3-D World

There are not many magazines out there for 3d artists, but 3d World more than makes up for it!

Pros: Every issue is packed with tutorials (for several major apps like Max, Maya, Photoshop, etc.), classifieds, industry news, and the latest on every 3d app you can think of. Best of all, every issue comes with a CD containing tons of free stuff (like models, textures and full versions of software, along with great demos of other software).

Cons: Its a bit expensive, but well worth the cost! Printed in the UK, so some of the classifieds are not relevant if your in the US (although they usually have calssifieds for major companies in the US as well).

Go to Books-a-Million and buy one issue to try it out before getting a subscription if your not sure about it because of the cost.

I've spent years browsing through 3D World in bookstore newsstands and liked most of what was presented but I was always taken aback by the price.

Six months ago I decided to subscribe to save on per issue price. I have no regrets. In this day and age where Free web articles are copy and pasted into magazines and resold as new, 3D World is still original. So far each issues has managed to deliver solid articles, interviews, and tutorials as well as enlightening angles on related industries. The content on the DVD is top rate so far and does provide valuable content that definitely cuts the cost per copy. For once a magazine is thick because of content not advertising pages.

I'll also not I have not thrown an issue away. I keep the issues and the DVD's for reference. That's a nod to the value in working tutorials + DVD. It's been a very long time since I've saved any issue of any magazine.

I'm primarily a Lightwave, Modo, ZBrush, and Vue user. No Autodesk apps in my tool set. With that noted the magazine still offers great value.

Still The cost.

It's something that will come up each time renewal comes up. So long as the publisher maintain its integrity on content, it will make it an easier decision to renew.

Buy 3-D World Now

Each month, a CD is included with backup material and demo versions of animation software; in addition, the tutorials are well-designed and complete.

Check out the company website -there is an option for quarterly payments.

Again, this is the magazine to beat.

Read Best Reviews of 3-D World Here

Creative Machine Embroidery

If you are tired of doing the same old things over and over again with your embroidery machine, then this magazine will give you lots of ideas. I mean, who would have thought of embroidering on balsa wood???!!! Yes, really! There is an article on just how to do that in the Nov/Dec 2010 issue. The magazine is filled with lots of projects and tips on machine embroidery. And be sure to go to their website to download free designs.

The magazine's website offers a better price for this subscription; 20% off the price here. It also provides lots of free embroidery patterns for machine embroidery.

Buy Creative Machine Embroidery Now

I bought this magazine subscription for my wife and after comparing prices I found that Amazon had a better subsciption price than anywhere else. My wife got a special discounted renewal price from the publisher but Amazon was still better! I don't know how it's possible but maybe this magazine gives a good payout to Amazon because of the huge audience available.

Read Best Reviews of Creative Machine Embroidery Here

I love this magazine with so many tips and free patterns. Always anxious to see what is next. Will definitely renew.

Want Creative Machine Embroidery Discount?

While this book has many good tips and techniques it is for some one who already know their way around an embroidery machine.

Save 36% Off

Us Weekly (1-year auto-renewal)

I signed up to receive 12 issues/weeks of US Mag for $1 and was told I could cancel at anytime. This is a lie! in week 4 of the original 12 week, my credit card was charged the full renewal fee of $15.48 and the option to cancel this subscription was "not available at this time". Let this be a warning so you don't get screwed too.

Be careful when you deal with this vendor. They auto renew without notice (and claim they send notice). It is easy to turn it on but impossible to turn it off.

Buy Us Weekly (1-year auto-renewal) Now

I subscribed because of a special deal from a previous Amazon purchase. What I didn't know was how hard it would be and the trouble I'd have to go to when I wanted to cancel the subscription. It literally took weeks, and I've yet to get my refund that I was told I would get. Definitely not worth the trouble unless you know for sure you are going to want to keep the subscription beyond the "special price" period.

Read Best Reviews of Us Weekly (1-year auto-renewal) Here

great magazine, but there is no way to stop the subscription. I will disengage of Amazon...forever if this situation remains the same! Trust me!!!!

Want Us Weekly (1-year auto-renewal) Discount?

Man this magazine has fallen to the bottom of the barrel. I got six months of it on a 4.99 special offer deal with something I bought here at Amazon (the product escapes me at the moment). And I thought...Kewl!...more entertainment news like Entertainment Weekly (very good by the way)...boy did I miss the boat...I don't know when this went from a semi-hard entertainment news mag to a magazine sized Enquirer but the transformation is complete and it is undetectable from it's larger doppelganger. Maybe for women this tripe is food for thought...but it definitely isn't for men (aside from the Perez Hilton business model of men). Now I'm stuck with five more months. Needless to say...I've turned off the auto-renewal! At least my granddaughter, Kayla, likes to look at the fashions (she's fourteen) so it's not a total loss. I just feel guilty letting her read the rampant gossip and innuendos...to paraphrase Groucho:..."when gossip comes innuendo...truth goes out the door!"

Save 68% Off

Gun Dog (1-year auto-renewal)

If you are a true gun dog enthusiast, Gun Dog is the magazine for you. The writing is some of the best I have read anywhere (including the N.Y. Times Magazine and Vanity Fair) and is replete with such beautifully crisp description that you feel as if you are there with the hunter. There are many do-it-yourself articles on such things as building dog boxes, ramps, etc., as well as training advice, and excellent gun reviews. Each issue spotlights an interesting gun dog breed and gives hunters as well as dog enthusiasts the low-down on both positive and negative aspects of the breed. The photos are absolutely gorgeous and border on art. I am always looking forward to the delivery of the next issue, and have been very pleased with its low price in comparison with some other "copy-cat" magazine-attempts like "The Pointing Dog" which are replete with advertising, and not much else! If you want to learn about bird-hunting or bird-dogs or just would enjoy the vicarious experience of the hunt and the pleasure of a good hunting dog, then this is the magazine for you!

This is my favorite magazine. Lots of articles on training, different breeds, etc. Advertisements for useful tools that you just can't find anywhere else. I picked up my first magazine off the shelf, and immediately bought a subscription. My subscription started the issue after my breed was featured and customer service sent me a back issue, no problem. There is also a forum and a facebook page dedicated to this magazine that has extra information on it.

Buy Gun Dog (1-year auto-renewal) Now

Gun Dog is a good, but not great, magazine. Customer support is very poor.

Read Best Reviews of Gun Dog (1-year auto-renewal) Here

Love of Quilting

There are many quilting mags out there so which gets our limited cash?

I used to go to the magazine stand and count the number of quilt patterns in the magazines that I'd consider making; the one with the highest number went home with me. Well, this one has a great mix of patterns that we too-busy, too-broke, too-fussy quilters would actually make. I know many quilters love the new fabric styles (I call them Midwest Modern since that's the name of the first one I saw that I truly disliked) and there are a few of those here.

Mostly there are simple and complex designs, interesting stories, and several Americana designs that work well for Quilt of Valor projects. Who wouldn't love a magazine that encourages us to make quilts for our troops?? In general the colors are more traditional, with surprising combinations and unusual settings to keep things interesting. The photography is nice as well, showing the lovely quilts off to good advantage. each issue has lots of options to choose from so you are not at a loss for ideas.

One really disturbing trend that seems to be growing at this and some other magazines is the preponderance of quilts month after month by the same 4 or 5 independent designers. Two separate issues had 3 projects by the same designer. REALLY??? There are thousands of quilters out there coming up with gorgeous quilts and posting them online; why aren't the mags making use of all this talent? Month after month it's the same 4 or 5 designers getting all the glory. Most do not seem to be actively soliciting fresh faces with fresh ideas. Not cool.

(Ok, McCall's Quilting has quilts by the many of same designers month after month, but they are all editors or staffers there. I like it that the folks who put the magazine together are designing the quilts in it.)

I do wish they would add quilting suggestions for every design, but even so this is one of the better option for us quiltaholics.

So-I am a subscriber to this magazine. When I signed up for it (back in february), they offered a free gift... (still don't know what that is yet..) Today I get this free DVD in the mail of patterns and such. I think 'oh this must be my free gift'... um. no. If you read the fine print, you have so many days to send it back if you don't want it or you'll be charged 13.95 (a savings of over 40%off the regular subscriber price!) Not impressed.

Buy Love of Quilting Now

Gave lots of sources as well as several nice quilt patterns. Fons & Porter are known for their quilting. LL

Read Best Reviews of Love of Quilting Here

These magazines have great patterns and are not stuffed with a zillion foolish advertising dropout filler. (I have a pet peeve about paying for something and having it filled with paper bits that have to be unloaded before you can read the magazine. I enjoy advertisements that are relevant to the magazine topic, however). I also appreciate the ability to see the magazine online or download it to my iPad.

Want Love of Quilting Discount?