<![CDATA[ Creative Bloq ]]>

<![CDATA[ Creative Bloq ]]> https://www.creativebloq.com Mon, 30 Dec 2024 20:07:43 +0000 en <![CDATA[ The PlayStation 5 Slim is back at a record low price at Best Buy ]]> Looking for a late Christmas gift for yourself? We've got good news if you're a gamer. Best Buy has $75 off the PlayStation 5 Fortnite Cobalt Star bundle. That takes the price down to $374.99 for the digital version and $424.99 for the disc edition of the console.

While the PS5 Pro has now been released, and we're even seeing rumours about the PS6, the PS5 remains at the top of our comparison of the best games consoles. These PS5 prices in the Best Buy after-Christmas sale match the record deals we saw at Amazon earlier in the month, with the extra bonus of exclusive Fortnite cosmetics thrown in.

If you need some extra accessories, take a look at our guide to the best PS5 controllers. We also have a roundup for the best PS5 games.

Get a Playstation 5 Slim before Christmas at this low price

Arrives before Xmas

Disc edition: ~~$499.99~~ $424.99 at Best Buy

Save: $75

Overview: Despite the release of the PS5 Pro, the PlayStation 5 Slim remains a top-tier console, and is a great option for saving space, being 24% lighter and 30% smaller than the original PS5.

Key features: 1TB SSD | AMD Ryzen Zen 2 with 8 cores, 16 Threads at 3.5GHz| AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based GPU | 16GB GDDR6 RAM | Weight: 3.2kg (disc model) 2.6kg (digital).

Release date: November 2023.

Price history: The PS5 rarely drops from the retail price of $449 for the digital edition and $499 for the disc version. These discounts in the Best Buy after-Christmas sale are as generous as they come, with the saving enough to purchase a game from the PlayStation Store.

Price check: $424.99 at PlayStation

Review Consensus: We gave the original PS5 console a stellar 5-star review back in 2022, calling it a true 'next-gen' console. The PS5 Slim provides nearly identical features but a more compact design and more internal storage.

Tom's Guide: ⭑⭑⭑⭑
View Deal

Not in the US? See the best PS5 Slim prices in your region below.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/entertainment/gaming/the-playstation-5-slim-is-back-at-a-record-low-price-at-best-buy BDiS2hHeRd9F954CgsW2Yo Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:20:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ These were the most-played games on Steam in 2024 ]]> Valve has published its Steam year in review 2024 along with a list of the top-selling and most-played games. The best sellers in terms of gross revenue include a lot of free-to-play titles like Counter Strike 2, PUBG Battlegrounds and Apex Legends. Paid for titles include Space Marine II, Black Myth Wukong, Elden Ring and Palworld.

What some people may find surprising is the relatively little time that people spent playing new games, but the figure was actually higher in 2024 compared to 2023 (also see our own pick of the best indie games of 2024).

Steam best-selling games in 2024 — (Image credit: Valve / Future)

Sadly, Valve doesn't provide the full data. The precise numbers for each game are conspicuously absent (although we did get an idea recently when a game dev scraped Steam to find the most popular games and themes). Instead the Steam end-of-year review puts games into broad categories like 'platinum', 'gold' and 'silver', with several titles in each.

Among the new releases of 2024, the best sellers included Stalker 2, Dragon's Dogma II, Manor Lords, 2K25 and Call of Duty Black Ops 6. But while the most-played list (defined as games with over 450,000 peak players), includes 2024 releases like Path of Exile II, Black Myth Wukong, Palworld and Marvel Rivals, it also includes older games like Dota 2, Elden ring and Apex Legends.

Moreover, only 15% of global play time was spent on new titles. And while part of that might mean people were still catching up on games from 2023, Valve's data shows that only 47% of time was spent playing on games released in the last one to seven years. That means players spent 37% of their time playing games that were eight years old or more.

Nevertheless, that 15% of time dedicated to new games in 2024 is still an increase from 2023, when players spent just 9% of play time on new games. Of course, older games are also boosted by sales and discounts. As for VR games, Skyrim, Blade & Sorcery, Arizona Sunshine II are among the most popular (see our own pick of the best VR games of 2024).

How to to see your Steam Replay 2024

Steam has re-rebranded its personalised Steam Year In Review for players as Steam Replay, the name it began with back in 2022 before the change last year. Like Spotify Wrapped, the annual round up gives users data on their use of the platform over the last year, including playtime by month.

To see your Steam Year in Review, or Steam Replay 2024, just log in to the Steam Year in Review site using your Steam account. You should also see a Steam Year in Review banner at the top of the Steam Store.

Want to play on a console instead of on PC? See the best prices on the best games consoles below.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/entertainment/gaming/these-were-the-most-played-games-on-steam-in-2024 3xPTgoxNBorsshXnL4r9Nm Mon, 30 Dec 2024 16:15:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ Do Loop earplugs really help with creativity? ]]> If you're a creative who struggles with things like focus, noise sensitivity, sensory overload, and controlling your attention span, then you might benefit from this small but game-changing invention – Loop earplugs. A lot of people wonder if these silicone earbuds really work, and the short answer is yes. At least, I find them to be tranquil, comforting, and great for helping me concentrate on creative tasks.

I came across an advert for Loop earplugs a few months back while mindlessly scrolling through social media, and I impulsively bought a set thinking that for the low price of £15, it couldn't hurt to give them a try. The reason I was so intrigued by these earplugs initially was not only their proposed cure for overstimulation, but I've often found that I'll put my Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2 earphones in, not for listening to music, but purely to enjoy the silence from noise-cancellation.

The idea behind Loop earplugs is that they keep you in the loop, so you can block out distracting sounds in the same way as traditional foam earplugs, but without missing too much. They work by filtering out sounds via an acoustic channel and engineered filter, but without blocking sound out entirely for situations when you want to remain engaged.

This is ideal for times when you're socialising but can still feel a little anxious or overstimulated, and Loop earplugs are said to be great for people with ADHD for this reason. Depending on the levels of noise reduction that you want (between 7 - 27 decibels), Loop offers different noise relief earplugs for varying situations. There's Loop Engage, Loop Experience, Loop Dream (for sleep), and Loop Quiet to name a handful.

Loop earplugs Quiet 2 Mint — (Image credit: Future)

I bought a pair of the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs in Mint colour, as these offer a high amount of noise reduction (up to 24 decibels) for when you really want to turn down the volume. I mostly wear my loops during my commutes to and from the office, and I sometimes worry that I might miss an important train announcement – which is when the Loop Engage earplugs or Loop Switch 2 earplugs would probably be the better choice.

What I like about the Loop Quiet 2 earplugs however is that they're very multi-purpose. They're great for blocking out background noise on public transport, including trains and planes, reducing volume from my very noisy Shark hairdryer, tuning out football commentators when my fiancé is playing FC24, and I love wearing my Loops both when working from home and in the office, as my workspace becomes virtually silent, it's bliss.

As a music photographer in my spare time, I'm a disaster at remembering to wear earplugs when I'm shooting a show (and I always tend to stand way too close to the speakers) so I also use my loops for this reason and the keychain carry case is super tiny and convenient for clipping onto my camera bag so I don't forget them. I found that for this kind of noise reduction, the Loops work well, but I need to switch out for a different ear tip size for a more secure fit.

I haven't quite figured out the best methods to keep me focused as a creative yet. Sometimes I like to listen to Spotify while I work, and I've realised that background music, particularly LoFi and instrumental tracks, helps me to think clearly and establish a better sense of how much time has passed.

The verdict: from my experience, Loop earplugs do offer benefits for productivity and a boost in creativity, and have genuinely helped me in a lot of areas from focusing on tasks to feeling less overwhelmed. My social battery does not last long at all, and it can be such a wave of relief to escape to silence when needed. I did occasionally wonder if the act of simply putting in the Loop earplugs was a sort of placebo effect of entering a calmer headspace, but either way, it works.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/tech/headphones-earbuds/do-loop-earplugs-really-help-with-creativity D74iEdmn84Ne3wWzkpu3nR Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man trailer leaves fans divided ]]> Marvel Entertainment has just dropped the trailer for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the long-awaited animated series that was first announced way back in 2021 under the working title of Spider-Man: Freshman Year.

The trailer reveals a retro look, referencing the early Spider-Man comic books as well as the classic animated series, while also bringing the story up to date in terms of technology and media use, and it also introduces some new faces. Fans are poring over all the Easter eggs in the two-minute trailer, but the concept and animation style is causing division (also see the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man logo).

This animated series will focus on Spider-Man's beginnings years, but with Norman Osborn, or Green Goblin, as Peter Parker's mentor, deviating from the story of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Parker is voiced by Hudson Thames.

But although Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is set in an alternate universe Fans are noticing a lot of references to Spidey lore and even other IPs, from Tobey Maguire's black suit reveal to a clip Tony Stark shows Peter Parker in Captain America Civil War. Screwball can be seen commenting on a Stream at the 1 minute mark, while another comment, "you got beat up by a guy wearing hockey pads lol" is a Batman reference.

As for the animation style, some fans are loving the retro look, seeing it as a modern day version of the Neil Patrick Harris-voiced Spider-Man: The New Animated Series and a tribute to the comic books. But others think it looks slow or 'laggy'. "This has a very much 'hey kids are we cool yet' vibe," one person wrote on X. "It's hard for me to picture Peter Parker as a Gen Z kid... I'm a 90s kid myself, but i mostly picture young Peter as being from the 60s or 70s," someone else wrote.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will be released on Disney+ on 29 January, 2025. See subscription plans below, and for more to watch, see our pick of the best TV VFX of 2024.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/entertainment/movies-tv-shows/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-trailer-leaves-fans-divided TFxbVS4Vta7dRczLh8ZPac Mon, 30 Dec 2024 13:32:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ This artist’s meticulous render depicts an ancient figure who’s travelled from Norse mythology to PlayStation ]]> Vinayak Sreekumar is a senior character artist from Stockholm, Sweden. His piece ‘Kvasir, the Jailer of Loki’ is based on the God of War interpretation of this figure from Norse mythology. He used a range of software that included Maya, Substance 3D Painter, Marvelous Designer, ZBrush and Marmoset Toolbag.

If you're inspired by Vinayak’s artwork, take a look at our collection of the best ZBrush tutorials to help refine your 3D skills. Looking to upgrade your creative kit? Check out our guide to the best laptops for 3D modelling.

Vinayak Sreekumar 3D art of the week — (Image credit: Vinayak Sreekumar)

Vinayak says: For this fan art of Kvasir, which was inspired by Yong Yi Lee’s original concept and God of War's intricate designs, I pushed my anatomy and detailing skills to new heights. Using ZBrush and Maya for modelling and Substance 3D Painter for texturing, I focused on getting realistic facial features and expressive details.

Bringing Kvasir to life with a blend of mythological elements and realistic textures was the most enjoyable part; this project was a labour of passion. For the final presentation I used Marmoset Toolbag, creating a custom light rig that would enhance the overall presentation of the project.

Check out Vinayak’s ArtStation.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/this-artists-meticulous-render-depicts-an-ancient-figure-whos-travelled-from-norse-mythology-to-playstation SJEKddFQoq2zUq32MhWPsM Mon, 30 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to model pottery with a lathe tool on your iPad ]]> Ask a carpenter about a lathe and you may well be there for a while discussing different headstocks, faceplate or even swarf. And I thought 3D modelling had a lot of jargon! If you ask a 3D modeller the same question, you’ll get a whole different answer.

Lathing in the real world is taking raw material, usually wood or metal, and spinning it while you use tools to carve the surface. It’s used for creating engine parts, furniture, and a whole raft of other things. The 3D equivalent is based on that and it’s used in a similar way. Most 3D software has the tool and a good one for the iPad is Nomad Sculpt.

With the Lathe tool activated, you can lay down a curve or path using splines and points. The points are editable so you can move them to create a profile that will spin around a central point and effectively give you a lathed shape. It’s similar to a pottery wheel. A potter spins clay that’s moulded into a shape with their hands. The same theory is happening with the spline and points, it’s just quicker and less dirty.

Expert tip: Take a chip off the old block

Using the Lathe tool in Nomad Sculpt to make pottery — (Image credit: Glen Southern)

Creating something symmetrical can look a little too perfect. The trick is to break it up, so maybe take some chips out using Trim or Split. Either will remove a chunk from the model, but Split is best as you can use the pieces elsewhere.

The Nomad feature is powerful for a number of reasons. You can keep the model live for some time, which means you can make changes to the shape as you continue modelling other parts, such as handles in the case of digital pottery. The points can be set to curved or angled to create a sweeping, organic shape or a hard angle, so you can make mechanical-looking pieces with more hard edges. It’s a versatile tool and probably underused.

Once you have a design that works, it’s possible to freeze it in that state with the Validate button. You then have clean, efficient geometry to UV map and sculpt onto as needed. If you combine the Lathe and Tube tools, you can create an array of shapes and models, and even use these tools to design creatures. I mostly use it for complex engine parts for things like jets or turbines, as well as designs for vases, mugs and complex architecture.

01. Get set up

Pick the Lathe tool from the sidebar menu. You can choose between either Path or Curve type – I used Path. Turn the Perspective option off and snap the camera to the front view. Now start laying down points to create a profile that will be the shape of one side of your vase. Tap on the points that you want to become an angle.

02. Refine the shape

Continue adding more points along the spline and work all the way up to the top, then create more going back down into what will be the inside of the vase we’re designing. If you need to remove a point, simply drag it over to another point and it will disappear. You’ll be able to make amendments to this shape once the model has created, right up until you use the Validate button.

03. Make the geometry

Once you have a profile you think will work, hit the dot at the end of the spline. This will create the shape based on your spline. There are settings at the top-right that allow you to change the density or number of polygons. Keep it as low as you can but retain the shape you’re looking to create. At this stage it’s still editable and you can tweak the entire model by moving a single point

04. Finish the mesh

Once the geometry is to your liking you can click Validate, which will lock the model in its final state with the points no longer editable. Now go to the top Geometry menu and look for Miscellaneous. From the options, choose UV Unwrap to give the model some mapping coordinates. From this point on, you only need to texture your model.

Want a laptop rather than an iPad? See the best laptops for 3D modelling.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-to-model-pottery-with-a-lathe-tool-on-your-ipad gfGiPZRhasLDmghazqvLZd Mon, 30 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Lazy AI prompts are dead - we're on the threshold of the "Controls Era" says Adobe ]]> If you're a digital artist fed up with hearing prompt jockeys tell you to get over generative AI art's impact, then Alexandru Costin, Vice President of Generative AI and Sensei at Adobe, has some good news for you as we begin 2025. Well, it's not bad news.

"We’re standing on the threshold of a transformative moment in generative AI," he tells me, revealing we're about to see a "shift from the prompt-based era to a controls era". This, adds Alexandru, is "set to unleash human creativity in unimaginable ways".

The current norm for using AI art generators is to type prompts into its UI 'ask' the algorithm to create an image, video or 3D object. It removes artistic input. Those artists who do use AI image generators have been trying to find ways to take back control, as Martin Nebelong explains in his op ed, 'AI art is only a threat if we let "prompt-jockeys" take control'. This is where Alexandru sees the future is for gen AI, in giving artists greater control over gen AI's output.

Adobe predicts the 'Controls Era'

"Think of these 'controls' as the digital equivalent of the paintbrush in Photoshop," says Alexandru. "This tool once seemed threatening to traditional art forms but ultimately sparked an explosion of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. Photoshop didn’t replace physical paintbrushes; it redefined what was possible, opening new avenues for precision, taste and expression."

He adds: "The controls era in AI marks a transformative shift, equipping creators with tools that unlock unprecedented creative possibilities. These tools go beyond mere task automation – they empower creators to refine, adapt, and reimagine their work across countless mediums, enabling deeper exploration of intricate details. Most importantly, because they reduce the barriers to taking creative risks, they encourage boundary-pushing innovation that leads to better solutions."

Adobe AI 2025; menus in a new AI app — (Image credit: Adobe)

I saw this new direction for myself at this year's Adobe MAX, where new announcements focused on AI as tools rather than gimmicks. New tools like Project Turntable, that enables you to easily rotate 2D vector art in 3D by generating the missing data to fill in the image - a 2D horse now has four legs as its turned.

The theme of the Adobe MAX Sneaks I witnessed continued this trend towards AI with control and purpose; Project Scenic really is an AI tool designed to give back control - it turns an AI generated image into a 3D scene and regenerations are made manually through camera moves, edits and framing. And, of course, there's Project Concept AI that is a canvas for gen AI images, where you can collaborate to rework, edit and refine AI art, and set style guides to control the outputs.

Want to get ahead in 2025? Read our digital arts trends 2025 article and our 3D art trends 2025 feature for the latest tech, style and workflow predictions.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/ai/lazy-ai-prompts-are-dead-were-on-the-threshold-of-the-controls-era-says-adobe QshFdivJiXfHLgdfmBGLFU Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I asked AI to predict 2025’s AI trends and the results were surprisingly good ]]> With 2025 on the horizon it's time to focus on the upcoming trends to look forward to in the new year. While we've already discussed design and packaging trends, the hot topic on everyone's lips is AI, and who better to ask for 2025's hot AI trends than the original trendsetter itself, good ol' artificial intelligence?

Using the prompt "Can you give me a prediction for the 5 AI trends of 2025?", I consulted Copilot, Gemini and ChatGPT for their infinite wisdom. As you'd expect, each model was unsurprisingly favourable towards AI, strategically choosing to leave out concerns around copyright, job security and threats to human creativity. However, if you can choose to ignore the obvious blaring irony of this experiment, some surprisingly thought-provoking points were made.

01. The rise of generative AI

An image of a brain representing AI art — (Image credit: Andriy Onufriyenko via Getty Images)

All three models predicted a great uprising for generative AI – well, sort of. In less existential terms, AI predicts that it will continue to develop, becoming a multimodal tool in the creative industries – what it fails to address are the concerns around generative AI replacing human jobs. "Generative AI will likely become even more prevalent, with applications extending beyond text generation to encompass image creation, music composition, and even video synthesis," predicts Gemini.

"Generative AI models, like ChatGPT, will continue to evolve and find more applications. The next version, expected to be ChatGPT-5, will offer significant improvements in multimodal functionality, processing not just text but also images, audio, and video," Copilot explains.

ChatGPT expects to see these advancements taking over the content creation sector, predicting, "As these models become more accurate and customizable, the need for human creators will shift toward overseeing the creative process rather than generating everything from scratch."

02. AI automation

There was also consensus around the future of AI automation. ChatGPT projected that AI autonomy could bring improvements to transport and robotics, hopefully as an application to aid human skills. "The autonomous systems industry will see substantial progress by 2025, with self-driving cars, trucks, drones, and robotic systems for manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics becoming mainstream. AI algorithms will improve in decision-making, safety, and reliability, making these systems more efficient and safe in real-world environments," ChatGPT reports.

Gemini agreed, suggesting, "As AI algorithms continue to refine, we can expect a significant surge in AI-powered automation across various industries. This could involve automating routine tasks, optimising supply chains, and personalising customer experiences."

"Hyper-automation, coupled with self-learning systems, will become a cornerstone of operational transformation. These systems will streamline operations, eliminate silos, and improve flexibility and productivity," Copilot suggests.

03. AI-powered healthcare and research

AI trends 2025 — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Rather flatteringly, AI positioned itself as a sort of saviour when it comes to aiding in healthcare. "AI will play an even bigger role in revolutionizing healthcare by 2025. From advanced diagnostics (like detecting cancer, neurological conditions, etc.) to personalized treatment plans powered by patient data, AI will enable precision medicine tailored to an individual's genetic makeup and lifestyle," ChatGPT predicts. "Additionally, AI systems will assist in drug discovery, identifying new compounds faster and with higher accuracy. As regulatory frameworks mature, the use of AI in healthcare will become more widespread," it adds.

Similarly, Copilot predicts that scientific research will reap the benefits of AI technology in 2025. "AI will play a more significant role in scientific research, helping to solve complex problems and accelerate discoveries. This will be particularly impactful in fields like healthcare, where AI can analyze medical images alongside patient history for more accurate diagnoses," it explains.

04. AI ethical regulation

AI regulation — (Image credit: Getty Images)

One trend I think many creatives will be happy to see is increased regulation and ethical practice. Gemini explains "With the growing influence of AI, concerns around ethical considerations and responsible AI development are likely to intensify. We can expect to see a rise in regulations and guidelines aimed at ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems.
AI Ethics and Regulation in 2025."

"Expect new global regulatory bodies and national policies to emerge that govern how AI is developed and deployed. Companies and governments will need to balance innovation with societal impacts such as fairness, transparency, privacy, and accountability," ChatGPT claims. "As AI technologies become more ingrained in everything from decision-making to surveillance, there will be mounting pressure to ensure these systems are used responsibly. Ethical AI development, bias mitigation, and transparency will be central topics of discussion, as citizens and organizations demand more safeguards against misuse and inequality," it adds.

05. AI sustainability and climate solutions

I've slipped this one in as a bit of a treat only because I feel it's a trend that deserves attention. ChatGPT – the ever-generous provider that it is – suggested AI sustainability and climate solutions as a special bonus trend, making an important case for the functional uses of AI for pattern spotting and data handling. While I can see the benefits of AI from a practical sense, I still feel there needs to be a layer of human-led critical thinking to effectively tackle environmental concerns.

"AI will be a crucial player in tackling climate change by 2025. From optimizing energy usage in industries to predicting environmental shifts and creating sustainable agricultural practices, AI will be central to solving global sustainability challenges. Models will improve our ability to track carbon footprints, manage natural resources more efficiently, and predict and mitigate climate-related risks," ChatGPT explains.

"With mounting pressure to address climate change, industries will increasingly look to AI to drive efficiencies and innovations that contribute to sustainability goals. AI's data-crunching ability will help create more intelligent solutions to monitor and protect the environment," it adds.

While it's understandable that AI models are pro-AI, it's worth considering a balanced approach to the technology. AI's practical applications like data handling, pattern recognition and workflow streamlining present us with game-changing tools, but many of these predicted AI trends require the nuance and critical thinking of humans. AI is less so the fix-all magic solution to the world's issues that it seems to suggest in these predictions, but rather an extension of human skill and ingenuity that will help to expand our potential.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/ai/i-asked-ai-to-predict-2025s-ai-trends-and-the-results-were-surprisingly-good aM9vryyuVRdgUt33k9YBu3 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Honor Magic V3 review: foldable style and power in a lightweight unit ]]> Foldable phones can often end up being clunky but the Honor Magic V3 is lightweight and easy to use even in one hand. While at first glance, it seems like a slam dunk in the world of foldable smartphones, how does it fare when you dig into the details?

And how does it compare against the best camera phones on the market? I got one in for review, and spent the last several weeks with it as my main phone to find out.

The HONOR Magic V3 is an impressive all-rounder where the foldable screen is far from a gimmick. It genuinely enhances the experience of using various apps, reading e-books, watching videos, and more.

That’s paired with an impressive camera – although that’s probably not its strongest suit – and a sturdiness that belies its thin hardware. Here’s a closer look at our experience with the thinnest foldable phone on the market.

Honor Magic V3 review: Key specifications

Design and screen:

The design is clearly well thought out when it comes to the Honor Magic V3, taking aesthetics and sleekness to a new level. The lightweight feel of the smartphone is achieved through incredibly thin panels, at just 9.2 mm thick when folded and 4.4 mm when open.

The lightness of the phone means that you can fold and unfold it with one hand, meaning you can easily switch between its two modes on the go. You’d be hard-pressed to use it folded out with one hand as the screen literally doubles in size, but you could flip it out to read a book or watch a video on a wider screen without needing to use your second hand.

The Honor Magic V3 admittedly looks more polished when folded together, thanks to the glass screen on the front. When folded out fully, rather than at an angle, after just a few times, you do end up seeing the crease in the foldable OLED screen. However, that feels like complaining that water is wet: it’s seemingly an unavoidable part of having a foldable screen.

When actively in use, the crease becomes less and less noticeable, hardly being disruptive when watching videos or using apps in the folded-out format. What’s more, and perhaps most importantly, the crease doesn’t impact clarity or appear to actively damage the phone. Indeed, where foldable phones have a reputation for lacking durability, we didn’t notice any impact on folding the screen in and out on the stability of the screen.

Either folded or unfolded, the size and shape will take some getting used to. Folded is a narrower, thicker feel than most will have come to expect from a modern smartphone, while folded out is, of course, much larger. The shape when unfolded is closer to a square than a tablet, making for a unique shape that works well – once you’re used to it.

Features and performance

The MagicOS 8.0.1 is equivalent to Android 14 and doesn’t need take much adapting to for those used to Android smartphones. It’s got all the smoothness you’d want from a modern smartphone, scoring 5,646 points in multi-score testing with Geekbench 6 and a 14,866 GPU OpenCL score.

It might not be the most powerful phone on the market but that doesn’t stop it from introducing some intriguing AI features that you’d certainly be benefiting from on a day-to-day basis. Various ‘Magic’ features allow you to automatically extract text from a photo, or drag content from one app to another – most useful when folded out – so you can drag addresses into Google Maps, or copy content from an email over to WhatsApp, and so on. It’s a simple feature but one that speeds up the process of copy and paste-ing across your phone.

It’s not just Magic AI features either, but also ones powered by Google, liek Magic Eraser to clean up photos, Face-to-face Translation for fast-paced communication in different languages, and an auto-transcriber that can take notes on conversations in real time. As a journalist, that’s a major plus, but would also prove useful for anyone who spends a lot of time on work calls.

Camera

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AI comes into the camera capabilities as well, with auto-capture shots using AI Motion Sensing and AI Portrait Engine helping to beef up your selfies. When using the ultrawide features, I did get some distortion around the edges on some shots, but not all. It’s a slightly worrying inconsistency but seemed to be more to do with circumstances like lighting rather than serious tech flaws.

When on the move, you can easily shoot action on the camera, with responsiveness on all cameras that’s bound to impress. That also holds up on video and on video calls, offering flexibility for whatever you want to do.

Price

At £1,700 before discounts, it’s far from cheap – but it is relatively cheap when it comes to foldable phones. This is still an emerging form of smartphone and you pay for that new tech premium. Considering there’s no deal-breaking flaw that we encountered in the Honor Magic V3, it feels like a fair price.

The camera isn’t anything to write home about if you’re comparing to a modern Pixel or iPhone but it’s also strong enough that you probably won’t notice a difference unelss you’re a professional smartphone photographer. With all the other features impressively strong, it feels like a steal.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/tech/phones-tablets/honor-magic-v3-review-foldable-style-and-power-in-a-lightweight-unit V7M5p3ts8ZhZYxTw6TWc6H Mon, 30 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The best TV shows for VFX in 2024 ]]> Gone are the days when TV show VFX was a poor imitation of what we might see on the big screen. Some of the best TV shows of 2024 stood out for stunning visual effects, which helped to create post-apocalyptic worlds, historic cities and realistic visualisations of other planets.

Throughout the year, we spoke to studios and VFX artists working on some of the biggest shows for Netflix, FX, the BBC, Amazon Studios and more. Here's our pick of the highlights of TV VFX in 2024. For more magic, see our roundup of the best movie VFX of 2024 and the best CGI movie moments of all time.

01. Shōgun

VFX artists had to recreate 17th century Japan in modern-day Vancouver for FX's adaptation of Shōgun. This meant studying historic artworks from the Sengoku era, sketching designs and then creating modular architectural models along with foliage and tens of thousands of inhabitants. SSVFX, the primary visual effects vendor, had nearly 150 crew members working on the show, led by VFX supervisor Ed Bruce and working with production VFX Supervisor Michael Cliett.

Michael told us in our interview about the Shōgun VFX that the most challenging aspect, both creatively and technically, was the creation of cities that had to respect historical accuracy. “It wasn’t like throwing the castle or Osaka together. It was studying numerous historical maps and then creating the city from them," he told us. "We found a maquette from 1597 and created the castle based off that."

VFX was also used to create period weaponry, including arrows heads. In one scene, the arrows were set on fire, for which Barnstorm VFX used a simulation to make the fire appear real, with the flames almost going out as arrows fly through the air.

02. Fallout

Amazon’s adaptation of the iconic video game series Fallout succeeded in turning Los Angeles into a post-apocalyptic wasteland in an alternative universe while respecting elements from the games, including the aged retrofuturistic look. This required set extensions, the removal of real-life modern elements and stitching camera array footage for LED walls.

But perhaps the highlight of Fallout VFX was FutureWorks' creation of the Ghoul’s nose, which need to look mutilated but realistic. Head scans and prosthetics were used to make the process easier, allowing a negative space for the VFX elements that look so realistic you wouldn't notice they were there.

03. Masters of the Air

Apple TV+'s World War II miniseries brought movie-quality aerial combat sequences to TV with immersive detail and historical accuracy. in the story of the 100th Bomber Squadron. DNEG contributed over 1600 shots and 200 assets for 32 sequences, which included creating 1940s 3D landscapes and cloudscapes, from deserts in Africa, to the Fjords in Greenland and cities in Europe, plus hundreds of plane models, liveries and damaged variations that would have to perform in complex choreographies.

Virtual production was used to film cockpit sequences, to immerse the actors in the scenes they were shooting and provide precise eyelines and timings for the action shots. For the dogfights, the planes were crewed by digi-doubles, travelling at 600 mph.

04. Solar System

TV VFX isn't only for fiction. Lux Aeterna specialises in VFX for documentary series, particularly science-based programming. In 2024, it contributed to BBC Studios' Solar System, a docuseries that takes the viewer on a journey through the fascinating events that occur on the planets and other bodies in our solar system.

Full VFX builds were needed for most of the shots and, unlike with science fiction, the results had to be strongly based in reality, with acute attention to detail. The result is a blend of scientific accuracy and extraordinary, cinematic visuals.

05. Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

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From space fact to space fantasy, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew follows the journey of four kids lost in a strange and dangerous galaxy, where they meet a range of colourful characters. A host of big names in VFX worked on the Disney show, including Industrial Light & Magic and DNEG.

ILM used motion-controlled miniatures, including the Onyx Cinder spacecraft, to blend practical and digital effects. Built by John Goodson, the model had servo-operated engines and was used in both in-camera final shots and to inform the digital model. ILM also worked on creating the elephantine creature Neel.

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6. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Finally, Avatar: The Last Airbender made great use of digi-doubles to represent the Fire Nation and the Air Nomads. Rodeo FX says the show pushed it to develop new skills to integrate crowds and cloth simulation for the opening sequence of the show set in the air temple, which required intricate crowd simulations and set extensions, seamlessly integrating digital elements with live-action footage.

Detailed digi-doubles of main characters like Aang, Katara and Sokka. were used throughout the show to blend the characters into action scenes.

For more roundups of the year that's passed, see our pick of the biggest AI art controversies of 2024 and the best indie games.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/entertainment/vfx/the-best-tv-show-vfx-in-2024 EQ2wZ3dFozjCNN8wQ2apNa Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to animate an object along a spline in Cinema 4D ]]> For those new to 3D, there are so many things to learn, but one of the most complex can be animation. Even if an artist has a background in 2D animation, working in 3D literally adds another dimension. Many professional artists learn on the job and, therefore, are looking for legitimate shortcuts to meet their client’s needs, where 3D applications like Cinema 4D from Maxon come into their own.

Cinema 4D is one of the best 3D modelling software options because it has various animation tools, from a simple and intuitive keyframe system to a powerful, internationally renowned motion graphics system, plus a full character animation suite that can create complex animation rigs for a wide range of creatures, including humans. Sometimes, too many options can get in the way of getting the work done, so it’s great that Cinema 4D also has a range of deformation systems that can create what appear to be complex animations using a straightforward system based on splines.

Splines are essentially lines in 3D space, which can be straight, curved or a mixture of the two, and they can be used for many things in Cinema 4D, from modelling to animation (especially on one of the best 3D modelling laptops). A single spline can be used for both these tasks simultaneously, but for now let’s keep things simple.

Expert tip: Play with the parameters

Animating along a spline in Cinema 4D — (Image credit: Mike Griggs)

While the Spline Wrap can do a lot of the heavy lifting with just two keyframes on the Offset slider when using parametric spline objects like the helix, adjusting parameters such as the End Angle on the helix can create an extra level of sophistication for the animation.

Any object in Cinema 4D can have an ‘Align to Spline’ tag placed on it, which moves the object along the length of the spline and keeps it headed in the direction of the spline. This is great for hard-bodied objects such as a plane in flight, but when an object needs to be deformed along the spline as well as move along it, that’s where the Spline Wrap deformer comes in clutch for artists.

The deformer works with practically any element in Cinema 4D that’s placed in the same group as it, and will deform and move an object along the length of the spline. The Spline Wrap also offers a range of extra options, including the ability to resize the object along the length of the spline and interactively twist and rotate it as the object is moved along the spline. Let’s take a closer look at the Spline Wrap deformer in Cinema 4D...

01. Create a spline

This introductory scene has been created in Cinema 4D 2024. It shows two parametric objects, a cube and a pyramid, grouped in a null and a helix object, which will act as the spline for the Spline Wrap modifier to work with. Any spline will do, whether created from a preset within Cinema 4D, drawn with the Pen tool, or imported from a vector-drawing application such as Adobe Illustrator.

02. Apply the Spline Wrap deformer

The Spline Wrap is found in the Deformers palette or under Create>Deformer in the Cinema 4D menus. It has a distinct icon like a figure of eight on its side. Nest the deformer in a new null, which will mean that when activated, the Spline Wrap will only affect the objects within the new null. Next, add the helix object in the Spline Wrap attributes.

03. Check the attributes

The deformer may not look like it works when first activated, or the objects look deformed. This is potentially because the default state for the Spline Wrap is to stretch the object along the whole length of the spline, or the axis of the Spline Wrap is in the wrong direction. To troubleshoot, in the Spline Wrap attributes switch the Mode dropdown to Keep Length and then orient the objects using the Axis attribute.

04. Create your animation

To animate the object using the Spline Wrap, use the Offset slider to move it along the line. If you’re using simple parametric objects, they may require their segments to be increased, which will give the appearance of the objects being made of a soft material rather than a hard one. The Spline Wrap Rotation parameters also allow the objects to be twisted if you need that effect for your animation.

See more Cinema 4D tutorials here.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-to-animate-an-object-along-a-spline-in-cinema-4d gfaJ4PAJcsCEsy2SRnZDcP Sun, 29 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Inspired by the movie Elysium, this villainous 3D art delivers realism while staying out of the Uncanny Valley ]]> Thomas-Sten Chermain is a 3D character artist from Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean. His piece Agent Kruger is based on the villain from the SF action movie Elysium, and an experiment in producing a convincing render of a real-life person. The suite of software in use included ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, Maya, Marvelous Designer, Character Creator, Unreal Engine and Photoshop.

If you're inspired by Thomas-Sten’s artwork, take a look at our collection of the best ZBrush tutorials to help refine your 3D skills. Looking to upgrade your creative kit? Check out our guide to the best laptops for 3D modelling.

Thomas-Sten Chermain 3D art of the week — (Image credit: Thomas-Sten Chermain)

Thomas-Sten says: I chose this project because of its incredible sci-fi elements. The uncanny valley of the technology wasn't noticeable when I looked at the design of the character: like I was successfully duped by this sci-fi style. One thing that was important during this project was the scanning approach for the clothes. I loved it, and it's now one of my favourite tasks.

For the posing, I started with Character Creator 4 and finished in ZBrush. In all, 90 per cent of my time was spent cleaning up in ZBrush to ensure there was no clipping geometry, stretched UVs or unrealistic deformations.

Check out Thomas-Sten’s ArtStation.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/inspired-by-the-movie-elysium-this-villainous-3d-art-delivers-realism-while-staying-out-of-the-uncanny-valley 83WwZiHcyS23rpSbDsCanN Sun, 29 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The illustration trends set to take shape in 2025 ]]> As we hit the middle of the decade, what can we expect in the world of illustration in 2025? The impact of AI is still a hot topic for many of the illustrators, agents and industry experts we spoke to. “Last year, I wasn't that worried about generative AI,” says illustrator Sarah Cliff, who, like many, has growing concerns. “Some are saying we have to keep up with technology – but why? It’s based on stealing [imagery] and it’s also bad for the environment. Not to sound dramatic, but it feels quite dystopian to me.”

It remains a complex issue. Other views that came up included an “increased appreciation for the skill of illustrators as the current limitations of AI become increasingly obvious”, and how dabbling with AI has helped many people “rediscover their love for creating handcrafted work”. (If you're ready to start illustrating, take a look at our guide on how to download Adobe Illustrator.)

Sveta Dorosheva's Realms of Imagination – Key visual for the British Library's Fantasy — (Image credit: Sveta Dorosheva for the British Library)

Therefore, although AI is indeed impacting illustration, so far it’s leading to trends at the complete opposite end of the creative spectrum. Read on, to discover how these trends for 2025 (in no particular order) look set to play out. And, if you'd like to reflect on the developments over the last year, take a look back at 2024's illustration trends.

01. Multidisciplinary

“At the AOI, we are pleased to see a growing celebration of multidisciplinary illustrators, who are masterfully blending various creative practices into their work. Illustrators are breaking traditional boundaries, incorporating everything from photography and painting to sculpture and animation – creating fresh perspectives that challenge our conventional understanding of illustration,” says Rachel Hill, CEO of the Association of Illustrators.

“Take Vitoria Bas, for example, who blends graphic design and illustration, creating work where these two disciplines amplify each other’s impact. While Murugiah pushes creative boundaries by bringing illustrations to life through sculpture and site-specific installations. This trend mirrors an important shift in the AI era: a growing appreciation for illustrators as versatile, innovative thinkers who bring rich, multifaceted perspectives to the creative process.”

Hannah Shilland, director of agency Brilliant Artists, agrees, and points to one particular overlap between two seemingly disparate disciplines. “There will definitely be more embroidery in animations,” she says, “as it is something I have seen more enquiries about and discussed with other creatives.”

02. Handcrafted

Given the number of digital tools now accessible to creatives, an increasing number of people are turning to analogue techniques and tangible craftsmanship.

“A number of illustrators I know have dabbled with AI over the last couple of years, out of curiosity as much as knowing your enemy. In some cases, this has ultimately led to them rediscovering their love for creating handcrafted work using physical tools like paint, chalk, crayons, and collage,” says Olivia Triggs, founder of illustration agency Breed. “They’ve left the precision-designed world of digital illustration to the specialist tools to put renewed emphasis on the human touch.”

Hannah agrees that the current value placed in the craft and evidence of human input within illustration will continue to gain traction, “be that through analogue techniques via paints, pen, pastels or print or through humour, wit and personality,” she says.

Illustrator Evangeline Gallagher foresees a similar backlash: “We'll see even more of a turn away from super flat, digital, vector-looking styles of illustration,” she says, “and an embrace of maximalist traditional media or styles that emulate it. Sophy Hollington's linoleum cut illustrations come to mind for me.”

(Image credit: Sophy Hollington for The New York Times)

03. Collage

Taking a closer look at the hand-made aesthetic, illustrator Nicole Chui predicts collage becoming an increasingly popular technique for 2025, as a medium where the “the textural elements of illustration [can] bring out stories with more personal and emotional human connection,” she says. Illustrators are pushing the boundaries of traditional composition, using techniques borrowed from scrapbooking – in some cases in combination with digital tools – to create intricate, eclectic imagery.

“I’ve noticed a lot of collage artists being commissioned for various commercial projects, so piecing layers together to bring depth to a story or a concept is something I see happening a lot more in our world.”

(Above: Quentin Jones for Samaritaine)

04. Behind-the-scenes

Jon Cockley, co-founder of illustration agency Handsome Frank, anticipates an increased transparency around the process and a focus on creators. “With the increasing emergence of AI in the illustration sector, creators will increasingly be required to step out from behind their work and show the human touch in their art,” he says. “We're predicting an uptick in the demand for process videos, WIP footage and artist-led client collaborations.”

Hannah has been seeing similar calls from clients and audiences seeking to know more about the who and the how-to. “We continue to see plenty of requests for behind-the-scenes footage and social media content from the artists making the work,” she says, “so don’t be afraid to get out in front of the screen and allow a little peek at how magic is made.”

05. Unique

(Image credit: Milagros Pico / Rocio Egio)

“[One] thing I’ve noticed more than ever is how diverse the world of illustration is now – everyone doing their own thing, without clear connections to what others are doing,” Olivia says. “It’s all very individualistic, perhaps reflecting a more general atomisation of culture in the present day.” She calls this trend “the no-obvious-trend trend”, as more illustrators are embracing their unique aesthetic practices.

It’s something agents will increasingly be looking out for, Hannah says. “Something we are always searching for as an agency is distinctive illustrators with consistent and confident styles. Illustrators with a strong perspective and unique approach that will rightly continue to garner much attention,” she says. “We are seeing an appreciation for the skill of illustrators as the current limitations of AI become increasingly obvious, and we don’t see that changing in the immediate future.”

Evangeline highlights two seemingly niche, or traditionally sidelined illustration styles she sees coming to the fore: “I think medieval stuff is going to be big – illuminated manuscripts, knights, dragons, all that good stuff. This has been brewing for a few years, and the tabletop roleplaying game scene in particular has been incubating some really incredible illustrators," she says. “I also think we could see more anime and manga influence breaking into spaces like editorial or book illustration. When I was in college it was unfairly pinned as unsuitable for professional work, but anime has since become more mainstream and many young illustrators have it in their style toolbox."

06. IRL experiences

(Image credit: The London Illustration Fair )

“We’re predicting and hoping to see an increase in people coming together as a backlash against the isolation of working from home and our increasingly digital lives,” says Jon.

“A renaissance in physical exhibitions, open studios and people coming together to see work in the real world and hear first hand from creators,” he adds. “Expect more talks, collaborative shows and pop-ups.”

A couple of the many event listings sites out there include the AOI’s events page and the Illustration Index of festivals globally.

07. Immersive worlds

The art of worldbuilding and storytelling is something illustration often excels at. Compelling, imaginative and often detail-driven, illustration, and in particular immersive illustration styles, can often help to communicate complexities that words cannot.

“Among the jobs and enquiries we have had most recently, I’ve noticed that commissioners are looking for really immersive work,” says Hannah. “The power of illustration to build worlds and take you there is one of its biggest strengths and this could come in any form from 3D to bande dessinnée (a French cartoon strip style), painterly approaches or digital styles.”

08. A focus on characters

Hannah foresees character-led illustration continuing to be popular. “Similarly to the desire to see the craft in the work, characters allow the human to come through,” she says, “though they don’t necessarily have to be human themselves.”

In particular, however, illustrator Kyle Platts, believes the characters of 2025 will be increasingly full of life, in a backlash against the flat, oversimplified cartoon figures, often favoured by the tech and finance industries. “For every action there’s a reaction, or in this case, for every lack of action there’s a reaction. Over the past few years we’ve witnessed rigid and faceless characters within illustration, this style is commonly referred to as ‘Corporate Memphis’,” he says. “In response to this saturated style I expect to see more movement, perspective and expression from the characters of 2025, or at least I hope so!"

George S character — (Image credit: George S)

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/art/illustration/the-illustration-trends-set-to-take-shape-in-2025 AHYY65F4iDSVi9mnMuJXFP Sun, 29 Dec 2024 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ This viral optical illusion broke people's minds in 2024 ]]> We saw lots of optical illusions go viral on social media in 2024. We even saw optical illusions in space and AI optical illusions that look like different subjects at different sizes. But few illusions broke people's minds quite like this one.

The images above appear to show a white face and a black face. But a closer inspection shows there's no difference in colour. Both faces are grey, proving that not everything is black and white.

@corndogwilly
♬ original sound - corndogwilly

The face optical illusion was created by the Japanese experimental psychologist and optical illusion creator Akiyoshi Kitaoka. The illusion has nothing to do with colour but luminance. The luminance of the surrounding shade affects our perception, and the shade of the smaller details reinforce the perception of light or dark relative to the background.

Some people still refuse to believe the faces are the same colour despite numerous demonstrations on platforms like TikTok, where people have made videos showing the images being tested with the eyedropper tool in Photoshop or painted over them to compare them. Meanwhile, the face has become a recurring resource for Akiyoshi, who continues to create more optical illusions using the same image.

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The illusion demonstrates the power of luminance and how surrounding elements can trick our minds into seeing the subject of an image in different ways. For more mind-bending imagery, check out the coffer illusion and the cafe wall illusion.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/creative-inspiration/optical-illusions/this-viral-optical-illusion-broke-peoples-minds-in-2024 cVbvoESAzgjWhFxV2PzERT Sun, 29 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ AGON PRO AG346UCD review: an immersive ultrawide QD-OLED display ]]> The AGON PRO AG346UCD joins a growing list of curved monitors designed to provide immersive gaming experiences. It's remarkably similar to the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600, which we reviewed at the back end of 2023. This is unsurprising though, considering AGON and Philips are owned by the same parent company.

More recently, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Philips Evnia 34M2C5501A and wrote the following: "It's big, classy, and curved; this latest Evnia monitor is another smash from Philips." These types of curved monitors are not for everyone but what they lack in popularity they make up in performance.

The AG346UCD is a QD OLED, or Quantum Dot OLED, a technology that combines the best of OLED and Quantum Dot technologies. It has the benefits of providing peak brightness levels without losing contrast, as well as generally more vibrant colours.

The monitor itself was incredibly easy to set up and as soon as it was hooked up to my laptop, I began my testing. Read on to see what I thought of it and whether it's likely to make it into our list of the best monitors.

Write AGON PRO AG346UCD: Key specifications

Design and build

The two things you'll notice when you unbox the AG346UCD are first of all that it's ultrawide and second, that it's curved. If you're not a fan of either of these qualities in a monitor, then you're best off opting for something like the Philips Evnia 27M2N8500.

The 1800R curvature does a fantastic job of replicating the eye’s natural visual field, resulting in a perfect level of immersion. Don't get me wrong, this is no ultimate surround visual and sound experience but it is as good as it gets when we're talking about 34-inch monitors.

The aspect ratio is 21:9, which won't suit all games but if you're also using the display for productivity workflows, then you'll be more than happy. Placing application windows side-by-side is also easier with the extra width. It might even save you from needing to buy two monitors.

The resolution of 3440 x 1440 pixels means you won't see it in our guide to the best 4K monitors but at WQHD it's not far off. It certainly provides enough detail for almost all the most-demanding games around at the moment.

The monitor includes a range of ports, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-A, as well as a headphone-out. These are conveniently located at the rear of the monitor, with all but two of the USB-A ports facing downwards.

Unfortunately, you won't find anything like the AI-enhanced Ambiglow that can be found on the Philips Evnia 27M2N8500. This feature "analyses the incoming image content and continuously adapts the colour and brightness of the emitted light to match the image." Maybe it's not a game changer but it's certainly nice to have.

I think AGON has nailed the design of the AG346UCD. It's beautifully designed and well-constructed with premium materials. Three sides of the display are frameless, which helps keep the focus on the game action or whatever you're working on.

Features and performance

The AG346UCD features some pretty impressive specs, including a max refresh rate of 175 Hz and a response time GtG of 0.03 ms but does it perform in reality? Absolutely. As you'd expect, I had no problems with lag, motion blur or ghosting effects but instead thoroughly enjoyed using the monitor.

It's worth noting that the highest refresh rate of 175 Hz can only be achieved using the DisplayPort compared to 100 Hz through the HDMI port. You will want to consider this before making any purchase.

The QD OLED display outperforms most OLED and LED monitors I've had the privilege of using. The colours are vibrant and there's no problem with the contrast. VESA-certified DisplayHDR True Black 400 meant that the full range from blacks to whites was beautifully displayed.

I was a little disappointed by the 250 nits of brightness. I would have expected nearer to 400 nits for this price. The higher level would have made the monitor much more usable in bright environments.

If you're keen on a curved gaming monitor with the latest QD OLED technology, then the AG346UCD is well worth consideration.

Price

The AGON PRO AG346UCD is currently available at an MSRP of £669.99 / $649.99. This isn't the most affordable monitor but you do get what you pay for. The QD OLED technology and almost 4K resolution make it one of the best gaming monitors around at the moment.

If you like the idea of a curved monitor but are not happy about spending so much money, then you could opt for the Philips Evnia 34M2C5501A monitor, which is priced at £299.99. There are also 27-inch (27M2C5501) and 32-inch (32M2C5501).

Buy it if

You like curved monitors
You want a QD - OLED display
You need a high-resolution screen

Don't buy it if

You're on a budget
You're not a gamer

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/tech/monitors/agon-pro-ag346ucd-review-an-immersive-ultrawide-qd-oled-display 2cfpBdbvASVn9rQwgamaN7 Sun, 29 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The biggest AI art controversies of 2024 ]]> AI art continued to make headlines in 2024. AI image generators have become mainstream despite a lack of clarity over copyright and other legal issues and sometimes fierce public backlash. Now even people who made AI art are complaining about their work being stolen, and the rise of the AI bot artist has people wondering if we need humans at all.

As we reach the end of the year, it's time to look back at some of the key moments in AI art in 2024, from the good to the bad and the just plain ugly. For more on the topic, see our history of AI art.

Brands get pilloried for using AI art

Skechers ad — If Skechers' quality control was so low for this ad in Vogue, what does that say about its shoes? (Image credit: Skechers)

AI image generators may have become mainstream, but that doesn't mean people welcome AI art. During 2024, we saw brands as varied as Lego to Skechers, Netflix, Anthropologie and Transport for Ireland face fierce backlashes online as a result. Sometimes AI art is used for practical reasons (we spoke to Paula Scher about Pentagram's controversial use of Midjourney to create AI imagery for the US Federal Government's performance tracking website), but sometimes is smacks of laziness (and cheapness).

Some brands may think there's no such thing as bad publicity, and some may even have used AI art to intentionally cause controversy and get attention, but it's a risky strategy when customers say they're going to stop buying your products. And it's surprising how some brands seem to have lowered their standards: companies that would demand multiple rounds of retouching from human artists seem to be deciding that any AI-generated mess is good enough, which risks cheapening the image of the brand.

One of the most striking examples was Coca-Cola's AI Christmas ad. One of the first uses of AI video by a big brand, it risked losing the valuable brand equity of the iconic Holidays are Coming ad while contradicting the brand tagline of 'Real Magic'. The launch of Coca-Coola merchandise by Alex Morris, senior creative at Very Serious Partners, cheekily points out the extent of the brand self-sabotage.

Artist complains people are stealing his AI art

A piece of art created by an AI art generator that won the Colorado State Fair art competition — (Image credit: Jason Allen / AI-generated via Midjourney)

One of the reasons AI image generators are so controversial is because many were trained on human artists' work without consent or compensation. Now the users of AI image generators are having to contend with the fact that they can't copyright the images such generators produce – even if they win an art competition.

Jason Allen won a fine art competition at the Colorado State Fair back in 2022 when the judges didn't realise he had used Midjourney to create his Théâtre D’opéra. But the US Copyright Office rejected his application for the image since it lacks “human authorship". Allen has launched an appeal, claiming that the piece required 110 hours of human work and that unauthorised use of his artwork has resulted in him losing “several million dollars” because of people "stealing" his work.

It's another reason why using AI image generators for finished assets is so risky for brands: they could be opening a free-for-all on their own assets.

The AI artist Botto rakes in $351,600 at Sotheby's

AI art generated by the autonomous AI artist Botto — Reverie by Botto, an AI bot whose work has fetched large sums at auction houses (Image credit: AI-generated by Botto)

AI image generators raised fears that human artists could be replaced by "prompt engineers", but we might not need the latter either. Botto is a fully autonomous 'AI artist' who has now raked in more than $4 million in sales at auction houses, including $351,600 in AI art sales at Sotheby's in October.

Conceived by the German artist Mario Klingemann and software collective ElevenYellow, Botto generates images based on its own ideas without human prompting, but a 15,000-member community called BottoDao decides which of its thousands of outputs to mint as NFTs each week, and their decisions help shape's the AI's own artistic taste.

Tesla rips off Blade Runner

An image that looks like an AI-generated image of Blade Runner 2049 — Musk tried to convince us that this isn't what he wants the future to look like (Image credit: Tesla, allegedly AI-generated )

Elon Musk went all anti-AI for a while when other companies were steaming ahead, but that changed after he launched xAI and started to play catch up. That flip involved some typical Musk impetuousness. When Alcon refused to let him use imagery from Blade Runner 2049 for the Tesla Robotaxi reveal, Musk had Grok mock up some blatant copycat AI art instead. Tesla's now being sued for copyright infringement.

Gamers don't like AI art either

An alleged AI-generated image in Call of Duty Black Ops 6 — All we wanted for Christmas was not to see an AI-generated zombie Santa (Image credit: Activision)

It turns out that gamers aren't fans of AI art either. After the appearance of an AI-looking zombie Santa in the Call of Duty Black Ops 6, fans uncovered all manner of potentially AI-generated content in the game. Activision – and Steam – have remained silent on the matter, but the reviews are full of criticism of the allegedly AI content.

Meanwhile, gamers blasted Netfix's decision to create an AI game development studio two weeks after closing its AAA gaming studio Team Blue and laying off human developers.Mike Verdu, formerly vice president of Netflix Games and now vice president of genAI for games says he will be "driving a 'once in a generation' inflection point for game development and player experiences using generative AI."

AI Art Magazine

Finally, December saw the launch of AI Art Magazine, a twice yearly print title intended to provide a "vital chronicle of this transformative moment in art history". It features AI art chosen by a jury comprising 10 humans and an AI-generated bot called Xiaomi. The magazine aims to adopt a serious approach to AI art, but we found it hard not to think that it may be a parody after Xiaomi chose 'Girl in a Pizza Dress' as her favourite work.

The good side of AI art

A projection of AI art at the V&A Museum in London (Image credit: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments)

Of course, the term 'AI art' can be very broad, and it isn't all controversy and derivative pastiches knocked up on AI image generators. In the broadest sense, AI art can be defined as any art made using the assistance of machine learning algorithms, and lots of interesting work has been made using AI as a tool rather than as an artist.

We liked Ouchhh Studio's use of "data as a paint and algorithm as a brush" for its projected work for the National Lottery at V&A South Kensington. The studio used a cognitive headset to capture the brain waves of seven key cultural figure and fed them through an AI algorithm to create a living canvas for the V&A’s Exhibition Road Courtyard.

AI also helped create some of the best movie VFX of 2024. Meanwhile, efforts have been made to create AI image generators that collaborate with artists rather than steal from them. Tess aims to copy and replicate the style of collaborating artists and pays them royalties when their style is used.

A big test of how much the public is interested in AI art will be the first AI art museum. With a prime location beside Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art and The Broad, Dataland is expected to open in late 2025.

For more on the latest developments in the tech behind AI art, see the launch of Midjourney Patchwork. We also have a roundup of AI art tutorials.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/ai/ai-art/the-biggest-ai-art-controversies-of-2024 2amNcMsxiWVxeXWtHsGSd8 Sat, 28 Dec 2024 13:27:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ Making GIMP 3.0 work for pro results: is it possible? ]]> I’ve been a pro image-maker in the NYC advertising market since 1990, the same year Photoshop was released. And I had been on Photoshop’s beta development team since the year before. So what I look for in a photo-editing application may be a bit more demanding than most (find whatever you need in this list of best photo editing software).

If you read my recent GIMP 3.0 review here, then you will know two things. The first is that I had every reason to want to love it. And the second is that sadly, I did not love it. My many biases in its favor, notwithstanding.

It’s many defenders say it’s toolset is fine. To which I’ve replied, “You clearly have never had the Mercedes-Benz account team breathing down your neck waiting for an image to be finished”. Professional work and deadlines are simply more demanding than hobbies.

But as I have decided it was time for me to move from Windows and Adobe, to Linux and open-source, making GIMP work for my professional needs is one of my challenges.

So the question I will ask here is this: Using GIMP, can I get my work done by 6pm? Or at all? Let’s look at a few basic editing tasks and see how we can accomplish them in GIMP. For new kit see this list of the best laptops for photo editing.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For this round I’m using GIMP 3.0 “Release Candidate 1”. Essentially a late stage beta. And I’m using the Windows version. I expect that the Linux version may be a bit more polished, and we will look at that in following articles.

Object Selection & Masking

Whether I shot the photos or someone else did, there’s hardly an image that I work on that doesn’t start with isolating and masking various items in the scene. So having good masking tools is imperative.

The standard-bearer, Photoshop has many ways to do this, including the more recent “Select Subject” button that automates the entire process. I believe it uses AI and offloads some of the work to the cloud. While GIMP has neither any native AI, nor cloud supported functions, it can still get the job done quite well. Let’s look at a few ways to do this.

SELECT BY COLOR

We have had the “Magic Wand” in many programs for decades. Here it is called the “Fuzzy Select” tool. It sits just to the left of the “Select by Color” tool that while largely similar offers one extra function. Fuzzy only selects colors or tones that are within the “Threshold” level set, and that are also CONTIGUOUS. Meaning next to one another. So in our example, the space within the model’s arm-on-hip would not be selected. With Select by Color, that area would also be included. So clearly By Color will do a better job with the delicate hair.

Selection tools — The "Fuzzy" magic wand tool, left. And the Select by Color tool, right. Note the very similar controls between the two. (Image credit: grab)

What doesn’t seem to work, at least on the Windows version, is the ability with either tool to drag-select a range of colors. This is usually done while holding the Shift key. Instead, while holding the Shift key I had to just keep clicking various colors one by one. Less elegant, but only added a few seconds of additional work.

GIMP by color-mask — Select by Colors was able to acceptably isolate the model in this image. Once selected, right-click to save mask. Note the Invert toggle checked. (Image credit: marin/pexels)

Select by Color is quite similar to the one in PS, with similar controls. But with one huge bonus: Rather than being pulled into a tiny pop-up window, GIMP keeps us in the main work space, which is much nicer and easier.

FOREGROUND SELECT TOOL

While the previous two tools are fully capable of giving us what we need, this Foreground Select tool begins to add some magic sauce. The process is simple, but it has a few gotchas.

Using the tool is a two-step process that starts by using a lasso-like tool, and then a brush-like tool. Following the instruction prompts at the bottom of the canvas, it says to “Roughly outline the object to extract”. Once accomplished, we hit ENTER/RETURN to accept, then a brush-like tool appears and we very roughly “paint” over the actual item we want selected. A final ENTER tells GIMP to calculate the results.

Foreground selection in process — Here is the Foreground tool while in process. (Image credit: marin/pexels)

Not only is this relatively simple and fast, it actually gives us a great deal more control than PS’s automated Select Subject tool. The major advantage that Foreground Select has over the previous tools is that it is not just color or tone based. So it can be used across busy backgrounds.

The Gotchas: If you miss-draw, you can refine your selections. But this added process tends to confuse GIMP a bit and you may be better off just starting anew. Remember, both steps only require very rough selections. So yes, you can do this after returning from the pub!

Mainly, just make sure that neither selection crosses over the intended mask line. Keep the lasso line fully outside the subject, and the painting selection fully inside it.

The other gotcha is that when using the default Engine selection called “Matting Levin”, the final selection calculations can get weird if any of your outlining went off of the canvas. This can be easily resolved by either extending the canvas, or switching engines to the “Matting Global” option.

The last note is that each time we hit the ENTER key, GIMP needs to start calculating. There is no display letting us know it is doing this, though I could hear my CPU fans engage. So don’t muck things up by trying to do anything while it is processing. A progress bar would be a logical addition.

Refining the mask — We can refine the selections (left) by using the Levels controls to contract the transparency (right). (Image credit: screen grab)

BONUS: Selection Refinement

Some have complained that masking tools, even in PS, are never good enough, and that they need PS’s REFINE MASK tools. I say poppycock! After your selection is generated with any of these tools, you will naturally create a Layer Mask: Right-click on that layer and choose ADD LAYER MASKS...

Click on the new mask icon to activate it. Then bring up the Levels dialog and drag the INPUT BLACK control (top left triangle) to the right until the image mask has “tightened up” to your liking.

check masking — EXTRA BONUS: Dropping a bright complimentary color behind your masked image helps to evaluate the mask. Dragging the BURN tool across the hair fringe in the mask channel will clean that up fast. (Image credit: marin/pexels)

Generating new content

Long before AI, Photoshop’s Content Aware Fill had a major impact on how retouching and image creation got done. Simply select an area of your image, for example a car that unfortunately crossed the camera’s view just as the shutter snapped. Select Content Aware and poof, the car is removed from the scene.

The Resynthesizer dialog box. — The open source Resynthesizer plugin adds content aware functionality. A updated version for GIMP 3.0 is in the works. (Image credit: screen grab)

What few PS users know was that GIMP, through third-party open source developers, already had a plugin called Resynthesizer that offered that ability a number of years earlier. So GIMP 3.0 has that ability, right?

Yes and no. That plugin has not been fully updated for the new version of GIMP. At least not yet, but I can tell you they are working on it. So in a pinch you can install one of the 2.0 versions of GIMP and install that plugin. So yes, this too is a fully pro-level production tool that gets the job done!

Also note that if an area isn’t too large, other tools like the HEALING brush can be used. Which leads us right into...

Retouching

Today almost anything someone does in an image editor is called “retouching”. But traditionally, retouching was the term used for the more delicate work, like facial corrections, and making products look absolutely perfect. The large changes to an image are often called photo-comping or special effect retouching.

Needing to clean up and perfect an image has been around since photography began. And GIMP has a number of great options that include the Paint brush, the Air brush, and the Clone and Healing tools. I expect most readers know these tools well, so I will only discuss a few details and refinements.

Just like the Fuzzy and Color select tools above, the Clone and Healing tools are also kissing cousins. The difference simply being that while the Clone tool does a direct copy, the Healing tool has smart algorithms to better merge the new material with the content it will overlay. Making it the better option for most retouching work.

retouching — A few minutes with the Healing tool and both cheek and lips have been cleaned up. (Image credit: pexels-anna-nekrashevich)

But there are two things to be aware of. One is that it is not quite as smart as the Healing tools in PS or in Krita, and that this incarnation requires one more step than they do. It operates much like the Clone in that you first have to click-sample a nearby area to tell GIMP what you wish to use for the source of the new content.

So while slightly more rudimentary, it will get the job done without much issue. And again, this actually gives us more control than something that is totally automated.

Where GIMP fails

Thus far GIMP has failed really well, don’t you think? All kinds of selections, auto fill-in (coming soon to v3), and pro-level retouching. But there are some real danger zones to be aware of.

Distortions

One of the things that has long been impressive with GIMP has been the wide range of distortion tools it has: Perspective, 3D Transform, Handle Transform, Warp and Cage Transform tools. The problem is how long most of them can take to create the effect. Sometimes it goes into the minutes. This is because GIMP does not implement GPU acceleration.

cage distortion — If you do much distortion in GIMP, you will be looking at these progress clocks for a long time. (Image credit: peng/pexels)

PRODUCTION TIP: With today’s high megapixel cameras, we often have images that are far larger than we need. Rasterizing your image down as far as you can before starting any distortions will speed the process.

Channels

Most of us are familiar with the CHANNELS Panel in other applications like PS. These are usually displayed as gray-scale images. This is because they are most helpful that way as we only use them for their tonal values.

But for some reason GIMP only supports displaying these channels in their respective colors. The red channel displays with a heavy red overlay, etc. This makes proper evaluation impossible, and the channels pointless and a major fail. There are a number of convoluted work-arounds. But the most direct option is to make duplicates of the R,G and B channels by dragging each to create either a new layer, or a new alpha channel, either of which can be viewed in grayscale. After modification, copy and past them back in place.

In truth, this work-around stinks, as we often need to be viewing the impact of our alterations in real-time. How the developers of GIMP do not understand this is beyond me.

Such channel operations, which used to be commonly referred to a CHOPS, can be super-important in image manipulations. So when needing such control we might be better off going round-trip to Krita or PS. They both have functional channel display.

Floating Layers

While GIMP has a duplicate layer command (Control-Shift-D), it doesn’t quite have a Duplicate SELECTION command like the Control-Shift-J found in PS.

GIMP’s “Cut and Float” option is almost the same thing, with the keyboard Control-Shift-L. This command results with the selection duplicated onto a “floating”, i.e. temporary, layer.

Floating Layer — Control-Shift-L turns your current selection into an invisible floating layer. Why invisible? We can't figure it out. (Image credit: screen grab)

This could be fine, but here are some of the oddities with the way GIMP does it:

It is invisible. Right, the selected pixels we just copied and lifted into a temp layer are not displayed. And I could not find a way to have it displayed.
In order to actually do anything with the copied content you then have to press the “Create new layer” button at the bottom of the Layers panel. At that point the selection becomes visible and on its own new layer.

I am at a total loss to understand why they break this into two steps. How would temporary, invisible, floating content be of any use to us? I do not know.

Alternatively we can simply use the standard two-step of COPY (Control-C) or CUT (Control-X), and then PASTE (Control-V) and bypass all of that invisible layer silliness.

Still evolving non-destructive editing (NDE)

This is the hottest point of contention for the developers and users of GIMP. More NDE controls are included in v3, and still more are planned for v3.2 (which has no deadline, and we would never believe them if they gave us a date).

PRODUCTION TIP: This omission means we have to work in ways I used to work in PS many years ago. Mostly it means saving more back-up layers, in case you need to go back to a previous incarnation of content. I simply used to put back-up layers in a folder at the bottom of the Layers panel and leave them invisible. Thankfully we all have plenty of computer memory today.

Windows Open/Save Issues

I haven’t tested this on other platforms, and keep in mind we are working with a late beta. But on Windows the open and save dialogs have glaring omissions. When opening there is no way to control how the contents of a directory are displayed. It defaults to the “Details” view, with no way to display thumbnails and see the images at the same time (Preview allows one at a time). There is also no directory path option or associated controls. I need to click on the drives displayed on the left side and navigate from there.

Open dialog missing — GIMP's open dialog on Windows is missing key functionality. (Image credit: screen grab)

THE BOTTOM LINE

So, can you get done by 6pm if using GIMP as your image editor of choice? "Sometimes”. Different projects have varying needs. If you know going in that you will be needing distortion tools, I’d look at Krita or PS.

As for the missing NDE tools, PS only got those in 2005. I got my work done before that, so this too can work. GIMP’s biggest drawbacks are its multitude of interface kludges, not its toolset.

Summary: You can definitely expect to catch up with your mates by 7 or 8pm, if not by 6!

To compare other image editing software, see my Krita vs Photoshop comparison piece. And if you're set on Adobe, see the best laptops for Photoshop.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/art/digital-art/making-gimp-3-0-work-for-pro-results-is-it-possible S6Xwpi3g7tpsGZFNatXnAA Sat, 28 Dec 2024 13:00:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ This 3D artist’s render, inspired by videogame Dying Light, isn’t just beautiful – it shows a crossbow as it could work in real life ]]> Oleksandr Vasylenko is a 3D artist from Chernivtsi, Ukraine. His piece PK Crossbow is a lavishly detailed render based on a concept by Marek Kaplita. He used Blender and ZBrush for modelling, with Unreal Engine handling the render. Substance 3D Painter also played a key role.

If you're inspired by Oleksandr’s artwork, take a look at our collection of the best ZBrush tutorials to help refine your 3D skills. Looking to upgrade your creative kit? Check out our guide to the best laptops for 3D modelling.

Oleksandr Vasylenko 3D art of the week — Oleksandr took care to ensure that each component was modelled to function in a realistic way – nothing here is just for show (Image credit: Oleksandr Vasylenko)

Oleksandr says: I was inspired to create this work after playing Dying Light 2: Stay Human and seeing a post by Marek Kaplita on ArtStation, which led me to make my own version of a crossbow. Studying the crossbow and understanding how it works and how to improve its details was the most engaging part.

The main challenge was to maintain the original design while adding something new. After making the model in Blender, I moved on to the equally fascinating process of creating high-poly details and sculpting.

The Dying Light setting implies an apocalypse, so depicting material wear and detail interaction was crucial. Working on this project was incredibly interesting and educational.

Check out Oleksandr’s ArtStation.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/this-3d-artists-render-inspired-by-videogame-dying-light-isnt-just-beautiful-it-shows-a-crossbow-as-it-could-work-in-real-life fYqkFwfT8es7uVNiuoGYoL Sat, 28 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ My New Year's resolution is to get better at digital crafting – and here’s my plan ]]> As we enter the new year, a lot of us are probably thinking about what big things we might hope to achieve in 2025. Whether that’s more achievable tasks like signing up for the gym, reading more books, or for creatives – planning larger and more intense projects that leave us feeling fulfilled.

For me personally, I’m hoping to expand my skills in 3D printing and modelling by mastering resin printing for the first time, as well as learning some new digital crafting skills by investing in a Cricut machine to help with wedding DIY.

Travel is a luxury that I never thought I could afford (or feel confident enough to do solo), but I have been offered some incredible opportunities over the last year that I would love to continue in 2025. I also plan to start scrapbooking properly in the new year, creating keepsakes of my travels and instant photography prints.

Printing with resin

3D printed Pokemon — 3D printed pokemon using my Anycubic Kobra 2 (Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

The first thing I’m excited to learn in 2025 is how to 3D print using liquid resin materials as opposed to the filament-based FDM 3D printer that I’m used to. I’ve been getting more confident with 3D printing lately which is a skill I’ve only been learning for a year, but I want to up my game and try printing with resin (which I’m told is a much more difficult but very rewarding process) for the first time.

This desire was brought about by seeing just how detailed models printed using resin can be, without the infuriating errors such as stringing and layer lines to worry about. I also recently wrote about the ELEGOO With Her program which is very encouraging and has piqued my interest in the potential of 3D printing beyond plastic spools. But, before I get too carried away – I’ve done my research in advance and learned that with a different method of printing comes a new array of obstacles, and resin printing can be pretty toxic if you don’t know how to use it safely.

Thankfully, not only have I got an air purifier, and a dedicated station for washing and curing the prints on the way, but I’m also in the process of converting my garage into my own little workstation (my fiancé has his drum kit and other tools taking up most of the space) to ensure that there is correct ventilation and its safely stored away for whenever my niece and nephew come to visit. I plan to keep you all updated on my resin printing journey along the way, but for now, wish me luck.

My new year's resolution is to get into scrapbooking (Image credit: Beth Nicholls)

Learning to use Cricut machines

I'm getting married in 2026, and I'm quickly realising just how expensive wedding stationery can be. With this in mind, and with plenty of time ahead of me, I thought why not learn how to create some of these things myself?

Some of the best Cricut machines are very beginner-friendly, and I've already been excitedly watching plenty of tutorials on TikTok to learn how to make my own stickers, name decals, and welcome signs using this clever craft machine.

The real question is which one should I buy? I spotted an incredible deal (which is still live at the time of writing) on the Cricut Explore Air 2 over at Amazon, and from what I've read, I think this is a great Cricut machine for a beginner like myself to start off with, especially given the affordable price too.

If things go according to plan, I hope to be sharing some Cricut tutorials with you all in the new year over on our Creative Bloq TikTok channel, so head over there and give us a follow (pretty please) to stay in the loop.

If you're also interested in learning a new craft for 2025, take a look a the deals I've rounded up below on popular printers, Cricut machines, and some of the best laser cutters and engravers too.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/my-new-years-resolution-is-to-get-better-at-digital-crafting-and-heres-my-plan SaWMkUcsyKRyMm5ghqHHD7 Sat, 28 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to make a realistic jelly material in Blender ]]> This short project is a real sweet treat, as I’m going to show you how to prepare a realistic jelly material in Blender – you’ll have to provide the strawberries and cream yourself, though! This is a relatively straightforward procedural recipe, and can be done in three quick minutes.

Before we get into this, make sure the render engine in Blender is set to Cycles in order to get more realistic lighting compared with EEVEE (then see the best Blender tutorials).

Expert tip: Get more reflections

To make your jelly even more interesting, you can use a Glass BSDF shader. Mix it with the main material we’ve already created, set the Roughness to 0.115, and adjust the Mix shader to 0.500. This will give your jelly an even more appealing look.

Begin by adding a circle and editing the vertices to make it a jelly shape.

Now we want to apply a new material to the model. Give it a suitable name – following a methodology for material names is always a great idea – and then enable the Use Node option in the Shader panel. To make our jelly just right, we’ll need the following nodes: Fresnel, Voronoi Texture, Color Ramp, Normal Map, Translucent and Add Shader, with the default Principled BSDF too.

Start with the Fresnel node, which needs an IOR value of 1.500, and must be connected to the Color Ramp. Give the Color Ramp a shade of red and then link it to the Translucent node, and the Base Color of the Principled BSDF. Next hook the Voronoi Texture to the Normal Map, which then connects to the Normal input of the Principled BSDF. For the parameters of these elements, set the Voronoi Scale to 300.000 and Details to 1.000, with the Strength of the Normal Map at 0.050. This will add a soft, realistic surface texture to make our jelly look extra tasty.

The final connection is linking the Principled BSDF to the Translucent by using the Add Shader, which then links to the Material Output. Set the Metallic of the Principled BSDF to 0.500 for depth and better reflections, the Roughness to 0.025 and the Transmission and the Coat to 1.000. Lastly, the Sheen should be 0.500. These are my recommendations, but feel free to have fun experimenting with different parameters.

Need new kit? See the best laptops for 3D modelling (and other 3D modelling software options).

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-to-make-a-realistic-jelly-material-in-blender aLVtbFvPyeuBAVzJn8RjXJ Sat, 28 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Is it wrong that I want to buy this canned air from Lake Como? ]]> While the festive period typically has me praying for a white Christmas, the new year has me yearning for the warmer months. Sadly, it'll be a while until the summer holiday season is upon us, but I may have just found the next best thing to get me through the bleak winter – Lake Como Air.

While admittedly it's a unique concept (to say the least), the suave packaging design carries that luxurious quality that's signature to the Lake Como experience. Whether you're down with the novelty, or flabbergasted that they'd have the gall to even create such a product, it's certainly a step up from typical tourist souvenirs.

Lake Como Air packaging — (Image credit: Lake Como Air)

Created by ItalyComunica, the simple yet classy design features a simple illustration of a boat cutting through the deep blue waters of the lake. The clean yet classy serif typography brings a sense of elevation to the overall design, while the unfussy can packaging gives it a minimalist appeal.

According to the product's website, it's "perfect for those who wish to rediscover the peace and elegance of this heavenly corner, sealed in a tin," suggesting that you open the can "whenever you need a moment of escape, tranquillity, or simply beauty." It only retails for a humble €9.90 ($11) but I'm saddened to report the product is only available from tourist shops in Lake Como – bonus points for exclusivity, I guess.

Lake Como Air ingredients — (Image credit: Lake Como Air)

For more packaging design inspiration check out this adorable tomato packaging that puts a delightful dose of playfulness into sustainable design. If you're after more creative inspiration, check out the 5 packaging design trends to watch in 2025.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/design/packaging-design/is-it-wrong-that-i-want-to-buy-this-canned-air-from-lake-como TqTxQXsYadnmLAnD9LjRMf Sat, 28 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The hottest typography trends to watch in 2025 ]]> As AI and digital tools develop, transforming many elements of design, the battle for balance between innovation and tradition, the tech-driven and the nostalgic. However typographers choose to combine these elements – or not – many of this year’s entries underscore human-centred processes, techniques and mindsets, from creating bespoke or highly decorative type to developing an anti-establishment aesthetic.

So let's jump in – here, in no particular order, typographers, designers and other industry experts highlight the typography trends to watch in 2025. To see how things have developed since this time last year, check out the type trend predictions for 2024.

01. Anti-minimalist

(Image credit: Burra by Creative Media Lab)

“The impending typography landscape of 2025 signals a decisive shift away from minimalism’s long-standing dominance, with momentum building toward a fascinating resurrection of 1960s psychedelic aesthetics,” says Raymond Larabie , founder of type foundry Typodermic Fonts. “Rejection of minimalist design principles has transcended mere irritation to become a powerful countermovement, particularly evident in the widespread criticism of recent corporate rebrands that feel out-of-step.”

“As this anti-minimalist fury gains traction, I’m predicting renewed interest in the ornate complexity of Edwardian and Victorian typefaces. However, while the world has already worn out certain aspects of 1960s design (notably Art Nouveau and relaxed serif styles) there remains a wealth of unexplored territory from this era ripe for rediscovery.” Raymond highlights underutilised design elements such as narrow inverse slab serifs, exemplified by typefaces like Playbill, popular in the ‘flower-power’ era; and Milton Glaser’s innovative interpretation of art deco principles.

“Perhaps most intriguing are the non-traditional, experimental letterforms from the period that diverged from the more commonly referenced Art Nouveau style designs that haven’t seen significant revival since the late 1990s and are primed for a sophisticated reexamination and reinvention through a modern lens.”

02. Nuanced Nouveau

The appeal of antique was high on our list for type trends in 2024, with late-19th century decorative grandeur influencing a turn away from sans serif types that had been dominating branding. And It’s a trend that looks set to develop throughout 2025.

“While 2024 was dominated by a resurgence of Art Nouveau-inspired typefaces, I don’t think we’re ready to move on just yet. Instead, I see this trend evolving into more subtle and sophisticated interpretations in 2025,” says lettering artist and type designer Jamie Clarke. “These nuanced designs may begin to influence other genres, including sans serifs and styles that have largely remained unaffected so far, blending the organic charm of Art Nouveau with modern sensibilities.”

03. Experimental

(Image credit: Typefesse by Océane Juvin )

“I suspect that there will be many more sans-serif publications in 2025. Sans-serifs are here to stay, and I’m excited to see the new developments. On the other hand, I expect to see very experimental and playful type designs that will find more and more relevance in branding,” says Julien Fincker of Fincker Font Cuisine.

Dina Benbrahim, multi-disciplinary creative and founder of experimental design programme Hello Departures, also predicts a rise in unconventional, exploratory and subversive typography.

“I’ve observed that more and more experimental display typefaces pop up to challenge the traditional norms of ‘good design’ and embed a political dimension to typeface design,” she says. “My favourite go-to to find open source expressive typefaces are at Velvetyne and Badass Libre Fonts by Womxn. I think we will definitely see more of this in 2025 as typeface design is getting more democratised with online programmes like Type Electives and Practica Program.”

04. Bespoke

(Image credit: Jinki Poster for JiK’iZiNTO, by Justin Poulter)

Making a re-entry for 2025, custom fonts are continuing to make an impact. Typographer Justin Poulter says it remains a great move for any brands looking to stand out. “Bespoke display fonts with interchangeable styles are a great way to inject personality into a brand,” he says. “This can be achieved by either using an existing typeface that has letter variations or editing a typeface to introduce unique and playful characteristics.”

One example is a recent project for South African youth brand JiK’iZiNTO, an offshoot of Girl Effect. “Each typeface was hand drawn to ensure the lettering retained a tactile feel to each character,” says Justin. “‘Jiki Poster’ was created in both a bold and narrow weight with alternate characters added in to allow for unique combinations and enhanced personality. The typefaces were designed to be interchanged mid-sentence, to give a sense of disruption and character to the messaging and reflect the brand’s positive and bold nature.”

05. The human touch

“We’re expecting to see answers to the widespread adoption of AI as designers search for typography that feels humane, earnest and emotive” says Danielle LaRoy and Jessica Strelioff, founders of brand studio Goodside Studio. “We’d be particularly excited to see hand-drawn typography on our screens with perfectly imperfect, almost-nostalgic feeling features.”

“Crafting is having a positive resurgence. Analogue and organic typography is a reaction against AI-generated visuals – designers long for a more handmade aesthetic,” says Abigail Baldwin, director at design agency Buttercrumble, who points to Romie, a new calligraphy-inspired font created by Margot Lévêque. “It has a humanist and elegant feeling that contrasts with computer terminal fonts.”

Given that AI was such a predominant topic in 2024, including in design, although the future might be uncertain, it’s time for rebalancing digital and analogue techniques. “The development of AI is progressing rapidly, so it is hard to predict what we will be facing in 2025,” says Julian. “The important thing is not to be overrun by developments, to pause sometimes and to keep the progress human-centred. This is the responsibility we all have to face.”

06. Skeuomorphism

(Image credit: Crystal Type by Rozi Zhu)

This next entry uses visual cues to imitate or infer familiar real-world objects and materials, and is part of the anti-flat design trend that looks set to grow in popularity in 2025. Elements such as texture, depth and shadow, can be used to communicate emotion, incite intrigue or create a fantasy.

“We think skeuomorphism could make a big comeback this year as design trends swing away from flat design,” Danielle and Jessica say. “Bring on the dimensional, the grabable, and the tactile!”

(Image credit: Raffaele Micillo's Tactile Alphabet)

07. Lo-fi

(Image credit: Telefax TM by Type Mania)

Anti-fashion and anti-design, this next trend took hold in 2024 and is expected to further impact design and typography in 2025. Techniques such as deliberate “ugliness”, distortion, excess, clashing colours and seemingly random elements all aim to directly challenge the idea that design must be conventionally attractive to be impactful. It’s a flaws-and-all, divisive trend that often hopes to resonate authenticity.

“I’d predict stretching type in a lo-fi way, à la ‘brat’ (for better or worse), is something we’ll see more of,” says Cody Fenske, associate creative director of VSA Partners. “Punk aesthetics typically get co-opted by the big dogs, and you could argue that because Charli XCX is mainstream, it already has been.”

Upping the ante on the brat aesthetic, David Kerkhoff of Hanoded Fonts foresees a “Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde trend”, which, alongside an increased interest in clean, futuristic fonts, will bring a “run for whacky, anti-establishment designs”.

08. Super-rounded

Jaguar's 2024 rebrand — (Image credit: Jaguar)

If David is right, what are these futuristic new fonts likely to bring in 2025? Abigail point to the recent Jaguar rebrand as a prime example, thanks to its super-rounded, clean font. The design team switched out its former squared all-cap type for this lowercase design, bar the ‘G’. With an emphasis on symmetry and the mirrored ‘j’ and ‘r’ also appearing in its new monogram, its a “complete reset” the company says, to mark its move into electric-only vehicles.

“Jaguar’s rebrand has been big news. Their rounded, geometric logotype is perfectly engineered and futuristic,” says Abigail. “Rounded fonts are soft and gentle, conveying a greener and better future for the planet.”

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/design/fonts-typography/the-hottest-typography-trends-to-watch-in-2025 RiJyfbsnoYopXBdBu6kfqa Sat, 28 Dec 2024 09:09:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ Two years on, X's blue ticks are still causing chaos ]]> Two years ago, Elon Musk launched 'Twitter Blue' with a ghastly logo design and a promise to end Twitter’s "lords & peasants system" by offering blue checkmarks to anyone prepared to pay $8 a month. Coming before the rebrand to X, the move almost killed the platform, and things haven't got much better (see our pick of the best X alternatives if you're wondering where to go).

With so many parody accounts buying 'verified' status, Twitter had to add first grey and then gold checkmarks. The result was a system of lords, peasants, and peasants who paid to not look like peasants but whose shiny blue tick was now worthless. Two years on, things are no less chaotic, with some paying peasants now complaining that their paid-for blue checkmarks are being taken away.

Screenshot of the Twitter Blue profile

That wild Twitter Blue logo (Image credit: Twitter)

Twitter Blue is no more, since it's been replaced with X Premium, which has been trying to promote itself as the ideal Christmas gift (perhaps for someone you really hate). But it seems that paying for a blue tick doesn't mean it's yours to keep.

There's been a spate of complaints from people saying they had their checkmarks removed or placed 'under review' despite paying for X Premium. Some are claiming that it's an attempt by Musk to stifle criticism or the expression of political views that he disagrees with, but strangely many of the people complaining are as extreme right as Musk if not more so.

Because @X keeps changing the rules of verification and payment by breaching a Contract.The famous and horrifying "fine print", allows them to have a kind of extortion since only likes from verified accounts count now. It would be good if they do not make changes while the…December 27, 2024

People pay for verified blue checks.They post free speech. Elon disagrees. And he’s an entitled billionaire.Elon removes their PAID for verification without pause.Sounds like a lawsuit. Class action. pic.twitter.com/T2UVJxVvDvDecember 27, 2024

It seems the mass blue tick outage may have a more mundane explanation related to payment complications involving ConservativeOG, to which many of the people complaining are linked. But Musk has caused even more controversy by revealing that verified users have the power to lower the reach of other users' accounts by muting them. So much for an end to "lords and peasants".

THIS IS CALLED CENSORSHIP! Thanks for letting us know that the "elite" users have control over our accounts. Is this what Premium and Premium+ subscribers are paying for? So if a smaller account is growing and that threatens their ad revenue, then the bigger accounts can…December 27, 2024

The latest controversy shows why advertisers won't touch X. The platform has become so unreliable and prone to random chaos.

In the meantime, Tesla has launched a flying Cybertruck... kind of.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/design/branding/two-years-on-x-blue-checkmarks-are-still-causing-chaos x3ptCAVhrLcwANYUUyHRs4 Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:36:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to master materials in KeyShot ]]> One of the best things about KeyShot is its ability to create and render realistic materials. When paired with beautiful lighting, product visualisations take on a whole new level of believability. When it comes to materials, KeyShot isn’t quite as advanced as some other rendering packages, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still able to create some killer materials (for more options see our list of the best 3D modelling software).

KeyShot offers over 850 premade real-world materials, all of which can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. I usually like to pick a material off the shelf as a starting point, then make small changes as required along the way.

The addition of the KeyShot Cloud library opens up an incredible wealth of materials that can be directly added into your scene. The beauty of this library is that it’s constantly being added to, so you can rest assured that, over time, KeyShot is becoming increasingly well supplied with a wider range of materials (perfect for use with one of the best laptops for 3D modelling).

Expert tip: Material Graph

Working with materials in KeyShot — (Image credit: Paul Hatton)

Every material also has a node graph, which visually represents the composition of the material. The node tree can be used to further adjust the properties of your materials in a way that simply isn’t possible when you use the standard material-editing tools alone.

Before we get into the technique, make sure your 3D model is set up to get the most out of KeyShot and ensure as smooth a workflow as possible. When it comes to a material workflow, the main thing to consider is the components that make up your model. If you have thousands of individual pieces, it could become quite unwieldy when adding materials in KeyShot.

The best thing to do is find a way to make applying materials to multiple components as quick as possible. There are a number of ways you can do this, including joining components together into the same mesh, grouping components by material, or using the Link Materials functionality. Whatever route you go down, you’ll be glad you did, because otherwise you’ll be dragging and dropping materials forevermore.

Now that your model is ready to go, you’ll need to import it into KeyShot. This can be done by heading to File>Import. Alternatively, you could use a model from the KeyShot Cloud library to get you started quickly. For our example, we’ve downloaded a Lego-style truck that was created by Luxion. The model already has materials applied, but we can adjust some and refine others...

01. Use the Materials panel

It may already be open on the left-hand side of the KeyShot interface, but if not you can open up the Materials panel by pressing H. This includes a full library of various materials from plastics to metals and glass to stone. Applying these to parts of your model is as simple as dragging and dropping them either into the viewport or into the Scene panel object hierarchy.

02. Copy and paste materials

One of my favourite features is the Copy and Paste Material options. This lets you take one material from a component and paste it onto another. This is a big time saver and as easy as right-clicking on a component in the viewport and selecting Copy Material before selecting another, right-clicking, and selecting Paste Material.

03. Material properties

If the range of materials aren’t customised enough for your needs, you can head to the Material properties panel to make finer adjustments. Select a material by either double-clicking it in the viewport or the list of thumbnails. Changing its Properties type using the dropdown adjusts the base properties of the material, but you can also adjust the Diffuse, Specular and Roughness properties. All adjustments are replicated in real time in the viewport, so you can play around with the options and see how each impacts the end result.

04. Textures and labels

The Textures tab in the Properties panel brings up a world of functionality. You can add any texture map across Diffuse, Specular, Bump and Opacity channels. These can also be mapped with any mapping type or even adjusted in the Size and Mapping rollout. If your model has already been UV-mapped, that will be transferred through. You can also apply decals in the Labels tab.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/how-to-master-materials-in-keyshot wDnBhfLDhm3xNbYpXfXUiP Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 'This was a real challenge,' says 3D artist of their pensive portrait of a soldier of the future ]]> Popularity_Choi is a 3D character artist from Pangyo in South Korea. His piece Spine Jetpacker depicts a futuristic soldier based on concept art by Yintion J - Jiang Geping. He used an extensive selection of software on this project, including 3ds Max, ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, UVLayout, TopoGun, Marvelous Designer, FiberShop, Marmoset Toolbag and Photoshop.

If you're inspired by this artwork, take a look at our collection of the best ZBrush tutorials to help refine your 3D skills. Looking to upgrade your creative kit? Check out our guide to the best laptops for 3D modelling.

Popularity_Choi 3D art of the week — (Image credit: Popularity_Choi)

Popularity_Choi says: I've always created characters for medieval fantasy concepts, so this character, which combines modern military clothing and technology, was quite a challenge for me.

For the mechanical parts, I first sketched in ZBrush using DynaMesh, referring to Keos Masons' hard-surface techniques. I then separated each part, retopologised them, and refined the details.

The modern military-style clothing needed realistic folds, so it was created using Marvelous Designer. The most enjoyable part of this project was the texturing. I had fun working on it because there were many objects with various decals engraved.

As an additional Easter egg, I also wrote the names of my favourite singers and songs on the wings. I'd like to thank Lim Jaegil for mentoring me during the project.

This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine.

]]> https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/this-was-a-real-challenge-says-3d-artist-of-their-pensive-portrait-of-a-soldier-of-the-future i38FFvCCL8GvksVMkGzHkN Fri, 27 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000