Time for another months challenge! About the EventHello everyone! As end of the year draws close, we want to make our December challenge about you and your favorite things! Join us by posting your work with #favcember2024 tag in your posts. You are welcomed to do either 1 or 2 pieces of artwork per prompt! We're excited to see all the amazing favorites from all of our amazing users. We hope you have fun, and happy creating! How to join Favcember 2024 on Cara1. Participate by posting new work youve made by following the favcember list 2. You can either create 1 or 2 pieces per prompt, its entirely up to you whether you want to do a piece daily!3. Mention #favcember2024 in the description when posting!Cara Theme ListWe encourage everyone to take this chance to explore new ideas, experiment with the nature of your art and take a chance at growing your art skills within our challenge. Most of all, we are excited to see everyone having fun while creating and nurturing each other's works in comments!We hope you can plant fresh friendships, discover new artwork and artists, collaborate and enjoy Favcember together as we look back through the year! - The Cara Team cara.app | twitter | instagram | buy cara a coffee

PHANTOM DIGITAL EFFECTS LIMITED SET TO ACQUIRE AWARD-WINNING VFX STUDIOS MILK AND LOLA POSTCHENNAI & LONDON The Acquisition Will Bolster the Groups Existing Brand PortfolioWhich Already Includes PhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio.Phantom Digital Effects Limited, the parent company of VFX studios PhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio, announced today that it has entered into an agreement in principle to acquireMilkandLola Post, award-winning European visual effects studios specialising in high-end episodic and feature film content.With offices across Europe in London, Barcelona, Bordeaux and Dublin Milk (founded in 2013 by award-winning VFX Supervisors Sara Bennett, Neil Roche and Jean-Claude Deguara) specialises in crafting innovative visual effects for high-end episodic television and feature films, while Lola Post (founded in 2000 by award-winning VFX Supervisor Rob Harvey) focuses on documentary, specialist factual, and original drama.Both studios have received multiple accolades for their work, including:Academy Award for Best Visual Effects(Ex Machina)Four BAFTA TV Craft Awards(Troy: Fall of a City,Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,Doctor Who)Creative Arts Emmy Award(Sherlock)Following the acquisition, the studios will continue to operate under the Milk and Lola Post names.Chris Burnwill remain Group Managing DirectorSara Bennettas Chief Creative Officer (Milk)Neil Rocheas Deputy Chief Creative Officer (Milk)Jean-Claude Deguaraas Production VFX Supervisor (Milk)Rob Harveyas Creative Director of LolaThe addition of Milk and Lola Post will bolster Phantom Digital Effects Ltds existing brand portfolio and award-winning offering, and continues to cement the Groups position as a global creative partner of choice for the entertainment industry across key markets, including APAC, Europe and North America. It follows several key milestones in the Groups journey, including the addition of Tippett Studio and the launch of Spectre Post in 2024, and the recent establishment of Phantom China earlier this year.Executive QuotesChris Burn, Group Managing Director of Milk and Lola PostWe are excited to join forces with the talented teams at Phantom group. For over a decade, Milk has delivered award-winning VFX, earning a reputation for both creative vision and technical excellence. This year, Lola celebrates its 25th anniversary, a significant milestone that reflects its enduring contribution to the industry and its deep commitment to partnering with filmmakers and showrunners who value collaboration and creative support. This next chapter will allow us to scale our creative ambition, extend our global reach, and continue delivering outstanding VFX to our clients.Ian Unterreiner, Executive Vice President of Phantom Digital Effects Ltd.Milk and Lola Posts strong pedigree of award-winning work, strategic locations across Europe and innovative spirit, further ensures Phantoms global reach in producing the very best work and excellence in customer experience. The advantages this group brings to bear in terms of superior creative, competitive value and overall sustainability are powerful assets in the marketplace.Bejoy Arputharaj, CEO and Founder of Phantom Digital Effects Ltd.Im thrilled to welcome Milk and Lola into the Phantom group. Their proven creative excellence and distinctive storytelling further strengthen our position as a leading force in the industry. This strategic move deepens the integration of our studio ecosystem and reinforces our commitment to supporting filmmakers, content creators and production companies around the world as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality visual storytelling.Current & Upcoming ProjectsThe Mandalorian and Grogu(Tippett Studio Disney)The Toxic Avenger(Tippett Studio Legendary, Cineverse)The Revolutionaries(PhantomFX Prime)The Witcher Season 4(Milk Netflix)Surviving Earth(Milk NBC)Good Omens Season 3(Milk Prime)Ironheart(Tippett Studio Disney+)Heads of State(Milk Prime)Walking with Dinosaurs(Lola Post BBC/PBS)Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force(Tippett Studio & PhantomFX Alibaba Pictures Group)Star Wars: Skeleton Crew(Tippett Studio Disney+)Citadel: Honey Bunny(PhantomFX Prime)Alien: Romulus(Tippett Studio Disney)IC814(PhantomFX Netflix)Scoop(Milk Netflix)The Rig(Lola Post Prime)Meg 2: The Trench(Milk Warner Bros.)About Phantom Digital Effects LimitedPhantom Digital Effects Limited (NSE: PHANTOMFX) is a publicly listed global VFX services provider, operating acrossIndia, the United States, Canada and China.Its current portfolio includesPhantomFX, Spectre Post and Tippett Studio.The company offersendtoend production servicesfor feature films, episodic series, immersive media and advertising, powered byAI tools, real-time pipelines and unmatched creative leadership.About MilkMilk is anOscar, BAFTA, and Emmy Award-winningvisual effects studio founded in 2013 by artists passionate about visual storytelling. With credits includingGood Omens,Fantastic Beasts,The Martian, andThe Witcher, Milk combinescreative ambition with technical expertise.The studios work includes multiple BAFTA Television Craft Awards, an Emmy forSherlock, and an Oscar forEx Machina, awarded to co-founder Sara Bennett the first woman in 20 years to win in the VFX category.About Lola PostLola is aLondon-based VFX studiowith 25 years of experience in high-end television, documentary, specialist factual, and original drama. Founded by Academy Awardwinning VFX SupervisorRob Harvey(Gladiator, The Planets, Britannia), Lola is known for itscreative agility, hands-on approach, and story-driven VFX.The studio specializes in delivering visual effects thatsupport and elevate narratives, from invisible enhancements to photoreal environments and naturalistic FX.The post Phantom Digital Effects Ltd Set to AcquireAward-Winning VFX Studios Milk and Lola Post appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Pricey prescriptions and nagging medical costs are swamping some insurers and employers now. Patients may start paying for it next year.Health insurance will grow more expensive in many corners of the market in 2026, and coverage may shrink. That could leave patients paying more for doctor visits and dealing with prescription coverage changes.Price increases could be especially stark in individual coverage marketplaces, where insurers also are predicting the federal government will end some support that helps people buy coverage.Were in a period of uncertainty in every health insurance market right now, which is something we havent seen in a very long time, said Larry Levitt, an executive vice president at the nonprofit KFF, which studies health care.Whats hitting insurersIn conference calls to discuss recent earnings reports, insurers ticked off a list of rising costs: More people are receiving care. Visits to expensive emergency rooms are rising, as are claims for mental health treatments.Insurers also say more healthy customers are dropping coverage in the individual market. That leaves a higher concentration of sicker patients who generate claims.Enrollment in the Affordable Care Acts insurance marketplaces swelled the past few years. But a crackdown on fraud and a tightening of eligibility verifications that were loosened during the COVID-19 pandemic makes it harder for some to stay covered, Jefferies analyst David Windley noted.People who use little care are disappearing, he said.Prescription drugs pose another challenge, especially popular and expensive diabetes and obesity treatments sometimes called GLP-1 drugs. Those include Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy and Zepbound.Pharmacy just gives me a headache, no pun intended, said Vinnie Daboul, Boston-based managing director of the employee benefits consultant RT Consulting.There are more super expensive drugsNew gene therapies that can come with a one-time cost of more than $2 million also are having an impact, insurance brokers say. Those drugs, which target rare diseases, and some newer cancer treatments are part of the reason Sun Life Financial covered 47 claims last year that cost over $3 million.The financial services company covers high-cost claims for employers that pay their own medical bills. Sun Life probably had no claims that expensive a decade ago and maybe a handful at best five years ago, said Jen Collier, president of health and risk solutions.Some of these drugs are rarely used, but they cause overall costs to rise. That raises insurance premiums.Its adding to medical (cost growth) in a way that we havent seen in the past, Collier said.Marketplace pain is in the forecastPrice hikes will be most apparent on the Affordable Care Acts individual coverage marketplaces. Insurers there are raising premiums around 20% in 2026, according to KFF, which has been analyzing state regulatory filings.But the actual hike consumers see may be much bigger. Enhanced tax credits that help people buy coverage could expire at the end of the year, unless Congress renews them.If those go away, customer coverage costs could soar 75% or more, according to KFF.Business owner Shirley Modlin worries about marketplace price hikes. She cant afford to provide coverage for the roughly 20 employees at 3D Design and Manufacturing in Powhatan, Virginia, so she reimburses them $350 a month for coverage they buy.Modlin knows her reimbursement only covers a slice of what her workers pay. She worries another price hike might push some to look for work at a bigger company that offers benefits.My employee may not want to go to work for a large corporation, but when they consider how they have to pay their bills, sometimes they have to make sacrifices, she said.Employers may shift costsCosts also have been growing in the bigger market for employer-sponsored coverage, the benefits consultant Mercer says. Employees may not feel that as much because companies generally pay most of the premium.But they may notice coverage changes.About half the large employers Mercer surveyed earlier this year said they are likely or very likely to shift more costs to their employees. That may mean higher deductibles or that people have to pay more before they reach the out-of-pocket maximum on their coverage.Drug coverage changes are possibleFor prescriptions, patients may see caps on those expensive obesity treatments or limits on who can take them.Some plans also may start using separate deductibles for their pharmaceutical and medical benefits or having patients pay more for their prescriptions, Daboul said.Coverage changes could vary around the country, noted Emily Bremer, president of a St. Louis-based independent insurance agency, The Bremer Group.Employers arent eager to cut benefits, she said, so people may not see dramatic prescription coverage changes next year. But that may not last.If something doesnt give with pharmacy costs, its going to be coming sooner than wed like to think, Bremer said.The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Tom Murphy, AP Health Writer

Here's what we looked at this week:Handsome, stackable cork storage boxes by RelvaoKellerman.Innovations in home lighting: Smart outlets vs. smart outlet covers. A paradigm "shift:" The QwertyMax keyboard updates a 150-year-old UI, adding a dedicated symbol row, instant emoji access and more.An IIHS study finds that modern-day auto design is increasing forward blind spots.(Unnecessary?) objects for measuring children's heights.Bundle Studio's prototyping processes for bio-based furniture designs.French product designer Eloi Goulhot's mallet-based walnut cracker.Hand Heart Design's clever, low-cost, quickly-deliverable modular signage system.

PROS: Distinctive lunar-inspired design with glow-in-the-dark detail Slim body with large 6,000mAh battery Bright, vibrant AMOLED displayCONS: Some focus hunting and jittery issues in 4K video Aluminum frame seems to be prone to dents and visible marks after minor dropsRATINGS:AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:The realme P3 Ultra exemplifies the perfect balance between playful aesthetics and practical functionality, wrapping cosmic-inspired design around solid everyday performance.The Realme P series is a relatively new but increasingly important lineup in Realmes smartphone portfolio, first making its debut in India with the launch of the Realme P1 and P1 Pro in 2024. Designed as a mid-range offering, the P series stands out for its commitment to delivering a compelling blend of power, design innovation, and value. Originally exclusive to the Indian market, the success of the P series has prompted Realme to expand its availability globally. With the launch of the P3 Ultra, the series is set to reach new audiences across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, signaling Realmes growing ambitions and the rising popularity of the lineup.True to its name, the P in P series stands for Power. Realme has focused on equipping these devices with robust performance hardware, advanced chipsets, and efficient cooling systems. Beyond sheer power, the P series also serves as a showcase for some of Realmes boldest design experiments. The brand is willing to try new materials, textures, and finishes, which is evident in the lunar-inspired, glow-in-the-dark elements introduced with the P3 Ultra. This design-forward philosophy is paired with features that appeal to todays youth, such as gaming-ready performance, long battery life, and intelligent software enhancements. But how well does it deliver on these promises? Lets dive in.Designer: realmeAestheticsThe realme P3 Ultra stands out visually, especially in the Glowing Lunar White variant. The back of the phone features a glossy finish with a detailed lunar surface pattern that captures the look of craters and dust. Although it appears textured, the finish is completely smooth and polished to the touch. This creates an interesting contrast, as your eyes expect a rough surface while your hand feels something sleek and reflective.Realme uses a starlight ink process for this model. The back panel includes tiny reflective particles that shimmer as you move the phone under light. The effect is subtle and adds an extra layer of visual depth, which is not common for devices in this price range. It is enough to draw your attention without being flashy or distracting.The camera island is rectangular, finished in silver, and positioned in the upper left corner of the phone. It houses two cameras arranged vertically, each surrounded by a raised silver ring that catches the light and adds dimension. The round LED flash sits next to the upper camera, making the layout easy to recognize at a glance. The camera module does not protrude much from the back, which helps the phone maintain a sleek and balanced profile.The glow-in-the-dark feature on the moon design is the detail that stays with you. When the lights are off, the lunar area emits a gentle green glow. This touch feels understated and almost calming rather than showy. It also makes the phone easy to locate in a dark room, which is both practical and fun.Other design choices include an orange accent ring around the camera island and a matching orange power button. These details are easy to notice but do not dominate the overall look. The realme logo appears in silver on the lower left, providing a subtle but clear brand mark.The Neptune Blue variant offers a different experience. Instead of a glossy finish, this version uses vegan leather on the back, giving it a soft and premium texture. The camera island in this color is metallic blue, creating a cohesive and visually appealing contrast with the rest of the body. This option is ideal for those who prefer a tactile finish and a more classic, sophisticated look.Overall, the P3 Ultra demonstrates that a phone can be playful without losing its sense of refinement. The design is memorable for its creativity and attention to detail. It is clear that realme put thought into every element of the phones appearance.ErgonomicsThe realme P3 Ultra is comfortable to hold, which is impressive for a phone that puts so much attention on its visual presence and manages to fit in a large 6,000mAh battery. With a slim profile of just 7.38 millimeters and a weight of about 183 grams, it feels light and easy in the hand. The flat sides echo the phones modern, geometric aesthetic and provide a grip that feels steady during long use. The polished edges rest smoothly against your palm, and the phones overall balance avoids any sense of bulk.Both the orange power button and the volume controls are found on the right edge, grouped together in a way that keeps the look clean and are easy enough to reach. The fingerprint scanner, set low near the bottom of the display, works quickly but can interrupt the natural transition from unlocking to navigating the phone. This is a small detail, but one that can affect the flow of everyday use.The camera island, with its minimal protrusion, blends into the design and does not get in the way when playing games or holding the phone horizontally. However, when the phone rests on a flat surface, there is a bit of wobble. This is a minor trade-off for the sleek camera integration.The Glowing Lunar White variants glossy finish can show fingerprints, though only when the light catches them at certain angles. For most of the day, the phone keeps its clean, almost pristine look. Overall, the P3 Ultra manages to bring together its bold visual identity with a practical and comfortable feel, making it enjoyable to hold and use for long periods, even if a few small quirks remain.Real-world use always brings out new details. My sample device already has a minor dent on the top frame, which serves as a reminder that even thoughtfully designed phones can suffer from the occasional drop. I have to admit, I drop my phones more often than I would like. This small mark made me question the long-term durability of the frame. The dent is subtle and does not take away from the comfort of daily use, but it is something to keep in mind for anyone who tends to be a bit clumsy. The P3 Ultra feels excellent in hand, yet a touch more toughness would make its elegant design even more reassuring for everyday life.PerformanceThe realme P3 Ultra delivers on its promise of reliable performance, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1. Despite the Ultra branding, this chip has the same configuration as the standard Dimensity 8350, and there is no official information from MediaTek or Realme outlining any real difference between the two. Even so, the P3 Ultra proves itself more than capable when put to the test.The phone runs realme UI 6.0 on top of Android 15. Everyday use is smooth and responsive, with apps launching quickly and multitasking handled without noticeable lag. Things are snappy whether you are moving between social feeds, browsing the web, or editing photos. The phone maintains this level of performance even under heavier loads.The Realem P3 Ultra can handle gaming with ease. Demanding titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly at the highest settings. Even after an hour of continuous gameplay, the phones temperature did not exceed 42 degrees Celsius. The 6050mm2 vapor chamber cooling system works well, keeping the device comfortable to hold and preventing the performance drops that sometimes come with overheating.The device is equipped with a 6.83-inch AMOLED quad-curved display with 120Hz refresh rate and 12722800 resolution. The display is vibrant and bright. Speaker quality is solid for the segment. The stereo setup produces clear sound with enough volume for games and videos, though bass is limited. Voices and music remain distinct, making for a pleasant media experience.The P3 Ultra is equipped with a 50MP Sony IMX896 main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 16MP front-facing camera. The main sensor captures detailed, vibrant photos in daylight that are ready for social media, though colors can appear a bit too punchy if you prefer a more natural look. The software does a good job balancing exposure, and you can zoom up to 20x, though quality drops off at higher magnifications. In low light, the main camera produces reliable results for casual shots, even if some noise and softness are present.The ultra-wide camera is satisfactory, but there is a noticeable color shift when switching between lenses. Ultra-wide photos are less vibrant and lean closer to natural color, which some users may prefer. The front-facing camera excels at selfies, delivering skin tones and textures that look natural and flattering without over-smoothing.For video, the P3 Ultras main camera can record up to 4K at 60 frames per second, with digital zoom up to 10x. The ultra-wide and front-facing cameras are limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second. Video quality from the main camera offers good dynamic range and balanced exposure, but some focus hunting and jitteriness can be observed, especially when the scene changes quickly. These issues can be distracting if you expect consistently smooth footage.Battery life is a strong point, especially given the phones slim build. The 6,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day, even with gaming and heavy use. 80W wired fast charging support is also a plus, letting you recharge quickly and get back to using your phone without long waits. It also supports 5W reverse charging to let your phone act as an emergency power bank.SustainabilityWhile the P3 Ultra does not make sustainability a central part of its story, its robust build and protective features aim to promote longevity. There is no mention of recycled or eco-friendly materials in its construction, nor does realme highlight any specific environmental initiatives for this model.On the durability front, the device carries IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings. This means it is resistant to dust, water, and even high-pressure sprays at high temperatures. These protections suggest the phone is built to handle a range of challenging environments, which could help extend its lifespan and reduce the need for early replacement.Screen protection is another area where the P3 Ultra stands out. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which, while not the brands highest offering, still exceeds what you typically find in this price segment. This added durability helps guard against everyday accidents and wear, supporting the phones potential for long-term use. Overall, even though the P3 Ultra does not focus on sustainability through materials or manufacturing, its emphasis on durability and protection may appeal to users who want a device designed to last.ValueThe realme P3 Ultra enters the market at an early bird price of $339 for the 12GB+256GB variant and $369 for the 12GB+512GB version. At these prices, the phone presents a strong overall package that confidently stands out with its imaginative design and capable everyday performance. Features such as the AMOLED display, the generous 6,000mAh battery, fast charging capabilities, and a high level of durability add real appeal for users who are seeking more than just the basics.If you value a phone that blends creative design with reliable performance and smooth gaming, the P3 Ultra offers solid value for your investment. This device is a good match for anyone who cares about both aesthetics and practical day-to-day use. With its unique style and dependable hardware, the P3 Ultra is easy to recommend to those who want their phone to look as good as it performs.VerdictThe realme P3 Ultra is a striking example of how mid-range smartphones can stand out through thoughtful design and balanced performance. The lunar-inspired aesthetic and glow-in-the-dark details give it personality, while the slim profile and robust build make it a pleasure to use daily. Performance is solid for everything from social media to demanding games, and the large battery means you rarely have to worry about running out of power before the day is done.Realme delivers a phone that feels special without losing sight of comfort and practicality. There are a few quirks, such as the placement of the fingerprint scanner and some issues with video focus, but they never overshadow the phones strengths. With premium features like a quad-curved AMOLED display, excellent durability ratings, and fast charging, the P3 Ultra is a strong value for its price. For anyone who cares about design as much as function, it is an easy phone to recommend.The post Realme P3 Ultra Review: Cosmic Design, Everyday Power first appeared on Yanko Design.

Even the coziest bedrooms can feel like a boutique retreat. And, no, you dont need to drain your wallet for it! This weeks picks are all about adding warmth and function to your bedroom to give it an entirely new look. Each pick is under $150 to keep things friendly for the pocket.Wood LED Wall Sconce Magnetic 360 Rotate Mounted LampBuy on AmazonThis sleek black walnut set of two is perfect for late-night readers or creating a cozy ambiance. These sconces look high-end while being totally cordlessno messy wiring required! They have adjustable brightness, so you can set the light levels according to your choice. It offers 360 rotation, which means it can be rotated to give you focused light at any angle. The battery of these lamps is rechargeable.Modern Fluted Floating NightstandBuy on AmazonFree up floor space and instantly modernize your bedroom with this wall-mounted nightstand. The fluted front detail adds texture, while the open shelf and hidden drawer keep essentials close but clutter-free. Perfect for small spaces or a minimalist look.Jaquayla Teddy Faux Fur Upholstered Storage BenchBuy on WayfairAdd soft and cozy seating at the foot of your bed with this teddy faux fur bench. It doubles as hidden storage for blankets, pillows, or seasonal clothes. Thats style and function in one plush package.Bedsure Pintuck Pinch Pleat Bedding SetBuy on WayfairSwitching your bedding is one of the fastest ways to refresh your space. This pintuck pinch pleat set brings elegance with its textured folds and comes in multiple colors to match your mood. Plus, its a complete bed-in-a-bag: easy, affordable luxury.

This post continues from our main HDRI workflow article:https://blog.polyhaven.com/how-to-create-high-quality-hdriSome of my favorite HDRIs were shot in busy streets with crowds of people around, or with dramatic fast-moving clouds and rapid sunsets that might seem impossible to capture to those unfamiliar with the magic of masking.Contrary to what you might initially think, these things are in fact fairly trivial to deal with as long as youre aware of them and shoot carefully.In a nutshell, you have four tools at your disposal:Timing your shots and planning for maskingShooting in order of priorityControlling control pointsManual layer blendingPlan to MaskWhen shooting in a busy street, tourist attraction, or any other location where there are people/cars/cats outside of your control, the easiest way to get rid of these elements is to shoot the same angle multiple times with the intention of masking out anything you dont want.Each of these images has something the other does not.If you can, take your time and be patient. Chances are those pesky tourists are going to move away after a while. Heck, maybe you could even ask them to step aside for a few seconds while you get that shot. In a city street example, that traffic light is going to change sometime and you might get a lucky clean shot. But even if you cant get a single clean shot, you can get a couple shots with fewer cars in them. With enough shots, youll likely be able to capture every part of your image cleanly, even if no single image is empty.Worst case scenario, you may have some small areas that were never empty, but those can easily be filled in with inpainting.Prioritize the SkyFor most HDRIs, the sky is whats most important its the part thats generally most visible (not covered up by foreground CG elements) and emits the most light.By the time you finish shooting the panorama, the light might be quite different than when you started, for example at sunset.Maybe the clouds light up bright pink for only a few seconds, and you dont want to miss that opportunity.Start by shooting your upward rotation to capture the sky, and then work your way down. If the sunset happens to get even prettier while you are shooting, you can always stop and start again from the top.By the time you finish, the sun may have completely set and the ground could now be darker than before. This is mostly unavoidable, but its better if the ground in your final HDRI is slightly inaccurate (which most people wont be able to tell) than missing the glorious sunset entirely.In the same example as shown above, you can actually see the sunlight is quite different between these photos, since I had to wait a few minutes for the parked car to move. But can you tell in the final pano?Sun still above the horizonSun just below the horizonDelete Moving Control PointsIn case its not obvious, having control points on moving objects will likely confuse PTGui and introduce visible seams or even massive alignment issues.If you notice seams in your panorama, the first place to look is your control point table, and sort by distance value. You probably have some control points with high distances (i.e. PTGui sees a disparity between the control point location and its expected location if the object were static).The three control points in the clouds have massive distance/error values, since the clouds moved a lot between these shots.Often simply deleting control points that appear on moving objects is enough to resolve the issue.In some cases though, such as for moving clouds, it may not actually be bad to have control points between them, it may be your only option, as long as you dont also have control points between static objects in the same images as well. Its the relative difference that causes the seams.Naturally, this might mean you have some high distance-value control points in your table, but as long as you know why theyre there and how youre going to deal with them thats totally fine.Having control points on moving clouds can help stitch those more seamlessly, just be careful to avoid introducing seams on static things because of that. As usual, masking is your friend, and you can simply mask out everything except the sky for your upward-facing shots.Manual Layer BlendingIn some cases, such as clouds flying by overhead in high winds, you may not be able to avoid some stitching artifacts. These could be obvious seams or strange patches of inconsistent contrast. In one photo, the hillside might be in the sun, but in the next, it might be in the shade of a cloud.Recent versions of PTGui (v12+) have some different ways of blending images together, and an optimum seam finder:In my experience, the default (Zero-overlap with optimum seams) is usually the best overall, but can sometimes cause dark and bright spots, especially near the zenith or when you have many small masked areas such as lens flares, birds, or moving people.One of the common artifacts with zero-overlap blending, a dark patchIn those cases, the other blending mode, multiband (and without optimum seams), might do better. So I find I often export both a zero-overlap version and a multiband version, then overlay them in Affinity Photo and paint a mask to get the best of both and avoid their artifacts.Multiband fixes that particular issue, though it also subtly darkens the sky behind the cloudsHowever, if you still have problems caused by significant motion, you may even need to blend the images yourself by hand.To do this, after exporting the HDRI normally, simply check the Individual HDR Layers output box to save a separate pano for each image.You will probably also want to enable only the images you think youll need so that only panos for those images are saved:After doing this, youll end up with a set of images like this:Now you can open the original HDRI in your editor of choice and drag the new layers on top of it.From here its just a matter of manually creating masks for each image one by one until youve fixed all your problems.HDR GhostingGhosting is what happens when there is motion within the same HDR bracket set.One major feature of most professional HDR merging software is the removal of these ghosts. My little script doesnt have this feature, but most of the time youll be masking out moving things completely anyway so it doesnt matter what they look like.In some rare cases, however, you might actually want to keep some moving objects in the HDRI. For example, this kitten:Ghosting artifacts caused by moving kittyFixed ghosting by choosing one of the brackets to take priority at the cost of more noiseTo get this result, I had to manually modify the masks for the compositing nodes in the blend file that my script created so that it used one of the darker frames (hence all the noise) for the whole cat.If anyone knows of a good HDR merging tool that can output linear unbiased 32-bit images that also handles ghosting, please do let me know!If you have any other struggles with motion when stitching HDRIs, let me know in the comments below and I can try to help you find a good solution

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The Silicon Valley chipmakers journey from icon to a government project, with the sale of a 10 percent stake to the Trump administration, underlines how even the mightiest in tech can fall.