August 29th, 2011
This fall the Library will be offering multimedia services that will provide students and Library patrons with the resources they need in order to produce professional quality multimedia works. Three high-end computers equipped with production software will be made available in the Library with trained PATSS students on hand to provide assistance with creating graphics, videos, podcasts, websites and much more. The Library is providing these services for individuals of all skill levels as tools for improving the overall quality of personal and school related projects.
The new multimedia stations will be installed behind the PATSS service desk just past the entrance to the Library in the space that has been cleared out in the reference section. Listed below is the new equipment we will be making available and some of the software that will be installed on them.
New Equipment
- Two high end PC computers ( each with 12 GB ram, 6 core processor and two 22inch monitors)
- One high end 27" iMac (8 GB ram, 4 core processor)
- Two large wacom drawing tablets
- One large format Epson scanner ( scans 11"x17")
- One Midi Controler
Licenced Software
- Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master collection which includes:
- Avid Protools (on Mac only)
Opensource Software
There will be a number of free and opensource applications installed on each machine, these same applications will be listed on a page in this community called "Free and Open Source Software" which is a collection of free software that the Library recommends for students that cannot afford to buy software.
Multimedia Creation Resources
The Library has started putting togeather a collection of links to free resources that may be used in your multimedia projects, these free resources include images, music, videos, and sound effects that you can use in your projects.
Tutorials
Links to useful tutorials will also be provided, to save the user from spending countless hours googling and trying to find a good tutorial on their own. These tutorials will be made available in the Multimedia Creation Resources Section.
PATSS
The Peer Assisted Technology Support Students will be trained on how to use the applications on the computers, and will be able to provide useful assistence to Library patrons that wish to use the stations.
PermalinkMay 25th, 2011
Free and Open Source Software
Published on May 25th, 2011 @ 02:34:21 pm , using 276 words, 145 views
Below is a list of free and open source software available for download online that can be used to create and edit files that are compatible with the most popular creation software on the market. Many of these applications are currently installed on the Multimedia computer stations in the Library.
Presentation / Word Processing(Microsoft Office Suite) |
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Use microsoft office online for free with a windows live login. |
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Libre Office = Microsoft Office Suite (opens and saves in Microsoft Office formats)
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Cam Studio Desktop recorder; records everything you do on your screen |
Photo & Graphics
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Gimp = Adobe Photoshop + vector art |
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Inkscape = Adobe Illustrator |
Video
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(easiest to learn and use, windows only) |
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Lightworks (high-end movie production software, requires registration) - Academy and Emmy award winning professional-grade editor recently used to edit, "The King's Speech" Be sure to download the quickstart guide and watch the unofficial video tutorial. |
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Blender (professional 3D software that can also edit video) |
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Will play every type of video, and doubles as a video file converter. |
| DVD Flick DVD authoring software |
Audio
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Audacity (Windows & Mac) |
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Kristal Audio Engine = Pro-tools(for Windows, free for personal and educational use) |
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Ardour= Pro-Tools(Mac & Linux only, no windows version. Free version is missing some handy functionality, but you can pay any amount you want for the full version.) |
Web
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KompoZer = Adobe Dreamweaver (best for beginners) |
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Amaya = Adobe Dreamweaver (for developers) |
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7-zip = Winzip (file compression) |
3D
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Blender (professional software) |
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Google SketchUp (good for beginners) |
May 10th, 2011
Multimedia Creation Resources
Published on May 10th, 2011 @ 10:47:38 am , using 507 words, 144 views
The Multimedia Creation Resources Library is a collection of resources and helps that are meant to make it easy to find content and learning resources for producing multimedia. Everything listed here can be found using Google and Youtube, if you find any resources on your own that you feel are valuable, and you would like to contribute to this list, please feel free to provide the link to a PATSS student.
IMAGES
Photography
Libraries
Things to know:
Learning Resources
- Michael The Mentor: Free Online Photography School:
- Media College Photography: Photography Tutorials
- Black's Photography: Photography Video Tips &Tutorials
Graphic Design / Photo Editing
Things to know:
- Layers
- Layer Masks
- Raster vs. Vector images
- RGB vs. CMYK
Learning Resources
- Media College Graphics: Graphics Tutorials
- Adobe Video Workshop: Adobe Video Tutorials
Design Helps
- Dont' use Comic Sans!
- Adobe Kuler : Colour theme picker
(choose colour palette from one colour or by uploading an image) - What the font?: Font Identifier
(upload an image and What The Font can identify the font in the image) - Identifont: Font Identifier
(Identifont will ask you a series of questions about a font in order to identify it)
VIDEO
Libraries
- Archive.org
- Stock Footage For Free (with free registration)
- YouTube Editor (creative commons media available on their online movie editor)
- more...
*Downloading Youtube videos
There are often inquiries about how to save or download videos off of Youtube. Using websites such as keepvid.com to download videos off of youtube violates Youtube's terms of service. You can embed youtube videos in you presentations.
Things to know:
- Lighting
- Framing
- Capturing Sound
Learning Resources
- Media College Video: Film Capturing Tutorials:
- Vimeo Video School: Video Lessons and Tutorials
- Video Copilot After Effects VFX and Motion Graphics video tutorials
Creation Helps
- One True Media : Combine and clip videos and photos online. Edit as little or as much as you want to make creative videos.
AUDIO
Music
Libraries
- Jamendo
- ccMixter
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- YouTube Video Editor: You can upload your video to Youtube and select some background music for it using their extensive collection of creative commons music.
- YouTube Audio Swap: YouTube has an extensive library of songs that are free to use on you videos. To access them, first upload your video to youtube, select to edit it, then click on the AudioSwap tab, or click this link.
- Flashkit.com: Sound loops
- more...
*Downloading songs off of Youtube
Much of the music on Youtube is copyrighted and protected, using webservices such as listentoyoutube.com, or recording music off of Youtube using the stereo mix option in Audacity, violate Youtube's terms of service.
Design Tips
- Media College Audio: Audio Tutorials
Info
Sound Effects
Libraries
- The Free Sound Project (registration required)
- SFX Libraries: (large selection of links to websites containing free sound effects)
- more...
- Tutorials
Podcasting
- Podcast tutorial
- Royalty Free Audio Loops
- Educause - Podcasting for Teachers & Learners
- Podcastinfo (Grand Rapids Community College & Utah State University)
- Video Tutorials on creating a podcast in Audacity
3D
Tutorials
Libraries
- http://artist-3d.com/
- http://www.sharecg.com/ (registration required)
April 26th, 2011
The University of Lethbridge Library is researching the feasibility of ordering new digital video and audio recording equipment, and installing new computer workstations that will be dedicated to multimedia work. These workstations would include software such as Photoshop and the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite as well as other specialized production and editing software for graphic, audio and video work.
The Library would also have trained staff that would be able to assist Library patrons with these computers in order to help them create video presentations, youtube videos, podcasts, websites, posters, etc.
In order for this project to move forward we need input from the Student body and Faculty. If you would like to see these services in the near future then please complete one or more of our surveys. You can also show your support by liking our facebook page, sharing it with your friends and leaving a comment in the discussion for, "Library Multimedia Services"
Available Surveys:
Survey #2: U of L Graduate Students (5 questions)
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