Later this month, Intuitive Machines, the private company behind the first commercial lander that touched down on the moon, will launch a second lunar mission from NASAs Kennedy Space Center. The plan is to deploy a lander, a rover, and hopper to explore a site near the lunar south pole that could harbor water ice, and to put a communications satellite on lunar orbit.But the mission will also bring something thats never been installed on the moon or anywhere else in space beforea fully functional 4G cellular network.Point-to-point radio communications, which need a clear line of sight between transmitting and receiving antennas, have always been a backbone of both surface communications and the link back to Earth, starting with the Apollo program. Using point-to-point radio in space wasnt much of an issue in the past because there never have been that many points to connect. Usually, it was just a single spacecraft, a lander, or a rover talking to Earth. And they didnt need to send much data either. They were based on [ultra high frequency] or [very high frequency] technologies connecting a small number of devices with relatively low data throughput, says Thierry Klein, president of Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, which was contracted by NASA to design a cellular network for the moon back in 2020.But it could soon get way more crowded up there: NASAs Artemis program calls for bringing the astronauts back to the moon as early as 2028 and further expanding that presence into a permanent habitat in 2030s.The shift from mostly point-to-point radio communications to a full-blown cell network architecture should result in higher data transfer speeds, better range, and increase the number of devices that could be connected simultaneously, Klein says. But the harsh conditions of space travel and on the lunar surface make it difficult to use Earth-based cell technology straight off the shelf.Instead, Nokia designed components that are robust against radiation, extreme temperatures, and the sorts of vibrations that will be experienced during the launch, flight, and landing. They put all these components in a single network in a box, which contains everything needed for a cell network except the antenna and a power source. We have the antenna on the lander, so together with the box thats essentially your base station and your tower, Klein says. The box will be powered by the landers solar panels.During the IM-2 mission, the 4G cell network will allow for communication between the lander and the two vehicles. The network will likely only work for a few days the spacecraft are not likely to survive after night descends on the lunar surface.But Nokia has plans for a more expansive 4G or 5G cell network that can cover the planned Artemis habitat and its surroundings. The company is also working on integrating cell communications in Axiom spacesuits meant for future lunar astronauts. Maybe just one network in a box, one tower, would provide the entire coverage or maybe we would need multiple of these. Thats not going to be different from what you see in terrestrial cell networks deployment, Klein says. He says the network should grow along with the future lunar economy.Not everyone is happy with this vision. LTE networks usually operate between 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz, a region of the radiofrequency spectrum that partially overlaps with frequencies reserved for radio astronomy. Having such radio signals coming from the moon could potentially interfere with observations. Telescopes are most sensitive in the direction that they are pointingup towards the sky, Chris De Pree, deputy spectrum manager at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) said in an email. Communication satellites like Starlink often end up in the radio telescopes line of sight. A full-scale cell network on the moon would add further noise to the night sky.There is also a regulatory hurdle that must be worked around. There are radio bands that have been internationally allocated to support lunar missions, and the LTE band is not among them. Using 4G frequencies on or around the moon is a violation of the ITU-R radio regulations, NRAOs spectrum manager Harvey Liszt explained in an email. To legally deploy the 4G network on the moon, Nokia received a waiver specifically for the IM-2 mission. For permanent deployment well have to pick a different frequency band, Klein says. We already have a list of candidate frequencies to consider. Even with the frequency shift, Klein says Nokias lunar network technology will remain compatible with terrestrial 4G or 5G standards. And that means that if you happened to bring your smartphone to the moon, and it somehow survived both the trip and the brutal lunar conditions, it should work on the moon just like it does here on Earth. It would connect if we put your phone on the list of approved devices, Klein explains. All youd need is a lunar SIM card.

This story originally appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To get stories like this in your inbox first,sign up here.While DOGEs efforts to shutter federal agencies dominate news from Washington, the Trump administration is also making more global moves. Many of these center on China. Tariffs on goods from the country went into effect last week. Theres also been a minor foreign relations furor since DeepSeeks big debut a few weeks ago. China has already displayed its dominance in electric vehicles, robotaxis, and drones, and the launch of the new model seems to add AI to the list. This caused the US president as well as some lawmakers to push for new export controls on powerful chips, and three states have now banned the use of DeepSeek on government devices.Now our intrepid China reporter, Caiwei Chen, has identified a new trend unfolding within Chinas tech scene: Companies that were dominant in electric vehicles are betting big on translating that success into developing humanoid robots. I spoke with her about what she found out and what it might mean for Trumps policies and the rest of the globe.James: Before we talk about robots, lets talk about DeepSeek. The frenzy for the AI model peaked a couple of weeks ago. What are you hearing from other Chinese AI companies? How are they reacting?Caiwei: I think other Chinese AI companies are scrambling to figure out why they havent built a model as strong as DeepSeeks, despite having access to as much funding and resources. DeepSeeks success has sparked self-reflection on management styles and renewed confidence in Chinas engineering talent. Theres also strong enthusiasm for building various applications on top of DeepSeeks models.Your story looks at electric-vehicle makers in China that are starting to work on humanoid robots, but I want to ask about a crazy stat. In China, 53% of vehicles sold are either electric or hybrid, compared with 8% in the US. What explains that?Price is a huge factorthere are countless EV brands competing at different price points, making them both affordable and high-quality. Government incentives also play a big role. In Beijing, for example, trading in an old car for an EV gets you 10,000 RMB (about $1,500), and that subsidy was recently doubled. Plus, finding public charging and battery-swapping infrastructure is much less of a hassle than in the US.You open your story noting that Chinas recent New Year Gala, watched by billions of people, featured a cast of humanoid robots, dancing and twirling handkerchiefs. Weve covered how sometimes humanoid videos can be misleading. What did you think?I would say I was relatively impressedthe robots showed good agility and synchronization with the music, though their movements were simpler than human dancers. The one trick that is supposed to impress the most is the part where they twirl the handkerchief with one finger, toss it into the air, and then catch it perfectly. This is the signature of the Yangko dance, and having performed it once as a child, I can attest to how difficult the trick is even for a human! There was some skepticism on the Chinese internet about how this was achieved and whether they used additional reinforcement like a magnet or a string to secure the handkerchief, and after watching the clip too many times, I tend to agree.President Trump has already imposed tariffs on China and is planning even more. What could the implications be for Chinas humanoid sector?Unitrees H1 and G1 models are already available for purchase and were showcased at CES this year. Large-scale US deployment isnt happening yet, but Chinas lower production costs make these robots highly competitive. Given that 65% of the humanoid supply chain is in China, I wouldnt be surprised if robotics becomes the next target in the US-China tech war.In the US, humanoid robots are getting lots of investment, but there are plenty of skeptics who say theyre too clunky, finicky, and expensive to serve much use in factory settings. Are attitudes different in China?Skepticism exists in China too, but I think theres more confidence in deployment, especially in factories. With an aging population and a labor shortage on the horizon, theres also growing interest in medical and caregiving applications for humanoid robots.DeepSeek revived the conversation about chips and the way the US seeks to control where the best chips end up. How do the chip wars affect humanoid-robot development in China?Training humanoid robots currently doesnt demand as much computing power as training large language models, since there isnt enough physical movement data to feed into models at scale. But as robots improve, theyll need high-performance chips, and US sanctions will be a limiting factor. Chinese chipmakers are trying to catch up, but its a challenge.For more, read Caiweis story on this humanoid pivot, as well as her look at the Chinese startups worth watching beyond DeepSeek.Now read the rest of The AlgorithmDeeper LearningMotor neuron diseases took their voices. AI is bringing them back.In motor neuron diseases, the neurons responsible for sending signals to the bodys muscles, including those used for speaking, are progressively destroyed. It robs people of their voices. But some, including a man in Miami named Jules Rodriguez, are now getting them back: An AI model learned to clone Rodriguezs voice from recordings.Why it matters: ElevenLabs, the company that created the voice clone, can do a lot with just 30 minutes of recordings. Thats a huge improvement over AI voice clones from just a few years ago, and it can really boost the day-to-day lives of the people whove used the technology. This is genuinely AI for good, says Richard Cave, a speech and language therapist at the Motor Neuron Disease Association in the UK. Read more from Jessica Hamzelou.Bits and BytesA true crime documentary series has millions of views, but the murders are all AI-generatedA look inside the strange mind of someone who created a series of fake true-crime docs using AI, and the reactions of the many people who thought they were real. (404 Media)The AI relationship revolution is already herePeople are having all sorts of relationships with AI models, and these relationships run the gamut: weird, therapeutic, unhealthy, sexual, comforting, dangerous, useful. Were living through the complexities of this in real time. Hear from some of the many people who are happy in their varied AI relationships and learn what sucked them in. (MIT Technology Review)Robots are bringing new life to extinct speciesA creature called Orobates pabsti waddled the planet 280 million years ago, but as with many prehistoric animals, scientists have not been able to use fossils to figure out exactly how it moved. So theyve started building robots to help. (MIT Technology Review)Lessons from the AI Action Summit in ParisLast week, politicians and AI leaders from around the globe went to Paris for an AI Action Summit. While concerns about AI safety have dominated the event in years past, this year was more about deregulation and energy, a trend weve seen elsewhere. (The Guardian)OpenAI ditches its diversity commitment and adds a statement about intellectual freedomFollowing the lead of other tech companies since the beginning of President Trumps administration, OpenAI has removed a statement on diversity from its website. It has also updated its model specthe document outlining the standards of its modelsto say that OpenAI believes in intellectual freedom, which includes the freedom to have, hear, and discuss ideas. (Insider and Tech Crunch)The Musk-OpenAI battle has been heating upPart of OpenAI is structured as a nonprofit, a legacy of its early commitments to make sure its technologies benefit all. Its recent attempts to restructure that nonprofit have triggered a lawsuit from Elon Musk, who alleges that the move would violate the legal and ethical principles of its nonprofit origins. Last week, Musk offered to buy OpenAI for $97.4 billion, in a bid that few people took seriously. Sam Altman dismissed it out of hand. Musk now says he will retract that bid if OpenAI stops its conversion of the nonprofit portion of the company. (Wall Street Journal)

DONT NOD has been experimenting a lot over the past few years between climbing platformer Jusant and action RPG Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. However, the studio is still best known for its narrative-focused games, especially Life is Strange (which may or may not have aged well, depending on who you ask).Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is a return of sorts to those roots with contextual dialogue choices, almost usually awkward exchanges, and a mysterious, supernatural bent. It works in some areas, falters in others especially on the technical side and while Id still wait and see how Tape 2 pans out, Tape 1 presents an intriguing mystery that may be worth checking out. If you can deal with the contrivances, that is.Tape 1: Bloom begins with protagonist Swann, meeting up with her friend Autumn after several years due to a promise they made when younger. The narrative places a heavy emphasis on reliving the Summer of 1995, where Swann first meets Autumn, Nora, and Kat as pre-teens."Examining the environment during key moments, selecting different options, building bonds with the group with the right dialogues, and even waiting for other potential options are a core part of the narrative."Though the group becomes close-knit, things take a turn and they separate, swearing to tell no one about their secret. Why Autumn seeks Nora after all this time to confront what happened is one of the many mysteries youll have to unravel, as you jump back and forth between the present day and the past. Yes, its a premise that feels inspired by Stephen Kings It, but at least the treatment is different enough.While I was initially wary of this constant switching, Lost Records handles it pretty naturally, tying in different incidents with the present conversation, and moving events along quickly enough. As a movie enthusiast, Swann is all about recording things on her handheld camera, all to construct a memoir for Velvet Cove. The dichotomy of her as the sole point of view versus you, behind the lens, uncovering and adding things to the collection, is intriguing throughout, especially when consolidating the two in the present day.Of course, since this is DONT NOD, there are extensive dialogue choices. Examining the environment during key moments, selecting different options, building bonds with the group with the right dialogues, and even waiting for other potential options are a core part of the narrative. At times, selecting a sudden new choice is the equivalent of Swann suddenly blurting out something, with the other party asking to finish their thoughts. It feels uneasy but natural if only the game would actually interrupt her spoken dialogue as well instead of layering the two voice lines on top.None of this is a particularly new twist on the genre, especially having to look around in a specific location for a select item. However, seeing how DONT NODs narrative techniques have evolved past its initial adventure outings is cool. All the familiar themes are still here, from the pangs of growing up to fitting in and trying to become comfortable with yourself, even amid the mundane and it is nice (if a little overdone) to hear the present-day characters musing about their past feelings and reactions."The various conflicts at least feel stressful enough, especially given some of the harsher content throughout the game."However, some scenes dont always come across well, mostly due to the dialogue and its use in certain situations. Young adult fiction presents its fair share of awkward situations, and this is no different, but some lines come across as unnatural, even if the voice actors nail the delivery. It also doesnt help that certain sequences dont always fall into place sequentially.At one point, the girls work together to search for Autumns keys. Swann can help out, occasionally filming and chatting up Nora, and much more. When the keys are discovered, caught high up on a dilapidated structure, youre tasked with finding something to throw and knock them down. Speak to Nora again, and Swann will ask if shes found the keys yet, despite their location already being established.If you were being positive about it, you could think of it as her misremembering things, but it feels more like an editing mistake, with shots cut in the wrong order and disrupting the immersion. The various conflicts at least feel stressful enough, especially given some of the harsher content throughout the game.As iffy as the dialogue can be at times, at least the characters feel alive. Swann isnt the most social individual, especially when confronted with strangers, but her critter enthusiasm and casual observations when alone are endearing. Autumns straightforward responses and down-to-earth nature contrast with her shyness, while Kats familial situation (and foul-mouthedness) can feel relatable."There are some pretty hefty frame drops on PS5, even when very little is happening, but even worse is the texture pop-in, especially up close."I wasnt too keen on Nora since her character came across as more cliched than anything else, between the punk rock interests, smoking, family trouble, and rebellious streak that have been done to death. Shes not boring, though, so theres that.Much of your time in Lost Records is spent walking around, filming things, and interacting with the cast or environment. The art direction is pretty good in this endeavor, especially in capturing all the tropes of the 90s, like troll dolls, trapper keepers, VHS cassettes (the warning at the beginning of the game is an excellent touch), poorly constructed graffiti and whatnot.It imbues Velvet Cove with some personality at least to the extent that you can sympathize with the characters calling it a dump. Technically, the lighting and shadows, with the level of detail and texture quality are pretty good, even if some transitions between facial expressions feel a bit jarring if you look too close.Unfortunately, the visuals arent always technically sound. There are some pretty hefty frame drops on PS5, even when very little is happening, but even worse is the texture pop-in, especially up close. Its distracting in its frequency and brings down the experience. The soundtrack doesnt initially stand out, but there are some pretty good selections here."It doesnt quite hit the same as Life is Strange once did, for good and bad reasons, but theres certainly something here."Lost Records: Bloom and Rage isnt a redux of Life of Strange, and despite the deja vu that occurs, theres enough to separate the two in subject matter, narrative layout, and characterization. Tape 1 does a pretty decent job of setting the stage and characters, helping you empathize with them, warts and underwhelming dialogue aside. Its not something you should be rushing to experience immediately, especially without Tape 2 to provide the full context and book-end the narrative and your choices.Nevertheless, for those seeking a new narrative adventure with reasonably good presentation values and dont mind the technical issues Lost Records: Bloom and Rage could be a decent escape. It doesnt quite hit the same as Life is Strange once did, for good and bad reasons, but theres certainly something here.This game was reviewed on the PS5.

Tuesday, February 18th, 2025Posted by Jim ThackerAssetify 2 converts Blender animations to game-ready formatshtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"3D artist Nino (aka defoq) has released Assetify 2, the new version of his time-saving Blender add-on for converting assets into game-ready formats.The update makes it possible to bake and export animations as well as static assets, including the option to convert Geometry Nodes-based animations and cloth simulations to shape keys.Automate the processing of Blender assets for use in games and real-time applicationsReleased last year, Assetify streamlines the process of converting Blender assets into formats suitable for use in real-time applications, including games, AR and web apps.It automates the process of unwrapping and packing UVs on Blender models, and baking PBR textures from them, with export presets for both Unreal Engine and Unity.The add-on can bake textures from Geometry Nodes set-ups, and integrates with Mossify, Ninos procedural moss-generation add-on for Blender.Processed assets can be exported in standard 3D formats: FBX, OBJ, glTF/GLB and STL.Now supports animation, including Geometry Nodes setupsAssetify 2 adds support for animation, making it possible to process keyframe and shape key (blendshape) animations, and physics and particle simulations.Highlights include the option to convert Geometry Nodes-based animations and cloth simulations to shape keys, for export in file formats including glTF and Alembic.The add-on can also now bake PBR texture sequences from animations.Price and system requirementsAssetify 2 is compatible with Blender 4.0+. An individual license costs $34.99; studio licenses cost between $69.99 and $199.99.Read more about Assetify 2 on the add-ons Gumroad pageHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsAssetify 2 converts Blender animations to game-ready formatsAsset baking and export add-on can now convert Geometry Nodes to shape keys for export to game engines in glTF or Alembic format.Tuesday, February 18th, 2025Is AI replacing render farms?[Sponsored] Online render farm Forrender argues that traditional workflows provide control and scalability that new AI tools cannot.Tuesday, February 18th, 20255 key features in Blender 4.4Check out the key changes due in the next version of the open-source 3D app, including important updates to animation and viewport rendering.Monday, February 17th, 2025SuperSplat 2.0 lets you create flythroughs of 3D Gaussian SplatsFree, open-source online tool for viewing and editing 3DGS data can now add camera animations to existing scans.Monday, February 17th, 2025KeenTools releases KeenTools 2025.1 for Blender and NukeCheck out the changes to tracking plugins FaceTracker and GeoTracker, including new wireframe rendering and start frame selection options.Friday, February 14th, 2025Maxon releases Red Giant 2025.3 and Universe 2025.2Check out the new features in the suite of motion graphics and VFX plugins and the online library of effects and transitions.Thursday, February 13th, 2025More NewsMaxon releases Redshift 2025.3Chaos releases Vantage 2.7Adobe launches the Firefly Video Model in public betaWacom launches redesigned Intuos Pro pen tabletsFree add-on Paint System 'turns Blender into Photoshop'Free tools: Render Manager and Light Editor for BlenderRichard Rosenman releases IK Studio for After EffectsTopaz Labs releases Gigapixel 8.2See CG benchmarks for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUsChaos releases Beta 2 of the new V-Ray for BlenderReview: Huion Kamvas 22 Plus pen displayCETA Software launches Artist AccessOlder Posts

Tuesday, February 18th, 2025Article by ForrenderIs AI replacing render farms?html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"[Sponsored] Ukraine-based online render farm Forrender argues that traditional rendering workflows still provide a degree of artist control and scalability that new AI tools cannot.The world of 3D rendering has seen remarkable advances in recent years, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence. AI-driven tools are reshaping workflows, allowing artists to accomplish tasks faster and more efficiently. With the introduction of video generation models like OpenAIs Sora, the question on many peoples minds is: will AI replace render farms?While AI is making significant strides in the field, the reality is more complex. AI is changing how rendering tasks are approached, but it hasnt made render farms obsolete far from it. Lets discuss different aspects of rendering.An AI-generated illustration of current generative AI models.The situation surrounding AI in renderingAI is now being integrated into various parts of 3D production workflows, speeding up iteration, automating tasks, and even providing more overall creative freedom. Some of the most exciting tools and technologies include:OpenAIs SoraAn AI model for generating short videos from text descriptions or images, or extending existing videos. It lets artists quickly visualize ideas without extensive manual animation.Runwayss Gen-3 A cutting-edge generative AI model that transforms text prompts or existing images into video content, opening new creative possibilities in storytelling and concept visualization.Adobes FireflyAdobes generative AI technology now includes a new Video AI model, making it possible to extend shots or perform smart edits directly within Adobes Creative Cloud tools.These tools are helping artists prototype ideas faster, handle repetitive tasks, and experiment with creative possibilities in ways that were previously too time-consuming. However, when it comes to final renders especially those involving high-quality visual effects, complex lighting, or detailed textures, the need for powerful hardware remains essential.An individual approach is essential for high-quality rendersNo matter how advanced AI becomes, there are certain nuances in 3D modeling and rendering that require human expertise and an individual approach. Custom scene setups, project-specific requirements, and high-quality final renders cant always be fully automated. Creative projects, particularly those involving complex animations or highly detailed scenes, need careful handling by experienced professionals.This is where render farms remain crucial. While AI handles smaller tasks, the real heavy lifting of rendering still requires dedicated infrastructure, especially for large-scale productions like feature films, architectural visualizations, and game development.At Forrender, we specialize in providing this personalized approach. Our hands-on support during the scene setup process ensures that artists achieve the highest possible quality from their renders. AI can handle many repetitive tasks, but when it comes to high-performance computing, fine-tuning, and delivering a final product, human oversight is key to ensuring that the vision is realized exactly as intended.Forrenders value propositionForrender provides CPU and GPU rendering at competitive prices. Thats why we offer a blend of automated tools and personalized support, so you can work faster without sacrificing quality.Heres how we meet your needs:Automated submission via our desktop applicationForrender offers a desktop app that simplifies the submission process. Once your project is ready for rendering, our application makes uploads easy and processing quick, leveraging our high-performance cloud render farm. Its designed for professionals who need efficiency without losing control over the details of their projects.Online cabinet for project managementOur intuitive online cabinet allows users to track the progress of their renders, manage multiple projects, and keep an eye on billing all in one convenient place.Remote desktop rentalNeed extra computational power beyond rendering? Forrender also offers remote desktop rental services, providing access to high-performance machines for tasks like simulations, scene setups, or AI-driven workflows. This flexibility ensures that you have the tools you need at every step of the creative process.Support for a wide range of softwareAnother key benefit of Forrender is the variety of software we support, from industry-standard tools like 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Maya, Blender, Houdini and After Effects, to specialized software such as Lumion, Terragen, KeyShot, RendeMan, and Nuke. No matter what software you prefer, Forrenders render farm can handle it with ease, providing the performance and compatibility you need for any project.Special offers from ForrenderWe are also pleased to offer:Special conditions for educationFor educational institutions and students, we provide discounted rates to ensure affordable access to professional rendering tools.Special conditions for 3D schools3D schools can benefit from tailored packages that fit their specific needs and budget.A special promotion for CG Channel readersAs a limited-time promotion, all CG Channel readers signing up with Forrender will receive twice as many render points as they decide to refill. For example, if you add 50 Render Points to your balance, a further 50 Render Points will be added for free. To claim the offer, you need to sign up online and enter the word cgchannel in the Invite Code field. If you have already registered, please contact your manager and highlight the fact that you found us on CG Channel. The promotion is valid until June 2025.Supporting UkraineAt Forrender, we believe in giving back. As part of our commitment, we are proud to announce that 5% of all of our profits from rendering will go to support Ukraine. By working with us, you not only get exceptional rendering services but also contribute to a meaningful cause.We are working with Kolo, the charity fund organized by the Ukrainian tech community. They help defenders on the front line gain a technological advantage, using donations to fund equipment based on the ROI principle, maximizing lives saved. Check out their initiatives here.Conclusion: AI is evolving, but render farms are still essentialAI is transforming 3D modeling and rendering, making workflows faster and more efficient. However, while AI offers exciting new capabilities, it cannot replace the raw computational power that render farms provide especially for large, complex projects that require high-resolution outputs and detailed scene management.At Forrender, we offer a cloud-based render farm service designed to complement these AI-driven workflows, ensuring that your creative vision can be brought to life with precision and efficiency. From automated submissions to hands-on support and compatibility with a wide range of software, we help artists navigate the challenges of modern rendering, combining the best of AI and traditional computational power.Ready to elevate your workflow? Visit Forrender today to see how we can support your next big project, ensuring high-quality results without breaking the bank.Visit the Forrender online render farmSign up to Forrender(See the story above for details of the special introductory discount)Related Topics # Advertorial # animation # architectural visualization # Forrender # game development # online render farm # online rendering # sponsored # vfx # visual effects Latest NewsAssetify 2 converts Blender animations to game-ready formatsAsset baking and export add-on can now convert Geometry Nodes to shape keys for export to game engines in glTF or Alembic format.Tuesday, February 18th, 2025Is AI replacing render farms?[Sponsored] Online render farm Forrender argues that traditional workflows provide control and scalability that new AI tools cannot.Tuesday, February 18th, 20255 key features in Blender 4.4Check out the key changes due in the next version of the open-source 3D app, including important updates to animation and viewport rendering.Monday, February 17th, 2025SuperSplat 2.0 lets you create flythroughs of 3D Gaussian SplatsFree, open-source online tool for viewing and editing 3DGS data can now add camera animations to existing scans.Monday, February 17th, 2025KeenTools releases KeenTools 2025.1 for Blender and NukeCheck out the changes to tracking plugins FaceTracker and GeoTracker, including new wireframe rendering and start frame selection options.Friday, February 14th, 2025Maxon releases Red Giant 2025.3 and Universe 2025.2Check out the new features in the suite of motion graphics and VFX plugins and the online library of effects and transitions.Thursday, February 13th, 2025More NewsMaxon releases Redshift 2025.3Chaos releases Vantage 2.7Adobe launches the Firefly Video Model in public betaWacom launches redesigned Intuos Pro pen tabletsFree add-on Paint System 'turns Blender into Photoshop'Free tools: Render Manager and Light Editor for BlenderRichard Rosenman releases IK Studio for After EffectsTopaz Labs releases Gigapixel 8.2See CG benchmarks for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 GPUsChaos releases Beta 2 of the new V-Ray for BlenderReview: Huion Kamvas 22 Plus pen displayCETA Software launches Artist AccessOlder Posts

Why every good story is actually two storiesIssue #270: revisiting the Palisades + hedgehogsPublished inThe Medium BlogSent as aNewsletter3 min readJust now--If you take an idea and hold it in your head, you unconsciously start to do things that advance you toward that goal. Biz Stone, cofounder of Twitter and Medium, in his book Things a Little Bird Told MeOne of the keys to writing or creating anything meaningful is landing on an idea that interests you enough that youll want to hold it in your head for weeks (or months, or years). But where on Earth do these ideas come from? Its an age-old philosophical quandry (where do any of our thoughts come from?)Illustrator Tom Froese believes the best ideas arise organically through testing them out in rough drafts. Alison Gee notices memorable ideas come to her when shes distracted by something else (thats my experience too), even if the something shes doing is just showering or folding laundry. When our minds become quiet enough, our capacity to process information is temporarily expanded, allowing the spontaneous ideas to flow in.In a longread on Medium last fall, Doc Burford, a game designer who created Adios (2021) and Hardspace (2020) among other bestselling games, shared his idea generation secrets. One tip that stuck with me? You have to think about why someone will care. Not about you, but about the story. Designing a game essentially means creating a world that people care about enough to inhabit. We make stories to help process our emotions even Bambi is about human feelings, he writes, even if the characters themselves are deer.Its designed to be entertaining to the human mind; the deer arent really deer at all, you know?As Burford explains it, every good story is two stories: Theres the story on the surface (a young deer growing up in the forest) and the deeper universal story reaching deep into peoples psyches (growing up and confronting the cold, harsh world and becoming who you actually are). The interplay between them creates what Burford believes is real creativity instead of just copying. Harris Sockel Two more storiesPhil Schwarz revisits his house in the Palisades, which miraculously survived the fire, and posts raw original photos of the neighborhood as it exists today. He asks: In the case of the Palisades, what parts of the community can still exist when far fewer people now reside there?A lesser-known moment in Black History: After the Civil War, rural communities across the South funded their own school system, the Rosenwald Schools, in partnership with philanthropist Julius Rosenwald. Alums of Rosenwald Schools include Maya Angelou and Pauli Murray, who organized the first sit-ins (in 1943) to protest segregated restaurant seating in Washington, DC. (William Spivey) Your daily dose of practical wisdomThe hedgehogs dilemma: Humans want to be close to each other, but we resist the urge because were scared of rejection. To overcome our innate hedgehog-esque tendencies, as Brenna Lee writes, assume everyone you like will like you back unless proven otherwise.

Viktor Antonov, Half-Life 2 art director has diedThe "visionary art lead" was 52 at the time of his passing News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Feb. 18, 2025 Half-Life 2 art director Viktor Antonov has died aged 52.The news was confirmed Sunday by former Valve lead writer Marc Laidlaw, who shared his thoughts in a now deleted post on social media."I didn't want to say much till I felt it was confirmed, but I learned today that Viktor Antonov, our visionary art lead on Half-Life 2, has died," Laidlaw wrote. "I don't have details, just sadness. Brilliant and original. Made everything better."Former colleagues shared their condolences, including Arkane and WolfEye Studios founder Raphal Colantonio on BlueSky."I wish I told you how much admiration I had for you but we get caught in our lives until a surprise like this hits us," wrote Colantonio."You were instrumental to the success of Arkane Studios and an inspiration to many of us, and also a friend with whom I have very fond memories."Antonov started his career in games as a map painter for Redneck Rampage in 1997. He joined Valve in 2004 where he provided his artistic vision for Half-Life 2.Antonov went on to work for Arkane Studios as a visual designer on Dishonored in 2012. He was also a consultant on a few ZeniMax titles including Fallout 4, the 2016 Doom reboot, and Prey.He also worked on cancelled games including Arkane's first-person shooter The Crossing and Bethesda Game Studios Austin's free-to-play multiplayer BattleCry.In 2022, Antonov co-founded Eschatology Entertainment with Fuad Kuliev, Dmytro Kostiukevych, and Boris Nikolaev.

Addressing the evolving challenges in software engineering starts with recognizing that traditional benchmarks often fall short. Real-world freelance software engineering is complex, involving much more than isolated coding tasks. Freelance engineers work on entire codebases, integrate diverse systems, and manage intricate client requirements. Conventional evaluation methods, which typically emphasize unit tests, miss critical aspects such as full-stack performance and the real monetary impact of solutions. This gap between synthetic testing and practical application has driven the need for more realistic evaluation methods.OpenAI introduces SWE-Lancer, a benchmark for evaluating model performance on real-world freelance software engineering work. The benchmark is based on over 1,400 freelance tasks sourced from Upwork and the Expensify repository, with a total payout of $1 million USD. Tasks range from minor bug fixes to major feature implementations. SWE-Lancer is designed to evaluate both individual code patches and managerial decisions, where models are required to select the best proposal from multiple options. This approach better reflects the dual roles found in real engineering teams.One of SWE-Lancers key strengths is its use of end-to-end tests rather than isolated unit tests. These tests are carefully crafted and verified by professional software engineers. They simulate the entire user workflowfrom issue identification and debugging to patch verification. By using a unified Docker image for evaluation, the benchmark ensures that every model is tested under the same controlled conditions. This rigorous testing framework helps reveal whether a models solution would be robust enough for practical deployment.The technical details of SWE-Lancer are thoughtfully designed to mirror the realities of freelance work. Tasks require modifications across multiple files and integrations with APIs, and they span both mobile and web platforms. In addition to producing code patches, models are challenged to review and select among competing proposals. This dual focus on technical and managerial skills reflects the true responsibilities of software engineers. The inclusion of a user tool that simulates real user interactions further enhances the evaluation by encouraging iterative debugging and adjustment.Results from SWE-Lancer offer valuable insights into the current capabilities of language models in software engineering. In individual contributor tasks, models such as GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet achieved pass rates of 8.0% and 26.2%, respectively. In managerial tasks, the best model reached a pass rate of 44.9%. These numbers suggest that while state-of-the-art models can offer promising solutions, there is still considerable room for improvement. Additional experiments indicate that allowing more attempts or increasing test-time compute can meaningfully enhance performance, particularly on more challenging tasks.In conclusion, SWE-Lancer presents a thoughtful and realistic approach to evaluating AI in software engineering. By directly linking model performance to real monetary value and emphasizing full-stack challenges, the benchmark provides a more accurate picture of a models practical capabilities. This work encourages a move away from synthetic evaluation metrics toward assessments that reflect the economic and technical realities of freelance work. As the field continues to evolve, SWE-Lancer serves as a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners alike, offering clear insights into both current limitations and potential avenues for improvement. Ultimately, this benchmark helps pave the way for safer and more effective integration of AI into the software engineering process.Check outthePaper.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,feel free to follow us onTwitterand dont forget to join our75k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Scale AI Research Introduces J2 Attackers: Leveraging Human Expertise to Transform Advanced LLMs into Effective Red TeamersAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Custom BPE Tokenizer with Tiktoken for Advanced NLP Applications in PythonAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/LG AI Research Releases NEXUS: An Advanced System Integrating Agent AI System and Data Compliance Standards to Address Legal Concerns in AI DatasetsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/KAIST and DeepAuto AI Researchers Propose InfiniteHiP: A Game-Changing Long-Context LLM Framework for 3M-Token Inference on a Single GPU Recommended Open-Source AI Platform: IntellAgent is a An Open-Source Multi-Agent Framework to Evaluate Complex Conversational AI System' (Promoted)

After releasing a video on their expected iPhone 17 Pro design, Jon Prosser at FrontPageTech returns with another video depicting what they believe the upcoming iPhone 17 Air will look like, the radically new addition to the iPhone family. The Air is expected to replace the iPhone 16 Plus in the lineup, a mid-range model with an all-new ultra-thin chassis design. Many publications have indicated that one of the compromises will be the fact that the phone features a single rear camera. However, these renders suggest that single lens will still be housed inside a full-width protruding bar shape.Of course, we dont know for sure that what is depicted in these renders is accurate. However, it mostly aligns with what publications including The Information and Bloomberg have previously reported. The biggest point of contention is the protruding rear camera module design. Whereas these renders suggest a rectangular camera bar with the lens on the left side, a previous report from The Information described the camera being relocated to the top center of the phone.The iPhone 17 Air, or iPhone 17 Slim as some have called it, will stand out with a dramatically thin enclosure. The thickness of the phone will be between 5.5mm and 6mm, excluding the rear camera protrusion. However, to achieve the ultra-thin design, the specs of the phone will not be top tier. For instance, the single 48-megapixel rear camera will lack the optical zoom range of current models that have two or three rear cameras. Some previous reports have also suggested that the front camera quality will be worse, as well as worse integrated speakers. Additionally, the phone is expected to be powered by the base A19 chip, not the A19 Pro.Apple has always seemed to struggle to make a successful fourth iPhone model. The smaller mini was discontinued due to lack of demand, and the Plus hasnt set the world on fire either. The Air is the companys latest attempt, seemingly intentionally going to make something distinctive that stands out.It remains to be seen whether customers will find the trade-offs with the iPhone 17 Air worthwhile, but it will certainly make for a striking new look when the phones go on sale in the fall. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

The 7,000-capacity arts venue designed by Rem Koolhaass practice and formerly known as Factory International finally opened two years ago at a cost of 241 million double its original budget and an estimated four years late. The building was initially expected to complete in 2019.OMA originally won the competition to design the centre back in 2015, selected ahead of Zaha Hadid Architects and Rafael Violy among other. It had a 111.6 million price tag when the plans were approved two years later. However, the project was beset by problems and budget overruns and in 2020 Ryder was drafted in to help tackle the spiralling costs.This years North West regional shortlist is almost half the size of the 13-strong list of contenders in 2024. The list once again features Sheppard Robsons new School of Science, Engineering and Environment for the University of Salford, which has been resubmitted after failing to go on and pick up a regional prize last year.AdvertisementOther schemes in contention include shedkms Lighthouse Church in the Wirral, a religious space with a glazed frontage on Heswall high street, Cullinan Studio and 10architects The Catkin Centre and Sunflower House a mental health centre for children in Liverpool and Smith Young Architects extension of an Edwardian House in Cheshire, called Vestige, for a private client.This years North West region features two shortlisted hotels: Falconer Chester Halls Municipal Hotel & Spa by M:Gallery in Liverpool, and Campbell Driver Partnership Ltds Langdales Chase Hotel at Windermere. Source:Jack HobhouseThe School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE), University of Salford, Manchester, by Sheppard RobsonRIBA North West jury chair Dominic Wilkinson, principal lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, said: This years shortlist demonstrates the regions ongoing ambition to create high-quality architecture, with a strong selection of projects across a range of scales.Public buildings are well represented, with a commitment to excellence which offers hope for the civic realm. From small houses to large events venues, and from new builds to creative adaptation of historic structures, the shortlisted projects highlight a serious commitment to minimising carbon footprints and reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector, displaying the positive role architecture plays for both clients and the wider community.All projects shortlisted for the RIBA North West awards will be visited by a jury, and the winning projects will be announced later this spring.AdvertisementThe winners will then be considered for several RIBA Special Awards, including the RIBA Sustainability Award and RIBA North West Building of the Year, before being considered for a RIBA National Award, the winners of which will be announced in summer.The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize the UKs best new building will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects in September. The Stirling Prize winner will be announced in October at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in London.RIBA North West awards shortlist 2025Aviva Studios Factory International, by OMALangdale Chase Hotel by, Campbell Driver Partnership LtdLighthouse Church, by shedkmThe Catkin Centre and Sunflower House, by Cullinan Studio with 10architectThe Municipal Hotel & Spa by M:Gallery, by Falconer Chester HallThe School of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) Building, University of Salford, by Sheppard RobsonVestige, by Smith Young Architects