of science, you can enter equations via point and click and it has a powerful math formula editor as well. Algebra systems are supported as well as algorithms, customizable math macro, equation numbering, and arrays and a whole lot more.

While Lyx�s set of features may seem intimidating it really isn�t since its graphical user interface is very intuitive and the menus clearly show where the functions are.

Related Links:
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Wings 3D

Mel — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:00:10 +0000

Mention 3D graphics and people think of programs that cost in the thousands of dollars. However, Wings 3D is a powerful modeler that is totally free. It was created by Bj�rn Gustavsson, Dan Gudmundsson and the rest of the Wings 3D Development Team.

It�s a sophisticated program, capable of modeling human figures, creatures, vehicles, and so on. The program uses a graphical interface instead of icons. You use the keyboard and mouse to change an object�s geometry. Four selection modes are available: Body, Face, Edge and Vertex. Make no mistake about it; Wings 3D has a lot of tools. Each mode comes with its own set of modelers and editors. Its auto-UV feature makes adding textures easy.

There are a lot of mesh and selection tools plus lights, materials and colors. You can export objects as OBJ and other popular formats. Standard features include weld, cut, bridge, bevel, extrude and rotate among others. Advanced features include inset, shear, bend, intersect, circularize etc. You can use its Smooth Preview to assess your model. Other advanced tools like sculpt, tweak and Virtual Mirror are perfect for modeling symmetrical objects.

There are a lot of options, but you can configure its interface. You will find more commands with its right-click menus. Keep your cursor over the mouse over a menu, a brief explanation will pop up. It can import ndo, 3ds, ai, .lwo/.lxo, .obj and other popular formats. You can export to 3ds, ai, obj, pov and many others.

Wings 3D is available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. It is continuously being updated. The software uses OpenGL for rendering. However you can export and render with YafRay, POV-Ray and other software.

ChaosPro

Mel — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:00:08 +0000

ChaosPro is a freeware fractal program for Windows XP, Vista and later. Created by Martin Pfingstl, it can produce fractals in real time. Those new to fractal creation will appreciate its simple interface. Advanced users can tweak thousands of parameters to produce stunning images.

For a freeware program, ChaosPro has a large number of features. As expected, it can generate Mandelbrot and Julia sets. But other fractal types like Escapetime, Attractor, Quaternion and more are supported. The application is multiwindowing, multitasking and supports an unlimited number of colors. The software is compatible with UltraFractal and FractInt.

In other words, ChaosPro can produce just about any type of fractal there is. The limitation is only set by the formula you use. You can even utilize formulas made by other users to generate fractals. Among the popular ones it supports are Lyapunov Spaces, the Rossler attractor and other dynamic systems. In addition, Lindenmayer systems and IFS fractals are supported. Those new to fractal art may not be familiar with these terms, but you will get to know them better once you try the software.

Even though fractals are about mathematical dimensions, you don�t need to be a mathematician to use one. You just start the program and start dragging some controls. Adjusting the settings will produce striking images.

ChaosPro can make (AVI) animations. Your 2D fractal creations can be viewed in 3D. Advanced users can write their own formulas. But you don�t need to be a genius to appreciate fractals. The images are stunning and can be used for computer generated art or on the web.

Related Links:
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Scribus

Mel — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 14:00:32 +0000

If you�re interested in desktop publishing but balking at the cost of commercial software, try Scribus, a free open source desktop alternative. Developed by the Scribus Team, this powerful program is capable of producing professional typesetting, and layouts for various publications. Although it is free, it is in terms of features comparable with Adobe InDesign, PageMaker and QuarkXPress.

Apart from being used with high quality image setting tools, Scribus is also capable of producing forms and interactive PDF presentations, plus books, posters, newsletters, brochures and newspapers. Compatibility is no problem either since it supports Photoshop formats, JPEG, TIFF and bitmap among others. You can also import or directly open vector drawings in Scribus and edit it. Adobe Illustrator, SVG, Encapsulated PostScript, ICC and CMYK color management are also supported.

With its PostScript driver, you can do high quality printing plus it has support for OpenType, Type 1 and TrueType fonts. Additional features include bookmarks, annotations and many more. Various document formats can be opened in the program such as Word, OpenOffice and HTML among others. It�s also worth noting that the PDF files in Scribus are RIP ready. Scribus native file format is SLA, and is derived from XML. Also, while it can handle Unicode, encoding, the current version cannot yet handle complex script rendering, although this can change in future releases.

And while the list of features seems imposing, the software is actually intuitive and easy to use. Their website also has a wealth of information on how to use the program�s many features, and its community is very active. The software is available for Windows, the Mac and various Linux systems.

Related Links:
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Official Website

Fotobounce

Mel — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:00:23 +0000

Fotobounce is a photo management software that lets users upload images, even on a phone. Once on the web, these images can be shared. What makes the software different is its security. You decide who gets to see your photos. The software from Applied Recognition Inc also makes it easy to upload pictures to AirSet, Flickr and Facebook.

But what sets Fotobounce apart is its facial recognition technology. This feature streamlines photo organization and tagging. You can delete images as well. That a free program has a technology that can tell people apart is a pleasant surprise. The program�s setup wizard assists in scanning images. These are added to the program automatically. You can invite your friends to view the pictures, collections and albums.

For many though, Fotobounce�s biggest attraction is its private, secure nature. Once you download and install the program, you can configure it so only your friends and family (called bouncers by the program) will see the images. The network is centralized in your computer, not some unknown website or service.

Fotobounce is quick; loading several photos will only take a few moments. Thanks to its facial recognition feature, the software learns to recognize them and use the right tags. The versatile sorting options make it a snap to arrange numerous pictures. Also, you don�t need to re-tag when uploading on a social networking site. It also helps you remove pictures from Facebook quickly. Pictures in Fotobounce can be emailed at full resolution.

Fotobounce is a well rounded free photo management application. If you love sharing photos online but wary of losing your privacy, this program is a good alternative.

Pinta

Mel — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:00:57 +0000

Pinta is a cross-platform image editing program. There are plenty of free image editors available. Pinta�s advantage is it is light on the system. In spite of its many features, the program can run on older pieces of hardware.

The software has a plethora of drawing tools. You can make everything from basic shapes to complex polygons. You can use layers for intricate images.

There is unlimited undo. Pinta has over 30 effects and filters and the windows can be floated or docked depending on your preference. The multiple layer support is perfect for working on complex projects with several effects and objects.

Pinta can work with a variety of formats, including Photoshop files. Many of the tools will be familiar with seasoned users of photo editing apps. The interface is easy to understand and can be customized. There will be comparisons made with other applications. What makes Pinta tick is its accessibility. It doesn�t have as many features as Photoshop, but not as difficult to use. It is also free.

But don�t let the free tag fool you. Pinta is a powerful image editor that can handle basic photo editing jobs and complex images. Experienced users will have no trouble learning the program, but beginners will have no trouble getting used to it either. Fortunately you can experiment with the settings and effects. You don�t have to worry about messing up because of its limited undo feature. Photo editing is easier to do with the built-in filters and effects. You can also make original artwork with its drawing tools.

Because Pinta is cross-platform, it can run on Windows, Linux and Mac. If you have used applications like Paint.NET or Photoshop before, the learning curve will be easy.

Related Links:
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Sculptris

Mel — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:00:24 +0000

If you find 3D graphics programs difficult, you might want to give Sculptris a try. The program was developed by Pixologic, the same company that made the popular ZBrush application. The difference is that Sculptris is free. Here you create 3D objects by painting them.

The biggest benefit for users is the software automates many details. Sculptris utilizes triangulated meshes so you don�t have to add lots of mesh. No more need for re-meshing and subdivision control. If you have been making 3D stills for a while, you�ll know this feature is a real time saver.

The software is also stable. In the event of a crash, the software will restart at the last state saved. Sculptris includes basic tools for the artist/designer (flatten. inflate, draw, pinch, crease, smooth, scale, rotate and move). There are inverse functions for each one. For example, the smooth function has a rough equivalent.

In Sculptris you have to complete the modeling process before texturing. For this reason, you need to make sure there are no errors in your model. This can be viewed as a limitation, but the tools provided help the modeling process.

Sculptris does not have as many features as high end 3D software, but it is an excellent program for those to digital art. With a lot of 3D programs, you have to focus creating geometric shapes, polygons and so on. With Sculptris it is more like sculpting. This approach makes it perfect for modeling organic figures.

There is a learning curve, but you don�t have to do or know a lot about technical drawing. The program has several brushes and textures installed so you can get started right away.

NeoOffice

Mel — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:00:57 +0000

NeoOffice is a full featured free office suite. The main applications are the Writer word processor; Base, the database component; Draw, for creating graphics; Impress (presentation) and Calc, for making spreadsheets. Each application is feature packed. Calc has many features comparable to commercial products. You can add formulas and use basic and advanced functions. Some of its more impressive features are the Intelligent Sum Button, Natural Language formulas and Advanced DataPilot technology. Writer has all the features you would expect from full-featured word processors like formatting, bibliographical references and indexing. You can create tables of contents and many more.

Impress includes transitions, drawing tools, animation and other special effects. You also have access to clip art and it has support for popular image formats. NeoOffice supports Mac OS X text highlighting, grammar checking and command-clicking on a window title bar. You can also import images from cameras and scanners. You will also see that menus remain available even if you don�t open documents.

Other features include native floating tool windows and support for media browser and Mac OS X services. NeoOffice has increased its font support with each succeeding release. The launch menu allows you to open Writer, Impress or Calc. Writer, Calc and Impress are the main applications, but the Draw and Base applications are also feature rich. Draw allows you to make sketches and diagrams. It has Bezier curves and you can turn objects in three dimensions. Base is a powerful application with an HSQL database engine. When it comes to features, NeoOffice isn�t lacking and is very comparable to OpenOffice and Microsoft Office. It is not just free, but power packed.

Related Links:
NeoOffice Official Website

Pic Stitch

Mel — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:00:13 +0000

Pic Stitch is a photography app for the iPad and iPhone. Developed by Big Blue Clip LLC, it is used for combining (stitching) several images into one framed photo. The app�s interface makes it very easy to learn and use. Even if you are not a pro, it is very easy to create works of art.

The app can be used to make a photographic series, combining your favorite pictures and producing a before-and-after sequence. While the program�s goal is simple, it has many features. Pic Stitch allows for high resolution export and can be saved into albums.

Some of its other features are black and white and sepia filtering, zoom, mirror and rotate and photo borders. Images in Pic Stitch can be exported to any program that accepts JPG files. After you have finished editing, add a frame to the image.

For users who love to post photos on Instagram, Facebook and other websites, Pic Stitch can be the quick and easy solution. The app is only 15 MB and easy to download on a fast Internet connection. But it comes with a lot of filters and special effects.

It�s very easy to use. Open the app and drag the photos you want to stitch. Adjust settings, crop and make other changes you want. Apart from the effects mentioned, you can remove red eyes, get rid of blemishes and do other photo touch up jobs.

Once you have finished your masterpiece, you can share it with friends via Facebook or email. IOS users should note that it is compatible with iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (3rd generation), iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 3GS.

123D Sculpt

Mel — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:00:29 +0000

Traditional sculpting is a difficult and messy business, but 123D Sculpt by Autodesk simplifies things a lot. Designed specifically for the iPad, it comes with a tutorial that will get you up to speed. You can create human heads, dinosaurs, birds and other complex shapes.

There are tools for smoothening, pulling and pushing a model. Use your fingers to twist, pinch or swipe. These sculpting tools can be selected directly. You can sculpt the mesh or the model. Some creases appear on the reverse side. However, this really isn’t a problem because there is a symmetry mode.

There are eight tools for sculpting objects. You can sculpt freely or use the sliders to enter more precise measurements. Sculpting is intuitive; use two fingers to scale; to rotate, drag anywhere outside your model. The symmetry / mirror is a time saving tool. You only have to sculpt one half of a model and use the tool to mirror it.

123D Sculpt has texture imprinting that allows you to load an image or paint with color. Position the model below the image. Start painting the mesh. You can upload a completed model on Autodesk’s website gallery. You can also save and render images locally.

Even if you have no experience sculpting, 123D Sculpt should be easy to learn. Most free clay modeling apps will have you pushing and pulling a sphere into shape. Sculpt on the other hand, comes with several preset models; planes, cars, human heads, animals and more. Instead of starting from scratch, you can select one of the presets and modify them to suit your needs.