From Bucky Barnes iconic arm to explosive stunt sequences, Base FX delivered 190 jaw-dropping VFX shots for Marvel Studios Thunderbolts.This film combined practical stunts, cutting-edge CGI, and an in-camera first approach to ground the action in realism from Buckys motorcycle chase to Voids haunting shadow spread over New York.Base FX worked on key street-level set extensions and emotional sequences, bringing realism and cinematic weight to grounded action.The post Thunderbolts VFX Breakdown Done by Base FX appeared first on Vfxexpress.

As more companies demand employees spend more days in their workplaces each week, some critics claim that tightening return to office (RTO) rules in part aim to provoke resignations from employees unwilling to give up their remote or hybrid work arrangements. Data now suggests employer use of that indirect quiet-firing manner of reducing head count is far more widespread than previously suspected and often involves tactics that go beyond ordering people back to their desks.Reinforced RTO mandates, especially by large companies like Amazon and Starbucks, sparked accusations that managements tighter in-office requirements are a cover for pushing flexibility-loving workers to quit. It turns out, businesses are also using other methods to trim head count, including cutting worker benefits, increasing workloads, delaying pay raises, or gradually isolating targets in the workplace until they resign. A recent survey of 1,128 U.S. business leaders by CV writing platform ResumeTemplatesfound 42 percent of respondents admitted to having used those quiet-firing strategies this year, with an additional 11 percent saying they plan to do so in coming months.The main reason that total of 53 percent of participants said theyd employed the stratagem was to avoid severance, legal, and other costs that layoffs usually generate. They also credited the ruse with averting the bad blood and even worse reputational damage that firing people can create.In addition to establishing that a small majority of employers have or intend to resort to quiet firing this year, the survey also identified the most common methods that managers use to passively push workers toward the door.Delaying promised raises topped the list, with 47 percent of participants citing the tactic. That compared with 46 percent of respondents who said theyd tightened RTO or other workplace rules, 45 percent who increased workloads without compensation, and 32 percent who cut wages or benefits to sour employees on their jobs. Micromanaging workers or, inversely, cutting them out of projects and consultations entirely was another method mentioned, as was ignoring toxic environments that undermine the well-being of people designated for departure.The scenarios for which the passive maneuver to lower head count was used varied. Around 41 percent of participating managers said theyd deployed it against specific employees theyd deemed troublesome, problematic, or simply unwanted. That included 47 percent of respondents who said theyd embraced quiet firing to get rid of underperforming employees, and 41 percent whod used it with staff who complained about or resisted strengthened RTO rules.Just over a third of participants said the method allowed them to sidestep severance payments that often accompany formal layoffs, with an equal 34 percent crediting it with lowering the attendant legal headaches. Around 32 percent said the passively manipulative approach allowed them to avoid the bad external publicity that can arise when businesses cut staff.But company owners and executives who answered the survey also noted there were broader economic and business reasons that made lowering head count necessary. In many cases, quiet firing was ultimately selected as the means to achieve that.The most frequently cited of those external pressures was slowing revenue and sales, at 50 percent. Adjusting to increased costs from import tariffs was second, at 46 percent. Nearly 40 percent of participants said staff reductions had already been or will be made this year in anticipation of a recession, and the same percentage pointed to wage inflation as a factor in cuts.But in spite of the frequent and increasing recourse to quiet firing, its results received mixed reviews from survey respondents. A whopping 85 percent of participants called it a somewhat or very effective way of influencing employees to leave with lower costs and legal hassles. But 98 percent of respondents acknowledged the technique also had a negative effect on workplace morale, with nearly 40 percent describing that erosion as considerable.For that reason alone, Julia Toothacre, ResumeTemplates chief career strategist, warned that quiet firing is a double-edged sword employers should think entirely through before using.From a business perspective, quiet firing can seem like an efficient way to reduce head count without triggering layoffs, bad press, or severance costs, Toothacre said in comments about the surveys results. But its shortsighted. Creating an environment that pushes people to quit inevitably damages morale, productivity, and trust. It can also negatively impact hiring in the future. And lets be honest, when this tactic is applied broadly, companies risk losing high performers, not just underperformers.Another possible result is businesses not losing anyone at all. Survey respondents reported that employees targeted by quiet firing dont always quit as hoped especially in an increasingly challenging labor market.Indeed, 77 percent of participants said some of their quiet-firing efforts had failed when workers decided that finding a new job elsewhere would be more arduous than roughing it out where they were. One reason for that fatalism, 53 percent of responding managers said in their rather depressing view of the modern workforce, is that a large number of current workers simply tolerate poor treatment rather than quitting.That may wind up leaving manipulating executives with more than they bargained for. Because refusals of targeted employees to quit can have potentially negative consequences for the workplaces they remain in and the employers who wanted them gone.Many workers will stick it out right now not because theyre engaged, but because the job market feels uncertain, Toothacre said. Theyre weighing the stress of a toxic workplace against the risk of landing a new job that pays less. This calculator puts employees in survival mode, which will ultimately impact productivity.In other words, although quiet firing is spreading among businesses, its lower costs and confrontations up front may well be offset by lower workplace happiness and productivity over time. By Bruce CrumleyThis article originally appeared on Fast Companys sister publication, Inc.Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy.

Massachusetts-based NS Builders works on expensive custom homes. This bathroom space brings a unique challenge: Because of the sink's location, there's no way to put a mirror over it without having to cover up the window.The clever solution adds both mirrors and medicine cabinets: It took a team to make this happen: This was designed by Brooklyn-based architecture firm Of Possible, the cabinets and millwork are by Philadelphia-based Robern and Massachusetts-based Materia Millwork, and NS Builders executed the build.

The Flipper Zero became famous for two things: looking like a toy dolphin and getting banned by governments who were terrified it might unlock their cars. If you missed that particular internet drama, imagine a device that could clone your hotel key card, mess with your garage door, and generally make security professionals very nervous, all while displaying a cute pixelated dolphin on its screen. It was part hacking tool, part conversation starter, and entirely controversial. Regulators freaked out, YouTubers made clickbait videos about this $169 device that can steal your car, and suddenly everyone knew what a Flipper was. Now the same team is back with something thats going to confuse the hell out of everyone who expected Flipper Zero 2.0 because thats apparently not what the team is building.Now rumors are swirling about something called the Flipper One, and if even half of whats being whispered is true, it represents such a radical departure that you have to wonder if the same team is even involved. Where the Flipper Zero was designed to poke at wireless signals around us, the alleged Flipper One wants to be your pocket computer. Not a phone, not a tablet, but an actual Linux computer that happens to fit in your hand.Designer: Pavel ZhovnerAI Representation based on Pavel Zhovners SchematicsThe first thing to know is that Flipper One isnt meant to be an evolution of the Flipper Zero its designed to be a new device entirely. Pavel Zhovner and the Flipper team have been pretty explicit about that. Zhovner and his team clearly paid attention to the regulatory headaches that plagued the original Flipper Zero. The rumored Flipper One ditches every single radio that made the Zero famous. No RFID, no NFC, no sub-gigahertz, no infrared. Just a Linux box with a screen and a modular design that makes pen-testing easy without pissing off entire countries.This would be brilliant if its real, because rather than being an amalgam of sensors, the Flipper One is now theoretically a platform like a smartphone that runs apps. Regulators could evaluate specific radio modules rather than trying to figure out what an entire device might be capable of, sort of like how regulators ban apps rather than outright banning a phone. Users would get exactly the wireless features they want without paying for ones they dont need. It transforms a compliance nightmare into a business opportunity, which is exactly the kind of solution youd expect from people whove been through regulatory hell once already.AI Representation based on Pavel Zhovners SchematicsThe supposed engineering choices reveal serious ambition. Most portable devices make you choose between battery life and performance, then spend years managing that tradeoff. The rumored dual-processor setup would use a small, efficient chip for boring background tasks while a more powerful processor handles everything you actually care about. Full Linux support would mean running actual desktop applications. Android compatibility would open up millions of existing apps. Theres even talk of a custom Kali Linux distribution with user-friendly interfaces for security tools that normally require memorizing command-line syntax.Although the internals seem to be changing, the format decidedly isnt, which means the Flipper One will still look like a spiritual successor to the Flipper Zero, with a landscape design and that iconic orange backlit LCD display. At 256144 pixels, its not trying to compete with your phones display. Instead, that specific resolution was allegedly chosen because its exactly what you need to fit a usable multilingual keyboard on screen. Combined with eight physical buttons, a directional pad, and even a tiny joystick, the interface design suggests someone actually thought about extended use rather than just looking impressive in marketing photos.AI Representation based on Pavel Zhovners SchematicsThe most ambitious rumor involves open sourcing the operating system. Instead of just selling hardware, theyd be creating a platform for pocket computers. Its either visionary or completely delusional, and honestly, both possibilities are entertaining. The cyberdeck community has been building similar devices for years as one-off projects requiring serious fabrication skills.Whether any of this materializes remains entirely speculative. The details sound too good to be true in some ways, too practical in others. If Flipper Devices can actually deliver something approaching these specifications, theyd have the first commercially viable pocket computer designed specifically for people who understand computers. Thats either revolutionary or the kind of overambitious project that teaches expensive lessons about hardware development. Given their track record of turning controversial hacking tools into cultural phenomena, betting against them seems unwise. If they execute this properly, Flipper One wont just be another hacking tool Itll be the reference implementation for what portable Linux computers should look like in 2025.The post Flipper One Rumors Suggest a Pocket Computer With Hacking Tools That Governments Cant Ban first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wood has always been more than just a building material, its an expression of craftsmanship, warmth, and personality. Recently, textured wood furniture has surged in popularity, offering homeowners and designers an extra dimension that flat surfaces cant achieve. These pieces invite touch, create shadow play, and add a sculptural element to rooms. Whether you lean modern, rustic, or somewhere in between, textured designs bring a sense of architectural furniture into your space, pieces that feel like part of the homes design rather than mere accessories. From deeply carved panels to natural live edges, every texture tells a story. Below are 17 statement wood pieces that not only serve a functional role but also elevate your interiors into something memorable and visually layered.1. Fluted Wood SideboardsImage Source: HernestFluted wood sideboards have a way of turning a simple storage unit into a refined focal point. The vertical grooves create a repeating rhythm of shadow and light, bringing depth to the piece without overpowering the room. This is textured wood furniture at its most versatile, it works equally well in a mid-century modern setting, a coastal-inspired home, or a formal dining room.Fluted designs pair beautifully with minimal hardware, letting the texture shine. In terms of architectural furniture, the fluting adds visual height and elongates walls, making the room feel taller. Choose lighter stains for a breezy, open vibe or rich, dark finishes for a moodier elegance. As statement wood pieces, fluted sideboards deliver both form and function, offering concealed storage with undeniable style.2. Live-Edge Dining TablesImage Source: Rustic DecorA live-edge dining table celebrates the natural form of wood in its purest state. By preserving the organic contour of the tree, each table becomes a completely unique piece of textured wood furniture. This style bridges rustic charm and modern sophistication, especially when paired with sleek chairs or industrial metal bases.As architectural furniture, live-edge tables command attention in open-plan spaces, grounding the area with their organic lines. Every knot, grain swirl, and natural imperfection tells part of the story, making the table as much a conversation piece as a place to gather. These statement wood pieces are timeless, equally at home in a contemporary loft or a cozy cabin, and they ensure no two dining experiences ever feel quite the same.3. Carved Accent ChairsImage Source: AmazonCarved accent chairs blend artistry with practicality, offering more than just a seat. They are textured wood furniture at its most intricate, often featuring hand-chiseled patterns, relief designs, or sculpted spindles that turn a functional object into an aesthetic highlight. Whether used in a living room corner, at a writing desk, or as a pair flanking a fireplace, carved chairs work as architectural furniture, adding a layer of craftsmanship to the overall design.The carved details create dynamic shadows as light changes throughout the day, making the chair visually engaging from every angle. As statement wood pieces, they draw the eye without overwhelming the space, serving as reminders that furniture can be both useful and a work of art.4. Slatted Wood Bed FramesImage Source: The Home and OfficeSlatted wood bed frames bring linear texture into the bedroom, creating a sense of order and calm. Horizontal slats can visually widen a space, while vertical slats add height and elegance. This form of textured wood furniture works well in both minimal and layered bedrooms, adding depth without clutter. As architectural furniture, slatted designs can echo wall paneling or window treatments, creating a harmonious interior rhythm. Light stains in oak or ash produce an airy, spa-like feel, while walnut or mahogany lend a rich, grounding effect. These statement wood pieces are practical, too, sturdy, breathable, and built to last, making them an investment in both comfort and style.5. Geometric Wood Coffee TablesImage Source: Atoz FurnitureGeometric coffee tables bring a sculptural quality to the heart of your living space. With faceted edges, angular legs, or patterned inlays, they turn a utilitarian surface into a statement wood piece worth showcasing. This kind of textured wood furniture plays with light and shadow, creating visual interest from every angle. Geometric tables are especially impactful in contemporary rooms, where they contrast against softer furnishings. As architectural furniture, they anchor the seating area and provide a focal point without overwhelming the room. Pair with minimal accessories to let the shapes and textures stand out, ensuring the table remains the star of your living area.6. Ribbed Kitchen IslandsImage Source: HouzzRibbed kitchen islands infuse texture into a space that often leans toward smooth, hard surfaces. Vertical grooves create a sense of rhythm, making the island a standout piece of architectural furniture rather than just a workspace. This textured wood furniture style complements a range of kitchen aesthetics,from modern to transitional,and pairs well with stone countertops. Light wood ribbing feels fresh and airy, while darker stains add depth and drama. As statement wood pieces, ribbed islands invite touch and become a gathering spot where form meets function. Their design also helps disguise wear, keeping the island looking sharp over time.7. Inlaid Pattern CabinetsImage Source: AnthropologieInlaid pattern cabinets transform storage into art. With designs ranging from simple chevron to complex geometric mosaics, these cabinets are textured wood furniture that showcases craftsmanship at its finest. The combination of contrasting wood tones adds richness and depth, making them ideal architectural furniture for dining rooms, living rooms, or hallways.These statement wood pieces work best when surrounded by simpler dcor, allowing the intricate patterns to take center stage. Beyond their beauty, they offer practical storage, blending function with high design in a way few other furniture styles can achieve.8. Wood Room DividersImage Source: CraftivaWooden room dividers are an elegant solution for shaping open interiors without the permanence of walls. They create zones, add intimacy, and introduce rhythm while still allowing the natural flow of light and air. Designs can range from sleek vertical slats that provide a sense of structure, to intricately carved panels that double as artwork. In a large living room, a divider can define a cozy dining corner; in a studio apartment, it can give privacy to a sleeping area without sacrificing openness. Because wood naturally brings warmth, these dividers feel inviting, softening modern spaces and adding character to traditional ones. A thoughtfully chosen divider doesnt just split a room it enhances it, turning empty transitions into purposeful, visually engaging design moments.9. Faceted Bedside TablesImage Source: Home DesigningFaceted bedside tables turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. Instead of flat sides, these tables feature angled planes that catch and reflect light like facets of a gemstone. This makes them standout examples of textured wood furniture, subtle enough to complement soft bedding yet bold enough to command attention. As statement wood pieces, faceted nightstands add elegance and intrigue, whether you choose a dark finish for a modern edge or a pale tone for a more delicate effect. Pair them with simple lamps or uncluttered styling to let the texture remain the star of the bedside arrangement.10. Sculpted Wood Pendant LightsImage Source: WoodulightSculpted wood pendant lights bring texture overhead, an area often ignored in interior design. Instead of plain fixtures, these pendants use carved or layered wooden forms that diffuse light in artistic patterns. When suspended over dining tables, kitchen islands, or entryways, they function as architectural furniture, tying together surrounding wood tones and adding warmth where metal or glass might feel too cold. As statement wood pieces, sculpted pendants add drama both day and night: by day, they stand as sculptural accents; by night, they transform into glowing artworks, casting warmth and texture across your walls and ceiling.11. Outdoor Slatted LoungersImage Source: Kave HomeOutdoor slatted loungers combine comfort with design-forward appeal, making them standout examples of textured wood furniture for exterior spaces. The slatted construction isnt just aestheticit allows airflow, keeping the seating cool under the sun while adding linear texture to patios, decks, or poolside areas.Built from weather-resistant hardwoods like teak or acacia, these loungers double as architectural furniture, bridging the homes interior style with its outdoor extension. Their form emphasizes clean lines and natural warmth, making them timeless additions to any outdoor living environment.12. Wooden SofasImage Source: The Timber GuyA wooden sofa brings a timeless, grounded presence to any living space. Unlike fully upholstered designs, the emphasis here is on solid wood construction, often with broad armrests, sturdy bases, and visible grain that highlights the natural beauty of the material. These sofas can lean traditional, with heavier proportions and darker stains, or modern, with clean lines and lighter finishes. The wood itself provides durability and longevity, while upholstered seat and back cushions ensure comfort. In smaller homes, a wooden sofa doubles as both seating and a design anchor, offering warmth without overwhelming the room. They pair well with woven rugs, neutral fabrics, and greenery, making them versatile for a wide range of interiors. A classic wooden sofa feels stable, enduring, and effortlessly stylish.13. Reclaimed Beam BenchesImage Source: EtsyReclaimed beam benches bring history and authenticity into the home, making them some of the most character-filled textured wood furniture you can choose. Crafted from salvaged timbers, these benches display natural imperfections cracks, knots, weathering, that no new wood can replicate. Each piece carries its own story, often decades or centuries old, adding a soulful quality to interiors. Used in entryways, dining rooms, or at the foot of a bed, they function as both seating and design anchors. As architectural furniture, they bridge past and present, combining sustainable practice with enduring style.14. Chiseled Edge ConsolesImage Source: EtsyChiseled edge consoles celebrate the beauty of imperfection, with surfaces that proudly show tool marks, uneven textures, and raw, hand-hewn edges. This form of textured wood furniture turns everyday surfaces into tactile art, inviting you to run your fingers across its sculpted planes. Perfect for entryways, hallways, or behind sofas, these consoles add a natural ruggedness that balances well against sleek, modern dcor. As architectural furniture, they make a strong first impression, acting almost like a permanent design feature rather than just a table. Their irregularity is their charmno two pieces are identical. As statement wood pieces, chiseled edge consoles stand out as bold, artisanal creations that bring authenticity and warmth into a space.15. Carved Wooden WardrobesImage Source: EtsyCarved wooden wardrobes are the definition of furniture that feels alive with detail. Instead of flat panels, these wardrobes feature intricate carvings, floral motifs, geometric designs, or abstract reliefs, that transform them into art pieces. As textured wood furniture, they bring depth and movement into the bedroom, making storage feel far more than just functional.Their scale gives them the presence of architectural furniture, almost like built-in features that anchor the room visually. Because each carved surface catches light differently, the wardrobe becomes dynamic, changing appearance throughout the day. A carved wardrobe can be the soul of a bedroom, balancing utility with artistry.16. Wooden Canopy BedsImage Source: cb.sceneCanopy beds are dramatic by nature, but when crafted from wood, they bring a warm, natural dimension that fabric or metal frames cant match. The tall posts and overhead beams create a sense of enclosure, almost like a room within a room. They also draw the eye upward, emphasizing ceiling height and adding a vertical element that changes the proportions of the space. Depending on the detailing, they can feel sleek and modern or ornate and traditional. Drapes can be added for softness and privacy, or left open to showcase the sculptural quality of the frame. A wooden canopy bed instantly becomes the centerpiece of a bedroom, adding impact and intimacy at the same time.17. Wooden Wall PanelsImage Source: House BeautifulWooden wall panels extend texture beyond standalone furniture, creating immersive surfaces that redefine a room. Grooved, ribbed, or carved designs transform blank walls into expressive backdrops, making them a form of textured wood furniture on a larger scale. They add rhythm and dimension, giving flat walls the gravitas of architectural furniture, similar to columns or beams. Depending on finish, they can read warm and rustic or sleek and modern, making them versatile for different design styles. Wooden wall panels frame every element in the room, from art to furniture, while adding warmth and sophistication. They are particularly striking in living rooms, offices, or bedrooms, where their tactile presence transforms plain surfaces into crafted design features.Finishing NotesTexture has the power to transform the familiar into the extraordinary. From fluted sideboards and sculptural room dividers to canopy beds and wooden sofas, each of these statement pieces shows how wood can become more than a surface, it can be a storyteller, a sculptural anchor, and a defining element of a room.If youre looking for more inspiration on elevating your home with furniture, design ideas, and curated spaces, be sure to explore Home Designing. Whether youre redecorating one room or planning a complete transformation, youll find countless resources to help you craft a home that feels both personal and timeless.

Our Godox AR400 rig works great for a scan or two, but quickly becomes a pain to work with when sunlight has to be contended with. The flash is simply not bright enough to completely overcome the midday sun, and if you shoot at relatively high power levels (at or above 1/4th), youll quickly hit hard-coded temperature limitations after a few hundred (or dozen) shots and need to repeatedly reset the flash to keep shooting.So, before our trip to Namaqualand, we started looking for alternatives that would enable us to shoot in direct sunlight for extended periods of time and perhaps provide a better ergonomic experience.On the 3D Scanning discord, we stumbled upon some images of other artists using the Elinchrom ELB 500 dual flash kit (along with a custom handheld rig) and decided to make our ownDownload Blend fileLicense: CC0The rig is primarily made from off-the-shelf components such as aluminum extrusions, a camera L-bracket, and a wireless remote. Then, we designed 3D-printed handles, a small spacer, and feet to tie it all together.Of course, we also needed to polarize the flashes, so a simple 3D-printed pair of rings clamp the polarizing filters against the front of each hood/reflector. The filters themselves, like for the AR400 rig, came from replacement filters for an iPad screen which are just the right size and easy to obtain.In a nutshell, the rig is simply a way to attach the flashes to the camera and provide a somewhat ergonomic way to hold everything. However, after struggling a bit with the AR400 rig, we also wanted to give ourselves some creature comforts to make it a little more versatile and enjoyable to use, such as:TPU/rubber feet, so it can stand easily on a table/floor without scratching anything.Top handle: to help hold it low to the ground. The handle we have came from a video cage kit, so it also has convenient 1/4 threads to attach a monopod and hold even more comfortably lower to the ground.A 1/4 tapped hole on the bottom for attaching to a tripod or monopod for easier maneuverability and height access.A removable wireless remote integrated into the right handle, lined up just where your index finger goes.An overall footprint that fits inside the Elinchrom kits bag, protecting those big polarizers during transport.Its certainly an upgrade over the AR400 rig, but usability-wise there are still some annoyances:The battery life is not that great when shooting at full power. Its better than the AR400 but still surprisingly short, given the batteries physical size.The separate flash body, which houses the controls, battery, and electronics, is tethered by thick cables to the flashes themselves and is a bit awkward despite its shoulder sling. A small hip-mounted bag might be a nice improvement.The modeling lights (LEDs you can turn on inside the flash heads to help with focusing and polarizer alignment) are not very bright and turn off automatically after only a few seconds making the initial setup a bit frustrating.The aux connector on the body, which connects to the camera to trigger the flash, is unreliable and poorly positioned to be damaged easilyhence the looseness and unreliability now.If anyone has some ideas or suggestions for improvements, please comment below If youd like to build one yourself, the .blend file is available for download at the top of this post. Parts and assembly should be fairly self-explanatory from the object names, though we worked with what we had on hand and could find locally.

The days you needed to spend 400+ on a tablet are over.

Podcast: One country musician is calling for other artists to oppose assault rifles

Its a small world after all, and these cameras can capture all of it at once, giving you a 360-degree view.

FoundHer House, a home in San Franciscos Glen Park neighborhood, is the rare all-female hacker house where residents are creating a supportive community to build their start-ups.