ADOBE SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Adobe is the industry standard for nearly all the disciplines in the Digital Design umbrella. Learning to use the Adobe Programs is important, but knowing how to troubleshoot issues and teach yourself new software developments is what will keep you competitive in this field! Here are some of my favorite places to find support for all things Adobe!

Adobe Help Center - This is a great place to start if you are having a specific issue with any of your Adobe Programs or your Adobe subscription and access.

Adobe Community - this is a great resource to connect with other Adobe users, ask questions, and offer support. A lot like what us professors HOPE our online class discussion boards will be! Wishful thinking, I know.

Adobe Training and Tutorials - Here is the thing, Adobe WANTS you to use their products. So often times they release training materials, workshops, and tutorials to make their products more accessible to every day users. This section of Adobe’s site also has options for certifications, which can be helpful on the job market.

Adobe’s YouTube Channel - It seems obvious right? YouTube is a TREASURE CHEST of fantastic information and tech support. But sometimes we forget to go right to the source (in this case, the parent company) to see if they have already answered our questions. If you are confused or having an issue with an Adobe Program, chances are a bunch of other people are too, and Adobe has already made a video about how to address it.

3D Modeling, animation & 3D PRINTING SUPPORT

3D Modeling and Animation is a notoriously challenging discipline to learn and master. And the current industry standard software: Autodesk Maya, is not known for being user friendly or easy to get the hang of. But fret not learners! Just like Adobe, Maya WANTS you to use their product. As such, there are robust and extensive resources available to help you on your journey to mastering all things 3D.

Autodesk Maya Support - This is a great first stop if you are running into issues or having trouble in Maya. This searchable database has tons of great information and is a wonderful support for beginners and high-level users as well.

Autodesk Maya Manual - I always warn students that Maya is a MASSIVE program that does so much stuff. So having a quick reference bookmark to the full program manual is a great resource. Likewise, this also has links to tutorials, community resources, and so much more. If you are serious about getting good with 3D, this is a must have resource. Note, they release an updated version each year. This links to the 2024 version.

Maya Learning YouTube Channel - I don’t know about you, but I always learn better from video tutorials than text based ones. So it’s no surprise I highly recommend the Maya YouTube Channel. It is designed with learners in mind, and has a lot of project based playlists to help you practice, build your skills, and flesh out your 3D portfolio.

Thingiverse - 3D Printing - If you want to get into 3D printing, but you don’t know where to start, it can be overwhelming and frustrating. There are so many types of printers, materials, and processes. I think Thingiverse is a great resource to find projects to test print, lessons on how to 3D print, and ideas to get started with the process.

Blender - 3D Modeling + Animation FREE - So you are no longer in school and cannot afford a Maya license? No worries! Blender is a free alternative to Maya, and I gotta say…it is pretty awesome to use. While not the current industry standard, there are many examples of Blender being used professionally, and its ease of access, user-friendly design, and approachable online community of support make it a wonderful stand-out alternative to Maya!

WACOM & DIGITAL TABLET SUPPORT

Wacom is the current industry standard for digital drawing tablets! Although I do believe that iPad and Procreate are giving Wacom a run for their money! The links below are to help you resolve any issues or problems you may have with your digital drawing tablets.

Wacom Support - If you have a Wacom tablet, even an older model, this is the first place to check if you are having performance issues. Likely you have a driver that is out of date, or you need to recalibrate and install the software. This link also has links out to community boards, tutorials, and new products.

Wacom’s YouTube Channel - I bet you are sensing a pattern here. YouTube is a great place to go for help, but sometimes we skip past the company’s videos in search of someone else on YouTube who may have the answers. If you check out Wacom’s page you will see they have a ton of great playlists for users of all skill levels and for all the programs that support drawing tablet integration.

Procreate Help Center - If you are working on an iPad with Procreate, you will want to bookmark this link. The help center is a great starting point with robust answers to many questions and issues you may encounter while working with the program. The Help Center also has links out to the community boards, educational supports, tutorials and much more!

Procreate YouTube Channel - Great resource for tutorials, news, and troubleshooting issues with Procreate. This is one of the best resources not only to learn Procreate, but to build a robust digital illustration portfolio using this emerging technology.

Additional support by specific discipline