"Flow," an animated short film created using the open-source software Blender, won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. This marks a significant milestone, being the first Oscar win for a film primarily produced using Blender. The film, directed by an unknown director, explores themes of environmentalism and the interconnectedness of nature as it tells the story of a plastic bottle's journey through a polluted waterway.
"HTML Kaleidoscope" is a simple webpage demonstrating the creation of visually appealing, kaleidoscopic patterns using only HTML and CSS. By strategically layering and rotating multiple copies of a basic SVG graphic within nested divs, the code generates a symmetrical, colorful design. The effect is further enhanced by applying CSS transforms and animations, causing the pattern to dynamically shift and rotate, creating a mesmerizing visual experience. No JavaScript is required, showcasing the surprising power and flexibility of pure HTML and CSS for generating complex visual effects.
Hacker News users discussed the visual appeal and technical implementation of the HTML Kaleidoscope. Several commenters praised its aesthetic qualities, describing it as "mesmerizing" and "beautiful." Some delved into the code, noting the clever use of CSS and JavaScript to achieve the effect, and appreciating its simplicity. A few users pointed out similarities to other kaleidoscope generators and suggested potential improvements like adding color controls or different symmetry options. Others expressed a desire to understand the mathematics behind the kaleidoscope's reflections, while some simply enjoyed the visual experience without analyzing the technical details. Overall, the comments reflected a positive reception to the project, with a mix of appreciation for its artistic merit and technical ingenuity.
Post-processing shaders offer a powerful creative medium for transforming images and videos beyond traditional photography and filmmaking. By applying algorithms directly to rendered pixels, artists can achieve stylized visuals, simulate physical phenomena, and even correct technical imperfections. This blog post explores the versatility of post-processing, demonstrating how shaders can create effects like bloom, depth of field, color grading, and chromatic aberration, unlocking a vast landscape of artistic expression and allowing creators to craft unique and evocative imagery. It advocates learning the underlying principles of shader programming to fully harness this potential and emphasizes the accessibility of these techniques using readily available tools and frameworks.
Hacker News users generally praised the article's exploration of post-processing shaders for creative visual effects. Several commenters appreciated the technical depth and clear explanations, highlighting the potential of shaders beyond typical "Instagram filter" applications. Some pointed out the connection to older demoscene culture and the satisfaction of crafting visuals algorithmically. Others discussed the performance implications of complex shaders and suggested optimization strategies. A few users shared links to related resources and tools, including Shadertoy and Godot's visual shader editor. The overall sentiment was positive, with many expressing interest in exploring shaders further.
Summary of Comments ( 119 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43237273
HN commenters were impressed with the technical achievement of Flow winning an Oscar, particularly given its creation using Blender, a free and open-source software. Several pointed out the democratizing effect this has on animation, making high-quality production more accessible. Some debated the film's artistic merits separately from its technical ones, with some finding it derivative of Pixar while others praised its unique style. A few commenters speculated on the future impact of this win, predicting an increase in Blender's adoption and potentially a shift in the animation industry towards more open-source tools. There was also discussion about the challenges of using Blender for large-scale productions, with some noting the need for robust pipeline tools and experienced users.
The Hacker News post "Blender-made movie Flow takes Oscar" (linking to a Reuters article about the animated short film "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" winning the Oscar) has a modest number of comments, focusing on the significance of Blender's role in the film's creation.
Several commenters celebrate Blender's increasing prominence in professional animation, highlighting it as a free and open-source success story. They point out that a major award like an Oscar validates Blender as a legitimate tool capable of producing high-quality work, potentially encouraging more studios and artists to adopt it. This is contrasted with proprietary software often seen as cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller studios or independent creators.
Some comments delve into the technical aspects, mentioning specific Blender features or discussing the pipeline used in the film's production. One commenter mentions the impressive fur rendering, speculating about the techniques employed. Another highlights the film's unique visual style, emphasizing that it doesn't look like typical CGI, which they see as a positive.
There's a discussion around the implications for the animation industry. Some believe this win could be a turning point, leading to wider Blender adoption and potentially disrupting the dominance of established commercial software. Others express cautious optimism, acknowledging the significance but suggesting it's too early to predict a major shift.
A few commenters correct the title of the post, pointing out that the Oscar-winning film is "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse," not "Flow." They also clarify that while Blender was used extensively in the film's production, other tools were also likely involved. One commenter mentions the use of Apple hardware, specifically.
Overall, the comments reflect a sense of excitement and pride within the Blender community and a broader recognition of the software's growing importance in the animation world. They express hope for increased accessibility and innovation within the industry thanks to open-source tools like Blender.