I will be returning the info about Wagner's regularly scheduled chat sessions for Saturdays to the box at the top of the screen, probably on Thursdays, and trying to come up with other ideas for the bulk of the week. If anyone has any suggestions, or would like to have his/her website featured and /or advertised, please let me know. I've noticed some of the other forums have activities being scheduled, contests, interactive projects, etc, and I was hoping we could get something like that going. What do you think, people? I was also thinking about maybe every week having a "featured Vue-er" or something like that, and posting the link to his/her website at the top here, until right before the weekend, when Michael Wagner's URL goes back up. Maybe we could vote or something like that? I'm hoping we can get some more interaction going on here eventually. :) Cheers, Mike

heyas; mike, the rhino challenges are fun. maybe we can swipe their idea? not sure what a vue challenge would be, though... it's not really a technical prog like rhino. maybe do seasonal themes. winter, spring, etc. and share goodies, like smallspace's snow storm materials. or something?

Bloodsong, Hi...glad to see yer still around. :) BTW, your suggestion for the anenome worked, so thanks! Yeah, I'm jealous as hell about all the fun y'all have over there at the Rhino Forum. :/ I was thinking about maybe something along the lines of a Christmas theme, and though that's a good idea, it's probably kinda cliche'd. Maybe something like a Millenium theme? This New Year is the actual millenium year. Blame it on Dyonesius (sp?) I'm open for suggestions, but I thought it would be cool if we had some sort of thing. Maybe not even necessarily a picture contest, or project, though... maybe something more like a "most unique" sort of thing... I don't really know--all the good ideas have been taken. LOL Anyway, I was hoping for some suggestions as to what we could do to increase the traffic and interest around here. Vue is such a powerful program, yet so comparatively few are aware of it. :( And I would like to see this particular forum become a place that not only aids Vue-ers, but "sells" newbies or the curious on Vue, as well. :) We're the mutants, ya know...those who have looked beyond Bryce and seen a brave new world.. ...Oh brother, I actually said that?! LOL

I like the idea of a series of "contests", challenges, general image topics to aim for, or maybe even technical aspects (making rainfall or snowfall, for instance). If everyone is working on the same "task" each...month?...then if someone runs into an obstacle, someone else should be able to help out readily enough. The problem for me personally: I can't view images from Renderosity's server, so I wouldn't be able to see the majority of items nor vote on anything. I am in the minority with this problem, though. Most visitors here would be able to see the stuff, so I say go for it, because it sounds like fun! :) Maybe it's clich but why not a Christmas/Hannukah/Yule/Winter Solstice subject? Maybe along the lines of what image would make a terrific holiday greeting card? Or maybe the aim could be to focus on one specific holiday element that means something extra special to the artist? I like the tutorials plug up top. Looks great! (Also reminds me I've got a scene-building tutorial I need to get HTML'd yet...eep!) Okay, back to work... :) Varian

"I'm open for suggestions, but I thought it would be cool if we had some sort of thing. Maybe not even necessarily a picture contest, or project, though... maybe something more like a "most unique" sort of thing... I don't really now--all the good ideas have been taken. LOL..Anyway, I was hoping for some suggestions as to what we could do to increase the traffic and interest around here" Hey Mike!....I give you one that is unique, never before done anywhere on the internet for years, sure to bring in traffics by the thousand etc...without contest, project...etc..needed..what say you!? Read on :).. YOU PLAY SANTA CLAUSE THIS SEASON AND GIVE AWAY 5 COPIES OF VUE d'ESPRIT 3.1 TO 5 LUCKY NEWBIES THAT POST EVERYDAY HERE! FOR THE CURRENT USER, YOU GIVE AWAY 5 COPIES OF VUE 4 (I know, I know...its not out yet but we can always have a "rain cheque" arrangement)THAT PSOT EVERY 6 HOURS HERE. You ask for for it, now don't you go ranting. Me shotgun always with me...& loaded! :) Bill

Just a quickie here....gotta get myself to work. :( Varian, have you contacted Rcook (webmaster) here about the image viewing problem? Tried other browsers? Asked your ISP what's up? Seems kinda strange. :( I'll have more to offer later, after I've finished serving my slavedriver...err, I mean my employer. Cheers! Mike

heyas; the rhino challenge isn't just about making an image, though.... it's to learn something new in rhino by trying to build something you haven't done before. that's why i like it. i wouldn't like a 'make a picture' theme, because... geeze, i have enough pictures i want to make on my own! :) if you could focus on one aspect of learning vue each challenge... like to make a complex mixed material (like my whole mountain material), or do something with material functions... or... i dunno... a special lighting effect? try to make boolean things? try to create a certain type of sky... (maybe even have like a photo reference -- a picture of a sky and then say, now try to recreate this. that'd be a handy talent to have in vue, cuz i always see cool skies i would like to re-create.) tesign: to people who post every 6 hours??? are you nuts? sounds like you haven't been getting much sleep lately, bud. take a break. :) that's right, put the gun down... have a nice nap.... ;)

ooo, I like the recreate a photo sky idea. New functions and materials would be good too. Particular types of terrains are something I need to learn more about... But I also like the idea of making pictures that we normally wouldn't because have you noticed how much stuff that comes with the app seems useless? Making a picture with the japanese sunset atmosphere, or with an unusual camera setting, or something like that. But I wouldn't like to do a "theme" picture either because that's something we can do in the regular challenge arena, y'know? MaryCanary

BloodSong...you said it!...Zzzzzz! #-) Bill

Tsk...nobody posts here every 6 hours. ;x Mike, it's been like this for me ever since Renderosity first opened. Many people had the same problem, and many complained. It's never been corrected. Many people went elsewhere. A few (like myself and Tesign) stuck around because we don't know how to find the "log out" button. 0:-) Reproducing a photograph (or a portion of a photograph) seems like a worthy challenge idea, whether the intent is to match up the sky or the terrain or objects or materials, etc. Something for everyone that way. :)

Hey Varian...I heard they don't use "button" or "Key" here..if I remember correctly, I think its one of those "magnetic strip" type card....only Mike the moderator hold a "Smart" card where he can lock and unlock anybody...LOL! Oh sorry....!...its 2:30 am here....I'm supposed to be Zzzzzz!...awhile back. Btw Mike, can you use your "Smart" card! I am too Zzzzz to do anything. Bill

Bill, shh! I'm patiently waiting for 5-1/2 hours to pass before I post again. ;> 2:30 am...wow. It's just getting towards afternoon here. I had no idea our time-zones were so far apart. Are you posting from China? Must be hard walking around upside-down like that. grin

LOL.....you guys are having too much fun here. ;-) Varian.....only every 6 hrs? Is that for Vue 3.1 or Vue 4? A theme or aspect of compositing a scene.like the material or the lighting etc to go towards an end of challenge theme pic would be a GREAT idea. Hey Mike.....don't forget to swipe your card to give you access to a new pic...I havent seen a new one from you in days. Seems like you are working too hard moderating to create / post pics ;-p~

From China...mannn!!!...Varian, I thought you know me better. If this site can reaf Chinese, I will see you all a Chinese song....LOL! "swipe your card to give you access to a new pic."...LOL!...good one! Bill

Hi everyone...I see you had fun here today while I was gone. :) I'm glad to see we had some great suggestions for ideas, and I personally like the suggestions of trying to re-create a sky and/or terrain, or a whole scene.Thanks for the teriffic idea, Bloodsong! And, Mary's excellent suggestion of trying to create a scene around one of those proprietary Vue things which we might not normally use is thoroughly excellent, IMHO! So what do we do now? I think these two ideas alone could keep us very busy for quite a while. The idea of recreating a photo of some sort, or some particular element within a photo has all kinds of practical applications, most noteably being that it would be an excellent way to force ourselves to learn Vue's more technical aspects. And, the idea of using the otherwise "useless" models, materials, etc., seems as if it would be terribly useful as a way to increase one's creativity overall. Well, I don't know where I would like to start, so I'm first inclined to as y'all what YOU think, but I'm thinking I probably ought to start pretending I'm a moderator or something, and initiate this first one myself. I was just browsing this enormous CD collection of royalty free photos I have (Print Artist 8), and I found so many absolutely gorgeous pictures, I was in awe! For now though, I think we should alternate it, doing the "Useless Vue Stuff" idea first, and next week we'll pick a scene to try, and we'll just take it from there. Of course, I'm always open for suggestions. :) The only problem I see with that idea, is that I don't know what we all have in common. Should i assume we're all using Vue 3? What about those who come here with only Vue 2, and see we're having a "challenge" using something from Vue 3? They wouldn't be able to participate. :( So, before this becomes official, I'd like to hear from those who have upgraded from Vue 2, for a list of "safe" items, i.e., materials, objects, atmospheres, etc. I would like to begin the first of the challenges by Wednesday. Naturally we need to have a deadline, so I think a week sounds good. That is, a week from the beginning to the end. So here's where we're at: First week (hopefully beginning Wednesday, Dec. 6): A challenge featuring a specific Vue "thing". Second week, the following Wednesday: We try to recreate a scene from a picture, using of course Vue, and anything else available, such as models from other apps, etc. ALL submitted scenes, pics, MUST be rendered in Vue, WITHOUT any post production. And, since I have no desire to see Varian, Tesign, or anyone else who has trouble viewing images here being left out, I will place the picture for reference on my own web space, and provide a link to it, as well as post it here. Another thing is, the pictures that are posted here have to euther come with a "permission slip" for me to be allowed to post them on my site, with FULL credit of course, OR you have to post it on your website, and post the Url to the picture here. I feel badly that there are those who have this image viewing problem, but everything has a workaround. :) Fair enough? Now, before making it "official", I want to hear suggestions for those "safe" items we can use for our first official challenge. I want to start on schedule, within the next 36 hours, that is, so if for some reason we can't decide what's safe or not by then, I'm going to pick one of those gorgeous pictures I have, and we'll just start out with that idea instead, until we get the details of the "Useless" theme worked out so as not to exclude others. :) I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you today, but it's been a long, tiring day for me. Now, I'm off to do some Vue-ing. :) Cheers, Mike

WOW........hey Mike......One Question!!!! Did you stop for a breath writing that post? LOL Excellent idea, only one thing springs to mind that might become an obstacle - not everyone has the same interpretation of what you are looking at - in other words....there is no picture to look at cos we dont all have the picture collection u have. Possibly posting one of them (the one you are using at the time) so that we could all have the same train of thought, might be useful. Only a suggestion - blow it up or dismiss it at will. ;-P~

Sacred, oh yeah, I thought I mentioned that I do have every intention of posting the picture that we're to work off of. I'm figuring we can take turns, to be decided how to do so, soon, and of course that will always involve first making sure everyone sees the picture we want to use. That is for the challeneges regarding trying to duplicate a photo of a nature scene. Obviously, the pictures have to be royalty-free, as well, which was why I mentioned Print Artist. It's just one of many CD collections of royalty free art and photos, and it's the only collection I have. Cheers, Mike

Hey Mike, thanks for the deal re: posting the images off-site! It will certainly be interesting to be able to see what everyone does! :) One question: one item each week? I think this is going to be a too-tight schedule for most people to keep up with. While it's true that a decent image can be put together in Vue within an hour, I've found that isn't typically the norm. And extra time might be needed when tackling new challenges. So maybe assume 5-6 hours for developing a scene, a couple hours for rendering, plus a day to pass to look at it later with "fresh" eyes before posting. Oh, and 5 days to be able to get other work out of the way first, and notify your loved ones that you won't be seeing them for awhile. How about every two weeks, or even once per month? :) (Of course, Bill might need even more time, since it's difficult to operate Vue using chopsticks instead of a mouse. Okay I'm bad, I'm bad....but it's not my fault!) 0:-)

The chopsticks made you do it!!!! ;-O Bad Chopsticks!!! I always knew they were suspicious!

Varian, Yes, I suppose you're right. Thinking about it, this is the especially busy time of the year for me, too, and what with the Holidays all that end of the year tax stuff, I bet it is for alot of people, too. Two weeks sounds like a good time frame to me...after all, there's no need to rush or anything. By the way, I believe that YOU upgraded from Vue 2 to Vue 3? Are there many similarities between the two versions, or is 3 radically different from 2? How about objects and materials-- did they stay basically the same with minor improvements? Cheers, Mike

That's why they invented forks!

Oh yes, the chopsticks are definitely at fault here! I'm sure Bloodsong would back me up on that. :) And yeppers, I began with Vue 2. The upgrade overwrote all the 2 files, of course, and added new stuff, but I think I I can remember some of what for sure came with 2, lemme see....(old man here, it takes us awhile to do that thinking thing!) In Atmospheres, these categories are almost (if not totally) identical: Daytime Simple Sunset Realistic Sunset Others Objects/Samples/3D Meshes: most are the same, but there are several new ones. Materials: Basic -- seems identical Rocks -- a few new ones, but most are the same Landscape -- seems identical Liquids -- I think new ones are Glowing Water, Foamy Water, Water Lilies, Shasta Water, Faked Caustics. The rest appear to be the same as in 2. Glasses -- seems identical Metals -- seems identical Special Effects -- a couple new ones, but most are the same. New ones are Cruiser(?), Hidden Base, Starfield, Sparse Starfield, Mossy Glass, Caustic Mask, Compound Eye Vue 3 has several more categories for each type, but to the best of my memory, these listed were all included in 2. I wouldn't be able to even guess what Animated materials might have been in 2, or in Mover applied to v.2. I've never animated, so I've never bothered to even look at those. Hope this is the type of list you're looking for. :) Oh, if you're looking for vegetation...I think it was Fern, Fir Tree, Dead Tree that came with Vue 2 (something more, too, I think), and you can make a list at E-on of all the free veggies, but subtract Anenome because that can only be used in v.3.

Dry Bush is the other plant that came with 2, I'm pretty sure. And in Object: Booleans -- those appear to be the same. :)

Cool, Varian, thanks...yes, this is exactly the type of thing I wanted to know! Cheers, Mike

are you nuts!?!? ::grabs the chopsticks and whaps mike around with them:: one week!??!?!?! geeze man, the rhino ones are at LEAST 15 days, and i was not happy when they shortened that from one month. one month to do something! that's my vote. i have plenty of pics to work from too. especially of skies. ;) oh, and here's another challenge we can do: i can put up that ocean wave scene/models/materials thing i have that people were supposed to help improve, and they can help improve it this time ;) or we can do a challenge on ocean waves, in general. second of all.... does anybody here only have vue 2? of course, vue 2 people might show up someday, but 'til they do... why worry about compatibility? :) do we have vue 2 users? i have 3, myself. speak up, yas!

OK, Bloodsong, you got my attention now... it wasn't the chopsticks though. Honestly, you'll need something with a bit more mass than THAT to take me out. :P Allright, does you ocean wave/scene/thingie represent a tangible challenge, or would it be more like a subjective thing? You know, like in the Rhino forum there's a definite, goal, more or less, and the results are not open to much interpretation. But, I know you know what yer doin', so i say, "Bring it on!" Be the harbinger of our new Vue challenge! And take the "pressure' off of me at the same time. :P I figure if it's something YOU haven't yet mastered, it's GOT to be fairly difficult! So, let's see what your talking about, but you HAVE to either post a link to a picture of it, or allow me to do so, so those with the image viewing problem can see too. :) Or is this a material? (Better yet, is this something I should already know about? :?) So, here we go... I'm putting the proverbial foot down; The "official" theme is to do this esoteric ocean thingie, so now we need details. :P and, whoever comes up with the Best Ocean Thingie, wins a million dollars!!!!!!! Cheers! Mike *million dollar prize offer will not be honored ;)

"And the TROPIC plant!" he says gleefully as the Vue 2 memory emerges, and he pretends not to notice the chopstick violence or bogus bribes afoot. :)

LOL! Well, I wanted to get this thing started by Wednesday, and since today is Wednesday, and Bloodsong hasn't replied, I will be uploading a sky picture here as the first "challenge", as well as uploading the link to where my it is on my site. Fact is, I've already done it, but I've started a new thread for it. I seem to have picked a real doozy, too! Cheers, Mike

Wow, seems like there are a lot of good idea's here. I like the challenge idea. It's a good way of learning new things in Vue.

heyas; mike, the wave thing is... a scene. it has materials, some wave terrains and objs (i think) and the beach and ocean planes set up. don't look at me to be orgainzed.... look up some of my old thread about 'waves.' 'making waves' i think they were called.