Can someone explain something to me? What's the deal with the advertisements I see here on Renderosity? I had no idea there was this massive subculture of people who like to play dress-up with 3D models of women. Who are these people? Why have they taken over this site? What do they make these models FOR (dare I ask)? I feel like a moron having those ads on my screen when I come here. I hope nobody sees.

That got a good chuckle. Thanks.

My last workplace banned access to this site on its computers because of those ads and the poser gallery. Too bad, too... I miss that T1 connection...

I close my door before I come here. But that's an old discussion. Any attempt to get the banners looking a little less than those of a porn site brings immediate screams and wails from the best-selling Poser merchants. Maybe some enterprising Carrara users should make a ton of Carrara products and splurge on the banners thereof? It might shift the balance a little....

I have been hanging around on Renderosity for a very long time -- back when Renderosity was tied in with Renderotica. Back then, the more, ah, adult ads tended to stay on Renderotica. My workplace hasn't banned this site, yet, but I do find it uncomfortable when I arrive here and there's some scantily clad, absurdly large-breasted woman bending over in some unbelievably suggestive way in one of the ads. And it's not just the banners, but also the thumbnails on the main home-page. I take no issue whatsoever with folks' rights to create whatever art they want, but I do find that the "ooh, we can make hot, almost-nudie pics in our banner ads and get away with it" apparent attitude of some of the advertisers to really impact my impression of the professionalism of this site. I love this forum; it's been an amazing place for me to get and give assistance, but I do have to agree with Rendererer that the ads are over the top. Whew. I feel better. Hope this doesn't start any flaming threads; it's not my intent to "dis" anyone.... - Dex

I think the ads are very benign and minor. Nothing I would hide from anybodies grandma (seriously). LOL I can't believe anyone is offended at all Just sharing Steama

I'd agree that they're not offensive, but I work for a State Agency and there are some fairly uptight folks walking around looking at my computer screen when I'm getting some advice or just looking for hints about stuff I use for work. Probably wouldn't be a problem, particularly since I live in San Francisco, but it might be.... So, for the most part I just check out the forum from home. And thanks for sharing. BTW, my grandma would probably look pretty great in some of those things they're hawking for Posette and Victoria.... :o)

I have to say the banner ads don't bother me, they don't even register as being there - apart from the ones for 'teen boys' and kids. What's that all about? I mainly use the Wings forum here on Renderosity, and the mod there did something or other that filters the banner ads. If you visit http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12445 you'll see the top banner ads cycle randomly, but are very innocuous. Maybe a request to the mod would work?

Really I think if the registered user says that he/she is under age that the ads shouldn't pop up. Also I think if a person hasn't registered at all, they definetly shouldn't have the half nude ads running around. Personally its not a big deal, but I've had many a people, go WHAT SITE ARE YOU ON!? because they think its porn. Brian

I'm not offended by the lewdness of the pictures, I'm offended by the dumbness.

I think this thread will be passed on to the mods and admins for review. This is isn't the first time this sort of issue has been discussed by the staff and I think if it's something that interferes with our operation, it needs to be brought up. Excellent discussion so far! -Kix

I wouldn't what to associate with those that buy the perve stuff here. For once. Just once. I'd like to see an ad that has vehicles, houses, plants, elemental effects, camera lens variants in it. But no. I seem to get mostly the awfully rendered nipple re-alignment ads and the Freddy Mercury want-to-be naked gay man ads. I wish Poser had a more manly figure for its default male instead of that "I look good in a dress/s&m outfit" look that everyone insists on using.

What's notable about the banners and thumbs, and what usually gets lost in the shouting match over "artistic freedom/censorship/nudity/pornography" is that what matters is not the actuality, but the appearance. On first glance the banners look exactly like those of a porn site. This has little to do with content. I could probably make up a banner of a teddy bear or a chair that had the same "look" to it. Of course, a large part of the look is the expanse of skin. You'd get the same effect if the skin was the palm of a hand or the nape of a neck; from the corner of the eye all you see is a mass of pink flesh, and it shouts "Nudie pic!" at you. Of course, the use of screaming, block-letter slogans like "Sexy!" "Hot!" "Teen!" doesn't hurt the effect! Now, there are banners and thumbs for more dignified products. There are even "skin and undies" products with dignified ads. It doesn't take too many of the lingerie ads to color one's perception of the whole, tho. None of this is helped by Renderosity's tireless efforts to promote the "hot" products (almost invariably of the kind we have been describing) in every possible corner of the store. Several things would help. Increasing the numbers of banners for other kinds of products, for one. The "hot" merchants are tireless in their advertising, and many of the people making shaders for Carrara aren't pushing their banners to the same extent (i'm guilty of this myself). Another is to make sure the screening really works, and is a default for the site; so the casual user has to choose to see the more pornographic of the ads and pictures. Another repair is definately in Renderosity's part of the court....stop pushing the "Hot 20" everywhere the site can hold them. When I'm browsing for Victorian children's wear I really, really don't want to see latex and chains all over the edges of the page.

In the galleries page in the "whats new" for all genres there have been several totally nude thumbnail images in the last couple of days. Also, if someone walks by your computer and the Renderosity ads make them think you are on an x-rated site then their is a problem don't you think.I don't visit Renderosity's homepage at all because of the ads , I just have bookmarded where I usually go but it is still unavoidable. Just my 2 cents.

No matter how bothersome it is, it could be a lot worse. Take a look at RunTimeDNA's site. Their newsletter is basically cyber-porn throughout.

But if people feel bothered by this issue then surely it needs to be addressed. I'm not a web design expert but presumably it's not impossible to have screening linked to a visitor's login, so that we could choose what to view? This could help those merchants who want to reach those of us who actually don't want yet another Vicky skin texture. Just my two cents. Mark

#10.....LOL......I second that. I'd just add to the conversation, two points. 1) V3/V4/V10? are BORING BORING BORING non art. Titillating? maybe Boring? Absolutely. The banner ads and their content have been debated ad nauseum. It's not going to change. I approach the whole as I did my kids's noise levels back when they were young. I just block the chatter out, and move on. And let's not forget Michael, and his penis dial. There are some raunchy Michael spreads in here as well. 2) Is Poser really modeling, or is it just legolike compositing in 3D? I think the poser people have alot of skill in postworking though. I'd have to agree with falconperigot, SQL (properly handled) CAN allow visitor's to setup their own viewing preferences. IF rosity wanted to offer that ability. They should rewrite Rosity in .NET. ;) But I love the Carrara Forum! Indespensible.

I just bookmark a link to this forum and I avoid all ads whether they bother me or not (I never have to see a single ad if I choose not to---raunchy or clean). Of course this is the only place on Renderosity I go all the time. I have looked at the ads and find them more stupid than offensive. The ads are most often good for a laugh or two or three. ONE SOLUTION: Just bookmark a link to this forum and avoid most of the ads.

I can not remember the last time I saw a nipple in a banner, so that would not count as porn, even in the US, I think. One can only hope for good taste of the advertisers, because it looks they are the ones that pay for a good part of the existence of Renderosity, due to the volum of V3 textures, models and poses. They serve a market that is, I think, kind of 'playing with dress up dolls' for mostly young boys.
One would expect that kind of images, and the parts to construct them that are ons sale, should be sold on Renderotica, but that seems more to be a fetish place these days. Torturing screaming and bleeding girls is not exactly my kind cup of erotic tea.

I think we can see two different kind of users here at Renderosity and I think the moderators et all should consider giving people the opportunity to choose for the Renderosity Nude OR the Renderosity Non-nude variety. I tend not to look at the banners at all, so I miss the ones that could actually be meant for me. And the advertisers are helped by having an audience that is interested in what they have to offer.

Shonner, anti-gay comments seem a bit off-topic in this discussion (there is a beer belly morph available for most male Poser figures) and here is the plants ads that was on the home page when I opened it to see how big the problem really is (I can recommend that to everybody who thinks that porn has taken over Renderosity, hit 'refresh' a couple of times to see how broad the range of articles is. One tends to remember only the scantily clad ladies (or rock singers for that matter) and glance over the vehicles, houses, plants, elemental effects and cameras).

O, and here is some furniture...

Education...

Backgrounds from Hawabr>

All from the front page...

But I am in favour of some kind of split between Poser hobbyists (the 'constructors') and people who are proud that they are making original work (the 'creators'). Because it helps the advertisers and keeps people from NOT visiting Renderosity because they find some of the unasked-for content offending.

Here are the Banner Ad and Front Page thumbnail guidelines. We tightened these up months back and dont let any through that violate the new guidelines. We are working hard to have run of the site content like Banner Ads friendly to all that visit. "Banner Ad and Front Page Thumbnail/Wording Guidelines No nudity. This implies no clothes, clothes that are transparent or blurring of nude images. Minimal cleavage exposure. The majority of the female breast must be clothed (at least 80%). No exposed buttocks. No suggestive or sexual positioning. No placement of the hands in genital areas including female breasts. No child nudity. No Sexually Suggestive Language or "Censored" language/images. No bondage type ads. Banner Ads are promoted throughout Renderosity and are therefore visible to all members. We feel strongly about keeping this content professional and suitable for all ages. The intent of the banners are to give merchants the additional exposure for marketing their products but at the same time this reflects on the overall site and must be professionally displayed. Front page Article thumbnails and wording are also held to these same guidelines. Advertisers that purchase banner ads are held to these same terms. If your Banner Ad or Front Page article violates any of the above listed guidelines you will receive an E-Mail requesting a replacement image or wording as needed. Renderosity reserves the right not to approve any banner at our discretion." Clint MarketPlace/E-Commerce Manager

I visit three different Forums here, the Macintosh, the Carrara and the Painter. I think this web site is invaluable to the 3D artist and CG in general. I also find the discussions and the people involved in them have great disposition to truly help each other. I personally have never found nudity offensive if it is done in good taste. I have never seen anything that has offended me here. But I do understand that probably I have a very relaxed view on this matter and that my way of seen this is probably not shared by many. I also understand that some my find some of the ads offensive. I have been approached by people at work that have questioned me about the nature of his site, probably thinking that it was a porn site. I simply show them part of the gallery en explain what it really is all about. I believe that art. since it is the expression of the artist, can be considered offensive to some. My wife dose not like any abstract pice of art, not even the masters. Hell she doesn't even like Dali, but I respect that because she was not exposed to art when she was young. So she only understands classic paintings or photo realism. My point is that I believe that every body has the right to express them selves through art the way they choose. I also see that sex sells and a banner might entice some one to check out what's selling. I personally don't currently use poser, and I have never purchase any of this stuff but I have visited all the gallery and the nudity, although some times tacky dose not offend me. I share the point of view with others that more than offensive, it might be childish, but this just might be there target market to begin with.

ya what he/she/they said!! lol.. yaa there is a bit much of it here it seems... but there are other options...
www.3dcommune is a more "hometown" like forum that is almost a clone of here. and has GREAT people running it, ad is a liitle more divided in the forums & the galleries. I also think they have a little tighter rules.

Personally I bounce back and forth between here and there. I actually like 3dcommune more because there are less people there so the forums are less blotted and a little more "homey " feeling.. (am I using that to much?) But that makes getting answers harder sometime.. soo.

If the ads here really annoy you.. try the 3DCommune site, you'll probably like it better, though there are less going on there.. If not... stay here.. or even btter....use both!! :)

Or maybe renderosity could have a "block" in the personal settings ?

Just wish that people would use the "nudity" content button and NOT have stuff showing in the preview... little respect people goes a long way :)

One thing that might help? a quick note from the forum stating something like....

" People of renderosity.. do to the increase of poser popularity we have gotten requests to lighten the amount of nudity/sexual content in our galleries & Ads. Please respect those of us who may be UNDER AGE and wish to view our wonderful website and galleries without having sexual content on every page. We DO NOT wish in anyway to restrict your artistic visions and postings, Just please use your best judgement when posting. Please use the Adult content buttons and keep the nudity out of the previews and banner ads.
And remember that not everyone that views these pages are adults, or wish to view these types of images.

Thank you!!

something like that?

Heard a good quote on TV last night that made me laugh - "If all porn sites were removed from the internet there'd be only one site left - and that would be campaigning for the return of porn!"

holy moly! the human body is beautiful! nothing is bad about a naked body! think who pays the rent for this side ? if this were a dumb and boring site nobody will visit it! Free speech free thinking - hope that comes one times in the land of the "free" ! :-) (forgive me i am from europe)

Oh i agree with the free speech... just have respect for others... and have a little taste :)

I agree with souleat. Nothing is bad about a naked body. This is a great site even with ads that some find offensive/dumb. Free speech is great especially for artists. If the ads bother you, you can simply bookmark a page to this forum and avoid seeing them. Where is Salvador Dali when you need him? (I am from America---no need to forgive me) LOL

I followed an ebot staight to this page. I'm looking at what seems to be an animated Victoria's Secret ad right now. It's something called a Banner, and it appears on all forum pages, including the internal threads. Does it offend my sense of prudery? Take a look at my Renderotica gallery and call me a prude. Is it a personal hassle? Not really, as my browser is fully capable of diverting banner ads or all graphics entirely. My point is a simple one, so simple I don't seem to be able to state it clearly enough to be understood. The problem is one of appearances. Like Caeser's wife, what we face is not a problem of our behavior, but a problem of what we appear to be doing. We all know the amused and horrified reaction of friends and relatives the first time they catch someone starting a new Poser image. "But he's nakie...!" Well, hell, every time I do a pencil drawing I start with a nude figure, and for similar technical reasons. We all understand that. But our audience does not, not without education. Like manga or anime....how many people, particularly of a certain generation, heard "oh, those pornographic comic books they read in Japan" and never dared to find out for themselves? How many thought of anime as "that tentacle stuff" and thus deprived their children of "Totoro" or "Kiki?" There is nothing so wrong with the barbies. But are they to be our most visible spokewomen? Are we, then, ASHAMED of what we do with NURBS, the scripting in POV-ray, the recreation of medieval houses, the construction of elaborate imaginary landscapes, the simple delights of pulling polys, the stop-watch and Muybridge efforts of animators? If we are not ashamed of these other aspects of 3D, then why are they hiding behind the pouting vickies and the lace garters? Why are the barbies the most visible aspect of our trade? Well, I know why. Market forces and technical issues. Those aren't gonna change. All we can ask, tho, is to try to have a little class. Recognize that there are going to be sexy ads. Recognize that a lot of people, myself included, are delighting in creating images that might have offended Strom Thurman. Recognize, though, that we serve a larger base than one single interest group or cultural background. So let's try to get some class here. Let's at least look like the cover of Vogue, and not the cover of Hustler.

Nomuse puts it wonderfully. "Male enhancement" ads on TV (cable)don't offend me but I'm glad they don't include a lot of technical imagery.