Latest news with #Vulkan
Arabian Post
7 days ago
- Arabian Post
Blender 5.0 Brings HDR Viewport to Linux Wayland Users
Blender 5.0 is introducing experimental High Dynamic Range rendering support for Linux users working in a Wayland session with Vulkan acceleration. This enhancement aims to offer creators precise brightness, contrast, and colour fidelity in the viewport, mirroring the output of HDR‑enabled monitors. HDR viewport support in the alpha build of Blender 5.0 must be explicitly enabled under Developer > Experimental settings, requiring a Vulkan graphics backend on Wayland. Testers have successfully run the feature on GNOME and KDE Plasma environments across Ubuntu 25.04 and Fedora setups, demonstrating compatibility with NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs using monitors such as the ASUS ROG PG27U and Samsung Odyssey OLED G8. Blender's Jeroen Bakker highlighted on DevTalk that this feature remains experimental due to limited system testing, and the development team is actively seeking feedback to determine readiness for stable inclusion in the final 5.0 release. Community testers corroborate this request; one user reported flawless performance on Arch Linux with AMD 7900XTX and a 32‑inch HDR monitor, while another observed UI inconsistencies such as bright region overlays conflicting with UI elements. ADVERTISEMENT Phoronix's assessment affirms the limited initial testing but confirms functional results in alpha stage across Vulkan‑on‑Wayland configurations. Wayland's HDR protocol—absent in X11—and Vulkan's floating‑point buffer support are essential prerequisites, making the feature inaccessible without those components. Professional and hobbyist artists stand to benefit from HDR's ability to display a broader dynamic range, ensuring views in the viewport better match final renders. Users on Reddit commented that the feature is highly anticipated and a compelling incentive to invest in HDR hardware. Some, however, caution that industry‑wide support for HDR remains uneven, with software ecosystems often lagging behind hardware capabilities. Support across GPU vendors appears robust: developer testing includes NVIDIA alongside AMD and Intel. This suggests mature driver compatibility within the Vulkan stack, though users have noted occasional driver‑specific anomalies. Discussions also emphasise that Windows support for the feature is not yet scheduled, sparking interest in extending HDR viewport to other platforms. To experiment with HDR, users should download the latest Blender 5.0 alpha, launch a Wayland session with HDR‑enabled display output, switch to Vulkan in Preferences → System, enable Developer Extras and turn on Vulkan HDR support under Experimental settings, then restart Blender. Within Scene Color Management, HDR must also be activated for accurate viewing. The developer's roadmap hinges on accumulating comprehensive user feedback to address UI integration issues—such as overlay visibility—and ensure stable behaviour across diverse hardware and compositors. If successful, HDR support will graduate from experimental to enabled by default in the 5.0 stable release. This HDR initiative arrives amid a broader shift, as major Linux distributions migrate desktops to Wayland to leverage modern graphics features, enhanced security, and performance improvements. Artists seeking more lifelike previews stand to gain from this update. Those with HDR‑capable displays and Wayland desktops are encouraged to test the feature and share experiences on Blender DevTalk, helping refine HDR delivery ahead of the official 5.0 rollout.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
How to restore voice chat function in PEAK?
(Image via Landfall Games) For adventures in PEAK, to rely on teamwork is important. A silent teammate could mean disaster. Fortunately, in-game, there remains the chat feature that enhances teamwork. It allows players to communicate seamlessly using 3D directional audio. However, there are some players who have recently been facing issues with the function. They found the chat function to be unexpectedly quiet and hindering coordination on steep climbs. If you are one among them, here is how you can troubleshoot PEAK voice chat and restore it without having to wait for an official patch. How to fix PEAK voice chat issues ? The first step for PEAK voice chat restore is checking the settings menu voice chat PEAK. To do so, open PEAK audio settings from the menu during a game session. Common issues happen when the game selects an incorrect microphone (default), especially if there are multiple mics connected. So, make sure your preferred microphone or headsets are chosen actively. How To Fix PEAK Voice Chat Issues or Mic Not Working Problem Next, ensure to confirm that your microphone is aligned with the playstyle. Switching Push to Talk accidentally will disable the constant voice transmission. If you prefer to speak freely without having to hold a button, choose Voice Activation mode. The simple toggle quite often helps to resolve silence immediately. Check the hidden culprit: System settings At times, the root of the voice chat problem is outside PEAK. Some recent Windows updates or changes in the driver can unexpectedly alter the default input device of the system. For it, navigate to the sound settings of your computer or just choose Win+ I >System > Sound. In the recording devices section, verify the primary microphone is set as the default communication device. The system-level check will ensure all the applications, including PEAK, are able to correctly recognize the microphone. Also, ensure the right device has been selected system-wide. It will help prevent any conflicts which can mute in-game communication. A quick drive can save some significant troubleshooting later on. If the issue still persists, test different output devices. Switching between speakers or headphones could help identify the problems—whether they are in the game or in setup. Once done, relaunch PEAK to check for improvements. PEAK game troubleshooting for a clear communication PEAK supports varied graphics APIs, and switching between them can fix the voice chat function. If you have been using DirectX 12, try Vulkan or vice versa. Change it from the game's settings. While it might slightly impact performance, it can even resolve compatibility-related audio bugs. Just remember, these are all temporary fixes until developers release official updates. If the problems still continue, keep an eye out for patches. You can even report this issue to PEAK's support team for further assistance. Once the feature is up and working, it will revitalize the core social element of the game. Players could regain the ability to effectively plan ascents, immerse themselves within shared challenges, and celebrate small/big successes together. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russian Holds Naval Exercises In Sea Of Japan; Moscow Deploys Warships, Naval Aircraft, Missiles
Russia's Pacific Fleet conducted major live-fire drills in the Sea of Japan, showcasing the use of cruise missiles from sea and coastal platforms. The Varyag cruiser launched Vulkan missiles, smaller ships fired Moskit missiles, and a Bastion coastal system deployed Onyx missiles. The Russian Defense Ministry stated all targets were successfully engaged. These drills are part of a large-scale military exercise running through late June, involving dozens of ships, aircraft, and thousands of personnel. Footage of the strikes was released but has not been independently verified. The activity comes days after Russian ships were spotted near Japan's La Pérouse Strait, increasing tensions in the region.#russia #russiannavy #navaldrill #seaofjapan #putin Read More
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Russia conducts cruise missile drills in Sea of Japan, hits simulated targets
Russian warships and coastal missile systems struck simulated maritime targets with cruise missiles during exercises in the Sea of Japan, TASS state news agency reported on Monday, citing Russia's defence ministry. The ships and missile systems, all part of Russia's Pacific Fleet forces, "carried out a joint missile strike against a complex target setup in the Sea of Japan, simulating enemy ships", TASS cited the ministry's statement as saying. "All targets were successfully hit." The Fleet's flagship, the Varyag Guards missile cruiser, carried out a live launch of a Vulkan anti-ship cruise missile, and two missile boat strike groups attacked targets with four Moskit cruise missiles, TASS reported. The combat crew of the Bastion coastal missile system launched an Onyx anti-ship missile, it said. The missile firing zone had been closed in advance to civilian shipping and air traffic, the agency reported.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- BBC News
Why Oslo might be Europe's most liveable city break
In Oslo's Vulkan neighbourhood, sustainability, style and everyday ease come together in a way that's making the Norwegian capital feel like Europe's most liveable city break. If you're after a city break that combines culture, comfort and quiet innovation, Oslo might surprise you. Barely a two-hour flight from Heathrow, the Norwegian capital offers something unexpected: a relaxed, walkable escape where everyday life is designed for ease, from all-electric transport to sustainable neighbourhoods. In short, the perfect city for me to explore on my daylong layover. I started my 24-hour Oslo immersion in the pocket-sized Vulkan neighbourhood, a once-derelict industrial site that has become one of Europe's most forward-thinking micro-communities. Set on the banks of the Akerselva river, Vulkan is packed with art, culture and delicious food – something of a microcosm of Oslo itself. As soon as I arrived, the main square buzzed with friends catching up over coffee, people enjoying a mid-afternoon stroll and vendors hustling provisions through the streets in preparation for the dinner rush. Ringed by a food hall, a concert venue, a climbing gym and a dance theatre, Vulkan felt like a city within a city. Vulkan wasn't always this welcoming. Just 20 years ago, this riverside plot in central Oslo was a derelict tangle of concrete and broken windows. Today, it's a compact urban village powered by geothermal energy, cooled with rooftop solar panels and home to community-driven cultural spaces. Designed with a focus on density, design and sustainability, Vulkan is a model for how cities can rethink old spaces to create new futures. And, as I'd learn over 24 hours, it's also a gateway to understanding the quiet innovation at the heart of Norway's capital – a place where liveability is taken seriously. While the hip, vibrant life is a recent development, the neighbourhood dates to the Middle Ages, when it was a longstanding trading hub. During the industrial revolution of the mid-19th Century, the area evolved into a manufacturing centre, where several of the city's foundries could be found. Then, in 2004, after much of the neighbourhood's industry had vanished and the once-thriving Vulkan Factory – so named for Vulcan, the Greek god of fire and handiwork – closed, morphing into simpler warehouse space, city officials asked themselves: why not build a city within a city, one that can re-envision what a cities of the future can and should look? The project started in 2004 when a pair of property developers – Aspelin Ramm and Anthon B Nilsen – purchased the land that would become Vulkan; land that was, at the time, severely blighted. "Kids were not allowed to play here," said Sverre Landmark, a former commercial director for Aspelin Ramm. "Glass windows were damaged, there was a lot of graffiti, drug addicts were hanging around. It was really nasty." Within a few years, Vulkan started to take shape. By 2008, the country's national contemporary dance theatre, Dansens Hus, had opened on the fast-developing square. In 2012 came neighbourhood cornerstone Mathallen, Norway's first food hall, located in a former cast iron factory. Today, Mathallen boasts more than a dozen restaurants, bars, bakeries cafes and shops: my dinner there included a dozen oysters from a fishmonger, a pair of small pork bao, a plate of homemade cacio e pepe pasta and a few locally brewed beers. Just steps away, Vulkan Arena, a 950-capacity music venue that has hosted artists such as Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, indie rock stalwarts Mercury Rev and long-running metal band Downset, adds even more cultural clout. But Vulkan isn't just buzzy, it was built to be sustainable. A series of 300m-deep geothermal wells lie deep beneath the square and the low-rise buildings above it. Along with the ubiquitous solar panels, Vulkan can create almost all its own heat during the long, cold winter and cooling throughout the country's abbreviated summer. Meanwhile, eco-friendly architecture includes a neighbourhood-defining office building with an exterior solar array used to heat the building's water. And rising above the square, a few steps up a wide staircase, is the 149-room Scandic Vulkan, an uberhip, design-focussed hotel that is Norway's first energy class A hotel, the highest energy efficiency rating awarded by the European Union. Even the rooftops play their part. The Vulkan Apiary – a pair of 3m-tall beehives – was started in 2014 in an effort to repopulate the once-thriving bee population along the Akerselva. And while you can purchase the honey from just about anywhere in Oslo, it's enjoyed at its most fresh just a few metres away at Mathallen. The fact that all of Vulkan exists across just 9,400sq m, or roughly one city block, makes the neighbourhood a model for easy, sustainable living. Just like the square itself, the whole of Vulkan feels as if you could simply reach out and touch each of its corners, to enjoy each of its various elements in just a few short hours. More like this:• Sweden's wooden city that was green before Greta• Monaco's new €2bn neighbourhood rising out of the sea• Nordhavn: The Danish 'city' that's been designed for an easy life "Vulkan arrived as something entirely new, in a hidden spot in Oslo, and helped to make the city larger while shortening the distance," Landmark said. "Vulkan provided content and substance and created opportunities for some of the many entrepreneurs who in the last 10-20 years have created a truly special Oslo feeling." Locals agree: "Vulkan is part of the new Oslo vibe," said Fredrik Remøy, a finance professional who lives in Oslo with his family. "It's very relaxed and international. It's offered a bit of warmth and a buzz to the city." And while it may be a microcosm, Vulkan's development has hardly happened in a vacuum, as both Oslo and Norway at large have long been at the forefront of sustainability efforts, designing and developing with our planet's future at the fore. Walking around Oslo's compact city centre, one of the most pleasantly jarring things you notice is the lack of vehicle traffic. Streetcars rumble by, as do plenty of cyclists, pedalling their way over the streets. The only passenger vehicles – whether buses, taxis or private cars – are electric, since petrol-powered engines have been banned in Oslo's centre since 2017. The absence of traffic makes the city feel calm and spacious; even in the middle of the bustling metropolis, Oslo's atmosphere feels more open than a typical city. In this sense, it's easy to see Vulkan as the fingerprint of a wider ethos and a grander aim. If a neighbourhood can be built to be fully sustainable, why can't an entire city? If an entire city, why not a whole country? If a whole country, what about our society? Zooming out from Vulkan, it seems that Norway is asking the same kinds of questions. After all, this is a nation that has set an ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by the year 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. As my day in Oslo neared its end, I figured I had to enjoy one of the city's iconic activities. After all, in a city whose viral 2024 ad campaign encourages tourists to "life-see" rather than "sightsee", I had to do as the locals do. And so, after a 10-minute cab ride (in an exhaust-free electric taxi, of course), I found myself in the Bjørvika neighbourhood, which, like Vulkan, is one of Oslo's new developments focused on multifunctionality, density and creative use of existing space. I crossed a narrow gangplank as the bright lights from the nearby Munch museum reflected off the surface of the city's main waterway, the Oslofjord. Here, I spent a few hours in a self-service, wood-sided floating sauna, inside which it was nearly 80C. A cloud of steam puffed above my overheated body as I made my way into the frigid inlet, whose temperature was somewhere in between the sauna and the night sky. Over the course of the two-hour reservation, I took some five or six turns between sweating and dipping, reflecting on just how seamlessly Oslo encourages a life well lived. Just 12 hours after I'd arrived, I already felt an easy kinship with the city. Perhaps it was the calm streets or the way Vulkan distilled so much of Oslo's essence into a single square. In a world of frenetic city breaks, Oslo offers something rare: clean air, a slower pace and a blueprint for the cities of tomorrow. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
