Save Streaming Media to Your PC With Ease.
By: Allen M. Gottfried, Digital Media & Video
Airbrush Action Magazine

 

In the ever-emerging online content world we sometimes find a great resource of information and would like to save it on the computer for future viewing purposes. Perhaps, you don’t want to save links to a video site or maybe you just want the ability to save, convert and watch files that can be played back on a system that doesn’t have an internet connection, for example in your garage, workshop or on the road.

 

This all sound great but in order to capture these secure streaming media files you need to have the training of a network engineer. That said, it is relatively hard for the average computer using Joe to figure out how to find and download these protect video streams. Thankfully, I have done some research and as always I’m here to help. After some research and testing many demo programs that would allow me to locate and save streaming media files, both audio and video, and later convert them to other playable media formats, I came across one of the best pieces of software to date and by far one of the easiest to use.

 

The software company Alex Inc., has developed a series of easy-to-use programs that will locate, download and capture the hard to find media streams. Both WMRecorder and WMConverter showed its competition no remorse and did exactly what it said it would do.  I have not encountered any problems recording the streaming media that I wanted to download and playback looks perfect. Of course, keep in mind that this program should only be used for legal downloads and the media you obtain should only be used for personal use and reference.

 

In a statement from Alex, Inc. they exclaim that WMRecorder is the easiest and most advanced way to record video and audio from the Internet. Just open the recorder play the video or audio from your Internet Explorer browser or your favorite media player and the content will automatically be recorded. And, I have to agree with them fully on that statement.

 

Once the file is downloaded you can use WMConverter to convert to and from some of the most popular video and audio formats including WMV, MP4, FLV, MPEG, AVI, MP3, AAC, WAV, iPod, Zune, mobile. I have downloaded numerous media files and have converted some to the various formats listed above. I was able to put some of the training videos and tutorials right on my Ipod and I was able to watch it when I was performing the work where I had no internet connection.  What a great, simple-to-use and sophisticated product and l allowing yet another way to learn and entertain yourself from anywhere in the world on a variety of media platforms.

 

When you first open the software it does not initially come across graphically as a highly sophisticated piece of software but once you start to use the program and see how well it performs and all it is capable of you will be far from disappointed. The company offers a few different software options as the programs are sold separately or can be purchased as a bundle to save you some money.  If you are looking to take your favorite internet video and streaming media files on the road or just be able to access that media at anytime, then I highly recommend that you visit http://www.wmrecorder.com to download a demo or order the full version.  

 

                                       

 

 

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 By: Allen M. Gottfried
Airbrush Action, Digital Media

ALIEN SKIN – IMAGE DOCTOR2

 

Here in the Airbrush Action Digital Media and Production departments we are constantly seeking new innovative, easy to use and affordable software or plug-ins to use to make our lives easier and that of our fellow artists.

Our friends at Alien Skin Software recently let us demo their new release of Image Doctor 2, a Photoshop Plug-in that makes photo manipulation and retouching a breeze.  

Now some of the plug-ins and filter I have used pose no real need to purchase them or even use them to perform a few basic tricks. This package however is indeed worthy of the purchase price. If you are an artist working a variety of photos, old, new ones that are good but have a minor mistake or artifact that is making you not want to use it, then Image Doctor 2 is for you.

I went online to see what the program was capable of and I was impressed but as always I had to try it for myself. I loaded up a few pictures from our stock photo library including ones with people, structures and landscapes to try a plethora of different types of images.

The plug-in gives your five main tools to work with. Blemish Concealer, Dust and Scratch Remover, JPEG Repair, Skin Softener and Smart Fill. If you are working to restore old photos this package would be a wise investment without a doubt with the advanced controls to cover up many problematic artifacts. JPEG repair is a great tool too for anyone that is working with jagged images that might need some help. The coolest feature of this package had to be Smart Fill. This plug-in examines your photo and you can make selection much like the Photoshop clone/stamp tool but this thing is amazing. It analyzes the surrounding pixels and determines how to cover up those evil mistakes.  I was able to take cables out pictures, removed a duck from a pond picture completely and had some fun manipulating some friend’s photos too.

How can this program work for the airbrush artist? Well, if you scan or photograph your work this could be a great tool to aide in making some easy or sophisticated adjustment to make the picture better, cleaner and present a sellable final product. Say, if you have a bad background, a scratch on the scan, or any other blemish you need to cover up. The program is really made for the digital artist but thinking outside the box any artists that uses Photoshop to correct art, pictures or more can benefit from this program.

Alien Skin offers a demo of this product and I highly recommend that you check it out! www.alienskin.com

 

 

This sample is nothing spectacular but it took
only seconds to finish and it was done with a preset.
If you take time and use all the correct settings
you can work some real magic...and save time too!

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Welcome to the NEW Airbrush Action website and blog. We are excited to annouce the new blog feature on the website and look forward to discussing and reviewing new products, artists, software and more!

 Enjoy!

 

~Airbrush Action

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The art of airbrushing takes human form with airbrush body painting, which is becoming an increasingly popular choice. From maximizing physical assets to minimizing bodily flaws, airbrush body painting can help accentuate physique while still appearing natural to an audience. Airbrush body painting is also done for decorative purposes, whether to make a glitzy splash on a Las Vegas stage or add flair to a holiday manicure. Whether for performance, enhancement, or just for fun, airbrush body painting has boomed into a lucrative artisanal service, creating the need for professionals to obtain straightforward continuing education in the field.

Of course, for the airbrush body painting professional, staying abreast of design and technical trends can require research and subsequent practice. For this reason, many airbrush body painters seek out instructional materials from experts in the industry. Airbrush body painting DVDs by such masters as Terry Hill and Pat Reynolds demonstrate insider techniques for both face and body airbrush painting. These instructional DVDs cover both the basics of paint choice, customer comfort, and air control as well as special effects such as lace and feather looks.

Another renowned professional in the airbrush body painting arena is Tobi Britton, also with dynamic DVD instructions available for purchase. A Hollywood make-up artist, Britton covers bust enhancement techniques, look transformation and other pro tips while demonstrating on live models. For professionals and hobbyists seeking airbrush instruction for fingernail art, Liz Fojon's DVDs span scores of popular designs in easy-to-follow format.

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In the history of airbrushing, few custom painting airbrush techniques have taken the industry by storm like flames. While many custom painting trends fluctuate over time, flame jobs have remained in the highest demand. For professional airbrush artists, knowing how to paint flames is a necessity--and the more realistic, the better. No matter what an artist's skill level, the need to airbrush real fire is one that will be encountered time and again.

From vehicle designs to helmets (and even to eclectic jobs like computer CPUs), those who airbrush real fire can corner the market, bringing repeat business. Airbrush artists step up to the challenge of flame creation that is both expressive and realistic, and instructional books, DVDs and flame-focused airbrush classes sharpen their skills. Classic instructional books like How to Paint Flames by MotorBooks Workshop take artists through the development process in stages, while recognized experts like the legendary Craig Fraser teach viewers how to airbrush real fire in DVD guides and demonstrations. Certain instructional guides focus on motorcycles, cars, or application on miniature hot rods.

One of the most famous flame artists in all of airbrushing, Vandemon, also has a series of must-have instructional airbrush videos. His ultimate Vandemon Complete Video Guide to Flames video starts with the simple principles of basic fire layout and design, and then guides artists through learning to airbrush real fire through the techniques of pinstriping, masking, and multi-color implementation. For those looking to master the flame trend's hottest and trickiest design, the ghost flame, Vandemon walks artists through the process of pattern transferring, spray-painting techniques, and equipment like reducers and the electro pounce machine for stunning, authentic ways to airbrush real fire.

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Since the 19th century, airbrushing has revolutionized the art world by producing intricate artistic detail through high velocity tools. From industrial spray guns for hot rod art and automotive cosmetic fixes, to dual-action airbrushes for ease in multitasking, the airbrush equipment an artist uses can be as important as the design itself. Many airbrush artists at the top of their field will regularly check out product reviews as new equipment hits the market, to stay abreast of the latest advances in airbrush technology.

For those seeking to master airbrush art techniques, the smallest enhancements require careful precision by freehand manipulation. Additionally, minute variations in distance, angle and air pressure can create a variety of effects. Whether airbrushing art or illustrations, photo-realism, or painting scale models, tattoos or clothing, technique modification can create new popular trends that impact the artist and the public alike. Many airbrush enthusiasts and professionals will regularly attend airbrush classes or seminars to continually add to their repertoire and acquire experience in the latest airbrushing trends.

From airbrush art basics to advanced illustration methods, airbrush enthusiasts and professionals strive to stay ahead of the curve. Airbrushing instructional books cover specific genres, such as automotive airbrush techniques, or detailed guides on painting popular custom pieces, such as flame jobs or Rolling Stones artwork. For those who prefer high-tech how-tos, airbrush instruction DVDs are also available for purchase from some of the best known and highly regarded airbrush art publishers.

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For those who can create realistic airbrush art, there is a lucrative future in a number of industries (especially the automotive industry). However, the wide variety of subjects and styles required for mastery requires a vast amount of knowledge; this is why there is an instructional airbrush DVD for virtually every type of image. For instance, an expert airbrusher might know how to paint a flaming-skulled clown riding a motorcycle, yet need some more practice to accurately render a simple chrome finish. Building one's artistic repertoire is a matter of learning each piece, one by one, after mastering the general techniques of airbrushing.

Naturally, one should learn how to control and use an airbrush before trying to master a particular design. Many airbrushers use instructional DVDs or books to keep their basic skills sharp as well as keep abreast of trends in the industry. DVDs such as the "Introduction to Automotive Airbrushing" are designed to give the viewer step-by-step instruction in this precise form of art.

Interestingly, instructional airbrush videocassettes were never as popular as a modern instructional airbrush DVD. This is because it's difficult to show the intricate detail of an airbrush with a low-resolution medium such as a VCR. However, since DVD players have high-resolution capabilities, showing the finer points of airbrushing is quite a simple matter. In fact, many prefer learning airbrushing via DVD, since the crisp color blends are easy to perceive.

For those who have mastered basic airbrush techniques, building a client base is simply a matter of creating a design base. The most popular motorcycle designs are skulls and flames. For cars, the flame is by far the most popular design, which is why there are so many instructional DVDs based on this design motif. Learning designs becomes quite easy when there are instructional DVDs for virtually every popular design style.

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People who have an airbrush hobby generally fall into three categories. These categories include the photographic artist, the mural designer, and the auto/motorcycle detailer. The airbrush industry has widened its focus to accommodate these modern artistes.

Creating realism worthy of a photograph through airbrushing is a great way to occupy one's time. Those who can turn ordinary portraits into life-like pieces of art always have a unique gift idea available. Learning to perfect this technique takes practice, but the tools are readily available for anyone who is willing to take instruction. A wide variety of DVDs and books are available, such as "Getting Started in Airbrush ", which is a book featuring 22 do-it-yourself projects for the beginning airbrusher.

Artists who have mastered the general skills needed to airbrush often find that there is no limit to the number of projects they can do. Airbrushes are the perfect way to add poignant detail to a large mural. Anyone who has ever seen a nondescript mural occupying an entire city block understands the dire need for airbrushing. Companies such as Aqua Flow design airbrushes for artists who work on metal or plastic--there's not a city surface that can't be airbrushed.

Those who work with custom cars definitely know how popular a good airbrush hobbyist can be. Anyone who took the time to master the basic motifs of airbrush hobbyist and fire will have lots of people asking them to customize their cars, motorcycles, and even helmets. Learning new ways to express oneself through airbrushing can be as simple as reviewing an instructional DVD, and most find that this hobby is extremely fun to practice.

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Motorcycles are the most popular vehicle used to showcase airbrushed art. Motorcycle airbrushing is quite a lucrative art form; many artists have created best-selling DVDs to show others how to detail bikes, including the "Vincent Goodeve Complete Video Guide to Motorcycle Murals" Whether as a hobby or a career, motorcycle airbrushing has been in high demand for over four decades.

Almost every biker wants a killer airbrush design on his or her motorcycle tanks. That's why up-and-coming motorcycle airbrush artists should focus on the chopper's tank. Companies such as Sata Spray devote an entire line of products to creating airbrush designs on bike tanks. It's important for artists to test out different brushes to find the ones with which they are the most comfortable, as well as the ones they can use for intricate detailing.

When bikers request motorcycle airbrushing, they usually have a wide variety of designs in mind. Although most of these designs involve fire, there are plenty of disparate elements the fire motif can tie together. This is why aspiring motorcycle airbrush artists must learn a variety of different styles: clowns, skulls, women, etc. Each style possesses its own detailed intricacies, and requires a unique set of airbrushing skills.

Practice makes flawless when it comes to motorcycle airbrushing. Many students of the art obtain old motorcycle tanks from a junkyard, and practice on those. Many describe airbrushing motorcycles as a three-step process: prime, then paint, then lacquer. Extensive damage from rocks and weather must be anticipated. A good motorcycle airbrush artist will always make sure his work is protected with a strong finish. It's all about making a clear, crisp design that holds up on the road at 65 miles per hour.

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