html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Movella has released Xsens Animate 2025, the latest version of its motion-capture software designed for use with the Xsens range of inertial mocap systems.The release updates the software’s motion engine, introducing separate male and female anatomy models, and reworks its user interface. Users of Movella’s Xsens Awinda hardware get an experimental new Auto Sensor Mapping feature to cut down set-up time for recording sessions. Processes motion-capture data from Xsens inertial systems, for use in games and VFX Xsens Animate processes and exports raw motion-capture data generated by Movella’s inertial capture hardware: the Xsens Awinda and Xsens Awinda Starter systems, where the sensors are attached to an actor’s body with straps, and its Xsens Link mocap suit.The software is aimed at entertainment work – game development, animation and visual effects – and comes in three editions: Animate Export, Animate Live and Animate Pro. Animate Export is intended for offline recording, processing the motion of a single actor and exporting it in FBX or BVH format to DCC applications and game engines. Animate Live streams the motion of up to two actors to compatible applications, which include Blender, Maya, MotionBuilder, Unity and Unreal Engine, in real time. Animate Pro combines the feature sets of both Export and Live, plus further advanced features, and supports recording of up to four actors simultaneously. The software used to be known as MVN Animate, but was rebranded last year, Xsens being the name of its original developer, acquired by Movella, then known as mCube, in 2017. Xsens Animate 2025: separate male and female anatomy models, and a reworked UI Xsens Animate 2025 reworks the software’s motion engine, supplementing the legacy unisex profile with new male and female profiles.The latter use body proportions more typical for male and female subjects – primarily hip and shoulder widths, and placement of the center of mass. In addition, the curvature of the spine is now tracked more accurately. Both changes are intended to recreate the motion of an actor or stunt performer more accurately, reducing the time needed to clean up the raw data. The software’s user interface has also been reworked, simplifying navigation, making it possible to access key tools more quickly, and introducing a new dark UI mode. Users of Awinda systems get an experimental Auto Sensor Mapping feature which detects the sensors and attributes them to the correct parts of the body automatically. Price and system requirements Xsens Animate is compatible with Windows 11 only. The software is rental-only, and priced on enquiry on Movella’s website.For reference, when we last wrote about Movella systems in late 2023, Animate Pro subscriptions cost $10,990/year, Animate Plus subscriptions – the equivalent of Animate Live – cost $3,290/year, and MVN Record – the equivalent of Animate Export – was free. We’ve contacted Movella to see if we can get current prices, and will update if we hear back. Read an overview of the new features in Xsens Animate 2025 on Movella’s website Read a full list of new features in Xsens Animate 2025 in the online release notes Have 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 don’t post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.

While it is no secret that the impending June 5 launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 will be a pretty big deal for the industry, video game industry analysis firm DFC Intelligence believes that the new console might just be the most important console launch that the industry has seen so far. According to WCCFTech, the analysis firm believes that Nintendo will end up selling 16 million units of the Switch 2 by the end of 2025. According to the firm’s report, its confidence in the Switch 2’s hardware sales comes in light of Grand Theft Auto 6 getting pushed back from its Fall 2025 launch window to May 26, 2026. This, coupled with the fact that Nintendo itself also tends to be fairly conservative in its own forecasts of hardware and software sales, has led DFC Intelligence to think that the console will end up doing quite well this year. For context, Nintendo’s sales forecasts for the Switch 2’s first year is to sell 15 million units. As for dubbing the Switch 2’s launch as the most important console launch in the industry, the firm puts this down to the fact that GTA 6 won’t be out this year to help push sales of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S hardware. Because of this, DFC also believes that console sales for Sony and Microsoft will see more decline as the year goes on. The Japanese market is expected to perform well according to DFC, with console game sales forecasts coming in at a 25 percent rise. The firm credits the fact that there is a region-specific Japan-only SKU of the Switch 2 available in the country at a considerably lower price than the region-free version which has all the languages available. Looking at the industry for the coming year and beyond, DFC does believe that GTA 6’s eventual release will boost console sales by quite a bit, calling it a new phase of growth for the gaming industry. By the time the year 2029 rolls around, the analysis firm believes that more than 100 million units of the Switch 2 will have been sold, making Nintendo’s platform the main one for third-party partners as well. During a recent shareholder Q&A, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa had noted that, while the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 is currently locked in at $449.99, the company might have to raise the price in the future depending on how the situation with the US tariffs on import plays out. He also notes that the company’s forecast of selling 15 million units of the Switch 2 doesn’t stem from production issues. “This sales projection was not determined based on limitations in our production capacity,” said Furukawa. “The situation with US tariffs and concerns about economic downturn have also not affected our forecast. In order to achieve the target of 15 million, we will need to manufacture even more units than that.” Nintendo has also confirmed that, while the Switch 2 will be a big deal for the company, it will continue to support the original Switch with more games as well.

Complementary colors, positioned opposite each other on the color wheel, can produce some of the most vibrant and visually compelling images in photography. By understanding and strategically using them, photographers can create striking, balanced compositions that immediately captivate viewers. Here’s how to effectively harness this to infuse your photographs with drama and visual tension. Understanding Complementary Colors Complementary colors—like red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple—create powerful visual contrasts. When placed together, these colors enhance each other’s intensity, leading to dynamic and eye-catching images. Understanding the emotional impact of complementary colors can significantly improve your photographic storytelling: Red and Green: evoke passion and vitality Blue and Orange: provide depth and warmth Yellow and Purple: suggest creativity and vibrancy Creating Balance and Visual Tension with Complementary Colors The key to successfully using complementary colors lies in achieving visual harmony. Allow one color to dominate the scene while using its complementary counterpart as a strategic accent. Thoughtful placement of these colors can effectively guide the viewer’s attention and create powerful visual interest without overwhelming the frame. Utilizing Lighting to Enhance Color Contrasts Lighting significantly influences how colors interact and appear in photographs: Natural Lighting: During golden hour or blue hour, natural lighting emphasizes color contrasts, enhancing warmth or coolness. Artificial Lighting: Controlled artificial lighting, such as colored gels or studio lights, can intensify color relationships and dramatize your compositions. Composition Techniques Effective complementary color photography involves intentional composition: Simplify your frame by removing unnecessary distractions to help colors stand out clearly. Use neutral or uncluttered backgrounds to make colors truly pop. Thoughtfully integrate complementary colors within your background to further enhance your subject. Refining Your Image in Post-Processing Post-processing plays an important role in finalizing the visual drama of your complementary color images: Adjust contrast, saturation, and color balance to strengthen color relationships. Enhance the overall aesthetic appeal and cohesiveness of your composition through careful editing. Harnessing complementary colors effectively is a dynamic skill that enables photographers to convey vivid emotions, highlight intriguing narratives, and produce unforgettable imagery. By thoughtfully balancing composition, lighting, and post-processing, you can utilize colors contrast to create powerful and visually captivating photographs that resonate deeply with viewers. Explore the potential of complementary colors and elevate your photographic vision with bold, impactful compositions. Extended reading: Transforming ordinary scenes with vibrant colors The post Harnessing Complementary Colors for Visual Drama appeared first on 500px.

Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled its design for Oystra, a 1.3 million square foot seafront development on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The scheme comprises 950 residential units including apartments, duplexes, penthouses, and villas, alongside retail, dining, and leisure amenities. Image credit: MIRImage credit: MIRThe project is formed of 20-story towers shaped to give unobstructed sea views to over 75% of units. The design of the scheme draws inspiration from the natural patterns formed by waves in sand, with large balconies that provide shade and extend living areas outward. Image credit: RedvertexImage credit: RedvertexSet within 450,000 square feet of landscaped grounds, the development includes swimming pools, courtyards, and a beach club. Above, a rooftop restaurant and 360-degree infinity pool are set against views of the Arabian Sea. Among the systems integrated into the scheme will be seawater-based cooling and a ventilated facade system. Image credit: PyxidI...

insta_photos – Shutterstock.com As the spring 2025 edition of Fiverr’s “Business Trends Index” shows, companies are looking for specialists who can effectively implement AI agents. According to new data from the freelancer platform, search queries for this expertise have risen by 18,347% in the last six months. In Germany, inquiries increased by an even larger 19,033%. According to Fiverr, this is due to technological advances in the field of agentic AI, which enable “digital colleagues” to perform tasks such as reading emails, scheduling meetings, or answering customer inquiries independently and without constant supervision. While experts predict that agentic AI could become a trillion-dollar market, many companies are struggling with the challenges of implementing the technology — so they’re turning to freelancers with these specific skills. “Nearly 30% of my Fiverr assignments are for AI agent development, with demand shifting dramatically from simple chatbots to multi-agent systems that work across web, WhatsApp, and voice channels,” says Mark Kashef, an AI consultant on Fiverr and founder and CEO of Prompt Advisors. “Companies have gone from asking ‘What can AI do?’ to ‘How quickly can we integrate AI into our workflows?’ — with automation, voice and integration requests now making up 49% of my project pipeline.” [ Related: Freelancers now represent more than one in four US workers ] Yoav Hornung, Head of Verticals at Fiverr, explains the increased demand with the strong discrepancy between companies’ ambitions and their technical realities. Despite the great interest in AI agents, most companies do not know exactly what they are or how they can be used. This knowledge gap is driving the increased demand for freelancers. “Now that generative AI is widely available, many companies are turning to freelancers to elevate their content with new perspectives, creativity, and expertise that will elevate their work beyond what automation alone can achieve,” says Hornung. According to Fiverr, this paradox is reflected in the 641% increase in global demand for freelancers who can “humanize” AI content — rewriting chatbot scripts, marketing emails, and website content to make it appear more natural. “I thought my copywriting services wouldn’t be as much in demand after the launch of ChatGPT, but I get requests almost daily to rework AI texts so they still sound human,” the platform operator quotes Gabrielle Gerbus, a freelance brand developer. In addition to AI itself, companies are also increasingly relying on freelance experts to implement workflow automation tools. Fiverr data shows a growing demand for experts in workflow tools such as Go High Level (up 1,489%) and Make.com (up 1,083%). Experts who can create newsletters on trend platforms such as Substack (up 2,028%) and Beehiiv (up 1,211%) are also increasingly in demand.

Macworld Ever since Apple unveiled its ambitious next-gen CarPlay in-car experience at WWDC 2023, we’ve been waiting for the first vehicles to arrive. Nearly two years later, the first models running the new system are finally rolling off the lot—and it finally has a proper name. Apple and Aston Martin announced on Thursday that CarPlay Ultra will be available as a standard feature on all new vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada, and will be available for existing models that feature Aston Martin’s “next-generation infotainment system” through an upcoming software update. The system, which “builds on the capabilities of CarPlay and provides the ultimate in-car experience by deeply integrating with the vehicle to deliver the best of iPhone and the best of the car,” appears to be very similar to the one that debuted at WWDC 2023. Aston Martin will be the first car maker to ship CarPlay Ultra support.Aston Martin According to Apple, CarPlay Ultra provides content for all the car’s displays, including the instrument cluster, with “dynamic and beautiful options for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, and more.” Drivers can also choose to show information from their iPhone, including maps and media, right in the instrument cluster. Like regular CarPlay, the system requires an iPhone to work and will default to the car’s standard infotainment system otherwise. CarPlay Ultra lets automakers tailor the look to their “distinct design philosophy” with custom themes, personalized color options, and unique wallpapers. Apple says many other automakers around the world are working to adopt CarPlay Ultra, including “newly committed brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.” CarPlay Ultra isn’t replacing CarPlay, which is still available for millions of cars worldwide. However, the Ultra branding suggests a top-of-the-line product, like the Apple Watch Ultra and M2 Ultra processor.

While it is far too early to say how he will use his platform to address such issues, his focus shows he is a church leader who grasps the gravity of this modern concern.

Unveiled at a Berlin launch event under the theme “Fashion Next,” the new lineup balances high-precision health tracking, expressive industrial design, and a more universal approach to platform compatibility. The headline announcement is the Huawei WATCH 5, now joined by a re-engineered FIT 4 Series, all built to run on both Android and iOS devices. Designer: Huawei TruSense and the Rise of Fingertip Biometrics Central to the WATCH 5 is the introduction of Huawei’s TruSense System, anchored by the Multi-sensing X-TAP module. Rather than relying on wrist-bound photoplethysmography alone, X-TAP brings health interaction directly to the fingertip. It provides faster and more granular readings through a gesture-based input system. The device supports quick-tap gestures like Double Tap and Double Slide. This reduces the need for menu-diving or screen tapping during workouts or daily routines. These are not just shortcuts. They are structured interactions that keep the wearable experience fluid without compromising data access. The hardware reflects a deliberate balance of elegance and performance. Sapphire glass curves over aerospace-grade titanium and 904L stainless steel, a pairing typically reserved for luxury watches. For the first time, the WATCH 5 ships in two sizes, 46mm and 42mm. This brings comfort to a broader user base without diluting the design language. Rebuilding the FIT Platform The FIT 4 Pro stands as a complete rework of Huawei’s entry-performance tier. At just 9.3mm thin, it trades visual weight for technical density. New water-resistance support extends tracking to diving depths of up to 40 meters. A reworked air pressure sensor now delivers elevation data tuned for trail running and mountain climbs. Offline map support and sport-specific modes such as golf, diving, and trail training turn this into a multi-condition training device. Build materials signal a shift in direction. Aviation-grade aluminum and titanium alloy bezels bring FIT 4 Pro closer to the sophistication of the WATCH 5. Sapphire glass has also been added for enhanced durability, especially in high-contact outdoor use. Interoperability and Expanded Harmony Both the WATCH 5 and FIT 4 Series operate independently of a Huawei smartphone. iOS and Android support remains intact. Gesture controls and activity syncing are supported across Huawei’s broader ecosystem. The launch also included FreeBuds 6, which work seamlessly with the wearables. Open-fit audio now enters a higher fidelity tier thanks to new dual drivers and refined voice call algorithms. The MatePad Pro 12.2 was also introduced. Its value lies in its role as an accessory-level companion, especially with the tandem OLED PaperMatte display and Huawei Glide keyboard. Battery longevity has been improved across the entire range. Huawei is targeting users who expect multiple days of uptime without sacrificing display brightness or connectivity. These are not devices designed to stay tethered to a charger. Pricing and Availability Pre-orders are now open. The Huawei WATCH 5 starts at £399.99. The FIT 4 and FIT 4 Pro are priced at £149.99 and £249.99 respectively. FreeBuds 6 will be available at £139.99. All product lines will be available from the Huawei Store, with retail launch scheduled for May 26. Huawei’s wearables are no longer treated as a secondary category. With TruSense and X-TAP, the brand is defining a new path in user-driven health technology. Everything is wrapped in high-finish industrial craft. This is not a spec war. It is a recalibration of what daily smartwear should feel like when hardware and wellness are developed as part of the same conversation.The post Huawei Redefines Its Wearable Future with WATCH 5 and FIT 4 Series first appeared on Yanko Design.

Christine Farro has cut back on the presents she sends her grandchildren on their birthdays, and she’s put off taking two cats and a dog for their shots. All her clothes come from thrift stores and most of her vegetables come from her garden. At 73, she has cut her costs as much as she can to live on a tight budget.But it’s about to get far tighter.As the Trump administration resumes collections on defaulted student loans, a surprising population has been caught in the crosshairs: Hundreds of thousands of older Americans whose decades-old debts now put them at risk of having their Social Security checks garnished.“I worked ridiculous hours. I worked weekends and nights. But I could never pay it off,” says Farro, a retired child welfare worker in Santa Ynez, California.Like millions of debtors with federal student loans, Farro had her payments and interest paused by the government five years ago when the pandemic thrust many into financial hardship. That grace period ended in 2023 and, earlier this month, the Department of Education said it would restart “involuntary collections” by garnishing paychecks, tax refunds and Social Security retirement and disability benefits. Farro previously had her Social Security garnished and expects it to restart.Farro’s loans date back 40 years. She was a single mother when she got a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology and when she discovered she couldn’t earn enough to pay off her loans, she went back to school and got a master’s degree. Her salary never caught up. Things only got worse.Around 2008, when she consolidated her loans, she was paying $1,000 a month, but years of missed payments and piled-on interest meant she was barely putting a dent in a bill that had ballooned to $250,000. When she sought help to resolve her debt, she says the loan company had just one suggestion.“They said, ‘Move to a cheaper state,'” says Farro, who rents a 400-square-foot casita from a friend. “I realized I was living in a different reality than they were.”Student loan debt among older people has grown at a staggering rate, in part due to rising tuitions that have forced more people to borrow greater sums. People 60 and older hold an estimated $125 billion in student loans, according to the National Consumer Law Center, a six-fold increase from 20 years ago. That has led Social Security beneficiaries who have had their payments garnished to balloon by 3,000% over the same period, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.An estimated 452,000 people aged 62 and older had student loans in default, according to a January report from CFPB.Debbie McIntyre, a 62-year-old adult education teacher in Georgetown, Kentucky, is among them. She dreams of retiring and writing more historical fiction, and of boarding a plane for the first time since high school. But her husband has been out of work on disability for two decades and they’ve used credit cards to get by on his meager benefits and her paycheck. Their rent will be hiked $300 when their lease renews. McIntyre doesn’t know what to do if her paycheck is garnished.She floats the idea of bankruptcy, but that won’t automatically clear her loans, which are held to a different standard than other debt. She figures if she picks up extra jobs babysitting or tutoring, she could put $50 toward her loans here and there. But she sees no real solution.“I don’t know what more I can do,” says McIntyre, who is too afraid to check what her loan balance is. “I’ll never get out of this hole.”Braxton Brewington of the Debt Collective debtors union says it’s striking how many older people dial into the organization’s calls and attend its protests. Many of them, he says, should have had their debts cancelled but fell victim to a system “riddled with flaws and illegalities and flukes.” Many whose educations have left them in late-life debt have, in fact, paid back the principal on their loans, sometimes several times over, but still owe more due to interest and fees.For those who are subject to garnishment, Brewington says, the results can be devastating.“We hear from people who skip meals. We know people who dilute their medication or cut their pills in half. People take drastic measures like pulling all their savings out or dissolving their 401ks,” he says. “We know folks that have been driven into homelessness.”Collections on defaulted loans may have restarted no matter who was president, though the Biden administration had sought to limit the amount of income that could be garnished. Federal law protects just $750 of Social Security benefits from garnishment, an amount that would put a debtor far below the poverty line.“We’re basically providing people with federal benefits with one hand and taking them away with another,” says Sarah Sattelmeyer of the New America think tank.Linda Hilton, a 76-year-old retired office worker from Apache Junction, Arizona, went through garnishment before COVID and says she will survive it again. But flights to see her children, occasional meals at a restaurant and other pleasures of retired life may disappear.“It’s going to mean restrictions,” says Hilton. “There won’t be any travel. There won’t be any frills.”Some debtors have already received notice about collections. Many more are living in fear. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for the Department of Education’s dismantling and, for those seeking answers about their loans, mass layoffs have complicated getting calls answered.While Education Secretary Linda McMahon says restarting collections is a necessary step for debtors “both for the sake of their own financial health and our nation’s economic outlook,” even some of Trump’s most fervent supporters are questioning a move that will make their lives harder.Randall Countryman, 55, of Bonita, California, says a Biden administration proposal to forgive some student debt didn’t strike him as fair, but he’s not sure Trump’s approach is either. He supported Trump but wishes the government made case-by-case decisions on debtors. Countryman thinks Americans don’t realize how many older people are affected by policies on student loans, often thought to be the turf of the young, and how difficult it can be for them to repay.“What’s a young person’s problem today,” he says, “is an old person’s problem tomorrow.”Countryman started working on a degree while in prison, then continued it at the University of Phoenix when he was released. He started growing nervous as he racked up loan debt and never finished his degree. He’s worked a host of different jobs, but finding work has often been complicated by his criminal record.He lives off his wife’s Social Security check and the kindness of his mother-in-law. He doesn’t know how they’d get by if the government demands repayment.“I kind of wish I never went to school in the first place,” he says. Matt Sedensky can be reached at msedensky@ap.org and https://x.com/sedensky —Matt Sedensky, AP National Writer