8-Bit NZ

Check out the latest fun creation from the Google team. You can browse Google Maps in a retro 8-Bit style. More details can be found on the Google Maps website.

Are you up for the quest?  Keep an eye out for the hidden monsters.

Even Google Street-view has had a makeover.

What are you waiting for, check it out!


View Larger Map

An 8-Bit NZ!

How to Create a Simple Roof using Google SketchUp

Heard of Google SketchUp before?

Google SketchUp is a free download and can be used to create amazing 3D models.

Here is a short tutorial demonstrating to you how easy it is to create a simple building with a roof. This tutorial is aimed at beginners, however you may still pick up a few tips even if you've been using the program for a while.

More videos and tutorials can be found here on our YouTube channel.

Kaweka Flashmob - Everything is Gonna be Alright

Missed the action at school, or just keen to see it again?

 Here you can check out Kaweka doing their massive team Flashmob during Interval.

What an awesome job you guys did.

The song is 'Everything is Gonna be Alright, by the Babysitters Circus.

Video was filmed by JC, MM and ZA
Edited by MrE

Close Call - Action Movie FX

Ever wondered what it would be like to shoot a fireball across the room?  Maybe into a messy room to do the clear a space for you?

Well, with this fun free app from the Apple app store you can go crazy all you like. It comes with 3 free effects and more available as an in-app purchase.

Check it out if you get a chance and unleash the film-maker inside!

My poor dog..

App store link - Action Movie FX



Check out this short film, made entirely on an iPhone and using Action Movie FX for the special FX. Pretty cool!

Give Way Rules are Changing

On the 25th of March at 5am, two of the Give Way rules are changing. The New Zeland Transport Agency has released a video demonstrating the new rules in action.

Make sure you watch the video and know these changes well. If you are still unsure, talk to your teacher or family about them.

Keep yourself and your mates safe on the streets.

How to Create a Focal Point using Gimp

Here is another video in our beginners series of  'How to' Gimp tutorials

This beginner tutorial explores how to create a focal point (make one part of the image stand out) using the program Gimp. In this video we look at how to use a selection tool and quick mask to highlight (isolate) a key feature and separate it from the background. We then apply a filter to blur the background creating a focal point on the clear section of the image.

Even if you are completely new to using Gimp this should be easy enough to follow. Have the video open while you work on a project and trying watching just a few instructions on screen at a time,  pausing in-between.

Happy editing!

How to Change the Colour of Objects using Gimp

This is a tutorial showing how you can easily change the colours of objects in images using Gimp.

Gimp is an image editing program that can be downloaded for free on the internet. Version used in the tutorial is 2.6.11

The tutorial shows how to change the colour of a car, but could be used for any other project, so long as it has enough colour.

Image from Flicker - By ronsaunders47

How to Create an Animated Profile Picture using Gimp

A short video demonstrating how you can easily make an animated (moving) profile picture. This of course could be used to create other short animations as well, however this video focuses on using a few images to make a short gif animation.

This tutorial uses the program Gimp which can be downloaded free online. The video has been made for anyone who would like to learn more about creating gif animations and using Gimp.

Leave a comment if you need any further information.

View in HD (1080p) by clicking on the cog to see the clearest image (bottom right corner of the video window)



Click on the images below to see an example of the finished product.

(Effect: Photocopy)

(Effect: Cubism + Gradient background and changing the transparency)

DIY Comic Page Pt2 - Creating Simple Callouts using Inkscape

A short guide on how to create custom callouts using a free Vector Art program called Inkscape. This video is part of a short series on How to create a basic Comic Book page using the free tools Gimp and Inkscape.



http://inkscape.org/  - free download (vector drawing tool - used to create call-outs)

For more info check out this detailed guide: http://howto.nicubunu.ro/comic-photo-gimp-inkscape/

DIY Comic Page Pt1 - Creating a Basic Comic Effect using Gimp

A short guide on using Gimp (free Photoshop alternative) to create a comic effect on an image. Basics covered include: scaling a large image, using filters to add an effect and saving an image with the correct file extension.

Part 1  - How to create a Comic Book Page using the free programs Gimp and Inkscape.



http://www.gimp.org/  - free download (image editing/ creation/ Photoshop alternative)

http://inkscape.org/      - free download (vector drawing tool - used to create call-outs)