I hate reputations. I see people get voted for just because of who they are, even when, IMO, there is a lot of better art out there from people with a lesser reputation. I see people post the same stuff over and over and they always make the Hot20. I think the thing that really gets me is fantasy images. Just because they have a frilly horse or a glowing atmosphere does NOT make it a good image. Just because they opened up photoshop and smudged and airbrushed their hearts out does NOT make it a good image. I feel like the art has lost the message it once had for me. I used to look at a lot of the art and say "wow, that has a great message," or "i love the expression of thus piece." but now i feel like saying "nice job rendering models with glowing atmospheres." Maybe I am naive, but i really am sick of this. At first i was writing this cause I was upset that none of my last few images had made it into the Hot20, even with excellent ratings and 19 or so comments, but i realized i don't care at all. i am angry at the modern artists who take modern art too far (I enjoy modern art a lot, but a pure blue canvas is pushing it fellas) Millions die of starvation and another millionare is made because he can paint plain colors of a big canvas in a "very special way." I am angry at all these godddam colleges for throwing all this crap at the high schools, and i am mad a the high schools for believing it. You pay tax dollars so i can be "grateful" to pay 32,000 a year attending a private college, where the guidance counselors suggest i try for. I am mad at all this ignorance, all this voluntary blindness that people subject themselves to. We are amazed that 6000 die when two of our precious buildings collapse, and we care about is so much that we support a war in Iraq that has nothing to do with it, while millions die every day of starvation and no one lifts a finger. People devote their livges to helping people and get raped and murdered in the night without a tombstone, far from their home, while we sit here and vote for the horses and the airbrushed pictures in the bryce Hot20 gallery. Why? Why in the hell does it work like this? Why can't we let a black canvas into the Hot20...do we not allow blue canvas into the most prestigious museums? If you don't hear from me I'm sorry, but I have a world to save.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/subcom.ez?ID=27

You switched rants in midstream,....?

Blimey, that theme took a strange turn. I can understand why Madmax is angry that images he put a lot of work into seem to be ignored while other artists get all the kudos. I have come to the conclusion that the way people vote here doesnt necessarily follow any logical pattern. An image that gets high into the Hot 20 may get almost no votes when put into the challenge, for instance. There was a glaring example of that a couple of months ago. I have been lucky enough to have 4 images make it to the 20, and I think this is simply due to the first one. Once youre in, you seem to have a much better chance of doing it again. Not fair, I know, but that seems to me to be the way it works. And Max is right. Some artists work goes in automatically, regardless of worth. As to the value of certain types of "art", well, the artist obviously likes that style, and if a lot of people vote for it, then they do too, so all anyone can say is that it doesnt do anything for them. Art that says something to a particular viewer is probably never going to be as popular as something that would happily adorn a box of chocolates. I am of the opinion that what makes a good image, in the context of this forum at least, is what pleases the viewer and the artist. If its unicorns in a woodland setting or just rendering models (something I am probably guilty of, although I dont actually feel very guilty), if it makes the viewer smile or feel good , then that is ok. When a really good, thought provoking piece of work does come along, it always seems to get the praise it deserves, as far as I have seen, but the majority of us here do this for fun, surely. I have no illusion that I am any sort of artist. I render models that other people have made, into compositions that other people occasionally like. That pleases me. As to the rest of the post, if you can do anything to right the wrongs in this world, then I wish you god speed, Madmax. Its an unjust place and will become worse unless those with youth and energy do something about it, but youre going to be fighting a strong tide. Where art, and Bryce in particular, fits into this Im not sure,. A very few artists have influenced the world with their work, but I doubt they where bothered by popular opinion when they made them.

madmax, I understand your frustration, sometimes I thought the same. I've noticed that if you make a fantasy blurred image or a "diagonal horizon" image, you get in the hot 20, but... at the end... who cares.... we are in the globalisation era, everyone has the same tastes and that partcular kind of images are trendy at the moment....I'll continue to do what I feel to do, and will be happy if certain peoples will critic my image, not everyone...

lol madmax, that was the most disjointed rant I've ever heard. But I understand where you are coming from with the Hot20 thing. I've just come to realize that it is "mostly" a popularity contest (but that is no disrespect to the hot20 regulars because I love their work). But it does appear as though a reputation is needed to get your work up there. I do always wish that people (including myself) would take more time to comment on other's artwork. Because I know that from personal experience, it is not very encouraging when only a couple of people take time to notice an image that took dozens of hours to complete. ok, enough of my rant :)

I agree with both Sam and vasquez, I just Bryce because I can express myself with it, and I "do what I feel". We all build our own small worlds here. These worlds are invested with a great deal of our hearts, our minds and sometimes our souls. If others recognise, or appreciate our work, so much the better. I just like to rationalize to myself that some of these worlds that others create are more "touristy".

I do believe that consistently excellent work will eventually gain recognition. As for myself, I intend to stick around and try to build my skills through interaction with the forum. And I trust that if I ever by either hard work or chance, come up with something brilliant, my fellow Forumites will tell me.

madmax, Seems your rant could've been at least 10X the size of what you posted. The 2 points of what you touched on I'm sure has echoed within most of the artists here in similar form, myself included. We artistes are emotional analytical creatures (inward & outward). IMO that's what makes for great expression. Your need to change something that "seems not quite right" deserves much praise, & I wish you luck in your quest. As for the hot 20? Consider the source..."Poularity" !! Most artists do not become popular until they're dead,LOL, I'm not waiting for that!! If I get one "In", I'm excited, if I don't...O-well. Hot20 art strikes fast & furious, this electronic enviroment delivers & maintains that. Why do people like Elmo, teletubbies, Elvis, LOTR ? The list is endless, constantly changing, and SO in your face if you wish(or need) to look for it. Good Luck ICM

Well Madmax, there is no accounting for peoples taste or preferences for art styles or anything else in life. Some peoples garbage is someone elses treasures. Art is a very individual and personal experience. But I understand where youre coming from and sometimes its even blatantly obvious who is scratching whos back and who is reciprocating purely for personal gains and selfish reasons. These people are not helping anyone, least of all, themselves but there is very little that can be done about it short of holding a kangaroo court. It is strange when a piece of work which took just a couple hours to complete makes the Hot20 list and a piece which may have taken weeks only gets a ranking of great or excellent and few comments, but that is the way art is. Sometimes the simplest manipulation of composition and color can evoke the greatest of emotions from the viewer. I could not, in all honesty, take anything away from such an artist merely because his simple approach generated more reviews than my rendition, which might have taken weeks to complete. It might well be that quality that sets his art apart from mine and makes it different. Just because I dont agree with his approach doesnt mean his art is any less than mine, or that my art is any better than his. Art is art. It just is! And the old clichholds true again; Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (even if that eye has a stick in it). Making the Hot20 list is a great feeling. I know because I once made it for about two days, went up to position 13 then declined but what a mind trip it was. I was completely ecstatic. As it turned out, it was my first entry into that forum gallery as well as my last. And you know what? Who knew and who cares? Its a forgotten episode. Only I know and can savor and appreciate the moment. But its great to know that it wasnt because I had lined up a bunch of my cronies and had them vote for me. I know in my heart that my hard work had finally paid off. All I can say to you, is be patient, your turn will come. And, dont take on so much of the worlds problems, there are way too many of them and it will only stress you out. Kick back, sip a tea or a cola and do some Bryce.

I seldomly use the vote funktion, and most of the time i don't alow votes in my gallery. I used to but, no more. It doesn't make me a better artist to know i'm on the top 20. What I want when posting my images here is critique and comments. That's something i can use to improve myself.

Frankly, Zhann is the only 'modern' artist whose work I like. There is too much crap in the real world 'art' gallerys and if I was dean or boss of an art collage I'd throw students of this modernist rubbish out on the streets. It's a sad fact that too much rubbish gets all the glory when the real/desent stuff gets ignored. I mean, fcs, how can you get famous and rich just by painting a series of other people's swimming pools? Hockney can't paint. Nor can Lucian Froyd. But the way to deal with what goes on here? The answer has to be - persiverance. I have posted quite a few challenge entries and got no votes at all. Do I think my work is bad? No. I think other people's is better. And then I just try harder. If we are at all honest then it MAY come down to this...vote for the best image...and don't donut your friends..... Nuff said. The Bryster

Hey, don't feel bad, I've never made it into the top 20 either. But just the same, it doesn't bother me. I know it's about popularity, I know it's about appealing to the general population by creating some eye candy image. But that's not what I'm about anyway, so why would I even want to be? I'm into my studies, generally people can't justify calling any of them art in the first place, therefore it is not "appealing" it may be "cool" or "interesting" or "informative" but not really appealing as art. I'm working on that though, I need an artistic method to drive my madness.

I've only managed the Hot 20 once but I keep working harder and harder to make it into that list. To me, that's when you can call yourself one of the 'big dogs' on campus when you can get in there. So those of you that "only" have made it once or twice...BE PROUD! :) For those of you that haven't made it yet, keep working hard because once you make it, you made that popularity thing a mockery for at least a week. ;) MD

hi, I just went to look at what is in the top 20.....and before I go off on my own rant....keep in mind that I am not nitpicking anyone in particular. I looked at them all.....I think only 6 images are worthy of being in there. Some of those images had downloaded objs in them.......now there is a certain art to composition, light, materials but that alone wouldnt get a vote from me. Take care, Teri R What I look for when I vote on an image is.......did the artist model all the various parts him/herself? Do I see any default bryce mats? Lighting.......sometimes in fantasy pics is nice....but in a image that is suppose to look real, the lights should look real too! And last.......has this bryce image been airbrushed, or postworked to death??? I guess what I'm really saying is........ If I vote on an image its cuz the artist did the modeling, mats, composition, and lighting all in bryce and thats what makes it a hot20 bryce image to me!

Vote! Don't like the way things work? VOTE! Renderosity says on its own "About Us" page that there are 180,000 members with 2300 new each week. Drac is Number 1 on the hot 20 with 19 Votes. That means 0.00105% of the membership voted for him. Only 5 or 6 votes can put you in. If you are going to leave the contest open to where a few friends or fake votes can get you in don't be surprised when they do. If even 1% voted we would be seeing hundreds of votes for #1 instead of tens. Cant vote because it takes too much time? Got an idea to fix it? You can contact the people who run Renderosity from here. http://www.renderosity.com/index.ez?viewLink=385 Every family that lost someone in the WTC got a million from the government. A man who decided the Jihad had come; slit the throat of a bus driver on the interstate below Nashville. Four people died, no one got money. All the police and firemen at the WTC were called heroes because they got into a situation where they died. They all got a million. A state trooper was on night patrol when an ex con put a rifle through his rear window and shot him. I just saw his house foreclosed on his widow. Life sucks, life's unfair. Tell the president. http://www.whitehouse.gov/ Dont vote republican? When was the last time any of you said something to your congressman about it? Contact the house here: http://www.house.gov/ Contact the senate here: http://www.senate.gov/ Dont think either party will do any good? Get someone who will. America has an American Party, American Heritage Party, American Independent Party, American Nazi Party, American Reform Party, Christian Falangist Party of America, Communist Party USA, Constitution Party, Family Values Party, Freedom Socialist Party, Grassroots Party, Green Party of the United States (Green Party), The Greens/Green Party USA (G/GPUSA), Independence Party, Independent American Party, Labor Party, Libertarian Party, Light Party, Natural Law Party, New Party, New Union Party, Peace & Freedom Party, Prohibition Party, Reform Party, The Revolution, Socialist Party USA, Socialist Action, Socialist Equality Party, Socialist Labor Party, Socialist Workers Party, Southern Party, Southern Independence Party, U.S. Pacifist Party, We The People Party, Workers World Party, You can find out about these and more at http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm I agree that things stink, but I cant do anything about it. This is a list of all the people who can if we all decide to express our wishes.

mad max my IMO WHY IS EVERYBODY SO INTO THE HOT 20!??? WHAT IS IN THE HOT 20???? you know what hot 20 is nothing... you heard me right its NOTHING! and im not saying this because i got a few pictures in there... im saying that because its strictly opinionated and heavely relies on the votes of people with no definite voting criteria... the Hot 20 is the the pics that MOST PEOPLE liked.... regardless of whether is pure bryce or postworked or not... WHAT COUNTS???? what really counts is NOT the COMMENTS or THE VOTES... its how you do your image... example... my ::GEARS:: image... frankly that was just a repost AND it was HEAVELY POSTWORKED since it was submitted to a digital contest in my country under the digital (or photopshoped) category... I didn't expect to have that many comment NOR have it voted up to the top 5 in the hot 20.... all i wantesd was to have it palced in my gallery and be happy with it... if people liked it. im grateful! if not well too bad! but to my surprise... it got more! NOW this is im posting this... the more you expect MADMAX the more you'll be disaapointed... JUST DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO! it it cuts it then congratulations! if not SO WHAT? at least you did it right>? thats what counts man... nothin more my two cents.. eyecon

hmm..I've never been in the top 20, but I've never looked, either..I just make the pictures I like, and ask questions when they don't turn out the way I want..;) I don't have much problem making comments, if it's something simple, or an easy fix. Some folks get upset by different things..I had someone IM me about a comment because they felt it was historically innacurate..(?). Go figure..;) folks develop their 'amen corners' over time, even I have one (well, they don't actually fill a corner..but..;). If it's a good pic, I'll comment..if not, I usually pass it by. Of course, I've been known to have some fun with misspellings, particularly if they're ironic..;) make the art you want to make, and joke 'em if they can't...;)

To my knowledge, I've never had an image in the Hot 20. It would be a nice thing to experience, I guess, but THERE'S NO MONEY IN IT! So, to quote Draculaz, "meh". I love to make art, and I love when someone takes to time to look at it and comment on it. I'm much more jazzed when someone adds me to their favorite artist list, or adds one of my pics to their favorite images list, this is much more personal than anonymous votes. Thanks to all who have done so, you ARE my money in all this! Madmax: We all get discouraged and need a good rant. I've done it myself, and will likely do so again, no depression is not an option at times for yours truly. More power to you, hope life gets more positive for you soon. All the best to all who find themselves unhappy! Tjohn

I put my first image up and noticed that some people who posted theirs around the same time have alot more views or comments, even though the image isnt all that great. I'm not saying mine are, but I think mine do look better then some IMHO. I came to the conclusion that some people open alot of accounts and vote for their picture under different names. I for one post my pictures to get an honest response, and not cheat myself.

d-hood, it's not like this. Go take a look at Rochr gallery or at alvinylaya's or ocddoug's (just to name some of our everybody's favs here) and go to the first postings they made. They have 3, 4, maybe 5 comments. No more than that. And, man, this is NORMAL. Because it takes a while to people to realize you're doing good ones. Bryce gallery has 3 pages of submissions a day, nobody has the time to see them all. But, if you post one or two that are really good, people will remember and will click again next time. I'd love very much if we could stop saying it's "cheating" anytime a discussion about Hot20 and Comments turns up. It's an alibi, you know: allows you to think that the whole world is stupid and cheating and not that you have to improve your skills. Other than writing, I work as a consultant for a couple of publishing houses in Italy, and I get insulted and bashed by would-be authors all the time. Nobody seem to think that accepting criticism (or, in this case, indifference) COULD be one's own fault and not the perverted mafia-like system. This is a general message, I'm still behind some days in the gallery and today I got connected only 4 minutes to read the Forum, so I didn't see your work, d_hood. I'll see it in the next days. But I won't finish this post with "nothing personal", because it's not like this. Above you just said that you came to the conclusion that people are cheating, and this annoy me a lot. Better take a look (lurking is fun and wise, sometimes) at how this community works before saying something like that. Friendly (and now I'm serious) Stefano

Amen Stefano... I don't know what you all see in the hot 20, but I've been using bryce for a while now, and I'm not at that level yet. so as far as I'm conserned, they all deserve that spot.

I for one, appreciate all the comments on my works, the comments help me improve my art...I'm also delighted when someone takes the time out of their busy day to go to my gallery and view my work....I never expect to get votes, I don't have a reputation, and yet two of my works have made it to the hot20....I'm not apologetic for that, people not only took the time to view my work and felt strongly enough about it to actually VOTE on it...but, Hot20 fame is fleeting, you're there, then you're not, it always surprises me how quickly it changes...

I've been in over 1500 real world gallery exhibitions, believe me there's nothing worst than stannding at a reception and have someone commemt on your work while you are standing there, you develop a thick skin real fast or you never exhibit publicly again...not to mention juried shows where your entry can be rejected, so take heart the galleries here are much 'nicer' and the people relatively polite, and you WILL make it into the hot20, with the passion that you showed in your post it's a fact....

The bottom line for me is, I do my art for ME, I am my art, it's part of my makeup....that's what makes art so personal. When I find something, a shape, or momment in time,whether in the real or digital world, that moves and influences ME enough to want to interpret it in Bryce, or Vue, or oils, or acrylics, and if I'm pleased with what emerges I'm as happy as any artist can be with their own work, the rest is GRAVY....

And if all you needed was a good vent, well, everyone here knows the feeling, and we support each other, we artist's are a volatile lot, and a little support goes a long way...and yet, I feel there's something more in what you posted, between the lines, let us know, maybe we can help you through it...
Zhann

I dont come here for politics, either of the world variety or just concening Bryce. I come here because I thought we enjoyed making pictures with a certain piece of software. But just lately it seems some are only happy when bitching about the fact their image didnt make it into a certain gallery voted on by the membership, while others did. They rationalise this by saying that of course those artists have multiple accounts or lots of friends who vote for them. Live with it. I was a semi professional photographer specilalising in insect shots. I posted some recently in the photography gallery. They got few viewings but I was happy that they were good enough to have been previously published. Another photographer also posted insect pictures and because he used no flash, they were blurred and would have been rejected outright by my agent. They invariably made the Hot 20 or whatever they call it, with comments like "pin sharp" or "wonderful macro". So what? Why go on the forum and tell the guy his pics are amatuerish? Others seem to have strange ideas, (to me) about what makes a good image. Teri, I have never made a model in my life, rarely use anything but other peoples mats and will use postwork to achieve what I set out to do. You have voted me one point in the challenge this month. Perhaps you would like to revote, given the above information. I have long been puzzled why so many artists post in their gallery but never in the forum. Well, I think I can see why now, and I think I am going to join their ranks.

I've found over the years ( with art events ), that when it comes to a public vote, sometimes it's not about the Art, but more of a popularity contest. I don't know if I've ever made the top 20, because I've never checked. Personally I don't care. I quit posting in the various public galleries to. I've won numerous awards, but that just doesn't appeal to me anymore. I will still enter contest with the sole intention of trying to win the software prize their giving out. But other than that, the challenge we do here is the only place I post pictures anymore ( beside my web site ) And it means more to me when 1 or 2 people vote for my image in the challenge than winning awards or software. Why? because those votes are coming directly from people who I consider to be my peers. And their opinions mean more to me than what any of the so called art critics have to say.

Eeee! What a torrent. Lots of feelings. So, let me add my 0.02 credits.

Yeah, madmax, I know how you feel about not getting into H20 :-). Been there, done that. And that's perfectly normal.

I cannot agree with those who say "I do my art for me and the Hot 20 is not important." It is important. You create a picture and want others to appreciate it. Getting into Hot 20 means that the others show their appreciation.

And yes, what's especially galling is that pictures not as good as yours are getting in there.

And fan clubs. don't start me on them. While there are people who create excellent pictures, not every one of them is that great. Not every one of them deserves to be in Hot 20.

Still, what tjohn says, getting into somebody's favourites is even more satisfying, as much as Hot 20 looks more official.

Zhann, thanks for calling me an artist. :-)

Just keep on doing what your doing. There are tricks for making a popular render, of which we are all aware but so what most of us are going to come second most of the time. I'm no great artist but I like what I do and I have hopefully comunicated which to my mind is what it's all about.It seems we are all in agreement here so madmax get about your buisness!

Erlik, you are, really, really....g, and I agree, being on someones favorites list make your trials and tribulations all worth it, because you brought something to that person..... and the Hot20 is important in the respect that someone took the 'time' (something that is in such short supply these days) to view your work and thought enough of it to vote for it, 'yes' that is extremely satisfying, but not the 'end all, be all', and a thought, when you stop trying to make it there, it will come to you....

It's always an honor to get voted into the Hot20, but it shouldn't be the ultimate goal when you're working on an image. It has taken me a LONG time to realize this. Create what you want to create and if you are happy with it, f*** everything else :-) I've gotten images in the hot20 that I didn't think were good enough to be there --and I've done ones that I thought SHOULD be in there but didn't make it. In the end, it only comes down to how you feel about your own work. After all, creating art should be fun. If it isn't, why do it? Doug

Ah, doug, who's ever always satisfied with their own pictures?

You finish a render, post it into your gallery and then WHAM!

"Aaaargh! I should have changed this! I should have kept that!"

As to "if art isn't fun, why do it", I can only say that there are some things that shout and cry for you to create them.

I talked to a lot of writers and would-be writers, and quite a number of them says that there are inner voices clamouring to be heard, that their characters speak to them.

I think something similar is going on with us, too. And if we misunderstand the voices*, or we have to torment ourselves spending hours and days on a particular picture, we'll still do it, no?

• Like the balloon model I put over in the thread brholte started. That's not what I had in mind when I started it.

welp guess ill add my 2cents in.... i dont really see anyones work as being 'bad'.... but i know teri really well and maybe thats why i took her comments entirely different than some of you did that seem to be offended... the way i took her remarks were really were jus that bein in top 20 is really something special.... and the artists that spend days gettin their things build... finding and fixin own mats .. etc as opposed to dl 20 objs in a pic usin byrce settins.... should get a extra kudo .. or point or something... not slamming anyones... only that its lots of work in buildin a scene wit own textures/mats etc.. not meanin to inflame anyone here ... jus felt teris comment had lots of validity to it that got sorta lost ? peace amungus ez << who has no intentions of ever postin .... lolz

It does feel rewarding when other artists like your works. BUT what really keeps me making images is the process and the product. To me, the real reward of art is self satisfaction (this comes BEFORE you even decide to show your work to anybody).

Now as far as the type of art one posts, consider Britney Spears or Boy bands. I sure don't like them but A LOT of people do because... of personal taste. And who am I to condemn the fans? Pesonally, I have NEVER met anyone who likes the exact same songs that I love. Same goes with visual arts. Some people think "realism" is what makes a great pic (I don't think so), but that's their opinion and I DO respect that.

As far as HOT 20, it won't change! But not a problem, as Tjohn said, there's no money involved LOL! The only thing I can say is that if the HOT 20 bothers you, don't go there.

Finally the popularity thing DOES exist. But when I think of it, the "world of art" is just that way. I would treasure the a rough sketch by Picasso much much more than an painstakingly worked, full sized drawing by an artist I don't know. Rochr, Doublecrash, sbleci, ocddoug (along with many others) are just awesome artists IMHO, and if there is a fan club for these guys, count me in cuz I'm a huge fan!!!

Attached Link: http://realultimatepower.net

One day I would be overjoyed to see my work in the hot 20 but so far no luck. Recently I've been feeling that even though I think that I do good work not many others seem not to see it as such. This has been making me sad although I haven't decided if my anger is valid or I'm just going through a down phase. It does annoy me though when work that to me doesn't reach the mark gets loads of comments and votes, when the work I do only seems to get a comment if I post a link to it from here. Please excuse me I'm just being mimpy. As for the world being in a terrible state and no-one doing anything about it, well I can certainly empathise with that. All our rich western countries should stop trying to make a profit on food and drugs when these items are in desperate need by countries who are not so well off. It's almost like saying, "you cannot afford our prices so you can go away and die", this kind of attitude is dispicable, help should not be a case of how much money a person has, we should all go out of our way to make life better for all of humanity not only for those who can afford it. OK, rant over. Back to Brycing.................8) Catlin BTW, I'm a member of Greenpeace and Amnesty International and proud of it. So there's an idea madmax, go join a group of people who are trying to make a real difference.

I really want to thank everyone for all the help and advice here. The disjointedness occured when I took a bathroom break and had what i call "a urination epiphany." It's not just the Hot20 and the modern art stuff, it's more about my life as a general thing. All my life I have always done things for myself and others, not seeking recognition but always desiring it. I have never made an image i expected to be in the Hot20, but I will admit I do get angry when I see images in there that I don;t approve of. I almost never browse the galleries. it was only recently that i knew there WAS a Hot20, I always spend most of my time making images and keeping up in the forum rather than posting my little experiemnts or browsing the galleries. I'll get to the point. None of my images have ever been in the Hot20. None of my images have ever been accepted into the bryce forum select gallery. I find myself continously helping people and writing tutorials and posting freestuff and keeping up in the forum, and yet people always seem to forget me when they give thanks. I don't mind, but when it happens over and over it gets to me. When people make images that have the names of many brycers in the scenes I find many of the regular members but rarely my name. I feel like i am being forgotten. I know life isn;t fair. I know it never will be, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth it anymore. I don't care if I never get any sort of award for my images, but if i care, should i still make them?

Thanks for the empathy catlin (crossposted) I do want to make a real difference. I was on a plane flight the other day flipping through the skymall magazine and the urge for me to want the stuff made me sick. Both physically and emotionally. I always thought I would be immune to the mainstream commercialism of modern society but i guess I've been ignorant.

There's a group of people that frequent the gallery but never visit the forums. I for one took a few months before I was even aware of it. Until I realized that there was a forum for Bryce, I didn't even know who AgentSmith was! LOL! It's very true though, frequent posters do grow on me. After seeing the same peson's work over and over again, I start to "Get" it. Well, maybe not all hehehe!

I do know how ya feel. But you did make a difference, maybe your'e just not aware of it. I did download your morphable pipe but I just never had the chance to use it =)If I remember correctly, I think a number of your images did make it to the hot20. I'm almost sure I saw "Morning Coffee" there. Whatever you do, don't let anyone slow you down, do keep making your images. I'm very sure that many members here wish they could make the quality of images that you made, don't let your talent go to waste. 8^D

Catlin, is mimpy a real word..?:) Okay, when I first started visiting the forum, it seemed like an 'old boys club' certain people were always voted in the Bryce challenge, their images always made the hot20, etc, etc....then as I read more posts I got to know the people here and understood, how they helped each other, were giving and sympathetic, and it encouraged me to do more with my work....that this forum is a true community of artists. Ideas and inspiration abound here, we look out for each other. Your art is an expression of who you are and it hurts when you think no one cares, we all care. Your contributions to this forum and it's members have been greatly appreciated, by all, don't think for a minute that they aren't. You are needed and respected, so don't stop doing your art, it would be a loss to all of us. As for the world at large, well, that's a mess we'd all like cleaned up, one way to help is to do one good thing everyday for someone else, by helping others to improve, you improve yourself.... And after thinking about it, I think Alinylaya's right, 'Morning Coffee' was there, and not long ago...

I agree with all, or most replies in this thread,.......as for myself,....I was very surprised the first time I made it into the "Hot 20", and the only reason I knew about it was because tempest967 E-mailed me and told me. It was only number 18, but I did feel kind of nice about it. When I saw what image it was, my first thought was "you've got to be kidding" then I spent the better part of the next day trying to figure out why, what was it about that particular image that got people's attention. I don't consider myself very adept at using Bryce,.......seems the only thing I can do is landscapes with the occasional animal in it. Madmax br5, you're very talented, you do things I wish I could do, or had the imagination for. I have been trying to do an image based on Mathias Grunewald's "The Temptation of St. Anthony" for the better part of a year,......it always falls apart. As for myself, I keep doing the same type of images over and over again because that's the way it turns out, and it's what's comfortable. You also have to account for lack of real talent on my part. Anyhow,.....don't get to frustrated and keep on working. Make them for yourself, and if it gets accolades, well, that's gravy on the potatoes, isn't it.

Zhann, no mimpy is not a real word but I think it should be 'cos it does discribe that kind of "down in the mouth" feeling you sometimes get. 8) Madmax as for your smartpipe, you know how much I like it, as soon as I got hold of it I strted playing and haven't stopped yet. And don't you dare stop creating it would make you so mimpy that your life would be unbearable. Catlin

Catlin: So Faslane doesn't do it for you then?

What is smartpipe ??? Nobody ever tells me anything !

if it's what I think it is, it's a prop/thingy/object created by..arrgh..hate being away from the database (it's in Freestuff..;), that can be bent, shaped, or generally used like any string/rope, amazing, popular at parties, er, uh..well..;)
Do you get a notice if you're in the hot 20, or do you just have to keep peeking?..;)

I've been in twice, and never got any notice. I think you just have to peek in everyonce in a great while

Bryster, Faslane only excites me when there's a protest going on................lol 8) Is there any way to find out if you have had an image in the hot one, I was just thinking that I don't check it out very often and I could have had something in there and not known about it. (Optimism strikes out mimpyness) 8D Catlin

Gee Catlin, I don't know. The way I found out my very first post to Renderosity made the Hot list was only because I was new to the site and I was clicking everything in sight to see where it took me. You know,"The most viewed", "The most commented" etc. etc. And once it dropped out of the list, that was it! Unless there's an archive somewhere for it.

I wonder if AgentSmith has a list?