November 26, 20244 min readFast Fashion Affects Climate, Exploits Workers and Creates Enormous Textile WasteFast fashion may seem cheap, but its taking a costly toll on the planetand on millions of young peopleBy Paula M. Carbone & The Conversation US Georgi Fadejev/Getty ImagesThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.Fast fashion is everywhere in just about every mall, in the feeds of influencers on social media promoting overconsumption, and in ads constantly popping up online.Fast fashion's focus on the continual production of new clothing is marked by speedy cycles that give the concept its name. Fast fashion is intended to quickly copy high-end designs, but with low-quality materials, resulting in poorly made clothing intended to be worn once or twice before being thrown away.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.One of fast fashions leading companies, Zara, has a mission to put clothes in stores 15 days after the initial design. Another, Shein, adds up to 2,000 new items to its website daily.While others in the fashion industry are working toward more sustainable clothing, fast fashion is focused on profit. The markets value was estimated at about US$100 billion in 2022 and growing quickly. Its a large part of the reason global clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2014.The big winners in this game are the corporations. The industry has a reputation for exploiting workers and for excessive pollution and extraordinary waste. Consumers are pulled into an unhealthy, spiraling pressure to buy more as cheap clothes fall apart fast.Fast fashion also has a growing impact on the global climate. It is responsible for an estimated 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and its emissions are projected to grow quickly as the industry expands.I teach courses that explore fast fashion and sustainability. The industrys growth seems unstoppable but a combination of legislation and willpower might just rein it in.Understanding the harmAbout 60 percent of fast-fashion items are made from synthetic textiles derived from plastics and chemicals that start their life as fossil fuels. When this synthetic clothing is laundered or thrown in landfills to decompose, it can release microplastics into the environment. Microplastics contain chemicals including phthalates and bisphenol A that can affect the health of humans and animals.Natural fibers have their own impacts on the environment. Growing cotton requires large quantities of water, and pesticides can run off from farmlands into streams, rivers and bays. Water is also used in chemically treating and dyeing textiles. A 2005 United Nations-led report on cottons water use estimated that, on average, a single cotton T-shirt requires about 700 gallons (2,650 liters) of water from crop to clothing rack, with about 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of that water used for irrigation.The chemicals used to process textiles for clothing for the fashion industry also contaminate wastewater with heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, and toxic dyes. And that wastewater ends up in waterways in many countries, affecting the environment and wildlife.Fast fashions high output also creates literally mountains of waste. More than 90 million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills globally each year, by one estimate, adding to greenhouse gases as it slowly decomposes. Only a small percentage of discarded clothing is recycled.From fashionista to environmental guardianIn many cultures, peoples self-perception is intimately connected to fashion choices, reflecting culture and alliances.The allure of buying new items comes from many sources. Influencers on social media play into FOMO the fear of missing out. Cheap items can also lead to impulse buys.Research shows that shopping can also create a euphoric sense of happiness. However, fast fashions speed and marketing can also train consumers into psychological obsolescence, causing them to dislike purchases they previously enjoyed, so they quickly replace them with new purchases.Famous personalities may be helping to push back on this trend. Social media explodes when a first ladyor Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wears an outfit more than once. The movement #30wearschallenge is starting with small steps, by urging consumers to plan to wear every piece of clothing they buy at least 30 times.Upcycling turning old clothing into new clothing items and buying sustainable and high-quality clothes that can last for years is being promoted by the United Nations and other organizations, including alliances in the fashion industry.Some influencers are also promoting more sustainable fashion brands. Research has shown that peer influence can be a powerful driver for making more sustainable choices. The largest market for fast fashion is Gen Z, ages 12 to 27, many of whom are also concerned about climate change and might reconsider their fast-fashion buys if they recognized the connections between fast fashion and environmental harm.Some governments are also taking steps to reduce waste from fashion and other consumer products. The European Union is developing requirements for clothing to last longer and prohibiting companies from throwing out unsold textiles and footwear. France has pending legislation that, if passed, would ban publicity for fast-fashion companies and their products, require them to post the environmental impact of their products, and levy fines for violations.Changes in consumer habits, new technologies and legislation can each help reduce demand for unsustainable fashion. The cost of cheap clothes worn a few times also adds up. Next time you buy clothing, think about the long-term value to you and the planet.This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

November 26, 20243 min readWildfire Smoke Linked to Increased Risk of DementiaThe particles that make up wildfire smoke may raise the risk of dementia even more than similar airborne pollutants from other sourcesBy Chelsea Harvey & E&E NewsA firefighter is surrounded by heavy smoke as he battles the advancing Silverado Fire fueled by Santa Ana winds at the 241 toll road and Portola Parkway on October 26, 2020 in Irvine, California. Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesCLIMATEWIRE | Wildfire smoke can aggravate a variety of medical conditions, from asthma to heart disease.Now, new research adds another worry to the mix. It can elevate the risk of dementia.A study published Monday in the scientific journal JAMA Neurology, finds that long-term exposure to smoke concentrations is associated with a higher risk of dementia diagnosis over time. For every one microgram increase in wildfire pollution per cubic meter of air over the course of a three-year period, the odds of dementia diagnosis rise by about 18 percent, the study finds.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Thats compared with each persons baseline risk of dementia diagnosis, which remains relatively low among the general population. Still, the increased risks are large enough to pose a public health concern.The study focuses on a form of air pollution known as particulate matter tiny, inhalable particles, with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. This kind of air pollution can originate from a variety of sources, including automobiles, industrial sources and fires.Previous studies already have suggested that particulate matter can increase the risk of dementia, among other health problems. The new research zooms in specifically on particles produced by wildfire smoke, which can have different chemical and physical properties than particles produced by other sources.The study examined medical records from more than 1 million people in Southern California from 2008 to 2019, all part of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California medical care consortium. It also analyzed air quality records from the same time period to estimate long-term pollution concentrations, including particles stemming directly from wildfire smoke.The study found that wildfire smoke increases the risk of dementia significantly more than particulate matter from other sources. There are several reasons that could be the case, the researchers say.Wildfire smoke particles tend to have higher concentrations of molecules known for toxic or inflammatory properties. And wildfire smoke tends to spike at certain times of the year, compared with other kinds of air pollution intermittently exposing communities to extremely high pollution concentrations, which may have greater effects on their health.The study also found that certain demographics are at higher risk than others, including people with lower incomes and people of color, including Black, Hispanic and Asian communities.Low-income communities often are at higher risk of exposure to air pollution, the researchers note. Lower quality housing in these communities may allow particulate matter to infiltrate homes more easily, and residents may have less access to air filtration systems.Marginalized groups also may contend with more health challenges, in part because of systemic discrimination, compounding their risks of developing dementia later in life.We know that climate change impacts the most vulnerable communities first and worst and we appear to see a similar signal in our data, said Joan Casey, an environmental epidemiologist and co-author of the new study, in an email to POLITICO'S E&E News.Policymakers can take certain steps to protect these vulnerable communities, she added. They can make sure that all communications about public health are issued in multiple languages. And they can push for policies aimed at combating climate change, reducing other sources of air pollution and mitigating wildfires through strategies such as science-based controlled burns.Meanwhile, there are other questions that scientists can examine in future research.The new study looked at dementia of all kinds. But future studies can investigate whether certain types of conditions, such as Alzheimers disease, have stronger ties to wildfire smoke than others.The research team is also very curious about the effects of multiple climate hazards working together, Casey added. If wildfires happen to coincide with power outages, for instance, that could restrict the ability of many households to use air filtration systems potentially worsening their health risks.These kinds of questions are growing more urgent as the effects of climate change worsen. Recent research has found that about a quarter of all particulate matter pollution in the United States comes from wildfire smoke. And in parts of the Western U.S., smoke is responsible for as much as half.Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2024. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environment professionals.

PS2 officially surpasses 160m sales, retaining its best-selling console crownAnother 10m units sold since 2011.Image credit: Sony News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Nov. 26, 2024 Nintendo's Switch might be nipping at its heels, but PlayStation 2 continues to hold the record as the best-selling console of all time - with Sony now confirming the machine has shifted a whopping 160m units since launching all the way back in March 2000.This isn't the first time we've heard that figure, of course; former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan casually claimed a total of 160m PlayStation 2s had been sold during a farewell edition of PlayStation Podcast earlier this year, but Sony has now updated its PlayStation history page to reflect that number, finally making it officially official.PlayStation 2's last major sales milestone was trumpeted back in 2011, when Sony revealed the console had surpassed 150m sales - although it only took another year for that number to jump up by a further 5m. So while sales have undoubtedly slowed - not exactly surprising seeing as Sony hasn't produced a PS2 since January 2013 - the fact the console has successfully managed to shift another 5m units in the interim is still pretty wild.And now for something a bit more recent.Watch on YouTubeTo put that into some sort of perspective, PlayStation 5 is currently at 65m lifetime sales, while PS4 has sold 117m units, PS3 is at the 87m mark, and PS1 was snapped up by 102m Vib-Ribbon fans. Nintendo's DS handheld almost came close to matching PS2's previously announced figure, shifting 154m units, but it now trails someway behind. As for Switch (currently at 146m sales), it could still reign victorious if Switch 2 doesn't get in its way.For all this competitive chatter, 160m PS2s sold is still an impressive achievement, and you can read more about the console's success elsewhere on Eurogamer. It's not Sony's only cause for celebration, of course, given the entire PlayStation brand is marking its 30th anniversary in exactly one week's time. And all this because of a falling out with Nintendo.

Ubisoft reportedly developing Animal Crossing-style social sim with Minecraft-like buildingGotham Knights creative director at helm.Image credit: Nintendo News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Nov. 26, 2024 Assassin's Creed Valhalla studio Ubisoft Montreal is reportedly working on a new Animal Crossing-inspired social sim featuring Minecraft-like building elements, with former Gotham Knights creative director Patrick Redding said to be at the reins.That's according to Insider Gaming, which claims the title - currently codenamed Alterra - has been in the works for around 18 months. Alterra is said to have risen from the ashes of an earlier Ubisoft Montreal project, canceled after four years of development, with the two games supposedly sharing a focus on voxel creation.Insider Gaming's source describes Alterra as an "Animal Crossing-inspired social sim" in which players inhabit a home island populated by NPCs known as Matterlings. These Matterlings are "somewhat like Funko Pop figures", sporting large heads and designs blending fictional and real-world creatures, from polar bears to dragons.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo has announced new hardware, but it's not Switch 2.Watch on YouTubeAlterra's social aspect is reportedly combined with that aforementioned voxel creation element, featuring building mechanics "somewhat similar" to those seen in Minecraft, with players able to fashion items using resources found out in the world beyond their home.Here, it's claimed they'll encounter different biomes containing specific resources and different Matterling types, as well as unique enemies, materials, and more - with one example given being an ice biome, inhabited by snow-ice Matterlings, where players can create objects from snow and ice. It'll apparently be possible to encounter other players out in the world too.Insider Gaming adds Ubisoft veteran Fabien Lhraud is serving as lead producer on Alterra, and that the project's launch is "likely still a few years away".Ubisoft's release slate is, of course, a bit fuzzy beyond next year's delayed Assassin's Creed Shadows and Anno 117: Pax Romana, although the publisher has confirmed a new Rayman project is currently in the "exploration phase". That's alongside the very long in the works Beyond Good & Evil 2 and Ubisoft's troubled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake, with the latter now targeting a 2026 release. In more recent news, Ubisoft has now launched its first-ever blockchain game, featuring NFT figurines costing up to 50k.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Some of my favourite memories growing up involved Oddworld. Whether it was wrecking havoc to the poor Sligs, to being blown away (at the time) by the graphics in 2001s Munchs Odyssey. Well, the good news is that by some freak chance you have never played a game from the series, you can currently get all of them for $1, or if youre based in the UK, 1 via Fanatical.Whats in the box?Need more convincing, other than the fact we think theyre awesome? Heres everything you get for your $1, which equates to more than $60 worth of games.Oddworld: Abes Oddysee:Oddworld: Abes ExoddusOddworld: New n Tasty:(A remake of Abes Oddysee)Oddworld: Munchs OddyseeOddworld: Strangers Wrath HD which we loved and gave 8/10 in our reviewSoulstorm Enhanced Edition (the newest entry of the series, which isnt the best we gave it a 6.10 in our review, but still worth a punt)If thats not all, you also get all the bonus content, including:Oddworld: New n Tasty Alfs Escape DLCOddworld: New n Tasty Scrub Abe CostumeBear in mind that on Steam currently, youll have to shell out a lot more, even if you opt for the bundle on offer.A Steal for Steam DeckWhile none of the Oddworld games are currently verified on Steam Deck, the two latest titles in the series are playable on Valves handheld. For just a single dollar, youre getting two phenomenal platformers and their predecessors which, in our experience, also run great on the Deck. Heres every games Steam Deck rating at the time of writing: Oddworld: Abes Exodus (Playable) Oddworld: Abes Odyssey (Playable)Oddworld: Munchs Odyssey (Unknown)Oddworld: Strangers Wrath HD (Playable)Oddworld: New and Tasty (Playable)Oddworld: Soulstorm Enhanced Edition (Playable)While you run into a few minor problems down the road, these games are largely fine on the Deck. And for just a single dollar? Come on.Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThere are two essential tools in previous Stalker games: binoculars and night vision goggles. Unfortunately, both of these tools are not present in Stalker 2, likely due to the spawn distance of the games currently-broken A-Life system.Nevetheless, modders have stepped in to bring some form of night vision to the Zone, although its nowhere near as extensive as an actual in-game mechanic. Still, band-aid night vision is better than no night vision.Stalker 2 Night Vision GogglesUploaded to Nexus Mods by Bwerken, the new Night Vision Goggles mod is technically a filter that can be applied via ReShade. Obviously only available on PC, the mod allows you to activate different forms of night vision at the press of a button, complete with a mask overlay for added immersion.Looking through the night vision goggles in Stalker 2 will result in additional film grain and an overall haziness to the image, as well as allowing you to see in the dark. As the mod is only a ReShade filter, theres not really any negative to having it installedyou wont take on extra in-game weight for using it, for example.However, with Stalker 2 completely lacking the ability to use night vision goggles, this is an okay compromise for now. With a host of updates and free content in the works, theres hope that both the goggles and binoculars will be added in the game.At the time of writing, Stalker 2 is broken, massively so, but theres still few games like it. Depsite its rough edges, its a unique experience that loads of gamers should try if they can. It may not get everything right, but its certainly a great deal of fun.For more news on GSC Game Worlds latest, read about how you take down the games annoying bloodsuckers, or the mod bringing more parkour options to the survival game.S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of ChornobylPlatform(s):PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Survival HorrorSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Below, we give an overview of where your money is likely to go in a kitchen renovation.How much does a small kitchen remodel cost?If youre not feeling ready to totally gut your kitchen, you can still give it a facelift with a minor kitchen remodel. Tasks like updating to stainless steel, energy-efficient appliances, and painting your walls and cabinets can make a major difference. Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of AD PRO Directory firm BHDM Design and ARCHIVE, says that if youre focused on keeping your budget in check, you can get a great-looking, less expensive range to suit almost any aesthetic these days. Ultimately, appliances should account for 10 to 20% of your budget at most for a mini kitchen remodel.To save money, change cabinet hardware, not the kitchen cabinets, if you can, Pallrand recommends. If the cabinets are well made, paint them, and add some convenience hardware like pullouts, lifts, and organizers.How much does a total kitchen remodel cost?For larger-scale renovations that are part of a major remodel, Mazzarini recommends focusing most of your project cost on custom cabinetry, countertops, and high-end appliances. Really, these are the three main food groups for a gorgeous kitchen, he explains. They are also the things that will sell a kitchen, so spend it here.If youre looking to install new cabinets and shelving, be prepared for it to consume between 20 and 40% of the budget. High-quality faucets and hardware are the jewelry of the kitchen, because they sparkle, shine, and get attention, so those features are likely to cost more if youre using higher quality materials.HVAC and ducting work should take up about 5% of your budget, while plumbing fixtures should also come in at about 5%. Electrical work should account for approximately 10%, but if electrical J-boxes are in the right place, change the light fixtures for an updated look, suggests Pallrand.Is it possible to fully DIY my kitchen remodel?Disclaimer: Youd be hard pressed to find a kitchen professional who would recommend tackling a full kitchen remodel on your own! (We sure were.) This gets tricky. Early in my career, I did my fair share of these kitchens, says Mazzarini, who notes that, while sometimes they come out looking great, DIY remodels require patience and hard work. If youre adamant about tackling some of the work yourself, consider taking on tasks that arent as heavy of a lift. Painting and changing hardware is very different from installing new countertops yourself, says Mazzarini. My advice is to be safe, and call in the muscle for the heavy liftingboth figuratively and literally.Should you always hire a pro?While plenty of people do attempt to DIY their kitchen remodel in order to keep costs low, our experts are in agreement on this one: Hire a professional for a full kitchen remodel. Pallrand cites examples of DIY mistakes, from paint colors not looking as expected to a faucet being improperly aligned to the sink. There are so many things that can go wrong if you tackle it on your own and do not have any design or construction experience, he cautions.

Amazon may be the loudest when it comes to sales events like Black Friday, but its not the only retailer in town. The best early Walmart Black Friday deals are always comparably priced to what youll see at the everything store, and theres at least a brick-and-mortar component to its sales if you want to show up in person and eyeball something IRL. These days, in-person shopping isnt your only option, and you no longer have to elbow your way in to snag any of the savings the retailer has to offer. Weve got the intel you need to make the most of your early Black Friday sale shopping, so make sure your laptops battery life is topped up and your browser is primed to open a bunch of new tabs.Whether youre getting some holiday shopping done early, scheming about which smart TV will distract your parents this Christmas, or you want to shore up your Wi-Fi connection or snag a cordless vacuum for pesky holiday messes, Walmarts early Black Friday deals have you covered. As all sales go this time of year, prices will only be marked down for a limited time, so take advantage while you can (oh, and dont wait until Cyber Monday).Dyson V15 Detect VacuumA Dyson vacuum cleaner (very good, yet very expensive) is a quintessential Black Friday buy that you save up for and then pounce when its on sale. The V15 Detect is one of Dysons greatest cordless vacuums, highlighted by the detangling head and illumination technology that lights up all of the dust in your path.Sonos Roam 2 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth SpeakerSonos and Walmart are also rolling out deals on portable speakers, discounting the Roam 2 just in time for holiday hosting. Drown out the noise coming from your air fryer with some holiday jazz or Sabrina Carpenter. No doesnt matter what you play, itll sound great on the Roam 2.Beautiful Drew Chair by Drew BarrymoreA Drew Barrymoredesigned boucle chair for $100 off? Sign us up. This comfy accent chair comes with three pillows, swivels 360 degrees, and is stain-treated against errant spills and messes.Westintrends Outdoor Folding HDPE Adirondack ChairAdirondack chairs never go out of style, so even if youll be gazing at it lovingly out your window all winter long, buy one now so its ready to go when spring comes. At less than $100, youd be losing money if you didnt buy a couple of these.Cocoon by Sealy Medium Classic Gel Memory Foam MattressCocoon by Sealy makes one of our favorite mattresses in a box, so we can confidently say that buying one of these while its marked down is well worth it. A queen is only $357, a pretty wild deal that rarely comes upeven during the myriad mattress sales that go on throughout the year.EcoFlow Portable Power StationBe prepared for winter weather with a portable power station like this one from EcoFlow. It has a 1800W AC output, which means you can power more than 90% of your home appliances or plug in up to 15 devices at once.Dreo Cool Mist Top-Fill Ultrasonic HumidifierWinter weather also means dry air. Keep your sinuses free-flowing and your home smelling like a fancy yoga studio with a cool mist humidifier that can also diffuse essential oils. This one can run for 32 hours on a full tank and will humidify a room of up to 300 square feet.Meater Pro Wireless Bluetooth Smart Meat ThermometerOne thing that can easily ruin a holiday dinner: undercooked meats. The Meater Pro 2 ensures that you cook the turkey, beef, or chicken to the perfect temperature before plating it. Hook it up to your phones Bluetooth and monitor the temperature from your couch.Beats Solo4 Wireless HeadphonesIf youre looking for over-the-ear headphones that dont cost as much as Apples AirPods Max, the Beats Solo 4 are a premium alternative. They use the same chips as the Apple AirPods and have spatial audio that pairs nicely with your Roku TV or Xbox console to maximize your TV and gaming experience.Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Compact Smart Sound BarIf youre all set on TV deals but still want to boost your at-home entertainment setup, the Sonos Beam 2 is an addition that will boost your sound quality regardless of what TV you already have, be it a Sony, a Hisense, a TCL, or some other smart TV.

Behind the Scenes: Nightfall Castle By Alina Khan on November 26, 2024 Behind the Scenes Explore how Galazi, a self-taught artist from Taiwan, brought the enchanting Nightfall Castle to life, blending custom assets, clever lighting, and creative techniques.INTRODUCTIONHello everyone! I'm Galazi, a self-taught artist from Taiwan.My first area of study was film editing, and then I began delving into 3D.I started learning 3D from CG Fast Track, and it has been almost three years now.Currently, I'm focused on creating environment art.INSPIRATIONBefore I started creating this scene, I made an asset pack first.If youd like to, you can get this asset pack on my gumroad.When I started creating this, my initial idea was to try making a castle set in the mountains.However, I didnt have a clear direction for the actual creation, so I found this as a reference for my scene:PROCESSI used Blender to complete this scene, exported the video, and then made adjustments in After Effects.AssetsThe castle, mountains, and trees in this project were all modeled from scratch, while the materials and some foreground rock models were sourced from Poly Haven.MountainI sculpted some shapes of the mountain.Tree on the MountainAs for the trees, I used geometry nodes to distribute them across the mountains. The nodes:The trees in this scene were set up as 2D planes to reduce rendering time.LightingI used warm orange lighting on the buildings.Light Color: FFD596As for the blue lighting, I used it on the small village in the foreground.Light Color: 6FBFFFAnd always remember to add fog!If you want to see a more detailed production process, I have recorded a timelapse. Time-lapseRENDER: Nightfall CastleThank you for reading! I hope this can give you a bit of inspiration!About the Artist Galazi is a freelance 3D artist, currently focusing on environmental art. Links

Empower Blender Character Creator with Enhanced Auto Setup By Bart on November 26, 2024 3D News Reallusion, a leader in 3D animation and character creation software, announces a powerful upgrade to its free Blender Auto Setup (BAS), now optimized for Blender 4.2. This update allows seamless integration between Character Creator (CC), iClone, and Blender, moving beyond the constraints of FBX file transfers. The new "Data Link" feature ensures reliable bidirectional data synchronization. The free Auto Setup also includes automatic assignment of CC digital human shaders, advanced character editing tools, scene tools, compatibility with Rigify control rigs, and support for both Eevee and Cycles render engines.Data Link - Character & Prop Live SynchingThe new Data Link feature streamlines the process of synchronizing characters, poses, morphs, motions, and live sequences between CC, iClone, and Blender with a single click. This eliminates the need for exporting and importing FBX files, making the workflow more efficient. It also allows lighting and camera setups to sync from CC and IClone to Blender, ensuring visual consistency across platforms.For complex scenes like crowd simulations, the Send All option simplifies the process by transferring the entire sceneincluding props, characters, lighting, and camerasto Blender with a single click. Mocap and motion director recordings from iClone can also be seamlessly synchronized into Blender.Enhanced Character Editing ExperienceBlender Auto Setup auto-configures sculpt mode and the multiresolution modifier, making character sculpting effortless. Once sculpting is done, the one-click Bake & Apply function finalizes the base shape and sends it back to Character Creator. The proportion editing feature allows direct adjustment of the characters bone scale, offering precise customization options.BAS integrates hair spring rigs and cloth physics, enabling adjustments to cloth collision, weight maps, and simulation baking. For hair, it supports bone spring rigs, allowing tweaks to bone parameters and hair binding for more dynamic, realistic movement.Ultra-Realistic Digital Human ShaderThe Blender Auto Setup takes full advantage of Character Creator's (CC) Digital Human Shader, automatically generating optimized Blender material graphs for photorealistic rendering. These shaders bring characters to life with ultra-realistic details, supporting customizable parameters for various features, such as skin tone, wrinkles, hair, eyes, and teeth.Scene Tools and Support for EEVEE and Cycles RenderingTo streamline the lighting and rendering process, Auto Setup includes 12 built-in scene light presets, enabling quick changes to different lighting environments. Additionally, with a one-click transition to Cycles render, users can optimize their workflow for both real-time previews in EEVEE and final high-quality renders in Cycles, boosting efficiency while maintaining visual fidelity.Advanced Animation and Control Rig IntegrationBAS ensures precise animation transfer from CC and iClone to Blender and generates a Rigify control rig. This feature allows fine-tuning of character movements with Inverse Kinematics (IK) and Forward Kinematics (FK), and automatically retargets motions. It enhances flexibility and control over animations in Blender and allows the rig to be sent back to CC or iClone for further editing.This revolutionary tool is available for free and can be downloaded by registering as a member on the Reallusion website. This release reaffirms Reallusions commitment to enhancing the creative workflow for Blender users, making it easier than ever to bring characters and animations to life.About ReallusionReallusion is a leading innovator of 3D animation and character creation software, renowned for its intuitive and powerful tools that enable artists to easily create high-quality animations and characters. With a mission to make 3D animation universally accessible and versatile, Reallusion continues to push the envelope of technology and creativity.Related resources