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 hereWuthering Waves was part of The Game Awards 2024. During the show, Kuro provided a trailer for update 2.0 and the games launch on PS5 consoles. The trailer looked absolutely stunning with phenomenal gameplay, and the best aspect was undoubtedly the reveal of a glider. Unfortunately though, in the wake of this trailer, bad news about the Wuthering Waves glider has leaked online. The release date for Wuthering Waves 2.0 and PS5 is January 2nd. Leaks have shown an assortment of new animal and NPC models, as well as a new visual setting and some essential features fans have wanted since day one. As for whats official, the chapter is introducing Carlotta and Roccia as playable characters in a new explorable region called Rinascita. As revealed in the 2.0 trailer, players will be able to fly around Rinascita thanks to the implementation of a glider. While the glider looks incredible, the unfortunate news is that it is restricted to Rascita only. On the WutheringWavesLeaks subreddit, it has been revealed that the glider shown off in the 2.0 gameplay trailer is region-locked to Rinascita only. This comes from the stormywaves Discord, and the leak also says that the glider is only available to use when not in combat. This is disappointing as WuWa already has a huge explorable, open-world region besides Rinascita. Being able to only traverse one with the glider feels incredibly disappointing as shown by all of the comments reacting to the unfortunate revelation. Its possible Kuro could make the glider accessible in other regions via future patches, but right now its looking as though it will be restricted to Rinascita come the launch of 2.0 in the new year. Although no explanation is provided, its possible that restrictions are in place because the glider didnt thematically or mechanically work with WuWas other regions. While the news is disappointing, were still massively looking forward to the arrival of 2.0. The glider is still an exciting addition, and Rinascita looks absolutely gorgeous. Carlotta and Roccia are both poised to be exceptional additions to the games roster, too, so 2.0 will be the perfect starting point for PlayStation newcomers. For more Wuthering Waves, we have a guide to all of thevoice actorsin the game, and we also have a guide explaininghow to add friends.Wuthering WavesPlatform(s):UnknownGenre(s):UnknownSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.The hearth of the home may be its coziest spot, but its also one of the most challenging to decorate. So, if youre scouring for living room ideas, youve come to the right place. To inspire your living room makeover (or even just a light living room refresh), weve rounded up a selection of elegant AD-featured living spaces, along with some new inspiration shared by designers from coast to coast. From small space ingenuity to sleek modernism, these stunning spots are sure to spark some ideas for your next remodel.How should people approach designing a living room?To avoid decision fatigue in figuring out the living room ideas that work for you, Atlanta-based interior designer Laura Jenkins offers her best advice: Start with one decision first and build around that. That could mean using a colorful sofa or piece of art as your design jumping off point, or making more practical calls around lighting. If there is beautiful natural light, we lean into lighter walls and bring in color through the fabrics and art, she adds as an example.Another factor to consider is what kinds of artwork to layer into your space. Both Cleo Murnane of the LA-based Studio Murnane and James Dolenc of Chicago interior design firm James Thomas note that they aim to avoid furnishings and art that feel too matchy-matchy; instead, they advise letting each decorative item speak for itself individually. In one of Dolencs residential projects, he recalls specifically avoiding design choices that felt too intentionally cohesive. We arranged the artwork after designing the interiors so nothing seemed too perfectly paired, he says.And if youre designing a small rental or space that you know wont be your forever home, follow the instincts of Palm Beach, Floridabased designer Caitlin Kah. In her last house, she kept all of the upholstery neutral so it would work in future spaces.How do you pick a living room color scheme?Selecting paint colors for your living room can feel daunting, but Jenkins recommends considering how each element will interact with the others, from the window treatments to the large showpiece furnishings. Think about how color travels from one room to another, she suggests. And dont be afraid to go for color, whether thats painting the wood trim the same color as the walls or keeping your walls neutral and painting the trim a contrasting color.Photo: Jeff Herr1/35Opt for a statement sofaJenkins designed this 1920s living room around a pink sofa, which was itself selected to complement the rustic coffee table. People are afraid to go bold with their sofa but this is a really fun way to add color to your space, she says. Meanwhile, an eye-catching textile from Aloka Home ties the color palette together.Photo: Jessica Isaac2/35Aim for warm minimalismSometimes minimalist interiors can read as cold and uninviting, but in this sitting room, Studio Murnane softens stark Roman clay walls with a warm but tranquil European hotel design style, complete with a Pierre Augustin Rose sofa. A custom fireplace carved from Italian viola subverts the traditional white wood frame.Photo: Nick Johnson3/35Set aside smaller spaces for gatheringConsider the living room vibe youre aiming for: Perhaps what you want is not one centralized living space, but several sections that lend themselves to mingling in smaller groups. Eschewing conventional layouts, the team at James Thomas included a sophisticated salon seating area in this Chicago home opposite a long banquette lining one wall. Dolenc says its thoughtfully divided into intimate areas that encourage cocktail gatherings and conversation.Photo: Genevieve Garruppo4/35Tap into a themeNew Yorkbased interior designer and AD PRO Directory member Paris Forino crafted this living area around a theme that honors her clients love of art and music. Take the Lobmeyer chandelier, the same as those featured in the Lincoln Centers Metropolitan Opera House, or the grand piano and violin on display as tasteful nods to the same creative motif.Photo: Jeff Herr5/35Lean into folksy charmA gallery wall of folk art infuses warmth and color into this family room Jenkins designed, while bold accent chairs and a carved bald eagle sculpture break up the more subdued furniture pieces in the seating area. The result? A personal, warm, and inviting space large enough for entertaining but intimate enough for family movie nights, says Jenkins.Photo: Genevieve Garruppo6/35Play up contrastsVariety may be the spice of life, but balance is the key to preventing chaos in your living room decor. When designing this space in an Upper West Side town house, Forino juxtaposed different forms, textures, and furnishings to add some dimension. A bold sculptural chandelier by Apparatus Studio mingles with the prewar details of the fireplace, and soft velvet and mohair upholstery complement the glossy sconces on the walls.Photo: Trevor Tondro7/35Let your wall art do the talkingIf you have lots of art to display, consider setting an elevated scene in your living room with gallery-like allure, as James Thomas did in this Beverly Hills home. The firm drew attention to the homeowners impressive contemporary art collection with design features like the soft white of the walls, which allows the bold abstract canvas pictured here to pop.Photo: Genevieve Garruppo8/35Revel in cozy texturesSince the living room is a space for gathering and relaxation, incorporating soft textures will make it feel that much cozier. In this family area, Forino focused on creating a sense of warmth through color and comfortable elements that would welcome people into the room, from the deep sofa upholstered in a rusty maroon shade of rich mohair to the plush shag rug underfoot.Photo: Genevieve Garruppo9/35Bathe the room in calming neutralsForino designed this living room for adults to mingle, so a sophisticated palette of tasteful neutrals perfectly served the tranquil intended atmosphere. The color scheme is neutral and monochromatic while keeping the throughline of warm tones, she explains.Photo: Carmel Brantley10/35Add colorful accentsThe color scheme of Kahs former living room was built around the spaces featured art, with throw pillows and accessories curated specifically to complement the abstract works palette. I implemented a soft top ottoman thats a great piece to put your feet up on when you have young children, she says.Photo: Jeff Herr11/35Reach into your personal archiveGiven my love of books and magazines, my collections fill the room and bring me great joy, Jenkins says of her living room. The seating and coffee table, all from different eras, reflect her love for vintage pieces, while elements like the tall conical pendant and area rug lend some warmth to the white walls.Photo: Pieter Estersohn12/35Get historicalArchitect Lee Ledbetter renovated a landmark 1963 house in New Orleans to share with his partner, Douglas Meffert. Surrounding the custom-made cocktail table in the living room are a pair of Harvey Probber brass armchairs upholstered in a KnollTextiles fabric, two Louis XVIstyle fauteuils in a Holly Hunt leather, a vintage T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings chair in a Zoffany stripe, and a vintage Florence Knoll sofa in a KnollTextiles Ultrasuede. A large mixed-media artwork by Robert Helmer hangs on the brick wall, which is painted in Benjamin Moores Decorators White.Photo: Franois Dischinger13/35Weave in unexpected showstoppersDesigner Sara Story restored a Victorian home in Snedens Landing, New York with a sense of whimsy via color and pattern. An artwork by Sterling Ruby and a zebra hide add pizzazz to the living room.Photo: Douglas Friedman14/35Pick a refined paletteWith the help of architect Eric Ryder, designer Brigette Romanek renovated a historic Laurel Canyon home for her family. The living room, which boasts an elegantly muted color scheme, is outfitted with a pair of Marco Zanuso lounge chairs from Eccola, a Blackman Cruz console (left), and a Hans Wegner chaise longue.Photo: Richard Powers15/35Play with mirrorsWhat appears to be a gilt-framed mirror in Timothy Corrigans Paris apartment is actually a window aligned with two mirrors, one in the living room and one in the dining room beyond. Corrigan highlighted the ingenious hall-of-mirrors illusion by installing matching Napolon III chandeliers in the two rooms. The armchairs and the curtain and sofa fabrics are all from Schumachers Timothy Corrigan Collection; the stools are vintage Jansen, and the carpet is a Corrigan design for Patterson Flynn Martin.Photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna16/35Divide with carpetsThe heart of the Allegra Hickss Naples, Italy, apartment is a long, high-ceilinged room divided into living and dining areas, each anchored by carpets designed by Hicks. The designer also created the Roman shade fabric, the cut velvet on the wood-framed Jindrich Halabala armchairs, and the butterfly specimen table at right.Photo: Roger Davies17/35Add some antiquesArchitect Jorge Elias filled his 17,000-square-foot home in the Jardim Europa neighborhood of So Paulo with extraordinary antiques and images. An 18th-century Russian chandelier, vintage velvet sofas, Louis XV fauteuils, a gold-leafed Hand chair by Pedro Friedeberg, and artworks by Serge Poliakoff and Fernand Lger are among the eclectic mix in the living room.Photo: Douglas Friedman18/35Select statement lightingThe former Manhattan living room of designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent features circa-1970 Georges Pelletier ceramic lights above a vintage sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, a 70s Jansen brass cocktail table, and a French steel low table; the vide-poche table in the foreground is a 50s design by Jacques Adnet, and the windows are dressed with curtains and rods by RH and tassels found at a market in Thailand.Photo: Bjrn Wallander19/35Get into gilded accentsIn Pedro Esprito Santos frescoed Lisbon salon, an 1860s Orientalist painting is flanked by foil bouquets. The gilt-wood fauteuil is antique and the needlepoint carpet was custom made.Photo: Oberto Gili20/35Go monochromatic with your furnishingsThe brown and beige furnishings in the Hamptons home of David Kleinberg ground the space while the white of the vaulted ceiling above makes it feel even airier. Two Richard Serra prints flank the doorway, one displayed over a mahogany cabinet by Paul Lszl. The photograph in the hall is by Alejandra Laviada. Twin French Art Deco zebrawood side tables are joined by Art Deco armchairs covered in a Rogers & Goffigon fabric; the upholstery throughout the house was done by Anthony Lawrence-Belfair, the throw is from Homenature, and the raffia rug is by La Manufacture Cogolin.Photo: Pieter Estersohn21/35Design around your viewSeating is arranged to face the windowed wall in the Nashville living room of interior designer Ray Booth and television executive John Shea. Roust, one of their two Siamese cats, strikes a noble pose next to a Minotti chaise longue. A Christophe Delcourt floor lamp and a Robert Lighton side table flank the sofa, also by Minotti; the carpet is by Stephanie Odegard Collection.Photo: Pieter Estersohn22/35Float some shelvesAt the Montauk, New York, home of designers Vicente Wolf and Matthew Yee, framed photographs from Wolfs collectionincluding images by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Edward Steichen, and Andr Kertszline the shelves above the living rooms sectional sofa, which is upholstered in a Janus et Cie fabric.Photo: Ricardo Labougle23/35Work in a punchy wallpaperLorenzo Castillo accented the drawing room of his Spanish retreat with a wallpaper from his collection for Gastn y Daniela; the vintage cabinet-on-chest is by Pierre Lottier. The Castillo-designed armchair at left is clad in a Designers Guild velvet, 1970s patchworks hang above the suede sofa, and the vintage cocktail tables were found at Pariss March Paul Bert.Photo: Pieter Estersohn24/35Go big with artworkIn Holly Hunts Chicago apartment, a massive Helen Frankenthaler canvas faces a Louise Nevelson sculptural work across the living room. At center, a Holly Hunt Studio cocktail table topped with a John Chamberlain sculpture joins a Holly Hunt leather sofa cushioned in a Great Plains velvet and a pair of Paul Mathieu chairs upholstered in an Edelman leather; the floor lamps are by Christian Liaigre, the Tristan Auer ottomans are in a Kyle Bunting leather, and the rug is by Christian Astuguevieille. A custom-made Vladimir Kagan sectional sofa in a Great Plains wool nestles in the bay window.Photo: Pieter Estersohn25/35Mix eras with your decorIn AD100 interior designer Muriel Brandolinis eclectic Manhattan town house, a piece by contemporary artist George Condo is displayed above a midcentury Italian sofa; the cocktail table is by Mattia Bonetti, the vintage light fixture is by Gerrit Rietveld, and the oval portrait is of Muriels husband, Count Nuno Brandolini, as a child.Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo26/35Add metallic accentsA sculptural staircase framed in polished chrome catches the eye in late AD100 interior designer Alberto Pintos Rio de Janeiro apartment, which was renovated by architect Thiago Bernardes. Pinto designed the sofa, the painting is by Nancy Graves, and the armless chairs are by William Haines.Photo: Thomas Loof27/35Color drenchInside a glass tower overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Todd Alexander Romano created a high-impact design for his 600-square-foot studio. Inspired by the bold color choices of legendary decorator Billy Baldwin, the designer lacquered the walls and upholstered the custom-made sofa in midnight-blue. Prints by Robert Goodnough and Josef Albers add a vibrant contrast.Photo: William Waldron28/35Try a traditional lookIn a Hamptons living room painted in Benjamin Moore's Linen White, 19th-century gilded stools are placed next to sofas upholstered in a Clarence House fabric, with pillows of a silk velvet from Le Dcor Franais; a Charles Arnoldi ink drawing surmounts the fireplace, and the curtains are of a Larsen fabric.

As the effects of climate change become ever more alarming, sustainable home builders are taking major steps to lessen the impact of their work on the environment. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Yale Center for Ecosystems and Architecture, the building and construction sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases. However, the following firmsall of which are members of the AD PRO Directoryreduce their carbon impact through the use of sustainable building practices and materials, reduction of waste, and implementation of energy-efficient systems. If youre building a new home or renovating your current residence, these AD-approved sustainable home builders can make the process easier for youand better for the environment.Scandic BuildersScandic Builders completed a shingle-style home in Harding, New Jersey, that incorporates Hydronic Radiant Flooring and a geothermal system.Courtesy of Scandic BuildersTraditional craftsmanship meets modern innovation in the work of New Jerseybased Scandic Builders. The environmentally conscious builder utilizes recycled and sustainable materials, renewable energy sources, and other green technology. Recent projects have utilized solar shingles, battery backups, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and the firm's patented Hydronic Radiant Flooring system. Scandic Builders emphasizes natural building, using long-lasting materials such as stone, cedar, slate, and copper to reduce its impact on the environment while incorporating the latest learnings on sustainability and conservation.J Kramer CorpThis duplex built by J Kramer Corp and architect Anders Lasaterbone structu is the first BONE Structure building in Orange County. Made with preformed steel, the structure demands utmost precision during the building process. The design of this beachside duplex, steps away from Divers Cove in Laguna Beach, received the AIA Peoples Choice award in 2020.Mellon StudioLaguna Beach custom-home builderJ Kramer Corpappreciates a challenge, whether it's building on a steep hillside site or constructing the first home with a BONE Structurea patented steel-construction technologyin Orange County. The latter, a prefab modern duplex, also boasts skylights and large windows to bring in natural light, as well as solar and battery power. Natural materials are a through-line in the firm's work, from a home built into a Laguna Beach site's natural sandstone to wood-clad cabins in Mammoth.OOR Design BuildIn a historic New York City town house, OOR Design Build renovated to honor the home's history while embracing modern innovations in sustainability and well-being, including solar panels, LED lighting, low VOC paints, and an advanced HVAC system.Gil HayonFor New York Citys OOR Design Build, sustainability is more than just selecting eco-friendly materials; its about designing intentionally and purposefully to create homes that support those who inhabit them. The company, which was founded by Leah Almog Arazi and specializes in high-end renovations, considers sustainability integral to its approach for every project. Reclaimed materials, state-of-the-art HVAC systems, LED lighting, low VOC paints, and solar panels are all incorporated into its modern designs.Z BuildersZ Builders Atelier 211 blends eco-luxury with cutting-edge technology, featuring a custom-designed, eco-smart saline swimming pool and advanced energy systems that seamlessly integrate with the natural environmenta testament to how technology can elevate sustainable living.Adrian GautMost PopularTravelThe 21 Most Beautiful Countries in the WorldBy Amelia MularzArchitecture + DesignBrandin Cooks: Inside the NFL Players Modern Pacific Northwest HomeBy Juliet IzonArchitecture + DesignAD100 ArchitectsBy The Editors of ADThanks to its partnership with architecture and interiors firm Studio Zung, Z Builders brings a unified vision to each home it designs and builds. Led by founder Tommy Zung and principal Kupal Fontaine, the New Yorkbased company considers sustainability a driving principle, and carries that ethos through all aspects of the construction process. It meticulously selects long-lasting, ethically sourced materials; works under eco-conscious conditions; and partners with environmentally conscious suppliers and artisans.Perez ConstructionPerez Construction collaborated with design firm Love & Interiors on a modern residence in San Franciscos Glen Park neighborhood.Vivian JohnsonFounded in 2017 by Everson Perez, San Franciscos Perez Construction has become a go-to partner for designers and architects in the Bay Area. From historic renovations to large-scale modern remodels, the family firm does it all and approaches its work with a strong commitment to sustainability. Perez Construction advocates for environmentally sustainable renovation practices and is a part of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, an organization committed to eliminating fossil fuels in buildings.Escobedo GroupUsing the DARIO Panelized System, the Escobedo Group designed and fabricated this residence in Austin, Texas, then installed it in five days on a site in rural Colorado.Aman JohnsonMost PopularTravelThe 21 Most Beautiful Countries in the WorldBy Amelia MularzArchitecture + DesignBrandin Cooks: Inside the NFL Players Modern Pacific Northwest HomeBy Juliet IzonArchitecture + DesignAD100 ArchitectsBy The Editors of ADTexas-based Escobedo Groups process emphasizes efficiency without sacrificing quality and craftsmanship. Its 60,000-square-foot facility outside Austin keeps stone, millwork, and metal fabrication all under one roof, and the firm cold-rolls its own light-gauge steel framingmade of 75% recycled material to reduce waste. The firm also created the DARIO panelized construction system, which allows homes to be installed in dayslimiting the impact on the landscapeand utilizes high-efficiency mechanical systems, bamboo floors and exterior decks, and pier and beam foundation that reduces the use of concrete.ClaytonThis modern living space comes from one of Claytons eBuilt home floor plans. Clayton's manufactured homes are built to meet the Department of Energy's rigorous Zero Energy Ready Home Manufactured Home National Program Requirements, and therefore deliver significant annual energy savings.Courtesy of ClaytonClayton makes it easy for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint with its eBuilt collection of manufactured homes. The single-family home builder has worked to make its process more sustainable by reducing waste, recycling and reusing materials, and expanding its use of renewable energy. The eBuilt homes are constructed ready for renewable energy systems and include energy-efficient features like a Rheem hybrid water heater, argon gas low-E windows, LED lighting, and increased insulationall helping to reduce energy costs.NS BuildersIn the sunlit pantry of a home by NS Builders and Tiek Design Group, lush green cabinetry by Materia Millwork, warm wood countertops, and brass accents create a cozy, inviting space.Robert Benson PhotographyMost PopularTravelThe 21 Most Beautiful Countries in the WorldBy Amelia MularzArchitecture + DesignBrandin Cooks: Inside the NFL Players Modern Pacific Northwest HomeBy Juliet IzonArchitecture + DesignAD100 ArchitectsBy The Editors of ADLed by founder Nick Schiffer, NS Builders emphasizes sustainability in its new builds and renovations across Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. The construction company uses eco-friendly building techniques and materials in each project, and has built several projects to Passive House standards, including the firms first development project in Wellesley, Massachusetts. NS Builders is also sensitive to its impact on the existing landscape, as evidenced by the care it took when building a new home around a 100-year-old sweet gum tree.MatPel BuildersMatPel Builders has had a strong focus on sustainability since it was founded in 1986. The general contracting firmwhich builds primary and secondary homes in the San Francisco Bay area and Wyominghas decades of experience with sustainable materials, systems, and building practices, including assisting with LEED and Build It Green certifications. Recent projects have included features such as rammed earth walls, geothermal heat pumps, green roofs, and photovoltaic power, and the firm's work has received multiple awards from the AIA Committee on the Environment.JGB Custom HomesLed by founder Jake Badger, JGB Custom Homes has been crafting custom homes in the Austin area for almost 15 years. Whether it is remodeling a midcentury residence or building a new home, the company displays meticulous attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship. In addition to offering consultations on sustainable building practices, JGB Custom Homes has experience building to the five-star rating standards set by Austin Energy Green Building.Mayfair ConstructionSince 1990, Southampton-based Mayfair Construction has been building high-end custom homes for discerning clients in the Hamptons, Connecticut, Westchester, and Long Islands North Shore. The family-owned boutique firm combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation and cutting-edge technology and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Mayfair Construction regularly collaborates with top architecture and design firms, including AD100 studios Redd Kahoi and Ken Fulk Inc., and Oliver Cope Architects.

The Future of OverridesDecember 13th, 2024Code Design, General DevelopmentDalai Felinto html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"In December 2024, a workshop was held at the Blender HQ in Amsterdam to discuss the use of overrides in production environments.The workshop was attended by Andy Goralczyk and Simon Thommes from Blender Studio, while Bastien Montagne, Sergey Sharybin, and Dalai Felinto attended on behalf of the development team.Left to right: Simon, Sergey, Bastien, Andy, Dalai (photo) at the Blender HQ in Amsterdam.The main topics discussed were the pain points of the existing (library) overrides system, its limitations, and potential improvements for future productions.Overrides in productionsThe existing Library Overrides system is very powerful. However, with great power comes great responsibility complexity.The system was designed to replace the old proxy system and support multiple instances of the same character within a scene. Its most extensive use case was the Sprite Fright project, which involved animating numerous Sprite characters, all overridden from the same blendfile.Sprite Fright CC-BY Blender Studio.Although the initial plan appeared solid, the systems design introduced the need for active maintenance. Files would frequently go out of sync, requiring Blender to resync linked librariestaking minutes each time a file containing modified linked rig was opened.This led to name collisions in production files and the need for a custom script to reopen and resave all interlinked files daily, to keep relationships in sync.Meanwhile, Blender Studio developed an add-on to handle shot-based non-character overrides (e.g., light tweaks). This simpler approach was very functional and could handle a wide range of use cases more efficiently compared to Library Overrides.After completing enough projects using this pipeline (Sprite Fright, Charge, Wing It!, Gold, and smaller productions), it is time to improve Blenders approach to overrides.Leave the complexity out for 99% casesThe main feedback was that, in most scenarios where overrides are needed, a simple solution should suffice. To put it differently:I want to link a character and animate it [but]in 99% of cases we dont need the complexity of overrides.For the rare instances where artists require full control over a hierarchy, the existing Library Overrides system will still be available. In that sense, Library Overrides are here to stay. However, both rigged character animations and individual properties (e.g., Light power) should be overridable in a more streamlined way.(Dynamic) OverridesThe proposed solution introduces a new type of override (codename: Dynamic Overrides), which can operate on linked or local data. When working with linked data, a Library Override can still be created when necessary, but now it can be done without overriding the entire hierarchy.Key-points:Flexible Storage: Dynamic Overrides can be stored in various places, such as scenes or collections, giving users full control over their location.Linkable: Depending on where they are stored, Dynamic Overrides can also be linked.Granular Control:Overrides can apply to specific properties rather than entire hierarchies.The system allows for individual adjustments (i.e., a single property).ID Pointers Support: Can replace/override ID pointers.Remappable: They can be swapped when broken paths are found.Enhanced Usability:Dynamic Overrides take over most of the current Library Overrides interface, providing a streamlined experience.Library Overrides will still be necessary for specific features like modifiers and viewport interactions for now.Co-Existence with Library Overrides:Linked rigged characters will first get a Library Override for the rig, without any hierarchy.Followed by a Dynamic Override to remap usages of the linked armature to the local library overridden rig.This re-creates the proxy system experience with a more robust implementation.Library Overrides Hierarchy still available:Library Overrides hierarchies remain available for the rare (1%) complex use cases.Dynamic Overrides can be converted into Library Overrides when a full hierarchy is required.Overrides data-blockA new data-block type, Override, would be introduced. Initially, this will be used by the Scene ID, making the overrides globally applicable within a single scene.In the future, this data-block could be applied more specifically to collections and other contexts. This would allow different versions of the same material or object to coexist, each with distinct properties based on their contexts overrides.Overrides ID Data-block data structure design.There are three types of override rules which are being considered:ID Remap: Designed for animation of linked rigged characters.RNAPath: Focused on overriding individual properties.Filter: A mechanism to apply RNAPath changes to multiple data-blocks simultaneously, rather than just one.User InterfaceBelow are mockups showcasing possible integrations for overrides in the user interface.Creating overridesAn override can be added via the context menu or by using the O shortcut.Context Menu: Add Override and Remove Override options.Where to view Overrides?Properties Editor: Overrides can be identified by their override-specific color.Overrides Panel: A dedicated panel listing all overrides will be available.Initially, this list will only appear at the scene level. In the future, it will be accessible in other locations where overrides can be stored (e.g., Collections).Advanced SetupFor more complex setups, the overrides data-block can be linked from a different file. This allows for creating a hierarchical set of override rules that can be stacked and reused across multiple contexts.Short term alternativesBefore this project can fully begin, a few steps will be taken to speed up background blend-files processing:Option to skip dependency graph building in background mode.Option to skip Library Override re-sync in background mode.Expose some blend-file libraries dependency information in the Python API.These improvements will help with the Blender Studio pipeline, which relies on daily project-wide resyncs to minimize override conflicts. A script is used to open all files that link any edited files and save them, ensuring that override resyncs do not accumulate over time.MilestonesOverride ID Data-blockAnimation support for overriden properties.Filter for overrides (wildcard RNA properties).Non-global overrides (context-based overrides).Good-to-have targets:Viewport interaction (gizmos).Modifiers, constraints, (requires design, could be targeted for 5.0).Closing thoughtsThe concept of dynamic overrides is not new, but it has now been refined to a point where the team feels it is ready for development.This maturation period was also crucial for Library Overrides to be battle-tested and for the use cases of dynamic overrides to become more clearly defined. This will enable both types of overrides to be used in combination, leveraging the strengths of each to achieve the best of both worlds.Next stepsOverrides will be one of the main targets for 2025. The exact timeline will depend on the Blender Studio project lineup and the availability of the development team.Once an initial prototype is ready for testing, a thread will be created on the Developer Forum for studios and individual artists to share their feedback.Support the Future of BlenderDonate to Blender by joining the Development Fund to support the Blender Foundations work on core development, maintenance, and new releases. Donate to Blender

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Rigging Isn't Scary: Early Access ends in 24 hours By Todor Nikolov on December 13, 2024 Videotutorials Todor Nikolov has introduced a new course, Rigging Isn't Scary, designed for beginners and intermediate users. The course is structured into three levels, offering a gradual approach to rigging in Blender. While it will be available for free on YouTube once complete, Early Access is now open for a limited time, with additional benefits and a discount for BlenderNation readers.If you'd like to learn rigging in Blender during 2024 /2025, I may have just what you're looking for. I've been working on a new course about Manual Rigging in Blender.It's called "Rigging isn't Scary" and it is a comprehensive Beginner to Intermediate course in 3 Levels. Absolute Beginner Novice Intermediate The idea is to offer a gradual approach to learning rigging that does not suddenly throw you into a hell of Constraints and Drivers but allows you to ease into the subject.I will release the course completely free on my YouTube channel, when it is complete.So far, I have recorded the first two levels. So, I decided to offer Early Access for a limited time (just 48 hours).You can find a lot of details about the course on this page. But here is an overview of Level 1 and 2 in two images to pick your interest.Level 1Level 2What you will get with Early Access Level 1: Absolute Beginner [Get it now with Early Access] Level 2: Novice [Get it now with Early Access] Level 3: Intermediate [Get it as soon as it is available] Early Access BenefitsSo even though the course will be free eventually, heres why you might want to grab Early Access: Start learning now! Get ahead by beginning your 2024/2025 Rigging journey today. Be the first to watch Level 3 Intermediate, as soon as it is done. Premium Support: Receive fast responses to your course questions (free course questions will have lower priority). Influence Advanced Content: Paying students will have more say in shaping the advanced courses I'll work on next.Support CGDive: It boggles my mind, but many people simply like to support us. PRICEI am offering a "Name-your-Price" pricing ranging from $5.99 to $50. The $5.99 deal was limited to 100 copies and by the time you are reading this, it will be already gone. Sorry! :/So here is a special $7.99 offer only for BlenderNation readers (only 50 copies).

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Healthcare giant Optum has restricted access to an internal AI chatbot used by employees after a security researcher found it was publicly accessible online, and anyone could access it using only a web browser.The chatbot, which TechCrunch has seen, allowed employees to ask the company questions about how to handle patient health insurance claims and disputes for members in line with the companys standard operating procedures (SOPs).While the chatbot did not appear to contain or produce sensitive personal or protected health information, its inadvertent exposure comes at a time when its parent company, health insurance conglomerate UnitedHealth, faces scrutiny for its use of artificial intelligence tools and algorithms to allegedly override doctors medical decisions and deny patient claims.Mossab Hussein, chief security officer and co-founder of cybersecurity firm spiderSilk, alerted TechCrunch to the publicly exposed internal Optum chatbot, dubbed SOP Chatbot. Although the tool was hosted on an internal Optum domain and could not be accessed from its web address, its IP address was public and accessible from the internet and did not require users to enter a password.Its not known for how long the chatbot was publicly accessible from the internet. The AI chatbot became inaccessible from the internet soon after TechCrunch contacted Optum for comment on Thursday.Optum spokesperson Andrew Krejci told TechCrunch in a statement that Optums SOP chatbot was a demo tool developed as a potential proof of concept but was never put into production and the site is no longer accessible.The demo was intended to test how the tool responds to questions on a small sample set of SOP documents, the spokesperson said. The company confirmed there was no protected health information used in the bot or its training.This tool does not and would never make any decisions, but only enable better access to existing SOPs. In short, this technology was never scaled nor used in any real way, said the spokesperson.AI chatbots, like Optums, are typically designed to produce answers based on whatever data the chatbot was trained on. In this case, the chatbot was trained on internal Optum documents relating to SOPs for handling certain claims, which can help Optum employees answer questions about claims and their eligibility to be reimbursed. The Optum documents were hosted on UnitedHealthcares corporate network and inaccessible without an employee login but are cited and referenced by the chatbot when prompted about their contents.According to statistics displayed on the chatbots main dashboard, Optum employees have used SOP Chatbot hundreds of times since September. The chatbot also stored a history of the hundreds of conversations that Optum employees had with the chatbot during that time. The chat history shows Optum employees would ask the chatbot things like What should be the determination of the claim? and How do I check policy renewal date?Some of the files that the chatbot references include handling the dispute process and eligibility screening, TechCrunch has seen. The chatbot also produced responses that showed, when asked, reasons for typically denying coverage.A screenshot of Optums AI chatbot, which was exposed to the internet.Image Credits:TechCrunch (screenshot)Like many AI models, Optums chatbot was capable of producing answers to questions and prompts outside of the documents it was trained on. Some Optum employees appeared intrigued by the chatbot, prompting the bot with queries like Tell me a joke about cats (which it refused: Theres no joke available). The chat history also showed several attempts by employees to jailbreak the chatbot by making it produce answers that are unrelated to the chatbots training data.When TechCrunch asked the chatbot to write a poem about denying a claim, the chatbot produced a seven-paragraph stanza, which reads in part:In the realm of healthcares grand domainWhere policies and rules often constrainA claim arrives, seeking its dueBut alas, its fate is to bid adieu.The provider hopes, with earnest plea,For payment on a service spree,Yet scrutiny reveals the tale,And reasons for denial prevail.UnitedHealth Group, which owns Optum and UnitedHealthcare, faces criticism and legal action for its use of artificial intelligence to allegedly deny patient claims. Since the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in early December, news outlets have reported floods of reports of patients expressing anguish and frustration over denials of their healthcare coverage by the health insurance giant.The conglomerate the largest private provider of healthcare insurance in the United States was sued earlier this year for allegedly denying critical health coverage to patients who lost access to healthcare, citing a STAT News investigation. The federal lawsuit accuses UnitedHealthcare of using an AI model with a 90% error rate in place of real medical professionals to wrongfully deny elderly patients care. UnitedHealthcare, for its part, said it would defend itself in court.UnitedHealth Group made $22 billion in profit on revenues of $371 billion in 2023, its earnings show.

Eldamn, That Soon?Wahey, Elden Ring Nightreign is getting a network test that'll let you play a bit of it early next year, and you can sign up very soonYou'll just be helping the devs make sure everything works as intended, but it's still cool.Image credit: FromSoftware News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Dec. 13, 2024 Elden Ring Nightreign was one of the big healines at The Game Awards yesterday, as you'd expect from anything with FromSoftware's critically-acclaimed fingertips. Now, Bandai Namco has revealed that it'll be getting a network test early next year, with sign-ups starting in January.If you somehow missed Nightreign being announced, it's a co-op focussed title that will allow multiple players to take on bosses from the FromSofftverse in collaborative environments. So yup, Elden Ring with your mates in a form that's not just leaving each other cheeky notes and occasionally invading to help out with a particular fight or muck s**t up.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. This new game is sert to release at some point in 2025, and it'll be getting a network test not long after the calendar flips over into the new year.The test's been penned in for February 2025, and registration for it will start from January 10, so you've really not got long to wait to try your luck at being one of those selected. Only the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S are mentioned as platforms for the test though, which means you're seemingly outta luck if you're on PC or last-gen consoles. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.What'll you be doing if you do get in? Well, Bandai writes: "The network test is a preliminary verification test in which the selected testers play a portion of the game prior to the full game launch. Various technical verifications of online systems will be examined by conducting large-scale network load tests."If it helps, just think of those technical bits as the bosses you're fighting while your're battling bosses, with network stability for the full release being the big reward you get for slaying them. You can call it an 'aura of stable network load' if that doesn't sound fancy enough when you brag to your mates about having procured it.For more Elden Ring chatter, make sure to check out what Sony recently said when it confirmed its interest in buying FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa.

Marvelous HitMarvel Rivals' secret weapon is its healthy mix of A-listers and overlooked characters, and this may help the brand as a wholeA golden opportunity to up Marvel's brand synergy.Image credit: NetEase Games, Marvel Games Article by Fran Ruiz Contributor Published on Dec. 13, 2024 "Curse you, Jeff!" That's what I've yelled internally as I was thrown into the nearest abyss at least five times since Marvel Rivals' launch on December 6. Before that, I barely even knew who the hell Jeff the Land Shark was, and this is coming from a pop culture sicko.Look, I'm a reasonably big Marvel fan, but I'll admit that I don't read every single thing the publisher puts out. Hell, I probably check out a very small percentage of what they're doing nowadays. This has been an issue for a while, and not just for Marvel: More people than ever before are aware of comic book universes, but that doesn't mean that most of those same people are reading comics. Even during the Marvel Cinematic Universe's peak days, there was a problem in getting viewers to jump into comic books.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. A theory of mine is that, as solid as Marvel's adaptation efforts were until a few years ago, they never quite capitalized on the weirdness and less popular side of the massive Marvel universe. Now, the MCU is very much trying to tackle such characters and elements, but is failing to consistently execute that vision well enough to make folks stick around beyond surefire hits like Deadpool & Wolverine.When you're presented with well-known characters like Iron Man, Captain America, or Spider-Man over and over again on the big and small screens, a common by-product is not wanting to see much more of their faces on the pages. At this point, I tend to really gravitate towards less popular characters who I know less about. That seems like a far better use of my time. And I'm willing to admit that recent TV shows and video games have a played a big role in getting me to read about characters like Agatha Harkness or Robbie Reyes' Ghost Rider (shoutout to Midnight Suns). Image credit: NetEase GamesAfter spending some time with Marvel Rivals' full release, I'm starting to feel the same itch. Sure, having A-listers like Magneto and Venom ready to play as rocks, but I'm having even more fun with characters I wasn't as familiar with. Even if they suck in the current meta, I'm curious to learn more about them, and I feel like Marvel Rivals has done a pretty job of mixing the popular faces with heroes and villains who are traditionally overlooked."No character is off limits," executive producer Danny Koo teased back at Gamescom 2024. It's a refreshing approach to filling out an ever-expanding roster of heroes and villains over doing something as limited as an Avengers live-service looter shooter again. Let's put the Overwatch comparisons aside for a small moment and admit that half (if not more) of the reason why Marvel Rivals has popped off is because it simply looks and feels amazing and also promises the excitement of not knowing who's around the corner due to the source material's richness. Image credit: NetEase GamesMoon Knight or Lin Lie (Marvel Rivals' Iron Fist and currently scariest character) were relative nobodies a few years ago unless you really were into comics. Yeah, Moon Knight has been around forever, but come on, normies didn't give a s**t until the Oscar Isaac-led show came out. New MCU entries and video games aren't just meant to generate money on their own, they're also meant to keep comic books and the overall brand healthy and relevant. While Marvel's Avengers felt like a major stumble, Marvel Snap and Marvel Rivals have completely turned the ship around when it comes to video games. Stuff like Insomniac's Spider-Man games is great and all, but having live-service titles that become this big and constantly go deeper into Marvel's library is excellent value for the powers that be.Yes, I still want Daredevil to enter the arena as soon as Daredevil: Born Again hits in March. Yes, I want more X-Men to show up. But at the end of the day, I'm just grateful for a very solid hero shooter that's making the most of a genuinely colorful and rich multiverse that too often feels underused outside of comic books. Rock-solid systems aside, it's the main reason why I found Firaxis' Midnight Suns so damn appealing; it wasn't afraid to get weird and explore a side of the brand that had barely made it outside of comic books before. We all knew Marvel would have something huge in their hands the moment they managed to successfully mix that with popular, highly profitable genres. Look at us now. Image credit: NetEase GamesNow here's the thing: We know how the video game market works and how publishers and rights holders react to massive hits by now. So, what are the chances of Warner Bros. Games rushing to make a DC alternative to Marvel Rivals that completely misses the point of why it works so well, especially now that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is done for good? It pains me to say that they're quite high.In conclusion, I guess that, in the age of milking huge IPs until they're dry and with some of them potentially set to be around forever in one way or another, we might as well ask for transmedia works that actually make good use of them, especially if they're pushing more people to pick up books instead of doom-scrolling for five hours a day when they're not watching or playing anything.