Jump to content
Slate Blackcurrant Watermelon Strawberry Orange Banana Apple Emerald Chocolate Marble
Slate Blackcurrant Watermelon Strawberry Orange Banana Apple Emerald Chocolate Marble

Rss Bot

Members
  • Content Count

    17,201
  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never
  • Feedback

    N/A

Everything posted by Rss Bot

  1. Artists certainly nailed what the world wanted from a toddler-sized Yoda when they created Baby Yoda for The Mandalorian last year. We, and the rest of the galaxy, can't get enough of those endearing eyes, super-long ears and oversized space jacket. But newly-released concept art reveals that the mini-Yoda wasn't always intended to capture our hearts with sheer adorability. In fact, one early mock up of Baby Yoda shows that Disney could have gone in quite a different direction, leading us to believe that in an alternate universe there lies a Baby Yoda who is, in short, TERRIFYING. Let's take a closer look at the design, which definitely wouldn't make our list of top 3D art... Take a moment to soak up those chubby cheeks It was vital the character of Baby Yoda was perfect (see him above) – they were dealing with one of the most iconic characters in film history, after all. And, as John Favreau discloses during the newest episode of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (try Disney Plus for free to get involved), getting the final design just right – cute, but not too cute – was a long process that involved viewing hundreds of concept drawings. These drawings swung wildly, one way or the other: too cute or too ugly. And the version below gives the final character a totally different feel. A pretty horrifying one, actually. Just. Not. Okay. Though there are echoes of the final Baby Yoda within this design, the small and rounded eyes, cavernous ears and stomach-turning curly hair are at odds with the enchanting depiction that made it out of the studio. Though the face is squidgier, the toddler actually looks older, and those plump cheeks are not ones we want to squeeze. Unlike the final version, the features don't pull us in and we find ourselves wanting to look away – not a great feeling to have when faced with the coolest small being in the universe. Seeing the different renditions together as above feels like spending time with a bunch of Yoda's siblings – all of which have wildly different personalities. (Including Danny Yo-Vito, according to Twitter user Blanked_Space). Fans everywhere are overwhelmingly appalled at what could have been, with expressions of gratitude pouring in for the appearance of the final render. Judging by the response to Sonic the Hedgehog's design misfire last year, Disney did well to get it right. Read more: 27 top character design tips 9 character designers you need to know The best laptops for 3D modelling in 2020 View the full article
  2. With over 50 Adobe apps available, you'd be forgiven for sometimes struggling to tell them apart. In an attempt to address the issue, Adobe has begun updating its entire brand identity, and the most dramatic change so far is a brand new icon for Adobe Creative Cloud. A far cry from its current red-and-white iteration, the new Creative Cloud icon (below) features the logo atop a bright, colourful gradient which "brings the colours of [Adobe's] product brands" together. Check out the best Creative Cloud Plans if you're ready to get to grips with its many creative apps, from Illustrator to Photoshop. Old (left) vs. new (right) The new splash of colour certainly helps Creative Cloud look a little more, well, creative. As the umbrella that unites Adobe's many apps, it makes sense for it to enjoy a more artistic appearance – since that's what Creative Cloud is all about. The previous icon looks positively corporate in comparison. It isn't just Creative Cloud that's enjoying a new coat of paint. The Adobe logo itself has been given a more subtle makeover, with a slightly different hue of red. In a blog post about the identity refresh, Adobe calls the new colour "warmer and more contemporary". "Warmer and more contemporary" (aka "more red") Across the board, Adobe is tweaking icons for all of its products with the removal of borders (taking them even further into the realm of flat design), and the addition of rounded edges to any icons that were previously square. Both changes are designed "so that the system can flex to accommodate a range of operating systems and devices". When it comes to helping to tell the products apart, Adobe says that as it rolls out more updated icons, it will be "using colour to organise products into categories such as Video & Motion or Photography, to ensure customers can easily find the products they need". As if the Photoshop logo couldn't get any simpler While Creative Cloud undoubtably contains some of the best software for digital art, the sheer amount on offer can sometimes be confusing (check out this unmissable video explaining all 50+ Adobe apps). It's great to see Adobe take some measures to help users differentiate between apps, as well as highlighting the creative aspect of Creative Cloud. Check out today's best Creative Cloud deals below. Read more: Pop culture creatures become scientific drawings (and we want them all) The 6 best laptops for Photoshop in 2020 64 top-class Photoshop tutorials to try View the full article
  3. We've seen all sorts of fantastic creative projects during lockdown, and this series by a Texas-based illustrator is a whimsical delight. 'Unnatural History' takes several fictional creatures from the worlds of film and TV, and transforms them into vintage-style biological studies. From Stranger Things' Demogorgon to everyone's new favourite alien, Baby Yoda, the collection by Chet Phillips features over 20 creatures, complete with latin names and descriptions. As with all of Phillips' work, the series was illustrated using Corel Painter (one of many great photoshop alternatives). Baby (we mean Puer Versionem) Yoda The illustrations are all available to buy via Phillips' Etsy page, either individually or as a beautifully presented box of 10 (including one original sketch). The reviews on Phillips' page are filled praise: "I Love Chet's work," one says. "It allows me to show my love for pop culture in a totally unique way." Straight from the upside-down We love the authentic vintage style of Phillips' illustrations, and can't help wanting them all – it doesn't help our wallet that they look so great as a full set (below). The project is a delightful tribute to fantasy and imagination, not to mention a welcome distraction from these strange times. We want them all. It's a testament to Phillips' skills that these wildly disparate creatures now look like they could all belong to the same (very strange) universe. If a brand new creature is ready to spawn from your own imagination, head straight over to our list of essential character design tips. Read more: Lego's comical guide to working from home will brighten your day Cartoons for key workers are a heartwarming delight Burger King’s genius Social Distancing Whopper will make your eyes water View the full article
  4. Garry Pye has been drawing cartoons all his life. Despite no formal artistic education, he went from hobbyist to full-time animator after discovering Reallusion and their 2D animation software six years ago. I have been drawing cartoons ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I am a self-taught artist, illustrator and animator who specialises in creating characters, backgrounds and prop content. I started working as a content developer in my spare time, and this has turned into a full-time business. I now have over 1,400 assets available online, which I sell to animators around the world. From the age of 17, I worked with my father in our family trophy store – for 31 years, in fact. But my true passion was drawing cartoons. And I dreamed of one day being able to do that as my full time job. In this article, I’m going to share with you how Cartoon Animator (formally CrazyTalk Animator) helped me to jump from working in that trophy store to creating a profit-making, successful full-time online business. Garry Pye in his studio Discovering animation Since I was a child, all I’ve ever done is draw – learning from great fantasy artists like Boris Vallejo and Frank Frazetta, and the incredible comic artists of MAD magazine like Mort Drucker and Jack Davis. I mimicked their styles until eventually I developed my own. I always had a fascination with 2D animation, and although I experimented many times with it, I did not have the skills or patience required for traditional frame-by-frame cell animation. Then I came across a piece of software called CrazyTalk Animator, which promised aspiring animators the opportunity to produce professional results without the tedious frame-by-frame work. Discovering this software changed my career. After installing it, in a matter of hours I was making things move. About 3 months later, I was creating funny short animated videos (such as the one below) to entertain my friends. I soon realised this tool could really help businesses of all types to be able to immediately tell a story, or demo their concept for business or education purposes. Building a Business Very quickly, I started to sell my art in Reallusions 2D Marketplace, and have continued to do that for the last 6 years – adding more and more characters, backgrounds and props. Eventually, I opened my own Theme Store on the Reallusion site, and even began representing other artists' work. In my 31-year career working in my family trophy business, I learned many of the skills I would need to turn my hobby into a successful new career. I learned how to operate a business on a day-to-day basis, from marketing and advertising to sales and manufacturing, and also taught myself software skills including Photoshop and CorelDraw. And, of course, customer relations and communications – which in my opinion are the most vital skills for business owner. I look at where I was with CrazyTalk Animator 6 years ago compared with where I am today, and it demonstrates something truly wonderful about this software: it grows with you. The software guides you through those early days of basic animation, so that as your confidence and skills grow, you become more comfortable exploring the more professional tools within, and your animations become more polished as a result. One of Garry Pye's animations Collaborating with developers and becoming a Reallusion community manager As my digital content business grew, my hobby not only became my full-time job, but I also opened my own market store to sell my creations and also help other artists like me to get into world of digital creation. I believe there are many more artists like me out there – talented designers and artists who struggle between work and their passion. That’s why I recently officially became a Reallusion Spokesman and Community Manager. I want to share my true passion with others, and help more artists to succeed. Two Theme Stores: Reallusion Content Store & 2D Marketplace Garry Pye's 'Little Mates' Reallusion offers several different areas on the website for developers to sell and promote their products, from hobbyists to professionals. The first step in becoming a content developer was to sell my characters, props and backgrounds in the 2D Marketplace, a wonderful platform for artists at any skill level. The Marketplace allows you to load any content at no cost, and you make a healthy commission from each sale. Reallusion provides you with the templates you need for marketing, but the look and design of your marketing is entirely in your control. I still load all of my new content to the Marketplace today and it’s a fantastic site for being seen by potential customers. Once my catalogue of content had grown in size, I was invited to join the Reallusion Content Store which has the advantage of being controlled by Reallusion itself, including all marketing, which is extensive. The secret to both the Marketplace and the Content Store was to remain relevant and current, creating and uploading new content on a regular basis so the audience I was building would return to see what new content was on offer. Then I was invited to open my own Theme Store on the Reallusion site, which meant that my store was now featured on the main page, giving me considerable more exposure on the site and once again building on my brand. By this time I had a large following of loyal customers that had been accumulated through each level of the sites platforms, from Marketplace to Content Store and finally to Theme Store, where I now represent other artists and help promote their work. All Stars – My latest series of characters created with Cartoon Animator 4 As well as making standalone characters, I knew from the beginning of my work as a content developer that I wanted to make series of characters as well, so that animators would have a range of characters to choose from, all with the same distinct and recognisable style. For the All Stars I chose a vector style of design, with no black outline, which I felt was more suitable to the needs of media presenters for corporate training videos and slideshows (my target audience for this series). The characters are cartoony, but still based on normal human proportions. Fun, but professional. I would certainly have been able to create the All Stars in CrazyTalk Animator 3, however Cartoon Animator 4 gave me several distinct advantages. The main one was that with CTA4, I am able to add additional layers to the face, meaning that for the first time you could create things like hair that has multiple levels, each of which can either be visible or invisible to change a characters hair style, or even animate the hair sections using the Deform function. Moustaches and facial hair could now be easily turned on or off without having to have them built in to the nose sprite, making sprite selection much easier. In addition, the new G3 360 Degree Heads allow much more natural movement for character animation. I did not incorporate the full arc of movement with these characters heads with The Bendies, which was a design choice. And the option is always there should I choose to expand the characters style and incorporate it later. View the full article
  5. You're here because you want to know what the best smartphone tripods of 2020 are so far, and that's exactly what you'll find right here. Smartphones have made massive inroads into camera tech, and a quality smartphone tripod can really help produce professional-looking images and video. While many of the best camera phones come with optical image stabilisation and help smooth out unwanted camera shake, there will always be times when more stable support is needed. Whether you want to shoot a piece to camera without the arm-outstretched vlogging look, or capture a long exposure photo in low light, it’s a good idea to attach your phone to a tripod. But don't worry, this doesn't mean lugging a tripod the size of the Eiffel tower around (although if that is what you're after, browse our best tripods article). There are plenty of ultra-compact tripods on the market designed specifically for phones. And the best ones are so compact, they can sit on a table top, each tripod leg being around 20cm long, folding down to the size of a 500ml water bottle. Jump down for how to choose the best smartphone tripod The best smartphone tripods available now Our pick of the best smartphone tripods right now is the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod Kit with universal smartphone clamp. Manfrotto’s PIXI mini tripods have been around for several years and have established a reputation for good quality at a reasonable price. The particular version is a two-part kit comprised of a PIXI Mini tripod and Manfrotto’s Universal Smartphone Clamp. This simple, spring-loaded clamp can accommodate a phone up to 84mm wide – more than enough for even a phablet-sized device like a Galaxy Note 10. The clamp’s grippy jaws hold your phone securely, and the clamp itself attaches to a small ball head atop the PIXI tripod, making it easy to tilt your phone up or down for high or low-angle shots, though only with the phone mounted horizontally. You can also detach the clamp and mount a lightweight interchangeable lens camera to the ball head instead, increasing the tripod’s versatility. And when it’s time to get on the move, fold the tripod’s legs together and they form an ergonomic handle that makes handheld vlogging much more stable and comfortable. Joby’s GorillaPod Mobile Rig looks more like a stick figure than a typical tripod, thanks to its arm-like supports on either side of the phone holder. These can be used to mount compact LED lights or a separate microphone, helping you boost the quality of your footage. The GorillaPod’s extra-flexible legs allow you to instantly bend them to any angle for effortless set-up, and you can even wrap the legs around objects like railings for extra variety in shot compositions and framing. Your phone is held securely in Joby’s GripTight PRO Phone mount. This uses a single locking knob to simultaneously secure your phone and to switch between horizontal and vertical positioning – an option lacking in many clamps - though the do-it-all knob means it’s possible to accidentally release your phone when you only want to rotate it. The clamp is mounted on a tilt hinge for extra framing flexibility, and above the holder is a cold-shoe-type mount ideal for attaching a compact shotgun mic. Next in our roundup of the best smartphone tripods is the Joby GripTight PRO TelePod. The trouble with most mini tripods is that they have to be perched on a table if you need extra height, but that’s not always an option. The TelePod can stand tall thanks to its nifty telescoping centre column, which extends up to 79cm. It’s a clever trick, though the three tripod legs are still as short as those on a typical tabletop tripod, meaning it’s not the most stable phone support when your phone is balancing high up. Alternatively, you can take hold of your phone and use the TelePod as a monopod support to keep your phone level when recording panning shots. Not only that, but the tripod legs can fold together to form a handle, then, with the centre column outstretched, you’ve got a good quality selfie stick. Joby even includes a Bluetooth remote so you can control your iPhone or Android phone’s camera not just when it’s on the end of the selfie stick, but from up to 90 feet away. The supplied phone holder is Joby’s feature-packed GripTight PRO Phone mount that compliments the TelePod well, with its extensive adjustment and quality build. The smaller sibling of the Joby GripTight PRO TelePod, the Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini is still a great option for a lot of smartphone camera enthusiasts. First of all, weighing at 32 grams, this is not going to slow you down, and with its diminutive size, it take up a lot of room either. It's the cheapest tripod that Joby currently make, but it includes the companies trademark flexible legs, made with several moveable joints. Because of this, you can stand the Joby GorillaPod Mobile Mini up exactly like a mini table-top tripod, or attach it to something with its wrap-around legs. For less than $20/£20, it will come with a phone mount too, so you're good to go from the off. If you're looking for an extremely portable, convenient (yet small) tripod, this is a fantastic option. If you like the sound of the Joby TelePod’s tripod and selfie stick versatility, but are less keen on its hefty price tag, Benro may have the answer with its BK10. It performs the same tripod-to-selfie stick transformation for a fraction of the cost, yet it’s still made by a well-respected tripod brand and feels much better made than the bargain price would suggest. With the telescopic centre column outstretched, your phone can rise up to 91cm off the deck, though as you’d imagine, balancing your phone this high when the tripod’s legs are so short is a bit precarious. You can’t have everything at this price, and Benro’s phone clamp is very basic. It does hold reasonably securely though, and while it won’t rotate between horizontal and vertical orientation, the tripod’s compact ball head will let you do this. Somehow Benro has also managed to throw in a Bluetooth trigger for remote camera control, and its 30-metre range is easily enough for most shooting scenarios. The last, but not least, to feature on our best smartphone tripods 2020 list, is kind of a big deal! Most phone tripods are so small they end up compromised in terms of support, especially when you use a phone tripod for regular shoots. Manfrotto's Compact Light Smart smartphone tripod has no such drawbacks, as it combines a smartphone clamp holder with a full-size travel tripod, just as you’d use for an interchangeable lens camera. This enables a genuinely usable 131cm max shooting height, as each leg of the tripod has four sections so they spread far wider than the single-section legs on a standard tabletop tripod, significantly boosting stability. Naturally this does mean that at 39cm long when packed, this isn’t the most compact phone support out there, but it is very small for a ‘proper’ tripod, and at only 840g, it’s also extremely light for its size. The included phone holder isn’t as fancy as the clamp you get with a Joby GorillaPod Mobile Rig, but it does the job, and the same can be said of the basic ball head, which also allows your phone to rotate through 90-degrees to shoot in portrait mode. Factor the price, which is less than some tricked-up tabletop tripods, and this Manfrotto support certainly gives you a lot for the money. How to choose the best smartphone tripod A phone tripod is only as good as the mechanism it uses to hold your phone. Whereas a traditional camera will have a dedicated tripod mounting point, nowadays you’re lucky if there's a headphone jack on your phone. This means a smartphone tripod will usually be bundled with a mounting clamp that grips your phone, similar to a phone holder for your car. All the tripods on this list come bundled with a phone holder, so they’re ready to use. What’s more, phone tripod manufacturers also recognise that today’s phones are much wider than those from a few years ago, so you should be able to mount even the widest XL/+/Max-sized devices with ease. Read more: The best photo apps and photo-editing software 6 expert smartphone photography tips The best smartphone in 2019: be more creative on the move View the full article
  6. We can safely call this decade a decade of startups. Small and big, local and international, teams of every size and scale pop up each day, offering products to benefit the community. Some of them come and go, while others …View the full article
  7. The Russian spy group, a.k.a. BlackEnergy, is actively compromising Exim mail servers via a critical security vulnerability. View the full article
  8. For many professional creatives, having a laptop that doesn't just help you unleash your creativity, but also speeds up your creative workflow is essential. It means you’ll be able to easily hit deadlines, and by working faster, you can take on more work. If you’re looking for the ultimate creativity and productivity machine, then, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is the perfect choice for you – and it can prove to be a real game-changer that can transform your creative workflow. For a start, it’s one of the most powerful laptops in the world, with Nvidia’s latest and greatest RTX-capable graphics cards installed. These amazing GPUs allow the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo to accomplish intensive graphical tasks, such as 4K video editing and 3D rendering, incredibly quickly, and offers a big speed boost to your workflow. For 3D animators and modellers, Nvidia RTX GPUs also allow you to add advanced ray tracing lighting effects to make your creations look even more realistic. Also packing a high-end 9th Generation Intel® Core™ i9 processor and bags of RAM, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo is also a killer multi-tasker, allowing you to power through tasks both creative and professional. Gone are the days where you have to leave your laptop alone while it struggles to complete a single task. Thanks to the super-poerful hardware in the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo, you can keep on working on it while it completes those tasks in the background. Those features alone would make the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo a formidable productivity machine for any creative, but this unique laptop has another trick up its sleeve: dual 4K displays. That’s right. As well as having a stunning 15.6-inch OLED 4K screen, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo has a second 14-inch 4K touch display, known as the Screenpad Plus, above the keyboard. This second screen is a revolution when it comes to boosting your creative workflow. Not only can you use the second screen to display additional applications – such as an email app – giving you more space to work on the main screen, but you can also move tools from certain creative apps, onto the Screenpad Plus. This gives you quick and easy access to your most-used tools, while freeing up more screen real estate on the main screen. For digital artists, the Screenpad Plus can transform into a sketchpad with the included stylus, allowing you to instantly draw, paint and doodle digitally. The main 15.6-inch screen is no slouch, either. As well as offering stunning 4K resolutions, it’s also Pantone and DCPI-3 validated, which means colours are vibrant and – most importantly – accurate. By packing the kind of power you’d usually see in a desktop PC, with two gorgeous screens, into a portable laptop body, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo really is a game-changer when it comes to boosting your creative workflow. View the full article
  9. We've loved seeing examples of the creative community coming together during lockdown, and this latest cartoon project is a truly heartwarming example. A psychologist and a cartoonist have come together to capture the one moment key workers are most looking forward to when lockdown ends, and the results are delightful. Last month, psychologist Kevin Dutton asked key workers to share the moment or memory that's currently keeping them going, and cartoonist Rob Murray is now illustrating them each inside a bottle. #BottleMoments has seen Murray capture over 50 moments inside bottles, and they're guaranteed to raise a smile. If they inspire you to get drawing, our how to draw guides will keep your skills as sharp as your pencil. Dutton is currently sharing Murray's efforts on Twitter, along with a quote from each key worker themselves. Moments captured so far include postponed weddings, delayed travel plans and lots of family reunions, including this care home worker who can't wait to visit her own nan: "As a cartoonist working for magazines and newspapers, you spend most of your time poking fun at situations," Murray told Good Morning Britain. "The positive thing about this project is that it is about normal people, and their normal lives." "The major theme is connection," Dutton added. "It shows us that as a society, the DNA of what gets us through is being together." Murray's cartoon pencil style is perfect for capturing these often simple moments of togetherness – the drawings are a touching token of appreciation and hope for key workers during a time of great hardship and courage. Placing the moments in a bottle is an inspired touch, capturing them and almost turning them into timeless vignettes. Key workers can share the moment they're most looking forward to with the hashtag #BottleMoments – and it might just get bottled up by Dutton and Murray. Other recent displays of solidarity within the creative community have included Rob Biddulph's free drawing lessons for kids. Rob recently attempted to break the world record for the largest online art lesson with over 10,000 viewers (he's still waiting for the official result). For more inspiring examples, check out our best free resources for creatives stuck at home. Keep reading: Burger King’s genius Social Distancing Whopper will make your eyes water Your Fujifilm camera is now an ultra-HD webcam for video calls Is this the ultimate working from home setup (or the stuff of nightmares)? View the full article
  10. Known for its problem-solving approach, Lego has tackled one of the most universal problems facing workers at the moment by creating a tongue-in-cheek guide to working from home. The step-by-step picture guide will teach you exactly how to handle the unique challenges of WFH, and how to "be awesome" at it. Recreating the on-point vibe of an office (remember those?) within the comfort of your home involves remembering to get dressed, sitting properly at your desk (no dining chairs allowed – see our best office chairs if you're struggling with this), personalising your desk and then remaining on task at all times. It's a lot to take on, but following Lego's guide should see you right. If all this Lego talk has whet your appetite, you can head over to our best Lego City sets guide. But first, let's take a closer look at Lego's WFH instructions... Dress appropriately The first step is to dress appropriately. 'Appropriate' in this case, is to take on the strategy of newsreaders everywhere (we assume). Your top half is all that matters here. As long as you don't stand up during your video call, you can follow the Minifigure's lead as he models a business-ready top half and more-than-casual-Friday lower body attire. Follow proper ergonomics Next, get your build on and recreate the ergonomics of your office set-up. Lego has created a stable structure to rest a laptop on, and we're sure those Lego books fit together more solidly than our wobbly tower would. And if the tower of books won't cut it, here's our pick of the best desks around right now. Personalise Now it's time to soften things up with some personal touches. Lego's idea of personalising your desk seems to involve adding a looming picture of your boss on your left (it might help to keep you on track), and an interloper visitor on your desk (pretty accurate in our case). Start working And finally, to work. Which may be easier said than done, of course. As Lego suggests, that picture of your boss is totally expendable when the inevitable procrastination begins. And how is your cat meant to resist that mouse, anyway? So, if you're not totally happy with your WFH set up, perhaps Lego has given you the tools to get it right – heart patterned underwear and all. We certainly send our thanks to Lego for making light of a tricky work/life situation. Getting creative with a WFH set up is widespread during lockdown, as we saw with this ultimate work from home set up that divided opinion recently. And it isn't only work-from-homers that are unleashing design creativity in the time of COVID-19. This optician now has a perspex screen in the shape of a pair of glasses to shield its reception staff, which has taken the internet by storm. Read more: How to work from home more productively This is what Banksy working from home looks like The best office stationery for working from home View the full article
  11. The DDoS group sets itself apart by using exploits -- but it doesn't always pan out. View the full article
  12. Attackers compromised six Cisco VIRL-PE servers that are affected by critical SaltStack vulnerabilities. View the full article
  13. While the iPhone 12 is still yet to be released, some seem to have forgotten about it already as new leaks today speculate what the iPhone 13 could look like. It might be over a year away from release, but the iPhone 13 is set to feature one camera to rule them all. By which, we mean four. According to a regular Apple-leaker by the name of, er, Fudge, the iPhone 13 could contain the first four-camera setup in an iPhone. It could also feature a LiDAR scanner (currently only found in the 2020 iPad Pro), making it a portable AR powerhouse – great for choosing your next sofa. The iPhone has been a permanent fixture in our round up of the best camera phones, with the 12 looking likely to bump the 11 off the top spot any time now. But if these iPhone 13 camera leaks are anything to go by, its younger sibling won'tlast long in poll position. Browse iPhones at Apple.com But, as we mentioned already, the iPhone 12 isn't even out yet, so let's step back for a second. The iPhone 12 rumours suggest significantly improved cameras over the current iPhone 11, including enhanced autofocus and zoom. It will, however, allegedly contain a mere three cameras. Not only could the iPhone 13 contain a feature a whole extra lens, but two of its cameras could rock massive 64MB sensors. Fudge also shared a rough layout for the device: While it'll come as no surprise to anybody that the iPhone 13 will feature a better camera than the iPhone 12, it could open up huge possibilities for creatives and photographers on the move. With its countless photo editing apps, the iPhone is already a superb device for photographers, but could the iPhone 13 become the first to rival your DSLR? Time will tell, but our best camera guide is safe from smartphones for now. Fudge reminds us that, as with all leaks, these should be taken with a huge pinch of salt. But with the rate that smartphone photography has advanced over the last few years, it's easy to get carried away by what the next few years could bring. While this is all very exciting, the iPhone 11 Pro's camera is still seriously impressive. If you want the best iPhone camera available right now, check out the best deals below. Keep reading: Your Fujifilm camera is now an ultra-HD webcam for video calls You can now get retro iPhone app icons – and you'll want them all right now You won't believe what Apple's next MacBook might look like View the full article
  14. Microsoft has warned on a new breed of patient ransomware attacks that lurk in networks for weeks before striking. View the full article
  15. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite has recently had an exciting update, giving designers game-changing collaboration tools and sophisticated AI enhancements, not to mention a performance boost that makes it faster and easier to create flawless designs while streamlining the entire creative process. With these new capabilities, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020 sets a new standard for productivity, power and collaboration, making it more tempting than ever before. But if you're unsure whether CorelDRAW is for you, or are concerned about making the switch from other software, fear not. Here's why CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020 is a powerful tool to add to your design arsenal. Collaborate more efficiently Make comments and annotations is now easier than ever Collaborating on your designs is now easier, as clients and colleagues can annotate and comment directly onto your CorelDRAW files. Removing the time wasted on back and forth emails, a mess of attachments, and patched together workflow solutions, Corel has delivered a fast and simple way to get everyone on the same page (literally), thanks to the new cloud-based CorelDRAW.app. And even though users now have the ability to add comments and mock up their ideas directly in your file, sharing your work in this way doesn't mean compromising the integrity of your design, as with Dynamic Text Co-editing, you control which elements can be changed. You can set design elements such as font size, colour and image placement so they can't be moved, while allowing your collaborators to make text edits. Keeping track of changes and approving work is also simple, as CorelDRAW supports Single Sign-On (SSO) to Microsoft Office 365 and G Suite accounts, meaning that teams can manage their files in Google Drive and SharePoint. With Cloud-based versioning and a simple approval process utilising CorelDRAW.app, long email chains are now a thing of the past. These new CorelDRAW.app collaboration features are included with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite subscriptions and enterprise licences. As part of its response to the Covid-19 situation, Corel has also extended this functionality to all CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019 and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020 users for a limited time, ensuring that designers can enjoy these new, powerful ways to stay connected at a time when working together brings extra challenges. Stay streets ahead of the competition Create all this and more with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020 Unlike other creative software, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020 offers a number of flexible ways to license the product. Users can choose a monthly subscription, or pay a one-off fee to own their software licence outright. The suite is good value for money, too. When you subscribe to CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020, you get Corel's signature vector editing software, CorelDRAW, together with Corel Photo-Paint. It’s good to note that CorelDRAW supports vector illustration and page layout in a single app, so there’s no need to switch between separate products (like Illustrator and InDesign) to manage this workflow. Best yet, this complete package is available for around the cost of Adobe Illustrator CC alone (as a single app on an annual plan). Use multiple Apple and Windows devices CorelDRAW in Windows Both macOS and Windows users can benefit from the new CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020, with optimised suites that make the most of both platforms. Windows users can make quick adjustments in the Touch workspace, and work with a stylus on compatible tablets, while Mac aficionados can enjoy native apps with their own unique look and feel that support their favorite macOS features including Sidecar, TouchBar on MacBook Pro, and more. With all this, why not give CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020 a try? Sign up for a free trial today. View the full article
  16. Chrome and Firefox are modern web browsers that have built-in tools to help developers edit pages and fix problems directly in the browser. Chrome has its developer tools and Firefox has its developer tools. Both have many overlapping features and some unique features. In …View the full article
  17. As lockdown restrictions begin to ease in certain countries across the world, brands are facing a new challenge: how to promote the reopening of their stores and restaurants while also encouraging social distancing. While some have opted for simple, informative messaging, Burger King Italy has chosen a more humorous approach – and it's right on the nose. The brand recently introduced a new Social Distancing Whopper. It is, quite simply, a Whopper with extra onions (three times extra, to be precise), and it promises "to keep people away from you". It isn't quite as medically sound as a face mask (our where to buy a face mask guide has you covered there), but this tongue-in-cheek ad is one of the more creative takes we've seen on social distancing. The concept, created by agency Wunderman Thompson, is actually available to buy in Burger King's Italian restaurants. One US YouTuber asked his local Burger King to recreate the dish, and described it as "the most pungent taste" he has ever experienced. A success, then. The Social Distancing Whopper isn't Burger King's only creative response to the need for social distancing – it is now offering huge cardboard crowns (above) to diners at its German restaurants. And while these creations are obviously designed to raise a smile rather than offering genuine protection, there's a level of ingenuity and design that raises them above mere opportunism (unlike McDonald's's disastrous social distancing logo). We've loved seeing creative responses to the 'new normal', such as one optician's eye-catching safety screen. And if all of this makes you feel like unleashing your own creativity, learning how to make a face mask is one sure fire way of combining safety and style. Read more: Your Fujifilm camera is now an ultra-HD webcam for video calls Is this the ultimate working from home setup (or the stuff of nightmares)? You can now get retro iPhone app icons – and you'll want them all right now View the full article
  18. One of the best techniques to have in your toolkit is designing with type on and around images. But it can also be one of the toughest concepts to pull off successfully. You have to have the right photo, a …View the full article
  19. The way an image is edited in post-production sets the tone of how it will be perceived. If you're looking for breathtaking and unique treatments for your upcoming photo projects, you've come to the right place. Spark new inspiration and let your imagination run free with 7000+ Professional Lightroom Presets and create beautiful final images efficiently and effectively. Best yet, the complete package is only $39. Compatible with Lightroom 6 and Creative Cloud on both Mac and PC, this bundle brought to you by asset powerhouse Eldamar Studio packs a punch no matter what type of mood or look you are aiming to create. Choose from over 7000 presets compatible with both RAW and JPG images and pick from overlay categories such as fashion, food photography, black and white, family portraits, cinematography, and so much more. Want to upgrade your photography production? Check out our Photoshop tutorials, and these amazing photo editing apps. Or why not invest in one of the best laptops for photo editing? Enjoy endless possibilities With theme-specific Lightroom presets for a distinctive feel or mood, you'll have endless possibilities for projects of all kinds, no matter the size. You'll have access to presets in themes such as dark and moody Halloween, fairy tale romance, cold glow winter, magic forest, analog film, and so much more. There are also simple treatments such as color correcting, and Instagram Lightroom presets for any type of photo, making it a great bundle no matter what your editing style is. This complete pack comes complete with lifetime access, making it a vast overlay asset library to have for photographers and graphic designers of all calibers. While other preset bundles have licensing rights that usually expire or have to be renewed over time, this package includes a commercial license with unlimited access. Great for the never-stop-creating designer, the license never expires and allows you to use the elements time and time again for web or print projects. With updates to the presets included in the bundle, you'll always be kept up to date with the latest and greatest content available and be informed if any new preset categories or overlays are added. The possibilities are endless. While this professional Lightroom preset bundle is typically sold for $69, it is currently price-dropped for a limited time only to $39. Start planning your next photo session or graphic design project and take your editing possibilities to the next level with thousands of ready to go Lightroom presets geared toward any genre. *Prices subject to change. Software not included. Read more: The best video editing apps in 2020 The best monitors for photo editing in 2020 Video editing software: The 17 best tools for 2020 View the full article
  20. There are various sights we're all getting used to as part of the 'new normal', from face masks to two metre markings all over shop floors. Speaking of shops, another common feature is protective screens in front of counters. These are usually a simple sheet of perspex, but as one Redditor has shown, safety doesn't have to look dull. Created for his wife's opticians office in Washington, Alan Brendon's design (below) is based on, you guessed it, a pair of glasses. Hanging neatly above the shop counter, the oversized specs offer protection for two cashiers (one per lens). It's one of the most creative solutions to safety we've seen (check out our guide to where to buy a face mask for more stylish protection). Needless to say, the 'safety glasses' have proved a huge hit on Reddit. "Awesome design and great execution!" one commenter exclaimed. Others were quick to ask the important questions: "Do customers look all blurry if your wife comes out from behind them?" The creator has been generous enough to explain the process of making the specs. "After measuring the front desk carefully I created it in Illustrator and sent the lenses and temple detail to a local sign maker to custom cut. I cut the rest of the frame from a piece of half-inch plywood, glued it up and spray painted it black. We wanted to bring a little bit of fun to this very not fun situation." He's even shared the Illustrator file for anyone who wants it. Better get that Creative Cloud plan sorted, then. If you fancy putting your own creative stamp on the world right now but don't happen to own an opticians' office, don't despair – you can always learn how to make a face mask. And if you want to indulge in the inspiring creativity of others during these strange times, check out the best free resources for creatives stuck at home. Read more: Your Fujifilm camera is now an ultra-HD webcam for video calls Is this the ultimate working from home setup (or the stuff of nightmares)? You can now get retro iPhone app icons – and you'll want them all right now View the full article
  21. If you've been working from home for the past few weeks, you're probably no stranger to video calls. From straightening the living room to throwing on your best shirt (trousers optional), we've all experienced the frantic rush to look your best for that all-important conference. But if your built-in webcam isn't up to scratch, what's the point? Enter Fujifilm. The camera manufacturer has released new software as well as a tutorial (below), letting users turn their mirrorless cameras into an ultra-high quality webcam. While we wouldn't for a second suggest buying a mirrorless camera just for video calls (our where to buy a webcam guide is full of affordable options), if you have one lying around, you could be about to seriously up your Zoom game. And if you don't have one lying around, our best camera for creatives guide will soon fix that. All you need is a USB cable, and the new Fujifilm X webcam software. Oh, and a Fujifilm camera. The free app is compatible with the X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, and all GFX cameras. If you already own any of these, then you're now also the proud owner of a very high quality webcam – perhaps even a $10,000, 100MB one if you're lucky enough to own the ridiculously high-spec GFX 100. And why shouldn't your next Zoom catch-up look like a Hollywood blockbuster? Spot the difference There is, unfortunately, some bad news – the software is currently only available for Windows. Mac users are currently out of luck, much to the disappointment of the majority of commenters on Fujifilm's tutorial. Hopefully it'll take notice and make the software available to all as soon as possible. Fancy picking up one of Fujifilm's incredible webcams (sorry, cameras)? Take a look at today's best deals below. Read more: Is this the ultimate working from home setup (or the stuff of nightmares)? You can now get retro iPhone app icons – and you'll want them all right now You won't believe what Apple's next MacBook might look like View the full article
  22. Now is the perfect time to increase your reading, both for pleasure and to up your creative skills. Creative Bloq is the online presence for two industry leading magazines – Imagine FX and 3D World – we've got an amazing offer that'll save you money on a subscription. Not only can you save up to 68 per cent on the usual RRP of a magazine subscription but our code will get you an extra 20 per cent off the sale price, too. There's never been a better time to dive in. Which magazine is right for you? Well, if you're potty about digital painting and drawing, Imagine FX will be a real treat, while CG artists will love 3D World. Keep reading to find out more about the amazing offers available right now, plus more information on exactly what you'll find in each magazine. Below, we've shown the prices for quarterly digital & print subscriptions, which qualify for the 20 per cent bundle discounts, but there are also big savings to be had on digital/print only subscriptions – and yearly subscriptions, too! Read more: The best laptops for 3D modelling in 2020 The best Apple Pencil alternatives in 2020 The best drawing tablet: Our pick of the best graphics tablets in 2020 View the full article
  23. Prepare to be impressed by the AMD Ryzen 3950X processor. We certainly were when Chillblast sent us a workstation with AMD’s affordable 16-core wonder chip in it. With specs that should make this processor one of the best out there, we couldn't wait to try it out. The ongoing rise of AMD technology is the single biggest story in PC hardware right now, which is why we’re looking at yet another workstation with an AMD processor this month. Keep reading for our full opinion. Need a new laptop primed for 3D work? See our pick of the best laptops for 3D modelling right now. AMD Ryzen 3950X review: Price Ryzen 3950X is particularly interesting because it has 16 physical CPU cores and can run 32 threads at once, with an (approximate) UK retail price of £749. That’s well below the level Intel has consistently charged for its most high-end chips for years. Until now, those high prices had ensured workstations with more than eight processor cores were simply out of reach for most of us in the CG industry. The total cost of the full Chillblast system, equipped with a Quadro RTX 4000 graphics card, 32GB of DDR4 memory, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD comes to £3,279, which is still £450 less than a rig based around Intel’s 10th-generation platform, which has already had price cuts to make it much more affordable than the previous generation. Intel may lose out on value but one area where it still (just) has a lead is in instructions per cycle, which does affect certain areas of software performance. AMD Ryzen 3950X review: Design and features 3D software has plenty to gain from processors with more CPU cores. All the popular CPU-based renderers are carefully multi-threaded to offer an approximate linear performance improvement from additional CPU cores. Renders complete twice as fast on an eight-core processor as on a quad-core chip. A 16- core chip is twice as fast again so that extra hardware can mean a final render of a scene with exceptionally detailed lighting and many millions of polygons is reduced by hours. The high core count is not the only interesting thing about the 3.5GHz (4.7GHz Turbo) Ryzen 3950X processor. AMD is reaping the rewards from the flexibility of its Zen 2 architecture and how manufacturing partner TSMC has managed to beat Intel to 7nm fabrication, allowing them to keep the TDP within a manageable limit of 105W. That’s particularly good news for customers too. The Ryzen 3950X does not require an expensive high-end motherboard with a special chipset. It can be used in nearly all existing Socket AM4 motherboards, although some might need a firmware update. Ryzen 3950X review: Performance As mentioned before, Intel just has the edge in some performance aspects. For the Ryzen 3950X, our results show the 3950X breaking all records whenever software is multi-threaded, but not every application takes advantage of those extra cores. The 3950X storms ahead in Blender CPU rendering and Cinebench but in SPECViewPerf, which relies on graphics card performance, the Intel Core i9 9900K just edges ahead, even if it’s only by a small margin. But we’d still pick the 3950X every time. Sixteen CPU cores gives you real flexibility to tackle seriously heavy-duty computing tasks. AMD deserves considerable praise for its exceptional technical achievement here. But before you join the queue of eager buyers itching to purchase this processor, be advised that AMD has further tricks up its sleeve. A brand new Threadripper chip with 32 processor cores is set for imminent launch too and it’s public knowledge that a mind blowing 64-core Threadripper product is coming in the next 12 months. Ryzen 3950X review: Should you buy it? The Ryzen 3950X is the best AMD processor ever, for its efficiency and affordability as much as its capability and puts the company well in front of its arch rival for the first time in over a decade. Based on the 3D performance it offers for the money, it’s instantly become our top recommendation for any workstation. This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine. Read more: How to sell your 3D assets online View the full article
  24. If, like countless others, you've found yourself working from home lately, you'll know the importance of getting your workstation right. From the best office chair to the best desk, finding the right kit is essential for your productivity and comfort. One Apple fanatic has shared photos of his own setup, which has been years in the making. It includes a 43-inch TV (as well as a secondary monitor), Apple's HomePod speaker, various wireless chargers for iPhones and AirPods, and a rather creative neon lighting display. And the whole setup is powered by the tiny Mac Mini – proving that a little can go a long way. Take a look at the full setup below. The setup belongs to medical student Zach Hicks, who shared it with Cult of Mac. Our favourite aspect of it? No wires. Not a single cable can be seen in Hicks' setup, thanks to some seriously impressive cable management – presumably on the underside of the desk. The real estate afforded of the two screens and the clutter-free desk itself no doubt allows for some serious, distraction-free productivity. If you're after a sweet screen setup like Hicks, check out our best monitors for Mac. That said, someone needs to tell Hicks to tone down those lights. The green-and-pink neon effect would leave us feeling like we're catching up on emails inside a nightclub. Whether that sounds like a dream or a nightmare is up to you. Thankfully, they're Phillips Hue lamps – so something more tasteful is just a few iPhone taps away. Plus, if it's a un-cluttered aesthetic Hicks is going for, we're not sure about the empty Apple boxes adorning the shelves. He calls them a visual reminder of his journey to build this dream setup, but if our own workstation was constantly reminding us how great our workstation was, we're not sure we'd get any work done. We'd love to know what's in those plastic boxes Still, we've no doubt that, in time, the empty packing will be replaced with certificates and awards from Hicks' distinguished medical career. Aside from the boxes and lamps, we're looking at a pretty impressive setup. If you're inspired to fix up your own workstation, our guide to working from home has you covered. Read more: You can now get retro iPhone app icons – and you'll want them all right now Is this what iOS 14 will look like? (We really hope so) You won't believe what Apple's next MacBook might look like View the full article
  25. Tired, frustrated, lacking motivation? You’re not alone, especially right now. But mindfulness is a psychological technique that can help. It involves refocusing yourself on the present moment; on what’s happening both inside your body and in your external surroundings. And the aim is to help you feel calmer and more balanced, both physically and emotionally. Mindfulness is commonly used in clinical psychology today to help treat depression and anxiety. Mindfulness is not a complete cure for any of these things, but many people find it useful in lifting their mood and providing a new perspective. Want to dip your toe in the water? In this post, we suggest some basic mindfulness activities you can do at home, which are easy and risk-free to try. Meanwhile, if you’d like to study mindfulness in more depth, you’ll find information on accredited courses here, and you can also check out our roundup of mindfulness apps. 01. Mindful breathing Focus on your breathing and let all other thoughts float away Mindfulness is all about focusing your mind on the fundamentals, and letting everything else just fade away into the background. So one of the most effective activities you can do is mindful breathing. This involves simply focusing your attention on the air coming in and out of your body as you inhale and exhale. Ideally you’ll be sitting, but if that’s not possible then standing or lying down are also good options. Begin by closing your eyes and taking one deep breath, then continue to breathe naturally. Merely observe each breath, rather than trying to control it, and start to empty your mind of all other thoughts. However, if your mind wanders or you’re distracted by, for example, noise from next door, don’t let it bother you but just accept that it’s happening. There’s no set time for doing breathing exercises, but around 10 minutes is a good ballpark to aim for first-timers. More importantly, it’s widely believed that making mindful breathing a regular habit makes it much more effective. 02. 4-7-8 breathing Finding mindful breathing difficult? It's widely believed that spending more time on the out-breath than the in-breath can help relax you. So you might want to try, for example, the 4-7-8 breathing activity. This involves breathing in through the nose for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and then exhaling through the mouth for eight seconds. Do this for up to four cycles, all the while focusing on your breathing and emptying your mind of all other worries. This should help you to get yourself relaxed and 'in the zone', and then try breathing normally after that. 03. The 5-4-3-2-1 exercise Mindfulness is all about feeling connected to the present moment, and so one of the most popular approaches is the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise, which engages all five of your senses at once. This is a particularly useful activity for when you feel anxious and unable to unwind. Begin by closing your eyes, slowing your breathing, and paying attention to the breath coming in and out of your body. Once you’re more relaxed, look around you and identity five random things you can see, whether that be a mirror, a pair of glasses, or a bird at the window. You don’t need to dwell on them, just acknowledge them. The next step is to similarly identify four things you can touch, and imagine doing so. This might be something on your body, such as your hair, or something external, such as a table. Again, you don’t actually have to touch them; just acknowledge them. The third step is to think of three things you can hear. Then, two things you can smell. The last step is to thing of one thing you can currently taste. 04. S.T.O.P. S.T.O.P mean you Stop what you're doing, Take a breath, Observe, and then Proceed Anxiety is not the only things that can prevent us from being creative and productive in our work. Other mental states such as being distracted, feeling bored or even being excited can make it difficult to focus and get things done. One mindfulness activity that can help is described by the acronym: S.T.O.P. S stands for 'Stop what you’re doing'. That means not just stopping the action (eg. editing images in Photoshop) but stopping your thoughts and feelings about it too. T stands for 'Take a breath'. That means, as before, slowing your breathing and focusing on the air coming in and out of your body. O stands for 'Observe'. That means noticing what’s going on with your body and mind. Is your fist clenched or relaxed? Is your mood happy or sad? P stands for 'Proceed'. Now your mind and body are focused and aware, you can now turn your attention to the world around you. Consider what you’ve just learned about yourself, and how you can use that information to proceed with the task in hand. 05. Conscious observation The conscious observation technique is just what it sounds like. You pick an object, any object: it could be an apple, a book, a cup, for example. Hold it in your hands, and then observe its shape, its texture, its weight, and so on. The important thing is not to analyse or think about any of this too intensely: just absorb everything about the object and let it fill your mind. This activity should give you a subtle but powerful feeling of being 'in the moment'. A related activity is conscious listening, where you observe a piece of relaxing music, or the sounds of nature, in a similar way. 06. Visualisation Visualisation is about generating images in your mind to influence your mental and physical state. For instance, if you’re struggling with the stress of a three-month creative project, it can be helpful to visualise the day when you finish and hand over your completed work. Visualisation is often used by sports teams to help them focus on winning, by picturing victory in their mind's eye. To practise visualisation, start by concentrating on your breath and clearing your mind of all distractions. Now start to generate a basic image in your mind. In this case, it might be going for a walk in the sunshine after finishing your creative project and feeling the relief of everything being completed to the client’s satisfaction. Then, with each breath you take, let the image or concept become more detailed. Think about the sights, the sounds and the smells you might experience, and how it will all make you feel. 07. Colouring in Colouring can be a mindful activity if approached in the right way Colouring in is often described as a mindful activity, and it can be... but only if you approach it the right way. For example, if you view it as a task to be completed to perfection, then it may turn out to be the opposite of relaxing (if your hand slips and you accidentally go over the lines, for example). If, however, you view colouring in as being purely about the process rather than the end goal, it can be successfully practised as a mindful activity. Indeed, colouring in has long played a key role in the mindfulness movement, such as within the mandala tradition of Buddhism. To give mindful colouring in a try, check out these free colouring templates from Adobe. 08. Mindful eating Mindful eating basically means eating in a mindful way, and can be especially useful for anyone who suffers from eating disorders, cravings, bingeing, food addiction or any other unhealthy relationship with food. Mindful eating means eating slowly, in a quiet place that’s free from distraction (so not, for example in front of the TV). It’s also about engaging all your senses, and fully acknowledging the smells, sights and tastes of the food. This helps you to listen to your body’s signals that tell you when you’re full and it’s time to stop eating, preventing you from either eating too much or being undernourished. 09. Naming your emotions We all experience difficult emotions that can be overwhelming. One technique that can help is to label them, according to the maxim: 'name it and you tame it'. Again, this is best done when you are in a mindful state. Sit in a relaxed position, close your eyes, focus on your breathing, and empty your mind. As you relax, notice which emotions come to the forefront of your mind. Try to identify the most powerful one, and give it a name. Now repeat this name three times in a gentle voice, either inwardly or out loud, depending on what you are comfortable with. For example: 'Sadness, sadness, sadness' or 'worry, worry, worry'. Shift between cycles of breathing and cycles of repeating the emotion until you are more accepting of what you are feeling, and more centred, physically and mentally. Read more: 9 ways to focus a wandering mind 10 brilliant ebooks that won't cost you a penny 20 creative projects to get involved with right now View the full article
×