Latest news with #Blender
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
'GTA Paisley' game is capturing imaginations
Richard Gellalty was blown away when a video of gameplay posted by his girlfriend, the musician Linzi Clark, went viral on TikTok, receiving more than 30k likes and over 1000 comments. The clip showed a man in a hi-vis jacket running around a deserted Neilston Road at night in the pouring rain, to an atmospheric and ambient soundtrack. Many of those commenting celebrated similarities with the iconic Grand Theft Auto series, created in Dundee and Edinburgh by Rockstar Games, but set in fictional versions of cities in the United States. In the finished version the graphic designer says that gamers will be able to use 'a mouse/keyboard or controller to freely run around and interact' with characters and objects in order to uncover mysteries surrounding the town. Whether the project can become a playable third person game by next year depends on funding. At the time of writing, £3623 has been pledged through crowdfunding. Another £8377 is required by June 11 for the 34-year-old to receive any of the money, as Kickstarter funding is 'all or nothing'. Gellalty, who is known professionally as Bovine, needs help from fans to make the project a reality. Haddows features in the game (Image: Bovine) 'Anyone interested can share the Kickstarter link and encourage others to share it," he said. "The priority is getting as many people seeing the project and making it easy for them to decide if they like it enough to donate.' The self-taught developer learned how to use graphics and game software programs like Blender, Unreal Engine and GIMP in order to recreate his hometown of Paisley. This time-consuming task involves creating an entire 3D world with characters, soundtrack, story and puzzle development. Bovine says that the exterior or interior of one building 'starts to look acceptable with a few days' work, acceptable being white cubes that loosely resemble a building, and within a week it's mostly there.' READ MORE: Glasgow arcade fights anxiety with calm games and quiet sessions The artist has confirmed that the game's name will be 'Crystal Garden' after the much loved restaurant on Neilston Road. The takeaway will feature as a sanctuary for the main playable character, who his creator describes as 'a builder putting up high flats by himself, in the rain no less'. Further details on the story and character interaction are Kickstarter-dependent. Bovine wants to devote time to writing dialogue and would like to source local talent for voice acting, saying: 'It's a balance but I think it would add a lot to it if done right'. Different opportunities for involvement in the game's final form are accessible for those who donate. For example, £80 can get supporters a short clip of their voice featured as a response when the character uses a buzzer entry system. While it will need to be something that works in the game, Bovine says that the person speaking will have creative control of what they say 'within reason". (Image: Bovine) Bovine says that many have reacted positively online to the game being set in the 2000s. He believes that 3D worlds can trigger nostalgia more effectively than films, images and music due to the 'added interactive element' and that he'd 'like to show the game to people who know the area but have lost a connection with it'. One Instagram user described a clip of gameplay in the Lagoon Leisure Centre as 'haunting", saying the footage reminded them of "the mad wave noise" and smell of the chips served in the café. On whether the game will satirise Scottish society in the way that GTA satirises the USA, the developer states that satire 'goes hand in hand with mimicking reality', acknowledging that GTA's creators 'are obviously tenured experts at it'. READ MORE: Edinburgh: Scottish gaming industry celebrated in major new exhibition Elaborating further, he says that a lot of logos and trademarks will need to be changed, and shop names 'remade for the in-game world' which 'could potentially have nods to the real world equivalent in a similar way to GTA'. Alongside GTA, Bovine says Crystal Gardens will be inspired by multiple game universes. In particular, the Broken Sword series, which focuses on ancient mysteries and conspiracies. Other inspirations include Oddworld, Tomb Raider, Resident Evil, Courier Crisis, Namco Museum, and Men In Black. The synopsis on the Kickstarter hints at supernatural themes, but Bovine has confirmed the game will be 'probably more comically scary than serious', involving 'underground exploration'. Check out the Kickstarter for further details on the game and what content financial backers can access.
Gizmodo
12-05-2025
- Gizmodo
Download Blender (free) for Windows, macOS and Linux
People who have been dreaming about animated character production or 3D modeling, along with needing complete control over video editing, should consider starting with Blender. The complete functionality of the suite becomes available after downloading, since it includes everything needed to create various projects. The application launches with all its assets readily available. Every 3D artist requires Blender because it delivers all artistic tools starting from modeling and ending with animation and VFX, and video editing. The software offers more than just functionalities. It's about accessibility. Users can obtain it currently as a free download without any payment requirements. You receive the same professional animation tool that studios across the world use in their productions. The accessibility Blender provides enables many groups of users to achieve their goals. You do not require wealth or employment at Pixar Studios to develop visually impressive things. Through its accessible nature, Blender provides an equal learning opportunity to everyone, including both beginners and professionals. Many people belong to its massive community. Building your animation skills becomes remarkably easier because of this software feature. Whenever you face a challenge, Blender users have most likely faced it before, creating tutorials and documentation to help others advance beyond that point. Hundreds of free educational materials and visual tutorials, and platform forums, along with unlimited online resources, are available to everyone. All members help each other because Blender operates through complete openness and collaborative partnership. Evolution stands as the main noteworthy aspect of Blender. The Blender development team and contributors actively work to refine the platform, as they do not allow it to remain stationary. The team at Blenderdev implements ongoing enhancements that include the improvement of new features and the resolution of existing issues to improve the software. The process begins with standard cube elements combined with lights and colors, then you progress to fluid simulation and motion tracking capabilities as though they were always a part of your skill set. Blender functions as a tool that expands its capabilities according to user skill development. Most beginners start with simple projects, and Blender enables them to advance their skills until the program provides new options for advanced creation. This particular quality feels revitalizing, since many platforms use subscriptions and locked features. After entering Blender, you gain permanent access to its complete features. No limits. The user requires only fresh concepts alongside available timeframes and existing knowledge of what they wish to learn.
Techday NZ
07-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
NVIDIA launches AI Blueprint for 3D image creation in Blender
NVIDIA has introduced a new AI Blueprint that enables users to generate images guided by 3D scenes using Blender. This tool combines basic 3D scene design with depth mapping to help control image composition more precisely during AI generation. At the core of the process is FLUX.1-dev, an AI model developed by Black Forest Labs, which interprets the scene's spatial layout alongside text prompts to produce visuals that match the intended design. Depth maps play a crucial role by providing the spatial context needed for the model to understand scene structure. This technique simplifies the process by removing the need for detailed textures or complex objects, instead relying on general spatial information. With the scenes rendered in 3D, users have the flexibility to move elements and adjust camera angles to suit their creative goals. The Blueprint includes an NVIDIA NIM microservice that helps deploy the FLUX.1-dev model efficiently on RTX GPUs, using TensorRT for faster inference. It's packaged with an installer and comprehensive deployment instructions, making it accessible for AI artists looking to integrate generative tools into their workflow. Beyond entry-level users, the Blueprint is also designed to accommodate advanced developers. It offers a customisable pipeline that can be modified for more sophisticated needs. NVIDIA provides supporting materials like sample assets, detailed documentation, and a preconfigured environment to help streamline experimentation and creation. Optimised for NVIDIA RTX AI PCs and workstations, the solution benefits from the company's Blackwell architecture. The FLUX.1-dev model has been fine-tuned using TensorRT and quantised to FP4 precision, resulting in more than double the inference speed compared to traditional FP16 PyTorch implementations. There are also FP8 model versions tailored for GPUs based on the Ada Lovelace architecture, further expanding compatibility and performance. Quantising to FP4 significantly reduces the model size, lowering memory requirements while maintaining high performance, cutting VRAM needs by more than half compared to FP16. Currently, NVIDIA offers ten NIM microservices across areas like image generation, natural language processing, speech AI, and computer vision. The company plans to continue building out its portfolio with more AI blueprints and services designed to accelerate creative and technical workflows.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
Techie's cry for ‘purpose on weekends' sparks conversation on identity burnout in corporate life. Netizens say, ‘you're not alone'
It started with a simple, soul-baring post on Reddit's r/developersIndia — a backend Java developer with five years of experience posed an honest, quietly devastating question: "What do you work on during weekends?" But what followed wasn't just a list of tech hacks or productivity tips. It was an outpouring of emotion from a generation of developers grappling with an unsettling truth: when your job defines your worth, what remains when the deadlines vanish? #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India much better equipped to target cross-border terror since Balakot India conducts maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad The original poster (OP) laid bare their paradox. Proficient in Spring, problem-solving, and software design, they enjoy coding at work — and yet, weekends hit like a void. 'I think of building solutions,' they wrote, 'but everything already exists.' Even the idea of learning something new is clouded by the existential question: What's the point, if AI can just generate it anyway? This spiral of doubt — not quite burnout, not quite boredom — captured something deeper. The post struck a nerve, quickly garnering hundreds of responses. What emerged wasn't just advice. It was a mirror held up to the modern tech worker's soul. Beyond the Code: The Identity Crisis Lurking in Plain Sight The most upvoted comment didn't mince words. 'You're not struggling with weekend productivity ,' it declared. 'You're struggling with the fact that you've let your job become your entire identity.' It echoed a discomfort many professionals have long internalized: a life so tightly tethered to work that the absence of structure feels like a crisis of self. The comment hit a nerve for a reason. With hybrid work models and always-on connectivity, the lines between personal and professional lives have blurred into oblivion. And for many in tech, particularly developers, their skills are not just tools — they're personas. So, when there's no Jira ticket to solve, no deployment deadline to meet, a frightening question arises: Who am I outside of all this? You Might Also Like: Google techie's viral post sparks debate on work-life balance in big tech. Netizen says, 'you get paid more than 40 LPA' Scroll, Overthink, Repeat: The New-Age Weekend Dilemma Another user chimed in with a different angle, asking a question that feels all too familiar: 'Do you still have energy on weekends?' Even those who enjoy their jobs find themselves drained by Friday evening, marooned on their couch, endlessly scrolling, trapped between guilt and inertia. Yet others responded with long, impassioned lists of books, skills, and tools to master — from Isaac Asimov's I, Robot and Robert Greene's psychological deep-dives, to Blender 3D design and shell scripting. 'Be so good at making your computer work for you,' urged one commenter, turning the weekend into a personal renaissance project. The implicit message: You're not stuck — you're sleeping on the best version of yourself. iStock Even those who enjoy their jobs find themselves drained by Friday evening, marooned on their couch, endlessly scrolling, trapped between guilt and inertia. From Side Hustles to Selfhood: The Many Roads to Reinvention Still, not every response was a call to optimize. One user took the liberating route: 'Find a hobby . For me it's biking and gaming.' Another suggested contributing to open-source projects, combining passion with purpose — a subtle reminder that growth doesn't always need to be monetized or strategic. In the age of AI, where generative tools can whip up code, design, and even content in seconds, developers are questioning not just what they should learn — but why . The very foundations of craftsmanship are shifting, leaving even seasoned professionals disoriented. You Might Also Like: Bengaluru techie compares salary vs career vs life in Dubai, USA, and India. His final verdict will surprise you But perhaps the most compelling takeaway from the thread wasn't a solution, but a sentiment: You're not alone in this strange, searching phase of your career. And maybe, just maybe, weekends are not for productivity at all — but for rediscovering joy, meaning, and an identity untethered from your job title. The Algorithm Can't Tell You Who You Are What began as one developer's quiet confession has now evolved into a rallying cry of sorts — a digital bonfire where coders and creators gather not to fix bugs, but to confront bigger glitches within. The post might fade from Reddit's homepage soon, replaced by the next trending topic. But its resonance lingers. In the silence of our weekends, it asks us to confront something louder than any Slack ping: Who are we when we're not 'doing' anything? And in a world run increasingly by algorithms, that might be the most human question of all.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Best apps that use the NPU on a Snapdragon Windows laptop
The main reason you'd buy a Copilot+ PC is to take advantage of the Neural Processing Unit or NPU inside, to help accelerate AI workloads. That was the main agenda behind launching this subset of Windows PCs to begin with. As is the case with most new tech launches, we're yet to get all the promised AI features in Windows 11 that were supposed to be exclusive to Copilot+ laptops. This means, other than things like Cocreate in Paint and Windows Studio Effects, your NPU is pretty much lying dormant in your laptop. Thankfully, there are a bunch of apps that utilise the NPU in your Snapdragon Windows laptop. No matter which Snapdragon X series laptop you buy, all of them have the same NPU capable of 45 TOPS. This means, whether you get an entry-level model or the highest end one, AI performance should stay consistent throughout. This is all mainly thanks to Microsoft's guidelines for what qualifies as a Copilot+ PC, as it requires an NPU of a minimum of 40 TOPS performance. 28% OFF 41% OFF 33% OFF 14% OFF 55% OFF Blender was one of the first apps to natively work on Qualcomm Windows laptops, and is one of the best for animators and graphic designers. You can download the native Arm version of Blender from the website, which is available as an installer as well as portable ZIP file. There's a free NPU-powered plugin that's been created that runs on the chip's dedicated neural processor. With it, you can simulate rendering using the NPU at faster speeds, and use the text-to-image AI to enhance your 3D object in a high-res 2D image in a much quicker time. Not sure which laptop to buy? • Moises If you're into music production then you've no donut heard of Moises. Widely known for its great music separation features using AI, you can isolate various stems of the song like the drums, guitar, vocals, etc., in order to create your own custom track. It's a very handy tool for anyone learning to play an instrument, for when they need to play along to their favourite song. In November 2024, Moises announced that their app now uses the Snapdragon's NPU on Windows to help with instrument and vocal isolation, making the process quicker and at real-time speeds. According to a release from Moises, the AI workloads on the app were 35 percent faster when using the NPU, thereby providing a more seamless experience. • Affinity Photo 2 The entire Affinity suite has been optimized for Windows on Snapdragon,and there are certain tools in Affinity Photo 2 that are optimised to run on the NPU. Features like Object Selection and Subject Selection now get the NPU boost, allowing you to quickly select objects and adjust various parameters like colour and tint at rapid speeds. • Capture One Capture One is a highly popular photo editing tool used by many professional photographers, which is now optimised to take advantage of the NPU in Snapdragon laptops. Certain features are said to use the NPU like AI cropping, which manages to apply a consistent crop to a batch of photos so that all subjects have the same amount of head room. There's also AI-assisted colour-grading which instantly applies styles of a reference image to a batch of photos. • DAWs like Reaper and Cubase A Digital Audio Workstation or DAW is the most essential tool when recording music in a studio or home. It essentially allows you to create a recording by mixing MIDI inputs, vocals, and backing tracks into a final audio track. The cool thing is that many popular DAWs now have native support for Snapdragon Windows PCs, and don't have to rely on emulation. This is mainly thanks to Microsoft for releasing a dedicated MIDI stack and low-latency ASIO audio drivers in collaboration with Yamaha. First Published Date: 30 Apr, 16:27 IST
