SimulonIn this new Field Guide to Generative AI, fxguides Mike Seymour, working with NVIDIA, unpacks the impact of generative AI on the media and entertainment industries, offering practical applications, ethical considerations, and a roadmap for the future.The field guide draws on interviews with experts atPlus, expertise from visual effects researchers at Wt FX & Pixar.This comprehensive guide is a valuable resource for creatives, technologists, and producers looking to harness the transformative power of AI in a respectful and appropriate fashion.Generative AI in Media and Entertainment, a New Creative Era: Field GuideClick here to download the field guide (free).Generative AI has become one of the most transformative technologies in media and entertainment, offering tools that dont merely enhance workflows but fundamentally change how creative professionals approach their craft. This class of AI, capable of creating entirely new content from images and videos to scripts and 3D assetsrepresents a paradigm shift in storytelling and production.As the field guide notes, this revolution stems from the nexus of new machine learning approaches, foundational models, and advanced NVIDIA accelerated computing, all combined with impressive advances in neural networks and data science.NVIDIAFrom enhancement AI to creation GenAIWhile traditional AI, such as Pixars machine learning denoiser in RenderMan, has been used to optimize production pipelines, generative AI takes a step further by creating original outputs. Dylan Sisson of Pixar notes that their denoiser has transformed our entire production pipeline and was first used on Toy Story 4, touching every pixel you see in our films.However, generative AIs ability to infer new results from vast data sets opens doors to new innovations, building and expanding peoples empathy and skills. Naturally it also has raised concerns, about artists rights, providence of training data and possible job losses as production pipelines incorporate this new technology. The challenge is to ethically incorporate these new technologies and the field guide aims to show companies that have been doing just that.RunwayBreakthrough applicationsGenerative models, including GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks), diffusion-based approaches, and transformers, underpin these advancements in generative AI. These technologies are not well understood by many producers and clients, yet companies that dont explore how to use them could well be at an enormous disadvantage.Generative AI tools like Runway Gen-3 are redefining how cinematic videos are created, offering functionalities such as text-to-video and image-to-video generation with advanced camera controls. From the beginning, we built Gen-3 with the idea of embedding knowledge of those words in the way the model was trained, explains Cristbal Valenzuela, CEO of Runway. This allows directors and artists to guide outputs with industry-specific terms like 50mm lens or tracking shot.Similarly, Adobe Firefly integrates generative AI across its ecosystem, allowing users to tell Photoshop what they want and having it comply through generative fill capabilities. Fireflys ethical training practices ensure that it only uses datasets that are licensed or within legal frameworks, guaranteeing safety for commercial use.New companies like Simulon are also leveraging generative AI to streamline 3D integration and visual effects workflows. According to Simulon co-founder Divesh Naidoo, Were solving a fragmented, multi-skill/multi-tool workflow that is currently very painful, with a steep learning curve, and streamlining it into one cohesive experience. By reducing hours of work to minutes, Simulon allows for rapid integration of CGI into handheld mobile footage, enhancing creative agility for smaller teams.BriaEthical frameworks and creative controlThe rapid adoption of generative AI has raised critical concerns around ethics, intellectual property, and creative control. The industry has made strides in addressing these issues. Adobe Firefly and Getty Images stand out for their transparent practices. Rather than ask if one has the rights to use a GenAI image, the better question is, can I use these images commercially, and what level of legal protection are you offering me if I do? asks Gettys Grant Frarhall. Getty provides full legal indemnification for its customers, ensuring ethical use of its proprietary training sets.Synthesia, which creates AI-driven video presenters, has similarly embedded an ethical AI framework into its operations, adhering to the ISO Standard 42001. Co-founder Alexandru Voica emphasizes, We use generative AI to create these avatars the diffusion model adjusts the avatars performance, the facial movements, the lip sync, and eyebrowseverything to do with the face muscles. This balance of automation and user control ensures that artists remain at the center of the creative process.Wonder StudiosTraining data and provenanceThe quality and source of training data remain pivotal. As noted in the field guide, It can sometimes be wrongly assumed that in every instance, more data is goodany data, just more of it. Actually, there is a real skill in curating training data. Companies like NVIDIA and Adobe use carefully curated datasets to mitigate bias and ensure accurate results. For instance, NVIDIAs Omniverse Replicator generates synthetic data to simulate real-world environments, offering physically accurate 3D objects with accurate physical properties for training AI systems, and it fully trained appropriately.This attention to data provenance extends to protecting artists rights. Getty Images compensates contributors whose work is included in training sets, ensuring ethical collaboration between creators and AI developers.BriaExpanding possibilitiesGenerative AI is not a one-button-press solution but a dynamic toolset that empowers artists to innovate while retaining creative control. As highlighted in the guide, Empathy cannot be replaced; knowing and understanding the zeitgeist or navigating the subtle cultural and social dynamics of our times cannot be gathered from just training data. These things come from people.However, when used responsibly, generative AI accelerates production timelines, democratizes access to high-quality tools, and inspires new artistic directions. Tools like Wonder Studio automate animation workflows while preserving user control, and platforms like Shutterstocks 3D asset generators provide adaptive, ethically trained models for creative professionals.Adobe FireflyThe future of generative AIThe industry is just beginning to explore the full potential of generative AI. Companies like NVIDIA are leading the charge with solutions like the Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE), which integrates tools for real-time digital human generation. At the heart of ACE is a set of orchestrated NIM Microservices that work together, explains Simon Yuen, NVIDIAs Senior Director of Digital Human Technology. These tools enable the creation of lifelike avatars and interactive characters that can transform entertainment, education, and beyond.As generative AI continues to evolve, it offers immense promise for creators while raising essential questions about ethics and rights. With careful integration and a commitment to transparency, the technology has the potential to redefine the boundaries of creativity in media and entertainment.

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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.

Samuel D. Garey (1825-1891) was born in Auburn, Maine, and worked as a carriage manufacturer there before moving to Newton, Massachusetts to use his carpentry skills building houses in the rapidly developing Boston suburb. He became a prominent builder and developer in Newton Centre, residing there and building this mini-mansard house on Gibbs Street before 1870. Garey likely rented the house out to tenants for supplemental income, with the family maintaining the charming cottage into the 20th century.

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