I hope I dont cause any waves here. And I dont want to upset people in this forum with this. But I have to ask.

I just came from a site that basically rates everything a 10. Meaning perfect. I was very happy, when I got here to see that this site used verbal ratings rather than numbers. Thinking that they would be put to use.

But as I look around, I dont think I have seen more than a handful of images rated "Great" and none rated below that.

I was wondering why about 98% of images here seem to get an "Excellent" rating? Are people here in fear to hurt feelings? Or do we really see all postings as Excellent.

I wont name names, but lets be honest, there are some artists here that are just awesome. And when they merely get the same Excellent rating as others that "Need work" it seems like a slap in the face to those that work their asses off and create true art. And a bit dishonest to those that are still learning and could use some honest crits from some of the masters here (like myself, needing crits to improve).

I understand Art is subjective. But there is a line of objectivity that can be seen. One that can be drawn in the sand and says this is Perfect, this one needs some work on lighting/mats/POV, etc.

Again. Dont want to upset people. Dont want to be black listed. Just wondering why the only ratings that seem to be used here are "Great" and "Excellent"? Whats the point of the other selections if they are abandon?

Thanks all...

Well, of course people here are wary of injuring others' feelings especially if they appear to be just starting out into 3d art; some would rather offer some encouragement than straight-foreward criticism. Also I think many people who post in the galleries are not looking to improve their skill as much as just to get their artwork seen and appreciated. A great place to get C&C is on this forum. I've always found people here to give good and honest criticism and advice. I try to when I feel I can.

But is giving everything an Excellent a fair deal? Thats my issue here. Seems unfair to both the master and the beginner, imo

Hey, I got a "good" the other day, lol. It's difficult for me. In the gallery I just wanna give out some praise, so actual critique in the gallery...I tread lightly. Because traditionally, the gallery is mostly for some kudo's and the forum is for the hard knocks of critique. It's not that the galleries are nothing but, butt kissing, yet it is more the "presentation" area I guess. But, you have a point, that some "tough love" is necessary in learning any art. Yet again, this can be difficult because you don't know exactly how someone is going to react to critique. Because at some point or another we all ask for critique, but the reality of it is we usually don't realize how non-thick skinned we are at the beginning, lol. We all know that when someone like a pic that we do, it creates an excitement of sorts, even creates a rush for inspiration to keep going, etc. I guess it's all about balance between encouraging (praising) and helping (critiquing) AgentSmith

I think that sometimes, when I see something that really is "crap", then I feel obnoxiously motivated to tell them just that. BUT that's not constructive. SO I write my beef, then delete it. And then I write what's really important. Sometimes I'll see one of my favorite artists slipping, and I make sure to tell them I think they can do better. But I hope to make it a positive push, that's the key. We all know when we're being TOO critical. (Except Ornlu!) (just joking)

Fair comment goes a long way....on this forum.....we try to make our point AND offer fixes.

Allmy pictures are rated excellent because they are perfect :) No, seriously though, if I don't like an image and I should give a low rating I just don't post a rating, I don't feel that I have the right to say someone elses artwork is 'not good'. I only post a comment or rating if the image is interesting enough to me. And most of the time that's because I like the image. Most ratings I give are excellent or great. Below that the image isn't interesting enough to me to rate it a t all. I can't rate everything you know. The best arists usually get more comments and more ratings and that's a measurement of the actual quality of the images too.

I don't like the rating system at all. If you think its excellent you write that in the comment and why, likewise if not you express what it is about it that doesn't quite messure up. Getting a rating of ok or good doesn't help the artist in any way shape or form to see what may need improving. To me its the comments that matter. Besides, and correct me if I'm wrong here, but aren't the word ratings equal to numeric values. So that if I find an image interesting in a positive way and click a rating a interesting I'm in actuallity yanking down the artists average rating? That seems totally wrong to me. To avoid this, I just comment. my 4 or 5 cents. Angela

Well Ive gotta say that i am a beginner and I just checked my latest posting to the gallery and found it had an excellent rating (of which i am extremely proud). I was even more pleased to read a comment there from doublecrash - whom I respect muchly as an artist and often spend time browsing his images (same for you AgentS - o and clay, yep and drac - opps nearly forgot catlin, o and ornlu... need i go on?) Now just reading a comment from one of these people is enough to make me work harder on my next render - why? because these are the people I respect, how am i to grow as a 3D Artist if all my work is passed over as substandard? - therefore I disagree that the ratings system is unfair nut there again thats my opinion. Sorry to rabbit Stash ;o)

so if i kiss ass i'll get better ratings? lol

Uhm...as long as you keep your lips away from MY ass, you'll be fine. Okay, people, the rating system, as i view it, isn't so much for the criticism (point being that when people post in the gallery, often times their images are finished, so criticism doesn't do much good...) as it is for the positive reinforcement. so...yeah, your opinion has it's own merit, but it's not how i view things.

I recently realized that I don't really want my pics rated, just SEEN...so now when I post, I just allow comments only. There's been a little withdrawal on my part, LOL, but everything was getting Greats or Excellents (thanks everyone) and my head is already big enough. Now I'm more interested in what people think of my work than how they would rate it. Does anyone ever go into a real world gallery and look at the paintings and rate them? Or do they just enjoy them? Tjohn

Criticism? Would be nice to get it if its well done. Something like "There is no focal point" as opposed to "Bunch of creatures milling about" or "models need work". Something that you can read and understand and not something that has you scratching your head. Maybe we can do a picture crit thread.

Lately, I've been more honest on my opinions on a rating...comments-wise I like to look for the positives, I agree with whoever said something about how the gallery is for kudos and the forum is for the C&C's. That's how I feel. In a gallery, those comments stick, but also, those comments are the ones that drive us. If I see a picture that, with a few changes, can be excellent work, I'll instant message the person and tell them privately...but in the gallery comment area, I may leave some praise at some of the other focuses the artist did well on. The word-rating though, the lowest I usually give is 'good'...if I think a picture is horrible, I won't rate or comment because there's nothing I can really say. I'll leave it to others. MD

I'm more on tune with Rayraz. I tend to do the same thing. I rank excellent and great and good, anything below that I just comment and leave "no ranking".

Then, you have to be a little "elastic", IMO. It's two months that I don't miss a single picture in the gallery, and (still IMO, of course) you have to take into account the effort and the improvement. Say, if I see Alvin making a picture that has flaws (heheh not likely, that's why I used him as example, LOL), it's easier for me to rank it "great" or "good", because I know that he can do better... plus, I know him and we talk often and I know that I can speak openly.

On the other side, if I see somebody's work that has a major improvement from the previous posting and shows effort, I rank it "excellent" even if, by average standards, maybe it isn't. And if there's something that I think it could be improved, I usually say that, remembering how good it made to me receiving such constructive comments.

just my 0,02 .

Thanks for all the comments. I guess I see now how most here view and understand the ratings. I myself havent used them in my posts for sometime. I probably wont either. But I do appreciate the feedback. Feel I got something out of it as far as insite. Thanks.

I've never liked ratings much, so I don't enable them on my images nor do I rate others' images. I always appreciate crits (if done nicely), although I might disagree and leave the image as it is. Giving crits is always a bit risky, unless you know the person well. I'm sure some of my work is shit and not up to par with my better work, and I wouldn't mind if this was pointed out to me, if not in a form of a comment, at least in an IM. Doug

the problem with ratings is that we can never tell what someone wants and what the other hates... so its a bit unfair to be erally blunt. say i like futuristic images so i see one that is not so good to others but i see that its way excellent in modelling, so i give it excellent... now here is another one who is into nature, so he gives it good... which means ratings are plainly opinionated too. if there a reason that you like the pic, you can always put a comment on what you like, its better that way... if you dont like it then leave it... me i dont even bother putting up a comment. it would just be a flat lie if i did or too insulting. now if your a hardcore and into c and c, well we have thje forums right? so post it here and well talk... more we could get to know you and we can have fun and help out! thats what makes this community great and even greater than the other communities... (besides the fact that the award winning artist are here too) eye... and his 2 cents