Want More?VFX Elements BundleGet Destruction Debris, Ground Destruction 1-3, Portals, Blood Hits, Smoke Plumes 1-4, VDB Fire 1-3, Fireworks, Aerial Shockwaves, Ground Shockwaves, Atmospherics 1-2, Smoke Trails 1-3, Wispy Smoke, Smoke Bursts, Sparks and Meteors together and save over 20%! These are thousands of professional VFX elements for your next project!Learn MoreWant More?VDB BUNDLEIf you want to save 25% off of ALL the VDBs check out our VDB Bundle. It includes everything: VDB Clouds Packs 1-11, Smoke Packs 1-4, Explosions Packs 1-8, and VDB Fire Packs 1-2 with a savings of over 25%.Learn More

Eplus3D, a metal additive manufacturing company, has partnered with German bicycle manufacturer Mve to develop the Mve Avian, an e-bike with a titanium frame built using 3D printed lugs in a monocoque structure. Using the large-format EP-M650 printer, this project achieved full battery integration within the frame, addressing complex design and production challenges through additive manufacturing (AM) and setting a new precedent for the bicycle industry.Mve, founded in Thuringia, Germany, in 1897, faced substantial obstacles in developing a titanium frame with high performance and cost efficiency. Conventional methods, including hydroforming, required specialized tooling and could not meet Mves low-tolerance specifications. Eplus3Ds EP-M650 printer, which employs Metal Powder Bed Fusion (MPBF) technology, was integral in developing custom titanium lugs and connectors without extensive tooling. The machines large-format capabilities allowed Mve to eliminate costly tooling and reduce the projects timeline by an estimated six months.The Mve Avian e-bike features a 3D-printed titanium frame developed through the partnership with Eplus3D. Photo via Eplus3D.Enis Jost, Deputy General Manager at Eplus3D, explained the significance of this approach: The cost structure is mainly determined by the uptime of the system, the maturity of the processing parameters used, and the printing speed associated with these. Since only a few grams of material are used to create the lugs, and with the increased system productivity Eplus3Ds machines provide, the raw material cost is of less effect in this case.One of the primary challenges in using titanium for 3D printing is the need for support structures, which add material costs and complicate post-processing. Eplus3D minimized the support material for each part by fine-tuning print parameters, reducing post-production time and material waste. Mve then assembled the titanium lugs using an adhesive process, avoiding welding and maintaining structural integrity while keeping the Mve Avians frame weight at 11.8 kg.The modular structure of the Mve Avians titanium frame. Photo via Eplus3D.Surface treatment posed additional technical challenges. Mve applied abrasive blasting to achieve a uniform matte finish without altering the materials strength, a choice that aligns with Mves functional and aesthetic design goals. According to the original project goals, Metal Powder Bed Fusion (MPBF) technology combined with high-strength Ti6Al4V titanium alloy was identified as the only way to meet the design, performance, and cost requirements.As Jost observed, The potential of AM in the bicycle industry can be fully explored when traditional manufacturers start to design for process and user customization, similar to other emotionally connected devices such as cars and motorcycles. By replacing traditional tooling with additive manufacturing, Mve has achieved both a durable and environmentally sustainable product.A detailed view of the Mve Avian e-bikes components. Photo via Eplus3D.Innovations in 3D Printing for Bicycle ManufacturingThe Eplus3D-Mve project is part of an industry shift toward additive manufacturing in bicycle production. INTENSE Cycles, collaborating with TRUMPF and Elementum 3D, recently redesigned the M1 downhill bikes backbone using a 3D-printed aluminum alloy with internal ribbing to improve the suspension. This configuration, created from A6061-RAM2 aluminum alloy, allows for structural features that machining cannot achieve.Lehvoss Group has also partnered with Isoco Bikes to develop the Isoco X1 e-bike, which uses a 100% recyclable thermoplastic frame. By integrating injection-molded thermoplastics, Isoco reduced the frames carbon footprint by 68% compared to aluminum while maintaining durability. The material can be recycled and reused in new high-quality components, supporting sustainability.3D printed brake lever. Photo via TRUMPF.Your voice matters in the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards. Vote Now!What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows a detailed view of the Mve Avian e-bikes components. Photo via Eplus3D.

Ive been working as an indie VFX artist for three years now and learned everything myself online. Ive unfortunately never had the chance to work with another VFX artist yet and I know I have some gaps in my knowledge, despite doing my best to fill them in.Recently at work, weve been thinking of ways to help me set up my gym for better workflow. As it is, to playtest I need to either set up looping VFX I drop in my gym and iterate on, manually changing their status using Events and booleans, or I drop them into game scenes to do the same thing with the proper visuals surrounding the VFX.I can also swap out a given enemys VFX with the one Im working on and be able to iterate its behaviour as the enemy uses it. For projectiles, one of our programers has given me a basic script I can put on my vfx object that launches it and will call the proper events upon touching a collision surface.Mostly, I work on things fairly piecemeal and then adjust them all once the code comes in and lets them function. These days, there are rarely any problems, since Ive streamlined a lot of things.However, we all agree that this is a clunky way of working and are willing to put the energy into making a proper gym that would allow me to iterate far more fluidly and be able to present the proper behaviour of all my VFX as needed, without needing to wrestle with the game to try and get things to work.As an asside, I dont have any issues with the environmental VFX I create. The gym works just fine for them, since they dont have particularly complex behaviours and can be showcased easily. What I need help with is with VFX that are interactible, ex: pickups, projectiles, beams, traps, etc.Ive tried looking things up online, but I cant find anyone actually talking about their gym setups. It just brings up actual physical exercises or things relating to movie/tv VFX artists, which I am not. I want to know what people have access to! Does everyone need to interface awkwardly with their games, or are there entire gyms set up to be miniature microcosms of gameplay where iteration can be rapid? What do you have access to, if you do have some of these features? And is there anything else you consider should be part of a gym, even really basic knowledge? What can be expected of AAA gym setups versus smaller studios, or even setups individual artists have created on their own, for their own purposes?I would love answers to my questions, but I know wider answers will absolutely benefit others if they can find this page.So, what kind of features do you think a good VFX gym should have?

Outdoor Space | Clay Banks via UnsplashOutdoor design makes for a charming enhancement to any home, holding a special allure for city dwellers who crave the outdoors. Stepping out for fresh air and basking in the evening sun is almost a cherished ritual compared to busy workdays.As the seasons change, outdoor living captures everyones attention, with interests in manicured lawns, compact urban gardens, and elegant garden furniture soaring. Even amid bustling cities, people seek to connect with nature, driving the demand for designs that fulfill this desire. Here are some tips for creating an outdoor living space youll love.Design Inviting Seating SpacesComfortable seating is the cornerstone of any delightful outdoor area. A cozy seating arrangement can encourage more outdoor time. Invest in the highest quality outdoor furniture you can afford, featuring cushioned chairs, hammocks, or sectionals that complement the size and aesthetic of your space.Depending on the space you have, consider incorporating various seating options to support different activities. A small bistro set is ideal for outdoor dining, while a daybed or swing offers a serene, relaxing spot. Remember to include weather-resistant pillows in vibrant, cheerful colors to enhance comfort and visual charm.Outdoor Fire PitA firepit frequently becomes the heart of any outdoor area, fostering a welcoming environment. It offers warmth, charm, and a central spot for gatherings with loved ones. Select a firepit that matches your personal taste, be it a classic wood-burning model or a handy gas-powered version. Surround the firepit with cozy seating to promote discussion and leisure.Additionally, a firepit helps to ward off the cold during cooler nights. You can learn more about how a fire pit can enhance your landscaping and outdoor living space by researching online or consulting a professional.Add Abundant Greenery and BlossomsIf you havent yet developed a garden, introducing natural elements to your outdoor area is an excellent way to foster a joyful environment. Luxuriant plants, vibrant flowers, and rich greenery can rapidly change a plain patio or yard into a dynamic, inviting retreat. Opt for various plants to enhance your spaces texture, color, and depth.Vertical gardens or hanging planters offer a perfect solution for those with limited ground space. These options allow you to incorporate greenery even in compact balconies or small courtyards. Low-maintenance plants such as succulents, lavender, or ferns are ideal for individuals without much gardening experience, while an assortment of seasonal flowers can provide vibrant color throughout the year.Greenery | Sonnie Hiles via UnsplashGreenery | Jonathan Borba via UnsplashIntroduce the Aspect of LightWhether light emanates from a warmly glowing fireplace or thoughtfully positioned candles, lighting creates an atmosphere of warmth and romance in your outdoor setting. Blending different lighting sources transforms your outdoor living area into an enchanting space after sunset.Ensure the path to the house is well-lit with porch lights, and use task lighting for grilling spots and outdoor kitchens. Candlelight, wall-mounted downlights, and chandeliers offer a welcoming and relaxed ambiance for conversation zones and dining. Steps and pathways should also be lit for both safety and additional charm.Traditional string lights and solar lighting are simple, cost-effective ways to enhance the ambiance. Solar lights nestled in potted plants provide gentle illumination for seating areas, while string lights draped over taller trees and shrubs can quickly add a touch of romance. Any form of lighting will contribute to the ambiance, uplift the mood, and enrich the experience.Draw Inspiration from NatureDrawing inspiration from nature can significantly enhance the cohesive vibe of your outdoor living area. Consider creating a room near the pool, surrounded by lush greenery and an open layout to achieve an airy ambiance.Incorporating natural materials and earth-toned colors can help establish a Zen-like environment, instantly transporting you to a tranquil space as you step outside for a swim. When planning your renovation, the suns position is essential. For instance, if youre installing a TV screen, it might be wise to mount it on a wall that avoids direct sunlight. Consider the impact of wind on your design. Consulting with a professional designer and builder can provide valuable guidance in making these decisions.EndnoteAdd essential elements to enhance your outdoor living area into a peaceful, relaxing retreat. Consistently care for your outdoor spaces by cleaning the furniture, updating cushions, and nurturing plants. Modify the design and dcor with the changing seasons to keep the area welcoming throughout the year.Landscape ArchitectureTips Leave a comment

As Houston inches into the more comfortable space between summer and fall, I find myself at the Memorial Park running track to get a couple miles in. Breathless and sweaty, I walk over to Vibrant, the parks new health-conscious food option. Theres no better reward after a solid run than only having to walk 50 feet to fuel my coffee addiction. Designed by Schaum Architects as a second location for the original cafe in Montrose, this building is intentionally made to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The pavilion features a gabled steel roof that boasts a 30-foot cantilever. (Leonid Furmansky)A vaulted ceiling ensures no columns interrupt the space below. (Leonid Furmansky)The most notable element of the cafe is the generous patio facing the park. This features a gabled steel roof that boasts a 30-foot cantilever. The structure resolves in a vaulted ceiling that ensures no columns interrupt the space below. As I walk along the building, I also notice that small squares push out of the brick to create a textured facade.Textured brickwork was applied to the building. (Leonid Furmansky)The interior is split into three bays by exposed beams: kitchen, serving counter, and seating area. (Leonid Furmansky)Inside, floor-to-ceiling glazing frames views of the park, and a color palette of white and light-toned wood complements the steel structure and window mullions. An operable glass wall connects the interior to the exterior, strengthening the seamless line to the park. This combination of color and glazing also allows the late summers pale-yellow sunlight to subtly transform the otherwise cold color scheme into a warm and inviting one. The interior is split into three bays by exposed beams: kitchen, serving counter, and seating area, with the kitchen housed within the larger brick mass at the front of the building. The second is thinner and hollows out inside to create an invisible separation between the serving and seating areas. As a testament to the intentional design, the patio even features benches instead of chairs with backs at the perimeter of the space to bring the nature in unobstructed.Pooja Desai is a writer and researcher at the Community Design Resource Center at the University of Houston.Project SpecificationsArchitect: Schaum ArchitectsLandscape architect: Nelson Byrd WoltzInterior design: Kelly Barnhart, Schaum ArchitectsStructural engineering: H2B EngineeringElectrical engineering: GK EngineersCivil engineering: GundaLighting design: G2LDGeneral contractor: TellepsenCladding: Resawn Timber, Acme, OrnamentaGlass: VitroWindows: KawneerDoors: NanaWallInterior finishes: La Nova TileLighting: Noguchi, Axis, Lithonia, Luminii, ArtemideFurniture: Herman Miller Eames, Vaarnii

The snazzy abode late PoMo kingpin John Portman used to call home in Sea Island, Georgia, is up for sale. For anyone with an extra $40 million lying around, Entelechy II can be yours. Just call Sothebys. The estate, Entelechy II, was finished in 1986 on the isle between Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. It gets its name from a philosophical concept by Aristotle, Entelechy, or , that pertains to form giving and realizing potential.Vegetation adorns and is draped across much of the exterior. (Bartolotti Media)Portman himself was enthralled by the concept his entire life, or with having ones end within. He was also a self-described Emersonian, or student of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He worshipped Kant but also Tom Wolfe, namely the main protagonist in his 1998 book, A Man in Full, Eva Hagberg wrote in her review of Entelechy II for Wallpaper. Entelechy I was completed in 1964 in Atlanta also for Portman and his family. Entelechy II was built two decades later. The latter consists of a main residence, but also a private 3,400-square-foot guest cottage.Sothebys was sure to include the estates philosophical underpinnings in its description: Entelechy II transcends the conventional, standing as a harmonious interplay between architectural form and the natural grandeur of its oceanfront setting, Sothebys said in its ethereal sales pitch, stocked with references to the Enlightenment. It added, This is not merely a home; it is a sanctuary of enlightened living.A living space features stark white walls and decorative, rounded fireplace. (Bartolotti Media)A dining room with brick pavers and circular bench seating on its perimeter. (Bartolotti Media)The sellers further noted that Portmans genius is evident in the meticulous orchestration of space, light, and materiality. The international auction house added that the estates glass facade blurs the line between interior and exterior, opening up spaces throughout the house to views of the Atlantic Ocean.This sculpture, Mickey, was completed by Portman in 1986. (Bartolotti Media)Whether Entelechy II is what Aristotle had in mind when he put his pen to paper circa 300 BCE is anyones guess. Nevertheless, Entelechy II is stocked with original sculptures Portman made, including Dooleys Dance (1986), Mickey (1986), Reclining Figure (1986), Totem (1987). From a birds eye view, Entelechy IIs roof is square. But a mind boggling series of axes break up the volume into sinuous nooks and crannies, not unlike the plan for Entelechy I. Outside, vegetation masks much of the facade.An indoor-outdoor water feature. (Bartolotti Media)A cavernous exterior room with water on the ground proportionally recalls the Temple of Karnak. The pool area is where things really get bonkers, where a sculpture by Portman cantilevers out toward the Atlantic Ocean. It recalls the house by Myron Goldfinger where Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill slammed quaaludes in Scorseses The Wolf of Wall Street.In describing its relationship to Entelechy I, Sothebys shared: This aesthetic is reminiscent of his work on Entelechy I and II, where the synergy between the built environment and its context elevates the residence from mere habitation to an immersive, sensory experience.

Istanbul. All images courtesy of Hoxton Mini Press, shared with permissionSwing Through the Worlds Most Spectucular Artist-Designed PlaygroundsNovember 18, 2024BooksDesignGrace EbertDavid Hockney famously said that people tend to forget that play is serious, but for the artists and designers behind some of the worlds most visionary parks and museums, recreation has never been a trivial matter.A new book by Emmy Watts travels the globe to highlight more than 80 spectacular environments created purely to foster one of the most primal activities. Published by Hoxton Mini Press, The Art of Play is a vast compendium featuring a range of interactive, immersive, and conceptual spaces for both children and adults.Chongqing, ChinaIncluded is Mike Hewsons seemingly perilous design in Melbourne, which perches massive boulders attached to slides, monkey bars, and other equipment on tiny wheels fit for a skateboard (dont worry: theyre secured with rods). Others take inspiration from nature, including the colorful bubble architecture of an Istanbul playground and the fantastic characters at an all-ages park in Chongqing, China. Outfitted with typical equipment like sandboxes and tunnels, this space also has tables for checkers and exercise areas specifically geared toward older adults.Pick up a copy of The Art of Play for a dose of whimsy and perhaps to help plan your next family vacation.City Museum, St. LouisKunt Hora, CzechiaValenciaShanghaiMianyang, ChinaDoha, QatarMelbourneDalian, ChinaShenzhenNext article

Can U., Pre-College 2024RISD Pre-Collegiate Programs Are Now Enrolling for Summer 2025November 18, 2024SponsorRISDAt Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pre-College, rising high school juniors and seniors can experience life as a RISD student and work alongside hundreds of other creative, highly motivated students who will inspire them to push their limits and produce their best work. They will follow a college-level curriculum inspired by the RISD first-year experience with day-long studio classes, visits to the Nature Lab and RISD Museum, critiques, and projects that will forever shape how they approach art and design.Outside the studio, students can participate in activities and events on and off campus. Summer 2025 runs from June 28 through August 2.I feel like Ive grown tenfold as an artist at Pre-College, and Ive never been more inspired to work toward art school. The critique process at RISD is so unique and constructive. Im so glad I got to experience it.Gauri G., Pre-College 2024Apply for RISDs Pre-College residential summer immersive.RISDs Advanced Program Online is an online intensive designed for high school students interested in pursuing art and design in college. This series of college-level courses for students in grades 1012 calls on creative young people to reframe the way they look at the world, their art practice, and the way they collaborate while learning best practices in developing their work.The Spring 2025 term runs from March 1 through May 11, and the Summer 2025 term runs from June 14 through August 10.Register for RISDs Advanced Program Online.Whether on-campus or online, students will participate in courses led by our reputable teaching artists, learn to navigate college resources and demands, and create portfolio-ready work.Learn more and compare programs at precollege.risd.edu/compare-programs.Previous articleNext article

Tech T-Mobile hacked by Chinese cyber espionage in major attack on US telecoms Learn how to stay safe amid rise in telecom data breaches Published November 18, 2024 10:00am EST | Updated November 18, 2024 4:47pm EST close 'CyberGuy': NSA urges Americans to reboot phones once a week. Why? Tech expert Kurt Knutsson says the National Security Agency advises weekly phone reboots to protect against cyberattacks and enhance mobile security. The telecom industry is one of cybercriminals' favorite targets, likely because of the sensitive data it stores. Your carrier knows who you call and what you text. This type of information is valuable not only to hackers but also to governments. Thats probably why U.S. phone giant T-Mobile was hacked as part of a broad cyberattack on domestic and international phone and internet companies in recent months.IM GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYSEnter bysigning up for my free newsletter! T-Mobile booth (T-Mobile) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to knowThere was unauthorized access to a limited number of T-Mobile routers using methods indicative of a major Chinese cyber-espionage operation, but T-Mobiles layered defenses and security monitoring enabled T-Mobile to quickly identify and shut down the threat.The report revealed that hackers connected to a Chinese intelligence agency breached T-Mobile as part of a monthslong effort to spy on the cellphone communications of high-value intelligence targets. The report did not specify when the attack occurred, but T-Mobile says no customer calls or communication records were stolen.The U.S. government alsoconfirmed this month that Chinese hackers breached multiple U.S. telecommunications service providers to access wiretap systems used by law enforcement for surveillance of Americans. Wiretap systems allow law enforcement agencies to monitor phone calls, text messages and internet communications as part of investigations, typically with a warrant.CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) and the FBI issued a joint statement revealing "a broad and significant" cyber-espionage campaign. The statement disclosed that PRC-affiliated hackers had breached networks at "multiple telecommunications companies" across the United States. While CISA and the FBI did not name the organizations affected, multiple reports suggest that T-Mobile, AT&T, Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) and Verizon are likely on the list.WSJ reported in October that Chinese hackers had access to the networks "for months or longer," enabling them to collect "internet traffic from internet service providers that count businesses large and small and millions of Americans as their customers." Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)T-Mobiles many data breachesT-Mobile has faced several hacks in recent years. In 2021, a malicious actor breached T-Mobiles lab environment by posing as a legitimate connection to an unidentified piece of equipment. The hacker guessed passwords for multiple servers and moved laterally through the network, ultimately stealing personal data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers and drivers license IDs, from tens of millions of customers.In 2022, T-Mobile experienced another breach when a malicious actor used SIM-swapping, phishing and other tactics to infiltrate the companys internal platform for managing mobile resellers who serve T-Mobile customers.The troubles continued into 2023. Early in the year, hackers used phished credentials from dozens of T-Mobile retail employees to access a sales application originally set up during the COVID-19 pandemic for remote viewing of customer data. Then, in January 2023, a misconfigured application programming interface exposed personal data for 37 million current customers, marking yet another significant security lapse. Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)T-Mobiles responseWhen CyberGuy reached out to T-Mobile regarding the latest security incident, a spokesperson provided the following statement: "T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry-wide attack. Due to our security controls, network structure and diligent monitoring and response we have seen no significant impacts to T-Mobile systems or data. We have no evidence of access or exfiltration of any customer or other sensitive information as other companies may have experienced. We will continue to monitor this closely, working with industry peers and the relevant authorities."5 ways to stay safe amid the rise in telecom data breaches1) Change your passwords regularly: Make it a habit to update your passwords every few months, especially for your telecom accounts and related services. Use strong, unique passwords that include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols.Password managers can help you generate and store these securely.2) Invest in personal data removal services: Consider services that scrub your personal information from public databases. This reduces the chances of your data being exploited in phishing or other cyberattacks after a breach.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.3) Use identity theft protection: Identity theft protection services monitor your accounts for unusual activity, alert you to potential threats and can even assist in resolving issues if your data is compromised.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.4) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your telecom accounts with2FA. This requires a second form of verification, like a text code or an app-based prompt, making it harder for hackers to access your accounts even if they have your password.5) Guard against phishing scams with strong antivirus software: Be cautious about unsolicited calls, texts or emails that ask for personal information or account access. Legitimate companies won't ask for sensitive details this way. If something seems off, contact your telecom provider directly through official channels. Whatever you do, don't click on links, as they can lead to scams or malware.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurts key takeawayTelecom providers like T-Mobile and AT&T are frequent targets for hackers. Over the last two years, millions of Americans have had their data stolen, things like call records, text messages and even personal details. The issue got so bad that the FCC stepped in, warning T-Mobile to step up its cybersecurity efforts. The company was fined about $30 million, split between a $15 million penalty and a mandatory $15 million investment in better security. Unfortunately, if the companies handling your data keep getting breached, there's only so much you can do.Do fines and penalties for telecom companies feel like enough of a deterrent, or should they face stricter consequences? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

cam_pine - stock.adobe.comNewsInfinidat gets in on the RAG act with workflow architecture offerStorage array maker says customers can get data from any NFS storage to use in RAG for internal enterprise AI projects, and claims its OS metadata expertise enables thisByAntony Adshead,Storage EditorPublished: 18 Nov 2024 15:54 Infinidat has launched a retrieval augmented generation (RAG) workflow architecture, deliverable as a consultancy service to its storage customers, which allows them to build in up-to-date, private data from multiple company data sources to artificial intelligence (AI) from any NFS storage in their organisation.The move reflects a trend that has seen multiple storage companies address AI workloads, and RAG issues in particular in generative AI (GenAI) that result when data used for training is incomplete, out of date or lacks the type of information that can only be gained from private data, such as within an organisation or from expert knowledge.When an organisation wants to develop GenAI, it puts a dataset through a training process in which the AI learns how to recognise particular attributes that can be used for information, or for triggers in applications.Those training processes are often built around datasets that are very general, can go out of date or perhaps initially lack specialised or private data. This is often the case with AI projects inside organisations that need to stay up to date over time, said Infinidat chief marketing officer Eric Herzog.A lot of organisations are using generative AI as an internal project with private data, said Herzog. And as well as wanting to protect their IP, they have concerns about accuracy, avoiding hallucinations, etc.For example, a large enterprise that generates vast amounts of data in sales, support, operations would want to boost the performance of what it is doing, and thats very much tied to its storage performance.The customer wants to see accurate data in near real time. It can use AI to understand the details it might be screws in a component, the type, the supplier, any number of details and be able to update that information on a continual basis.What Infinidat now offers is professional services consulting to allow its customers to access data for RAG purposes from its own and other suppliers storage, as long as it is in NFS file storage format.According to Herzog, that comprises help with configuring the storage system to get at data and metadata rapidly for RAG purposes. He said Infinidat is well-positioned to do this because of the importance it places on metadata and the neural cache within its architecture and the InfuzeOS environment.Infinidat arrays can be all-flash or hybrid spinning disk and solid state, and are mostly targeted at high-end enterprise andservice provider customers. Their hardware products feature triple-active controllers and use of a so-called neural cache that marshals data to the most appropriate media, with the bulk of I/O requests going via very fastDRAM, with a cache hit rate of more than 90% claimed.Infinidats focus here on RAG capabilities sees it join other storage suppliers that have recently made a push for customers embarking on AI projects.Pure Storage CEO Charlie Giancarlo was keen to highlight his companys AI push at its Accelerate event in June, with storage write speed and availability emphasised. Meanwhile, NetApp launched a push towards data management for AI with the announcement of data classification for AI via its OnTap operating system at its annual Insight shindig in September.Read more about storage and AIStorage technology explained: AI and data storage. In this guide, we examine the data storage needs of artificial intelligence, the demands it places on data storage, the suitability of cloud and object storage for AI, and key AI storage products.Storage technology explained: Vector databases at the core of AI. We look at the use of vector data in AI and how vector databases work, plus vector embedding, the challenges for storage of vector data and the key suppliers of vector database products.In The Current Issue:Interview: Niall Robinson, head of product innovation, Met OfficeIAM: Enterprises face a long, hard road to improveDownload Current IssueClearly smart, SAS acquires Hazy: A wider vision for synthetic data CW Developer NetworkI guess the trainings down in Africa, CNCF & Andela skill-up 20,000+ IT pros CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs