Cycles is a render engine, used by Blender, the free/open 3D creation suite. blender.org

Edit by Alexander Mitzkus (twitter.com/zuggamasta)
Music by Sonnfried & Rodewald (soundcloud.com/sonnfried-rodew…)
Produced by Thomas Dinges (dingto.org/)

Thanks to all contributors:
Ajlan Altug for Ulkutay Creative
Aleksi Tuomela
Alike
Anson Adams
Antônio Souza​
Asbjørn Lote
BlackBoard VFX Studios
Blender Institute
California Academy of Sciences, Visualization Studio
Dan Brown
Erel Herzog
Eros Fornasari
Florian Benedetto
Ian Hubert
ISTUDIOS VISUALS
Jan Cilliers de Wet
Johannes Kollmer
Kisantal Tibor
Lorenz Hornfeck
Manuel Peter
Marcin Twarowski, TERMA
Mateusz Mielnicki, F4 Digital
meda36
Nahuel Belich
NESTERGAL CREATIVE SCHOOL (Odessa, Ukraine)
OHWEB Diseño & Comunicación (Rendered at Ideas Fijas)
Rachel Frick
Raz Freedman
Reynante M. Martinez
Tim Holmes
VisitLab CINECA

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Subscribe to Blender Studio to access invaluable production knowledge from Blender Studio, while securing Blender's future. Learn more at studio.blender.org/welcome/

Camera & Editing
Harukaze Legouge

Music
Dekobe - The Good Times
Dekobe - Autumn in New York
Dekobe - Standby

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Blender Studio

Blender Studio is a web service that provides access the training videos and all the data from the Blender open projects.

^{Blender Studio}

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For some background: I can't stand ads, so currently I have YouTube Premium and watch some video podcasts there. I've been trying to get into podcasts that don't have video but the ads are always a deal breaker for me.

So if I pay for an ad free podcast in Apple Podcasts for example, is there a way to automatically download new episodes of that? Ideally via CLI, but I'm open to GUI suggestions as well (running on KDE Plasma).

Ukulele Bonk is my contribution to The Four Seasons of Bonk Wave: A Midsummer Bonk’s Dream 1, which was released in early September, 2025.

The video was shot and edited on January 3rd, 2026.

More bonkwave and other songs available on my music site.

The Four Seasons of Bonk Wave: A Midsummer Bonk's Dream 1

A compilation of music which is or is not #BonkWave only this time it's Summer!

^{Bonk Knob Records}

Join our lead animator Rik in creating a fun little animation with Rex from start to finish!

Specs:
- Operating System: Linux Pop!_OS
- Memory: 32 GiB RAM
- GPU: GeForce GTX 980
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6800K CPU

You're watching a weekly of Sprite Fright's crew as they discuss Blender's new Open Movie, coming this October. For more weeklies, as well as inspiration and downloadable assets, check out Sprite Fright's production logs on Blender Cloud: cloud.blender.org/films/sprite…

0:00 Start
0:03 Hjalti
4:21 Simon (presented by Andy)
7:33 Andy
13:31 Rik
18:31 Beau
19:33 Dani
21:44 Gerard
23:16 Julien
28:13 Marti
29:58 Monica
32:04 Mack
33:10 Pablo
37:07 Ruth
38:21 Outro

In this session of sculpting Michel the sheep, Julien Kaspar will finalize some last elements like the hair, tree branch and smaller details of the body.
This also includes more color variation and general polishing of the sculpt.

Find out more about the Cosmos Laundromat and other Blender projects on the Blender Cloud:
cloud.blender.org/

With music from Stevia Sphere:
steviasphere.bandcamp.com/

cross-posted from: retrolemmy.com/post/32075754

Hi there, i am now a retro indie game developer for a long time (>15 years). Beside other things i developed a real-time browser game, a card game and more. I did it all without a contracts to publishers (which is pretty hard - and naturally without any monetary payoff).

For the last 6 years i worked on a fully libre-open-source textbased, sandbox-style, storydriven, retro-style cyberpunk network-sandbox game.

The game is text-based, so... there is no much to show, but i post a screeny below(retrolemmy.com/pictrs/image/c6…)

The game is ready for deployment and a real gem (i am very proud of it!). It just depends linux and some super-basic command-line tools.

It is 100% libre-open-source and very cleanly written and it has a tranparent build-system (means: the user builds an chroot-app on his/her computer) - which makes as safe, as your system. It runs in a isolated cgroup-enviroment via bwrap. It should build on any linux distro and run "on a toaster" (sbc is enough)

To host this, a git repo would be the best solution. (A static html-page would be enough for that - check the style of the suckless static git-pages: git.suckless.org/dmenu/log.htm…)

BUT... i have no phone (and i don't intend to get one) -> it looks like, that it is impossible to host a git repo without a phone.

I am searching for a hosting solution, without the need to have a phone.

Or better: I search for a partner that would host this project with me. The project itselft is (naturally) free of charge and libre-open-source.
Could be part of a git-page-presence or a simple static html-subdomain.

I really think that this is a really cool underdog indie game which will bring some prestige to the hosting partner.

Pls. tell me your thoughts and suggestions.

PM me if you have interest in a cooperation.

thx in advance

Update:
I managed to get GRUB running, booted into another snapshot, made that one the default and deleted almost all other snapshots.
This freed up some space, but my disc is still stuffed and I need to find out how to go on from here. If you have any suggestions, feel free 😀

Original Post:
A few days ago I noticed, that my system disc (~120gb) is almost maxed out.
Since almost everything that takes up considerable disc space resides on my 2 discs, I started investigating, supported by ChatGPT.
Turns out I've been running on a writable snapshot that keeps growing with each update.
Again, important stuff is on my other discs, so reinstalling Linux allover would be a inconvenience, but no problem.
Yet, I'd like to try repairing current installation, if only for the lessons learned.

I let ChatGPT summarize everything as a post so you don't have to deal with my half-educated gibberish:

I’m running openSUSE Tumbleweed with the default Btrfs + Snapper setup. My root partition (~119 GB) is suddenly 98% full, even though it should mostly contain system files.

du -xh --max-depth=1 / only shows ~16 GB used, but df -h reports ~113 GB used. Root, /var, /usr, /home, etc. are all on the same Btrfs filesystem. Snapper is enabled.

I confirmed that Btrfs snapshots are consuming the space, but I’m stuck with a writable snapshot (#835) that is currently mounted, so I can’t delete it from the running system.

To make things worse:

GRUB menu does not appear (Shift/Esc does nothing)

The system still boots into Linux, but I can’t select older snapshots

I tried repairing from an Ubuntu live USB, but:

NVMe device names differ from the installed system

Chroot fails with /bin/bash or /usr/bin/env not found

Likely because /usr is a separate Btrfs subvolume and not mounted

At this point I’m trying to:

Properly mount all Btrfs subvolumes from a live system

Chroot into the installed system

Delete old Snapper snapshots

Reinstall GRUB so the menu works again

If anyone has step-by-step guidance for recovering openSUSE Tumbleweed with Btrfs snapshots and broken GRUB access, I’d really appreciate it. I’m comfortable with the command line but want to avoid making things worse.

Hope someone can make something of it and help me fix my system.

/edit:
Forgot my snapper list output

#0 single — current

#835 * single — mounted
2024-03-18 16:58 CET, 200.82 MiB
desc: writable copy of #828

#1802 pre — 2026-01-08 11:50 CET, 864 KiB
cleanup: number, desc: System update

#1803 pre — important
2026-01-08 11:51 CET, 848 KiB
cleanup: number, desc: zypp (zypper)

#1804 post → #1803 — important
2026-01-08 11:58 CET, 13.54 MiB

#1805 post → #1802
2026-01-09 12:08 CET, 3.23 MiB
desc: System update

#1806 pre — important
2026-01-09 12:08 CET, 2.50 MiB
cleanup: number, desc: zypp (zypper)

#1807 post → #1806 — important
2026-01-09 12:08 CET, 960 KiB

The long-term performance of highways across Latin America depends not only on material quality and construction practices, but also on the internal stability of the asphalt mixing process itself. Whether the project is in Colombia’s mountainous corridors, Brazil’s logistics corridors, or Mexico’s expanding urban networks, the consistency of mix production inside the asphalt mixing plant directly affects pavement strength, service life, and maintenance costs.

In practice, contractors often focus on output capacity and the price of asphalt plant equipment, but mixing stability is an equally critical performance indicator. An unstable asphalt mixing plant(planta de aglomerado asfaltico) can produce asphalt that meets specifications on paper but fails prematurely under traffic loads and environmental stress. Understanding how mixing stability affects pavement durability is essential for making informed investment and operational decisions.

Why Mixing Stability Matters for Pavement Performance

Mixing stability refers to the ability of an asphalt mixing plant to consistently produce asphalt mixtures with uniform aggregate coating, accurate binder content, stable temperature, and repeatable gradation over long production runs. Even small fluctuations in these parameters can lead to significant differences in pavement behavior over time.

Uniform Binder Distribution and Aggregate Coating

A stable asphalt mixing plant ensures that each aggregate particle is evenly coated with asphalt binder. Inconsistent mixing results in some aggregates being overcoated while others remain partially dry. Overcoated particles can cause bleeding and rutting, while undercoated particles increase the risk of moisture damage and raveling.

In Latin America, where highways often experience heavy freight traffic, intense rainfall, and temperature variations, uniform coating is essential to maintain structural integrity and prevent early surface deterioration.

Temperature Stability During Mixing

Mix temperature is another core element of mixing stability. Excessively high temperatures accelerate binder aging, while low temperatures reduce workability and compaction quality. A well-calibrated asphalt mixing plant maintains stable discharge temperatures even under changing ambient conditions, fuel quality, and material moisture levels.

In regions such as the Andes or tropical lowlands, where environmental conditions vary significantly, temperature stability inside the asphalt mixing plant becomes a decisive factor in long-term pavement durability.

How Mixing Stability Affects Highway Durability

The relationship between mixing stability and highway durability is direct and measurable. Poor mixing stability does not usually cause immediate failure, but it significantly shortens pavement life by accelerating common distress mechanisms.

Resistance to Cracking and Fatigue

Inconsistent binder distribution weakens the asphalt matrix, reducing its ability to absorb traffic-induced stress. Over time, this leads to fatigue cracking, reflective cracking, and structural breakdown. A stable asphalt mixing plant produces a homogeneous mixture that distributes loads evenly, improving resistance to both thermal and fatigue cracking.

This is particularly important for highways in high-altitude regions of Colombia and Peru, where thermal cycling places additional stress on pavement layers.

Rutting and Deformation Control

Rutting is often associated with excessive binder content, poor aggregate interlock, or temperature instability during production. When mixing stability is compromised, binder-rich zones form within the pavement, increasing susceptibility to permanent deformation under heavy axle loads.

A well-designed and properly operated asphalt mixing plant minimizes these risks by maintaining consistent mix composition and temperature, thereby improving rutting resistance and structural stability.

Moisture Damage and Long-Term Durability

Moisture damage is one of the most common causes of premature pavement failure in Latin America, where rainfall and humidity levels are high in many regions. Poor mixing stability increases the likelihood of incomplete aggregate coating, creating pathways for water infiltration and stripping.

By contrast, a stable asphalt mixing plant ensures strong binder-aggregate adhesion, reducing moisture susceptibility and extending pavement service life.

Mixing Stability and Plant Design Considerations

Mixing stability is not achieved by chance; it is the result of plant design, control systems, maintenance practices, and operator competence.

Control Systems and Automation

Modern asphalt mixing plants are equipped with advanced automation systems that regulate aggregate feed rates, binder injection, mixing time, and temperature control. These systems reduce human error and improve production consistency across long operating shifts.

Plants without automated controls often struggle to maintain stable mixing conditions, particularly when raw material properties fluctuate. Investing in automation may increase the initial price of asphalt plant(precio de planta de asfalto) equipment, but it significantly improves long-term production quality and reduces operational risk.

Mixer Configuration and Mixing Time

The design of the mixer itself—whether twin-shaft, pugmill, or drum-based—plays a critical role in mixing stability. Adequate mixing time and effective material circulation ensure uniform coating and consistent gradation.

In batch-type asphalt mixing plants, precise control over mixing cycles allows for high consistency, while continuous drum systems require careful calibration to maintain uniformity across variable production rates.

Maintenance and Wear Management

Mixer paddles, liners, and blades experience continuous wear, which affects material flow patterns and mixing efficiency. Worn components reduce mixing effectiveness, leading to segregation and uneven binder distribution.

A preventive maintenance program focused on critical mixing components is essential for preserving mixing stability and protecting pavement quality. Neglecting maintenance may reduce upfront costs but ultimately increases the life-cycle cost of both the asphalt mixing plant and the constructed highway.

Economic Implications of Mixing Stability

While contractors often prioritize the price of asphalt plant equipment, mixing stability has a far greater impact on total project cost and long-term asset value.

Life-Cycle Cost vs. Initial Plant Investment

A lower price of asphalt plant equipment may appear attractive, but if the plant lacks stable mixing performance, the resulting pavement may require frequent maintenance, rehabilitation, or premature replacement. These downstream costs often exceed the initial savings achieved during procurement.

Conversely, investing in a higher-quality asphalt mixing plant with proven mixing stability reduces maintenance costs, extends pavement service life, and improves return on investment across multiple projects.

Productivity and Operational Efficiency

Mixing instability leads to rejected batches, production interruptions, and inconsistent output quality, all of which reduce plant productivity. These inefficiencies increase fuel consumption, labor costs, and material waste.

A stable asphalt mixing plant delivers predictable output, allowing contractors to plan logistics, paving schedules, and labor deployment more effectively, particularly on large-scale highway projects.

Regional Context: Asphalt Plant Performance in Colombia and Latin America

Colombia represents a microcosm of Latin America’s asphalt production challenges. Diverse climates, mountainous terrain, variable aggregate sources, and rapidly expanding road networks demand high levels of mixing stability.

An asphalt plant Colombia(planta de asfalto Colombia) contractors rely on must perform consistently across altitudes, temperatures, and material qualities. This makes mixing stability not just a technical preference but a strategic necessity for infrastructure development in the region.

Across Latin America, governments and private developers increasingly emphasize performance-based specifications, durability standards, and life-cycle cost efficiency. In this context, the operational stability of the asphalt mixing plant becomes a core criterion for plant selection and project approval.

Practical Strategies to Improve Mixing Stability

Improving mixing stability does not require radical changes but rather systematic technical and operational discipline.

Key practices include:

• Regular calibration of weighing systems and binder pumps.
• Monitoring mix temperature and adjusting heating systems proactively.
• Implementing quality control testing at regular intervals during production.
• Training operators to recognize early signs of instability, such as temperature drift, segregation, or abnormal material flow.

These practices apply equally to new plants and existing installations seeking to improve performance and durability outcomes.

Building Durable Highways Through Stable Asphalt Mixing

Durable highways are not built solely on the jobsite; they begin inside the asphalt mixing plant. Mixing stability determines whether the pavement will resist cracking, rutting, and moisture damage over decades of service or deteriorate prematurely under environmental and traffic stress.

By prioritizing mixing stability alongside considerations such as plant capacity, automation level, and price of asphalt plant equipment, contractors and project owners can achieve superior pavement performance and long-term economic efficiency.

For regions such as Colombia and the broader Latin American market, where infrastructure demand is rising and performance expectations are increasing, the asphalt mixing plant is no longer just a production asset—it is a strategic investment in national mobility, safety, and economic development.

Planta de Asfalto Precio - Maximizar Su ROI - Macroad

Planta de asfalto precio en Macroad es de $50.000 a $1.000.000. Podemos ofrecer el precio de EXW, FOB, CIF, etc. Contáctenos Ahora.

^{AIMIXgrupo (AIMIX GROUP)}

cross-posted from: discuss.tchncs.de/post/2774244…

Hi folks,

I got a new Xbox Series X Controller (Model 1914). I had Xbox One controller before.

With xpadneo installed I had basically no problems running my xbox one controller. It connected via BT with no issues and workes in games really well wired and wireless.

The new controller on the other hand, works really well via cable, but does not connect via BT. I can find it, I can pair it, but I cannot connect to it.

xpadneo readme says Series X needs a BT stick with BLE so I bought one, but that did not solve the problem (I'm not sure if BLE needs to be activated or how to do it rn).

Hello everyone! I need your help choosing a NAS. (I don't need a big one, a 2 bay model should suffice.) What are your recommendations?

(Not so long ago, I would have taken one from Synology, but it seems they now force us to use their own, too expensive, HDD.)