Hendrik-Jan Schoenmaker has released TexTools for Blender, a free add-on that includes several useful UV and texturing related tools. TexTools is based on Hendrik's original script of the same name originally created  for 3DS Max. The add-on is still in its early days with many features promised for the future. Find out more on Blender Artists and download from BitBucket.

Ingenuity Studios has released a new reel showcasing its VFX work for television. Watch it on Vimeo.

An interesting but accessible web series that explores video games as art has been renewed for a new season. New episodes will be available every Tuesday on the Arte website (in German with subtitles available in French, German, English, and Polish).

DeeX - the creator of DeeX Shaders Pack, DeeX VRay Fast, and DeeX VRay Arsenal - has released a sneak peek of a new plugin called DeeX Steroid. The tool adds a node-based graph to Maya's render layer system to manage your render setup with the ability to use the same collections on different render layers, combine collections, use the same overrides for different collections, combine overrides and more. More information will be available soon, until then you can watch a sneak peak on Vimeo.

Imageworks has posted a video looking behind the scenes at how they created the robot dogs for Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Watch it on YouTube.

HTC has announced a new model of its VR headset range. The VR Pro adds higher resolution displays dual-OLED displays at 1400 x 1600 per eye, 2880 x 1600 overall. In addition the new model features a redesigned headstrap for improved comfort and built-in headphones alleviating the need to plug in your own. Also added are dual microphone and two front-facing cameras. Pricing has yet to be announced. Find out more on the Vive website.

BAFTA has announced the nominees for the 2018 Special Visual Effects category. The 6 nominated films are Blade Runner 2049, Dunkirk, The Shape of Water, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and War for the Planet of the Apes. Read more and see the other categories on the BAFTA website.