NEWS CENTER

Immerse yourself in a world where imagination knows no bounds as we delve into the extraordinary odyssey of Under, a French 3D artist whose prowess in architectural visualization has spanned over a decade. Recently, Under's exceptional talent was undeniably showcased through his fourth-place triumph in Bad Normals's World Glass challenge, which is sponsored by Fox Renderfarm, a leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the industry, with the captivating "Sphere-World 223". This masterpiece transcends the realms of mere digital artistry, transporting viewers into a future where the lines between reality and illusion blur. Through his meticulous craftsmanship, Under has woven a tale of intrigue and peril, inviting us to unravel the mysteries that lie within the confines of this enigmatic shield. Prepare to be enthralled as we explore the depths of "Sphere-World 223" and uncover the visionary mind that brought this ethereal world to life.Fox Renderfarm: Hi Under! Thank you so much for accepting our interview! Could you please introduce yourself to our reader?Under: Hi! I’m a French 3D artist, specializing in architectural visualization on a daily basis for more than 10 years. I like to find and participate in challenges like this, learn new things, and use 3D in a more free and artistic context.Fox Renderfarm: “Sphere-World 223” was awarded fourth place in BadNormals's World's Inside Glass competition. How does it feel to receive recognition for your work on such a platform?Under: Great! I mean, it's always encouraging and nice to receive feedback from a community that shares the same passion. There are some really good artists and a lot of different styles and approaches, and it's rewarding to be a part of it.Sphere-World 223 © UnderFox Renderfarm: The futuristic elements in the artwork, such as the advanced technology and armored vehicles, suggest a sci-fi influence. Can you tell us more about your interest in this genre and how it influenced this piece?Under: Science fiction is so vast that it constitutes a genre with almost infinite possibilities. So many subcategories with different eras, technologies, and civilizations. It is a source of inspiration to sometimes invent incredible and distant worlds and sometimes just take a few steps toward the future.In this specific case, the concept of this challenge is to associate two worlds, one inside (A) and one outside (B). So I chose to connect these two worlds and try to find a story where this sphere would become credible. And science fiction is super useful for mixing worlds because if you can imagine it, it becomes possible! In this case, World A invented a technology represented by this sphere to visit new worlds.Fox Renderfarm: Could you take us through the creative journey of your work, from the initial concepts to the final product? Do you follow a typical workflow or pipeline?© UnderUnder: I have the habit, both in my professional creations and during these challenges, of taking the time to immerse myself in the theme or the request. Sometimes thinking about it and sometimes forgetting about it for days. The goal is to have lots of ideas that come to mind.When I think of a solid concept, I spend a lot of time visualizing as much as possible before even touching my 3D software. Some aspects are still unclear and others are very detailed in my mind, but I'm trying to figure out exactly where I'm going, to validate the concept. Of course, during production, I may come up with new ideas or make minor adjustments, but I don't have many versions to arrive at the final result. So when I start my scene, I go to the essentials and concentrate on the details that 3D allows me. But the story, the general atmosphere, and sometimes even the lighting, it's already 90% decided.Fox Renderfarm: The contrast between the chaos inside the shield and the vigilant defense outside is striking. What message or emotion were you trying to convey through this contrast?Under: Once again it is the idea of ​​contrast that predominates. We don't know what pushes World A to enter World B. Visually, World A is saturated with details, messy, and quite difficult to read on purpose, a little chaotic in fact. The fact that they are armed and ready to fight suggests a scenario where exploration is not very friendly. Maybe it's scientific curiosity, maybe it's an invasion. But perhaps it is a crossing out of necessity and a final hope of leaving a world in agony. The story is very open.The contrast is striking with World B, drowned in vegetation, almost a primary world. It is no less threatening but nature is still master here. The first to arrive in World B are of course on the alert and deploy in silence in this unknown world and with unknown threats. But they are also the visual transition between these two opposites. They allow us to understand the difference in technology and their rather vigilant behavior marks their vulnerability in the face of the unknown. Despite all the knowledge of World A, they may be the prey here.Fox Renderfarm: Could you share the duration it took to bring this piece from concept to its final rendered form and highlight which aspect of the process consumed the most time? And in your opinion, what do you think has contributed to this time investment?Under: As I said earlier, I conceptualize a lot, so that's definitely what takes me the most time. It's impossible to quantify because I don't choose a specific time of day, it's more about searching for references here and there, in all directions. So this is the part that takes the most time and again, when everything is pretty much set in my head, I start in 3D or 2D, and for this particular piece, the creation part only took a few hours. I certainly didn't use all the time offered by this challenge, due to lack of availability, but I'm quite happy because it's close to my first vision.Fox Renderfarm: What were the biggest obstacles you had to go past to accomplish such fine detailing, and how did you resolve them when creating your piece?Under: I like details and putting a lot of information into my creations. And this is the case here, whether it is World A, where the details represent the suffocation of this world, with its technology and its saturated spaces, or World B where abundant vegetation seems to surround the horizon and the scene.All these details are a first link between the two worlds, although used to clearly tell two very different situations. More of a challenge than an obstacle, but for me the priority was the readability of the image.Find processes that help differentiate the two worlds, and secondly, tips for maintaining cohesion and having a homogeneous final image.Manage to clearly understand the depth of World A, for example by keeping the same perspective for both worlds.© UnderFind the right balance and do not feel too much distortion from the glass material of the sphere.To prevent one world from taking too much importance over the other, I chose two strong colors which are very different but which are also complementary.The fact that the sphere is slightly buried in World B, indicates for my story, a sort of impact of this foreign element. Which makes it clear that it is a collision of two universes. This is highlighted by the missing vegetation around the crater to clearly define the worlds, while the pink fog, which is a bit in both worlds, has the opposite mission of bringing these universes together on the same plane. It’s this constant balance that was the challenge and the most interesting part for me in this prompt.Fox Renderfarm: In terms of composition, the scene is tightly framed around the central shield. What led you to this compositional choice, and how does it contribute to the overall narrative or mood?Under: The camera and the sphere are the untouchable rules of this challenge, which in my opinion, makes the sphere the obvious point of interest. Then it is true that I use my World B to frame this sphere and this choice is motivated by my story and what I described earlier. This sort of reconnaissance commando, which has already crossed and whose mission is to secure passage into World B (while other troops are still waiting in World A), is plunged into an unknown universe and is under pressure. terrible pressure. It’s about success of course but also about surviving.The shapes of the surrounding trees, which seemed to be in darkness before the arrival of the sphere, frame the sphere, guide the viewer's gaze, and support this feeling of pressure on World A, and reinforce the fact that they are absolutely not welcome. As if at any moment this forest or its inhabitants could repel these visitors. This is only one version of the possible scenarios but these trees represent the threat, once again the doubt that weighs on these invaders.Fox Renderfarm: Were there specific AI-powered techniques or tools that you used in the creation of your work to achieve such rendering quality? How did these tools contribute to the final visual appeal of the artwork?Under: There is no AI in my creation. Not that I'm against it, I integrate several AI tools into my professional pipeline for Archviz, but it's true that when it's for more artistic images and even more as part of a challenge, I prefer to be 100% the creator of the story, for example, or the final touches in post-production. I make no judgment if anyone does otherwise. For example, I use assets to highlight my ideas, when others prefer to model from scratch. So no AI here but it's not a moral choice or anything like that. I just use it like any other tool, in the sense that sometimes it seems useful to me and sometimes not.Fox Renderfarm: Could you share any behind-the-scenes insights, techniques, or experimental processes you employed in creating "Sphere-World 223"? What lessons or discoveries did you make during the creation of this work?© Under© Under © Under© UnderUnder: No real special techniques here. The originality of the template coupled with my story forced me to literally see two worlds, therefore two different scenes. A rendering for the interior sphere with its own lighting and another rendering for the scene outside the sphere which also has its own atmosphere. I added two other renders separately on this exterior to add atmospheric elements like smoke. The rest is a game of masks and layers in Photoshop. Nothing too advanced, but it was interesting to create two opposing worlds while maintaining visual cohesion.Fox Renderfarm: Could you tell us about some of your favorite creative endeavors from previous projects, and explain what aspects made them especially rewarding or satisfying experiences?© UnderUnder: I participate in as many 3D challenges as I can. It's so satisfying to not be limited and to push an idea to the max just for fun. I experiment, either in a new style or with new tools. And that's really what attracts me: getting out of my comfort zone or at least my usual use of 3D in Archviz. Imagine more fantastic and vivid worlds. But also technically, it makes me do more animation, more simulation, and artwork for example.© UnderOf course, being one of the winners is always the extra motivation, but by participating in these challenges, I've completely unleashed a more creative and artistic side. Professionally I'd love to have opportunities in this field to express myself.Fox Renderfarm: What are your typical sources of inspiration - do you draw from other artists, artistic movements, natural elements, or everyday surroundings? How do these influences manifest in your creations?Under: It's exactly a mix of everything you just mentioned. Before diving into 3D, I had a few years of classical art background. I have always had a passion for images and creation. But above all, I am a geek at heart, who has watched a lot of films and TV. Video games also play an important role in my life.So when I look for inspiration, I already have a solid base of references that I have always wanted to rework in my own way or that are engraved in my memory. To complete this, I daily visit the portfolios and other creations of artists of all kinds, whether via Artstation, Behance, YouTube, or Instagram. I also like to get lost on Reddit and Pinterest, they are effective tools for finding lesser-known creators. I am constantly monitoring many subjects, both visual and technological.Everything related to the creation, whatever the field, is a source of new ideas, photography, architecture, painting, and design from all eras. It's rather cliché, but it's totally true, you're right. I live by the sea, sometimes it's just a walk in nature that sparks the beginning of an idea.And how I like to think before I start drawing or modeling. Everything gets mixed up a bit and resurfaces when I least expect it. Once my story is written, I can be inspired by the contrast of a light, by a choice of color palette, sometimes it will be the composition of a work which will be my starting point.Fox Renderfarm: Have you had any experience with Fox Renderfarm's cloud rendering services in the past? If you have, what is your opinion of our cloud rendering offerings? Under: Unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to try your renderfarm yet.Fox Renderfarm: Finally, are there any upcoming projects or themes you're excited to explore in your future artworks, based on the reception and feedback you've received for this piece?Under: Where to start!? I love these challenges for the multitude of possibilities generated by the different themes and prompts offered. So I'm waiting for the next one!I invite you to visit my Instagram, you will quickly see that I don't really have a universe or a predefined style, I like to try new things, realistic or stylized, in different eras and atmospheres. Recently, I wanted to create vast worlds, larger scenes, less detail. I would like something in space! I also have in mind to make multiple creations which belong to the same universe. In short, lots of good things for my few moments of free time!Thanks again to Under for accepting our interview! Wishing new heights in your professional career! keep up with your great work.Under’s social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/under.cg/

The studio polygoniq has announced the top 3 winners and the community pick for their 3D challenge 'Dreamscapes', which intends to show dreams that include the iconic Ford Victoria car. Congratulations to all the winners! Fox Renderfarm, as the leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm in the CG industry, was honored to sponsor this challenge. Let's see who are the final winners.The 1st Place Winner: nossa.camera@ nossa.cameraThe 2nd Place Winner: WebboThe 3rd Place Winner: Hhkkh© HhkkhCommunity Pick: lynx09All of the works are eye-catching and creative! If you want to be informed about the next 3D challenge, you can join polygoniq's Discord.

It's probably a scenario that every child fantasizes about, where their imaginary friends appear in reality and play with them, and 'IF' is a live-action animated comedy movie that tells such a story. It was directed and written by John Krasinski, starring Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw and featuring the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell.Image from Paramount Pictures'IF' follows a girl who discovers she can see everyone's imaginary friends and how she uses this superpower to embark on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids.You can watch 'IF' in theaters this May 17th. Check out the trailer first:Source: Paramount PicturesIf you're interested in animation and visual effects, you might want to check out Fox Renderfarm - the leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the CG industry. Fox Renderfarm has provided cloud rendering services to countless visual effects and animation studios, allowing them to get the best quality results in the shortest time. A $25 free trial is available to let you speed up the rendering of your 3D projects.

Pixar Animation Studios has once again pushed the boundaries of rendering technology with the release of RenderMan 26. This latest update brings a suite of advancements that are set to transform the animation and VFX industry.Revolutionary XPU RenderingImage from PixarRenderMan 26 is primarily powered by the improved XPU rendering technology. With its ability to bridge the rendering gap between CPU and GPU, it offers artists a level of speed and flexibility never before possible. Artists can now render complicated scenes faster and with more interactivity thanks to changes to light support and camera controls combined with adaptive sampling.Interactive Denoising: A Game-ChangerImage from PixarFor rendering procedures, the advent of an interactive machine learning denoiser is revolutionary. This feature speeds up the decision-making process for artists by drastically cutting down on iteration times without sacrificing image quality.Core Performance EnhancementsImage from PixarAdditionally, RenderMan 26 offers fundamental enhancements that boost performance in all areas. Regardless of how complicated the scene is, artists may work more effectively thanks to faster instancing and enhanced texture read parallelism.Stylized Looks: Unleashing CreativityImage from PixarSignificant updates have been made to the Stylized Looks toolbox, giving artists more creative freedom and an easier-to-use interface. This toolbox opens up a world of creative possibilities by enabling the development of distinctive, non-photorealistic renders.Accessible to AllRenderMan 26 is available to individual artists, researchers, and students working on non-commercial projects, so it's not just for huge firms. It's an investment in efficiency and quality, with annual maintenance costing $250 and individual licenses costing $595.RenderMan 26 is evidence of Pixar's dedication to rendering as both an art and a science, as the company continues to innovate. The official RenderMan website provides all the necessary resources for individuals who want to investigate these new features.As a leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm, Fox Renderfarm also supports RenderMan rendering. Fox Renderfarm is now offering a free $25 trial to all new registrants, so let's start rendering!Source: Pixar

If you've seen 'Joker' (2019), you'll be excited about the arrival of this movie's sequel. Based on the DC Comics characters, 'Joker: Folie à Deux' was directed by Todd Phillips, who wrote the screenplay along with Scott Silver. Joaquin Phoenix continues to play Joker and the rest of the cast includes Lady Gaga, who plays Harley Quinn, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz.Image from Warner Bros. PicturesImage from Warner Bros. PicturesImage from Warner Bros. PicturesIn the sequel, Joker will meet his love interest Harley Quinn. If you want to witness the Joker's love story, you can watch the sequel in theaters this October 4th.Now check out the trailer:Source: Warner Bros. PicturesIf you're interested in animation and visual effects, you might want to check out Fox Renderfarm - the leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the CG industry. Fox Renderfarm has provided cloud rendering services to countless visual effects and animation studios, allowing them to get the best quality results in the shortest time. A $25 free trial is available to let you speed up the rendering of your 3D projects.

Brace yourself for an extraordinary tale of artistic brilliance that transcends age and defies conventions. At a mere 17 years old, Josip has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of 3D art, his recent second-place triumph in Bad Normals's "Worlds Inside Glass" challenge, which is sponsored by Fox Renderfarm, a leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the industry, with the spellbinding "Velocity Vista" serving as a resounding affirmation of his immense talent. Josip's foray into the digital realm began in August 2022 when he first downloaded Blender, a seemingly innocuous step that would ignite a fervent passion for 3D artistry. Although initially drawn to the realm of visual effects, Josip's creative vision soon gravitated towards the intricacies of environment creation, where his skills truly blossomed. "Velocity Vista" stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication and remarkable growth, a masterwork that has garnered well-deserved acclaim, reassuring this young visionary that he is treading the path of artistic excellence.Come explore the distinctive features that set Josip apart from the others.Fox Renderfarm: Hi Josip! Thank you so much for accepting our interview! Could you please introduce yourself to our reader?Josip: Hi! Thank you for inviting me! My name is Josip, and I'm a 17-year-old 3D artist. My first experience with 3D software was in August 2022 when I downloaded Blender and began exploring. Initially drawn to VFX, my interest later shifted towards creating environments.Fox Renderfarm: "Velocity Vista" won second place in the Bad Normals's "Worlds Inside Glass" competition. How did it feel to receive recognition for your work in such a prestigious competition, and how do you think this accomplishment has impacted your artistic journey?Velocity Vista © JosipJosip: I was genuinely pleased to see both the audience and later the judges appreciating it. "Velocity Vista" is a piece that came after a lot of experience, and receiving positive feedback on it feels like a significant accomplishment, reassuring me that I am progressing in the right direction!Fox Renderfarm: Could you give me a quick overview of the project you entered into the challenge?Josip: "Velocity Vista" definitely differs from my usual work, which made it quite challenging yet inspiring to create! It features a long racing track for toy cars, just like those many of us had or at least saw as kids. My goal was to capture the atmosphere and playful feeling of such moments within this piece. The challenge itself presented a fascinating concept: we were provided with a file template featuring a glass sphere and a camera, with restrictions on altering its location, rotation, and focal length. Our task was to craft a world both outside and inside the glass sphere within these constraints.Fox Renderfarm: Could you take us through the creative journey of your work, from the initial concepts to the final product? Do you follow a typical workflow or pipeline? © Josip© Josip© JosipJosip: I divided my workflow into two stages. Initially, I brainstormed various concepts, moving simple objects around the scene until inspiration struck. Several concepts emerged, one involving multiple spheres scattered throughout the scene, which I later discarded in favor of the final idea. Once I envisioned what I wanted to create, the fun part of the process followed! I began modeling several pieces of the track, experimenting with connecting them in different directions. Throughout the track's creation, I aimed to shape it in a way a child would do, featuring as many fun stunts and twists! I prioritized creating the foreground before considering the specific location of the toy. Thinking if it should be located indoors or outdoors, I envisioned the track going all around a bedroom. Upon completing the piece, it was further refined using Photoshop.Fox Renderfarm: What inspired you to incorporate elements of both tranquility and excitement into this piece? Were there any particular experiences or themes you wanted to explore?© Josip © JosipJosip: As mentioned earlier, the piece was inspired by a child's toy track for cars. During the brainstorming phase for the challenge, I got excited as I recalled moments spent playing with such toys. Motivated by these memories, I made the decision to revisit and visualize those moments in the form of a picture!Fox Renderfarm: Could you share the duration it took to bring this piece from concept to its final rendered form and highlight which aspect of the process consumed the most time? And in your opinion, what do you think has contributed to this time investment?Josip: When the challenge was announced, it seemed like we had a lot of time, so I approached it with a relaxed mindset. I dedicated a significant amount of time to processing ideas and refining them to align with the challenge's rules. It took me a week or even two to settle on a concept. However, once I decided what I wanted to make, I completed the picture in just a few days! The feedback from the judges was something I wanted to hear, so sacrificing some free time felt like a small price to pay considering its value!Fox Renderfarm: Could you discuss the major hurdles you had to clear to achieve such intricate detailing in your work and explain how you navigated those challenges during the creation process?Josip: Well, I didn't encounter many hurdles during the project, but I can share what enabled me to create efficiently! Considering I had already completed many projects, I had a library of assets saved that could be repurposed for this project. For instance, the books you see supporting the track on the table were simply imported from a previous project I had completed!Fox Renderfarm: The title "Velocity Vista" suggests a sense of movement and perspective. How does the concept of velocity play into your artistic vision, and what do you hope viewers will take away from the visual dynamics of the piece?Josip: Velocity mainly represents the high speed of cars and the change of speed that occurs during the twists and loops! I tried to express the excitement associated with the toy.Fox Renderfarm: Were there specific AI-powered techniques or tools that you used in the creation of your work to achieve such rendering quality? How did these tools contribute to the final visual appeal of the artwork?Josip: Although I have used AI in the past to create textures, this particular piece did not require its use. However, I did utilize Blender's image denoising feature, which could be considered a form of AI, to remove render noise resulting from low sample counts.Fox Renderfarm: Could you share any behind-the-scenes insights, techniques, or experimental processes you employed in creating "Velocity Vista"? What lessons or discoveries did you make during the creation of this work?© JosipJosip: Given that I typically create work for Instagram, I'm used to adjusting the aspect ratio to fit mobile screens. Although it's not my first time making a horizontal image, the orientation of "Velocity Vista" was a challenge for me, as composition works differently in this format. As mentioned earlier, AI wasn't utilized in the creation of the picture, but it did play a role in visualizing concepts for the image.Fox Renderfarm: Could you tell us about some of your favorite creative endeavors from previous projects, and explain what aspects made them especially rewarding or satisfying experiences?Natural Flow © JosipJosip: I have completed a lot of projects in the past, many of which revolved around themes such as traditional Japan, general nature, and rural cities. The house model featured in the sphere of "Velocity Vista" was also a model that I reused from one of my previous projects. I share all of my personal projects on my Instagram, and it's incredibly rewarding when people appreciate the work that I create based on my interests!Fox Renderfarm: What are your typical sources of inspiration - do you draw from other artists, artistic movements, natural elements, or everyday surroundings? How do these influences manifest in your creations?Josip: I often find inspiration from my personal interests and experiences, as well as from other artists! I follow a lot of people who make art similar to mine, which not only motivates me but also brings a sense of community!Fox Renderfarm: Have you had any experience with Fox Renderfarm's cloud rendering services in the past? If you have, what is your opinion of our cloud rendering offerings? Josip: I haven't had any experience whatsoever with any render farm so far, so Fox Renderfarm will be my first experience with such a service!Fox Renderfarm: Finally, as an innovative artist, where do you see future trends in the art world heading, in terms of themes, mediums, or approaches being influenced by emerging technologies or cultural shifts?Josip: It's challenging to predict the future of art, but AI is certainly a hot topic among 3D artists and the general public! While some utilize this technology in their workflow, others prefer to avoid it entirely, and some rely exclusively on it. Undoubtedly, AI is a revolutionary technology that cannot be ignored, but I view it primarily as a tool. Those who create for the sake of creation will eventually adapt or find ways to incorporate it into their work, therefore it should not be feared!Thanks again to Josip for accepting our interview! Wishing new heights in your professional career and keep up with your great work!Josip’s social media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josipcgiArtStation: https://josipcgi.artstation.com/

Are you ready to have your mind twisted into a cosmic knot? Apple TV+ is about to launch its latest sci-fi series, "Dark Matter", and it promises to be a thrilling ride through the multiverse. Based on the best-selling novel by Blake Crouch, this series is not just a show; it’s an existential journey that will leave you questioning the very fabric of reality.Image from Apple TV+Imagine waking up in a different existence, with memories that don't belong to you and a strange yet familiar family. Physicist Jason Dessen, played by Joel Edgerton, is taken into another version of his life, which puts him in a perplexing situation. The show centers on his frantic journey to find his real family by following him as he makes his way through a maze of startlingly identical and disconcertingly different worlds.Image from Apple TV+With Jennifer Connelly's arrival, this already brilliant series has even more star power. They investigate the unsettling query, "What if?" together. What if you had chosen differently? Imagine being able to glimpse the untraveled paths. With a story as intricate as a quantum equation and as captivating as the stars themselves, "Dark Matter" explores these alternate existences.Image from Apple TV+This series is a cinematic experience encased in a mental experiment. It's an analysis of destiny, free will, and the countless directions one's life might go. It's about the darkness that exists both inside of ourselves and in the uncharted regions of the universe. As the show goes on, viewers will be glued to their seats—not just because of the tension, but also because "Dark Matter" poses important philosophical issues.Image from Apple TV+"Dark Matter" is a must-watch if you enjoy science fiction that pushes the boundaries of vision while being entertaining. This series is destined to be the next great thing in sci-fi television because of its spooky atmosphere, intriguing characters, and a plot that is as unexpected as a quantum fluctuation.So mark your calendars for May 8, 2024, and prepare to embark on a journey through the cosmos with "Dark Matter". It’s more than just a show; it’s a gateway to the unknown, and it’s coming to Apple TV+.Prepare to have all you believe about reality called into question, and get ready for a play that is both eerie and thought-provoking. Not merely a TV show, "Dark Matter" is a phenomenon that will completely transform the science fiction genre. Are you prepared to take the leap?Source: Apple TV+If you're interested in animation and visual effects, you might want to check out Fox Renderfarm - the leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the CG industry. Fox Renderfarm has provided cloud rendering services to countless visual effects and animation studios, allowing them to get the best quality results in the shortest time. A $25 free trial is available to let you speed up the rendering of your 3D projects.

Get ready to go to a distant galaxy in the latest Star Wars story, "Tales of the Empire." This animated anthology series is the newest gem in the beloved franchise's crown, with a Disney+ premiere scheduled for May 4, 2024. This series is set to rewrite the history of Star Wars with a plot that promises to explore the darkest reaches of the Galactic Empire. Prepare to meet brand-new heroes and return to familiar foes in a tale that takes place across a great deal of time and space.Embark on a Galactic Journey with "Star Wars: Tales of the Empire"Image from Lucasfilm AnimationThe Star Wars universe is growing once more, and this time it will include an animated anthology series that is sure to delight both new and returning fans. There is already a great deal of excitement surrounding the May 4, 2024, Disney+ premiere of "Star Wars: Tales of the Empire".The series boasts a stellar voice cast including Jason Isaacs as the Grand Inquisitor, Meredith Salenger as Barriss Offee, Lars Mikkelsen as Thrawn, Rya Kihlstedt as Lyn aka Fourth Sister, Diana Lee Inosanto as Morgan Elsbeth, and Matthew Wood as General Grievous. The creative force behind this series is none other than Dave Filoni, renowned for his previous work on other Star Wars animated series.A Tale of Two WarriorsImage from Lucasfilm Animation"Tales of the Empire" follows the intertwining fates of two warriors navigating the ruthless Galactic Empire during different eras. A vengeful young woman, Morgan Elsbeth, seeks a path of vengeance after losing everything, while former Jedi Barriss Offee must adapt to survive in a galaxy that’s changing faster than the speed of light. Their choices will shape not only their destinies but also the future of the Empire itself.Image from Lucasfilm AnimationSo mark your calendars for May 4th, and prepare to dive into a story that explores the depth of the dark side and the resilience of the human spirit. "Star Wars: Tales of the Empire" is not just a series; it’s a journey through the heart of the Star Wars saga, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.Source: Disney+ & Lucasfilm AnimationIf you're interested in animation and visual effects, you might want to check out Fox Renderfarm - the leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the CG industry. Fox Renderfarm has provided cloud rendering services to countless visual effects and animation studios, allowing them to get the best quality results in the shortest time. A $25 free trial is available to let you speed up the rendering of your 3D projects.

Prepare to elevate your rendering game with the highly anticipated release of Arnold 7.3.1, which hit the scene on March 28, 2024. This feature-packed update introduces a wealth of enhancements and groundbreaking new capabilities, poised to revolutionize your rendering workflow. Let's dive into the exciting details and explore how this cutting-edge version can supercharge your creative pursuits.New Features and EnhancementsDithered SamplingImage from AutodeskIn progressive and adaptive rendering, Arnold 7.3.1 introduces support for dithered sampling, which improves noise distribution at low sample counts.Extended MaterialX SupportRendering node graphs that combine Arnold nodes with MaterialX standard library nodes is now feasible as a result of expanded support for the MaterialX format for rich material and look dev data.Improved DenoisingImage from AutodeskWith the OptiX and OIDN denoisers, Arnold 7.3.1 enhances denoising. Now that the NVIDIA OptiX denoiser can operate on low-resolution progressive render passes, early scene previews with significantly less noise are produced. With its "10% better performance" on CPU, the Intel Open Image Denoise (OIDN) denoiser now offers customers the option to run it on CPU, GPU, or automatically.GPU RenderingImage from AutodeskOptiX 8, the latest iteration of NVIDIA's GPU ray tracing architecture, has been utilized to rewrite a significant portion of the GPU renderer. Numerous improvements in rendering performance and startup times are brought about by this update, including much faster render times overall, reduced GPU memory utilization, better scaling on multiple GPUs, and shorter startup times.Overlay ImagerImage from AutodeskAn Overlay imager for text layering onto rendered images is one of the new features.Global Light Sampling in VolumesImage from AutodeskSupport for global light sampling in volumes.Toon Light-Group AOVsImage from AutodeskSupport for toon light-group AOVs.ConclusionA lot of changes have been made to the user experience in Arnold 7.3.1, including a significantly better GPU renderer, quicker volume rendering, high-quality curves, light AOVs in the toon shader, a text overlay imager, and many more. Regardless of your experience level, Arnold 7.3.1 is made to assist you in producing beautiful, high-caliber renderings.As a leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm, Fox Renderfarm also supports Arnold rendering. Fox Renderfarm is now offering a free $25 trial to all new registrants, so let's start rendering!Source: Autodesk Inc.

Welcome to the future of 3D animation with Autodesk Maya 2025! This latest release is packed with new features and enhancements that will revolutionize your workflow. Let’s dive into what’s new and improved.New Features and EnhancementsModeling UpdatesImage from AutodeskNew modeling updates brought in by Maya 2025 include the use of Boolean intersections as a bevel input, Smart Extrude, and Bevel Filtering Attributes. With the help of these tools, you can expedite the modeling process and have greater control over your 3D models.Rigging and Character AnimationImage from AutodeskUpdates and enhancements for riggers and animators have been created in response to numerous client requests. Character rigging and animation will become more user-friendly and productive with these improvements.Motion Trail UpdatesImage from AutodeskIn order to improve its effectiveness and flexibility, Maya redesigned its Motion Trails system for the 2025 version. As a result, animation paths will be more precisely controlled.Updated Dope Sheet EditorImage from AutodeskTo provide a quick and easy method for comprehending, adjusting, and manipulating animation time, the Dope Sheet has been redesigned.Graph Editor Hotkey ChangesImage from AutodeskThe Graph Editor Curve Sculpting tools now feature two new keyboard shortcuts. This will make using the Graph Editor more efficient for you.Plug-ins and Software UpdatesArnold for Maya 5.4.0Maya 2025 includes Arnold version 5.4.0. This update will enhance rendering capabilities within Maya.USD for Maya 0.27 Plug-inImage from AutodeskArtists can bulk load and unload many prims using the revised Universal Scene Description (USD) plug-in. Workflow and scene management will both benefit from this.LookdevX for Maya 1.3.0 Plug-inImage from AutodeskThe latest update to LookdevX introduces support for the MaterialX data format. Artists can now assign MaterialX materials directly to Maya geometry.Bifrost 2.9.0.0Numerous new and enhanced capabilities, such as additional nodes for creating foam ocean wave simulations, are included in Bifrost 2.9.0.0. Spectral waves can be generated for wind-driven water surfaces over time and distance, and combined with dynamic waves for collision-induced wakes and ripples.Substance 2.5.0Version 2.5.0 of Substance is included in Maya 2025. Your ability to texturize in Maya will improve as a result of this.Bonus Tools Now IncludedImage from AutodeskBonus Tools are now included in the Maya installer. This will provide additional functionality right out of the box.ConclusionAutodesk Maya 2025 is a noteworthy advancement in 3D animation software. It gives artists the tools they need to produce beautiful, high-quality 3D animations with its new features and updates. Maya 2025 is made to support you in realizing your artistic goals, regardless of your level of experience.As a leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm, Fox Renderfarm also supports Maya rendering. Fox Renderfarm is now offering a free $25 trial to all new registrants, so let's start rendering!Source: Autodesk Inc.

After intense competition, the 3D challenge organized by Bad Normals, themed 'Worlds Inside Glass', ended smoothly and the top five winners were selected from various outstanding works. Fox Renderfarm, the leading cloud rendering service provider and render farm in the CG industry, is honored to sponsor this challenge by offering our render coupons. Now, let's take a look at the winners and their beautiful works.Top 5 Winners: The 1st Place: Haider AliLast Blossom © Haider AliHaider Ali's social media: https://www.instagram.com/h3d_studio/The 2nd Place: Josip CGIVelocity Vista © Josip CGIJosip CGI's social media: https://www.instagram.com/josipcgi/The 3rd Place: LiadMEMORBY © LiadLiad's social media: https://www.instagram.com/bulletproof_eggs/The 4th Place: UnderSphere-World 223 © UnderUnder's social media: https://www.instagram.com/under.cg/The 5th Place: PixelmarLife in Space © PixelmarPixelmar's social media: https://www.instagram.com/pixelmar_3dCongratulations to all the winners! Join Bad Normals’s Discord to connect with other artists.

At just 18 years old, Luca is already making waves in the world of 3D art. Hailing from the vibrant city of Berlin, Germany, Luca's passion for creating immersive 3D scenes has allowed him to express his creativity in ways beyond imagination.With several years of experience under his belt, his dedication and talent recently earned him 1st place in the CGandWE monthly 3D challenge "Cyber Security".In this interview with Fox Renderfarm, a leading cloud rendering services provider and render farm in the industry, Luca shares his journey, inspirations, and aspirations as a young 3D artist. Join us as we step into Luca's world and explore the boundless possibilities of 3D art through his visionary lens.Fox Renderfarm: Hi Luca! We are honored to have you here! Please introduce yourself first to our readers.Luca: Hey, my name is Luca, I am an 18-year-old 3D artist and cameraman from Berlin, Germany. I have been creating 3D scenes for a few years now, allowing me to really live out my creativity.Fox Renderfarm: Congratulations on winning 1st place in the CGandWE monthly 3D challenge "Cyber Security"! How do you feel about it?Luca: I am very happy about the positive feedback on my scene and winning 1st place. I've been taking part in these challenges for some time now and I'm always happy to see the enthusiasm from others.late at night at the cyber security office © LucaFox Renderfarm: How did you conceptualize and execute the storyline in this scene?Luca: At the beginning, I usually make a list of ideas that would be suitable for this theme. Then I think about which idea fits and can be best implemented in the context. In this case, another idea I had was to depict an antivirus program with a police force and the viruses with robots. As soon as I had the idea, I sat down and made a rough scene without details to get an overview and check the color elements that should be implemented in this scene. Rough Scene © LucaFox Renderfarm: How did you handle the lighting relationship between the character and the environment in this piece?Luca: I kept the whole scene rather dark and illuminated it with practical lights. Like the table lamp, for example. Making the person silhouetted was also important to me, as it allowed them to stand out a little from the rest, due to the bright screen behind them. But she was not illuminated any further to achieve this secret, unknowing look, as cyber security usually happens in the background and in "secret". Fox Renderfarm: Could you please tell us about your pipeline for this work? And how long did it take you?Luca: I spent about 6 hours on this work. It was spread over about a week. I don't necessarily follow a strict schedule as I adapt to my free time and motivation level. The rough scene and the details are usually done in one go. On other days, I take care of the lighting and finer details, such as the moving fan. Creating the person also takes some time.Fox Renderfarm: Did you do any special research or preparation work when creating this piece?Luca: For the scene, I first looked for a few inspirations from films and then used these images to create my own in my head. There wasn't really any other preparation.Inspiration Photos © FilmFox Renderfarm: What's the significance behind the character lighting a cigarette in the image? What was the intention behind incorporating this element?Luca: The cigarette in this scene reflects the character being in this room for some time, not seeing sunlight, and needing some kind of activity and reassurance while sitting in a dark room in front of screens all day. Fox Renderfarm: Are there any challenges you have encountered during creation? If so, how did you overcome them?Luca: There were actually no problems with this project compared to many others of mine. The only thing I had some difficulty with was getting the cigarette and the moving fan to work properly to make the scene look more dynamic. Fox Renderfarm: What is your proudest technical achievement in the creation process?Luca: Definitely the lighting and the associated implementation of the right mood. Fox Renderfarm: How do you improve your CG skills? What kind of exercises do you usually do?Luca: I usually look for a single word and try to build a world around it. I often just go ahead and do something without making a big plan beforehand. Of course, this also means that I come across unfamiliar things and problems that help me learn and acquire new skills.TIME PORTAL INCIDENT © LucaFox Renderfarm: Have you ever tried the cloud rendering service from Fox Renderfarm? If so, what do you think of our services?Luca: So far I have only used it once for a larger animation and it has saved me a lot of time and work. Fox Rendering is easy to use and you have many options to achieve exactly what you want. Fox Renderfarm: What valuable experiences in your creative process do you think are particularly valuable for other 3D artists?Luca: Do something, anything, as long as you can live out your creativity. If you can express yourself creatively and have fun at the same time, you learn extremely well. Creating something out of nothing and being able to say at the end that I did this is a great feeling. But the most important thing is not to rush. Don't overwhelm yourself with huge projects and ideas and become demotivated as a result.Cinematic Sci-fi interior © LucaLuca’s social media:Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/lucxeywa.vfx/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EYWATMWebsite: https://linktr.ee/luca.eywa