The rating system: First off, I wish we could just move to numbers, you see a greater range of votes that way, because an 8 out of 10 seems a lot nicer than a "good" but also, I am afraid to use certain words in my comments as they are descriptions of votes. I find myself using differing words often when I want to use interesting/great/excellent/nice etc, I accidently let them slip some times and people think I am giving them crappy votes to be an asshole lol... Furthermore, I think that more people should vote for images that were going to give them a nice/good/interesting but were too afraid to be the bad guy, all that exists are greats and excellents so why even have the rest? I hand out a lot of nices/goods etc, and I think others should as well. If you view an image and see something that looks bad, comment on it, don't be afraid, how else can we learn if nobody criticizes our work. On most of mine I ask people to tell me what's wrong or how to improve the image. I just wish more people would be critical. Rand #2 to come after I make lunch, bbl.

The advertizements.. I know this is a free site (though all the ads are for products that users sell) however, there is no PG-13 / R rating for this site, there is no warning, I know many kids that view this site daily. My brother being one of them. I have found that there are So many (overly) erotic ads.... I know a lot of it is showing off the models, but please, half of them look like ads for softcore porn sites. I mean really, is there any way you could set the default option to (non adult) where the only advertizements that circle through would be for non erotic things... I saw one a while back for poseable sex toys for vicky (tentacles and whatnot...), I mean honestly... This is not an adult site, it never has been, images that contain nudity are not supposed to be shown in the thumbnails and are supposed to be marked by (nudity) etc... And yet there are nude figures on the front page! I understand it's "artistic" liscense but I feel the need to post this because I frankly don't want my 10 year old brother looking at those kind of images..

I agree with you (mostly on rant#1). I could care less about the second one....but anyway.. I hardly ever give anything less than nice cause I hate to be an asshole.... but reading this post I've decided that if they can't take the critisism, they should maybe find something else to learn....anyway... very good point ornlu. brholte

Right, all I mean is, I save my excellents for TRULY amazing images, ones that I literally look at for 5 minutes before even writing a comment. Anything less than that, but still an excellent piece I give a great to. Something that I pick a few flaws out of or I think doesn't work 100%, gets a good. If it's kindof hard on the eyes in places or really has some model/organization flaws I give it a nice. Usually interesting is as low as I go, and that's if I have some advice on how to improve the image, (major advice) but it's really pretty bad. Frankly, I wish people would just be more honest; that's all.

I saw someone a rating of 'needs work' once and was really critical in the review...and this person that did the picture had just started, like it was their first picture and wanted comments...hhaha...but at least the poster was honest (probably could have been a bit more easy in the comment area though...they were very very harsh.) Anyhow, I do agree with the points you made...I appreciate greats and excellents as much as anyone...but some work out there that deserves nice and goods are hurting the artists that truly do excellent work. MD

I posted a pic the other day (the fox one)that got three ratings and an excellent. Ive just looked again and another viewer has commented "not bad" and the rating has dropped to a "great", so if it averages out I guess he gave it an "average" I was a bit P...... off until I thought about it. It was, IMHO, a fairly good pic, but if its rated excellent it puts it up there with some of the really wonderful images by those who regularly produce the goods. Ill not name names, everyone knows them. And it isnt anywhere near that quality. As much as I appreciate those who gave it an excellent rating, it was a "goodish" pic, in the general understanding of the word, not excellent. But it seems good is a fairly low mark, given that excellent is bandied about quite freely. In my own work I was pleased to accept an excellent for the "Monk" image. It got second in the challenge and a lot of nice comments from people I respect. But if the "Fox" gets the same, it devalues what I think is my best image to date. A one to ten system would be much better but Im now going the other route and not asking for ratings on any Bryce pics I post. Id still like comments though, and if we can get over the fact that weve become friends through this forum I hope everyone will feel free to point out any clangers and boo boos I may make.

We had points once, Ornlu, and we had so many trolls that would give a very good image a 1, just to be an a$$&*le. I was on the receiving end of several of those. I've posted a few average images, but none deserved a 1. I usually deleted those images and reposted, but I always hated to lose the sincere comments I already had. Since they've gone to "word" ratings, that has fallen off, I guess the goons didn't enjoy bursting someone's bubble by telling them their image "needs work". Personally, I like the word system but that's just me. I like Dali, but would feel weird giving him a 10. But I could call one of his works excellent or great without a problem. But that's just me.

Oh, on the second rant, I see your point, but the realistic answer may just be that this site is not really appropriate for some minors.

Ornlu, you make an excellent point about the ads floating around. I could care less one way or the other about what I see while I'm at home, but often I like to go into the site while I'm on break at work. Its often nerve racking hoping that I'll be able to scroll down before a co-worker walks by. I live in a cube farm so there is no PC privacy. About the rant-I don't rank and I don't click the button that allows ranking on my images. I feel that the comments or lack of are sufficient. If I feel I can make an honest and helpful comment I do. If I really love the image I vote for it. Its my own personal choice, but I wouldn't use either ranking system, by number or by word. .02 Ang

In my opinion, use of the ranking system messes up the whole point of posting images. Motivation for posting an image should be 1) to share your art with others who may appreciate it and 2) to receive (hopefully helpful) tips and feedback on how to improve your own skills (or at least, to allow others to express their appreciation of your work). Far too often, the motivation is now "I want the best rating I can get"--which, in itself should be an indicator of the quality of work, but that somehow gets lost in the ranking. So, I agree (somewhat) with Rant#1 (that the ranking system is not all it's meant to be), but would take it to the next level, and say the problem is not in the use of 'good' or 'excellent' versus '9' or '10', but rather in the way it warps the reason for posting. As for Rant#2, I suspect it's the nature of the beast. Sex sells. If merchants want to sell their products, they'll use whatever means are at their disposal. Frankly, I see worse on prime time TV. My $.02

Aye, I disagree with both of your rants, Ornlu, although you know that deep down inside I love you to death! Not too many super-tech junkies like us around, and methinks ALL of the Bryce tech junkies are right here at Renderosity. As far as ratings or "votes" and such, last time I checked it wasn't a money-making contest. No amount of votes or clickies or replies will generate a paycheck for anyone. So, that makes it one of two other things, essentially : A popularity contest and ego-boost, OR a simple non-objective opinion generating device. Methinks it's the second one, if you want criticism and suggestions then check the appropriate boxes when you post your work. If you seek an ego boost or greater popularity (and this isn't direct at Ornlu, but at myself and anyone else who has problems with NOT being the God-Emperor of the Universe), then perhaps a local chat group would be of use in taking out one's internal affairs. As for adds, it's the internet, Ornlu. I mean, I hate sex too? (laughs, joking) If reproductive issues bother you, keep the little brother watching Disney channel or Cartoon Network (before Adult Swim comes on at 10PM!)... Sex inspires 100% of us to make art, since without it there would be neither art nor inspiration, nor humans at all! If I'm offensive, pretend I don't exist please. (grins)

I have found that what is said and what they meant in this place are two quite different things.

If I see an image that grabs me, I'll give an excellent, more tines than not I forget to rank it, and before I make a criticsm I point out what's good about the image first, rather than put the artist on the defensive right off the top, then point out what I would adjust in technique...

Hmm, sam/tjohn I know where you are coming from with the trolls, my first 'summer's last breath' pic, which was nowhere near the second one I posted recieved all excellents, the second recieved all excellents and a 1. dropping it to a great but frankly I really didn't care, I post with the rating box clicked so that hopefully people will rank it how they truly feel, I didn't think it deserved a one, and maybe not a 10, but, if this person really hated the image, I believe they have every right to do that. I said number system, because I am not quite sure the words express the nature of the vote. About the being extremely critical of new posters, yes I can tell that this is an issue, you want to encourage them, but lets face it, you can't baby someone. If they post a picture that is sub par, you shouldn't give them a 5 and make your comment say crappy work, do better... If I give anyone a poor rating (below 10) I point out why, I tell them how the problem could be fixed or how the image could be bettered in general, and this is how I wish my images were voted as well.. Instead of just passing by if you don't like it, TELL ME WHY! =P I'd much rather see a few that like it, and many more that explain why they don't, then 2 10's and no feedback. I hope you see what I'm getting at here, I am fighting a losing battle with my dog to stop going nuts over my cat that keeps swatting it while I am typing this. About the ads, one day my grandmother heard that I do a lot of this work, and she wanted to see, but I was extremely hesatant to give her the link to the site because of all these rather provocative ads, so I just sent her the images instead, but still...I know sex sells, I have a girlfriend, I love it..I mean her! But, some just doesn't seem apropriate, sorry for my lack of enthusiasm in the sex ads =P.

what can i say? well this is a no porno site that i agree and well... its not the ranking that counts (i guess) its the votes andthe comments... after all if you dont like it you can just view and leave right? a rating of 1 to 10 in my opinion is not that different from what we have now... in fact... a rating of 3 is much more degrading right? my two cents

A rating of 3 is degrading, a rating of 1 is insulting.

BUT! But, if you post a garbage picture, you should expect to be degraded and insulted. I would much rather be insulted than ignored. Psychotic? Maybe... Realistic? What is reality, anyways...? (looks around funny, runs off)

I agree... For some reason I got near 0 reaction on both renderosity and 3d commune for my Explosion pic, I have no idea why but I find it facinating, (must have been that human psycology course I took =P ) And (imho) one of my best images only got 30 viewings in the first 12 hours =/...

I would have to be a big fat lier if I didn't admit that I look at every image that has Excellent below the thumb. I always check the "allow viewers to rate image" box because if I can get an excellent, or good rating then hopefully more people will drop in to take a look. However,,,, I have recently aquired many of those rankings on my images where I don't necessarily believe my images deserve such a ranking. I would agree with everyone who says that too many people give way too much credit where they actually need to move in a little closer to examine what they are looking at (including my images), and say anything at all that would help improve the art we produce instead of leaving an unhelpfull, "nice job", or "good work". Don't get me wrong... although very flattering, at least tell me what's good about it, or what I did a nice job on. and also, tell me what I freakin' suck at!!

Ah, measurement, how does something so clinical carry such an emotional price-tag? Going along with what has already been said above, I'll add that two aspects need to be adressed when leaving comments. One, what is that person's commitment to developing. Impossible to know if you don't know who posted. I think there are a lot of people who enjoy spending the time to make a picture and just enjoy someone saying something nice about it. Technical suggestions about ambient light and noise filters kill their enthusiasm for what, to them, is just an amusing hobby. Others are totally psycho about absorbing it all and want the whole naked brutal truth. Which brings me to the second point. Some people just want the truth in plain english without the emotional ambiguity of "this Sucks" or even "this Rocks!" If you are into learning and improving, having a clear criticism, pro or con is better than an emotional outburst. And I understand that sometimes that's all the reviewer has to offer.

Hang on, am I reading this right? Is there a way to find out if an image has been given any gallery votes. Ive recieved IMs from people I`ve voted for and wondered how they knew.

As someone said above, I post my work to share (if I feel it is up to it) with others. I don't allow rankings because to me that is not what I am about. I make my images to please me and if i am happy and others are happy then all the better. If they comment or point out a flaw then i am also happy. I have had some wonderfully constructive crits in the past and have really profitted.