Because I don't. This is a question I've been meaning to ask for a while, finally got around to it. So long as it's really their honest opinion (and not just stupid "flaming"), and they clearly and logically explain the reasons behind their ranking, and maybe even offer a few words of advice on how to fix things. I personally am a member of Renderosity first and foremost to learn more about the programs I am using and about art in general. Particularly if I am a beginner at a program, I do not expect 20 rankings of "excellent"; nor do I have a right to, beginner's luck aside. Personally however, to avoid discouraging other artists, I avoid putting less than "Great" on an image. If I really can't in good conscience rank an image "Great", then I just won't rank at all. =)

Sounds like somebody gotcha or put something not too good under one of your pictures, and if so, don't let them get you down. If some troll person has put nasties under your pictures or upset you, let the staff here know and they will deal with the nasties and the trolls.

If on the other hand somebody has just tried to give you some sort of advice and it's not something you like to hear because you really want to be in the hot twenty with all those other wonders, then join tons of others that come here starry eyed and even have their friends vote them in so they can be the GREATEST of greats and MORE!

No offense meant here, but this 'poor ranking' and 'bad comment' thing is another one of those once a month or more thrillers and one of them there 'good times forum sitcom topics' and reasons why many here do stock up on popcorn, coffee, tea, beer, pretzels and dead horse beater sticks that get worn out fast.

OT topics will always happen because people will always have the same old problems and issues here no matter what changes or how many dirty, bad posts get buckled up and swept away.

Oh dear, just heard a jingling of keys, better scat over to the nearest dollar store, my dead horse beater stick needs replacing again.

Message edited on: 05/09/2005 05:16

No, I'd rather they were honest but truthfully, if I'm really happy with an image I couldn't give a rats ass what people think, as I am a bighead :)

I don't rank images from other artists...nor do I allow them on my images..

I prefer to express my views thru words..not by checking a box..

But...that's just me.. If you really believe you are being unfairly targeted by an individual or group of individuals... Please contact a member of the staff....

Message edited on: 05/09/2005 06:57

Umm... I said I don't mind it if someone puts a low ranking on my images, lol. I've only had one person put a low ranking on one of my images (my first Terragen image in fact), and I immediately IM'd this person to thank them for their honset ranking. And he/she also explained in the comment many things that could be improved, and, in responding to my IM, offered to help further if they could. Which they did. BTW, that low ranking was immediately drowned out by a chorus of other, higher rankings. And so no, I'm not the victim of malicious flaming. I actually do want to know how many people out there find it annoying when others give low rankings. Also do people find it annoying when other people give out advice in comments? I mean, isn't that the reason that comments exist to be made in the first place? And so thanks, LornaW and pushinfaders, but I think there was some confusion there. =)

I don't allow ranking on most of my pics because there's no point when the honest rankings are drowned out by a bunch of meaningless "Excellent!"s. I value honest and constructive critique and, thinking about the people on this site that I have got to know well, most of that was through critique that they've given me, and vice versa. There is, however, a big difference between helpful and honest critique - "I like your posing, but I think your shadows could be sharper" for example - and "D00d u suck, were r the tits!!!!!11!1!"

I don't put rankings on my images either. I don't really believe in the whole ranking system for art, because it's subjective on many different levels. I've had people make corrections on my work and I've tried to work on that in future images or fix the ones in that image, depending on the advice. I usually critique though in private rather than in the comments, because it opens a two way communications and avoids misunderstandings...

If You don't want to come under the scrutiny of those who could make Your Life miserable...do not Rank lower than "Great" or You may be considered a "nasty"...or a "troll"...as all is visible to those who make the Judgments.

I guess it's impossible in advance of leaving a comment or ranking to say who enjoys constructive criticism, and who does not. Ideally, if someone doesn't want any, they shouldn't allow for rankings or perhaps even comments, but I know that's not really how it works in the real world. I'm one of those crazy folks who IM's thank you notes to those who leave criticism for my gallery postings. I can't think of a single time when "this needs work" comments were abusive, although I know that there are inconsiderate people as well as "trolls" out there. I look at it this way: If I leave criticism, I note what's strong and good about the image first, and try to be polite and specific with the critique. Then if the artist takes offense, I have nothing to feel guilty about, and will know not to critique the person again. I can't say I've ever been annoyed by overly praiseful comments, but there have been times when I've posted a work that clearly had flaws, and was baffled that it got an "excellent" rating. I take the overly positive comments as encouragement to keep working, just the same as the criticisms. :-)

Same here. I do the same thing, point out what's good about an image and then offer the criticism. Alternatively, you can offer criticism over IMs, but the fact that you took the time to write an IM could mean to someone that their work is worse than you really mean to imply. This is why I always offer criticism in comments, rather than IMs. Karen, I hope that never happened to you nor ever does. Such a comment is completely worthless and pointless and not what I mean when I say criticism. Thanks! =)

I actually don't let people rank my images. The ones with a ranking are either early images or I missed the wrong check box. :) I would much rather just have comments, preferably helpful and honest critiques.

Leaving a ranking (or a comment for that matter) is sometimes uncomfortable especially when you're looking at a Hot 20 piece with the hands colliding into each other. What the heck do you say to that after 30 "excellent"'s?

To me it doesn't matter either way. I like good critique,but if I really want that I asl in the forum. I tend to think of the gallery as a place for finsihed work, already gone through scrutiny. If people lke to use the rankings and it makes them happy...so be it.

I do not rank or vote, and don't want ranking or voting on my images. Comments and criticism for making something better are welcome, though. "Excellent" conveys no information, whereas a note about the cropping or lighting can help a person grow or learn or see something through another's eyes. Also, I'd think that "Interesting" should be a more desirable accolade than "Excellent". Anything can be technically good, but how many images cause us to stop in our tracks and analyse them? Carolly

Good point, Carolly. As for not ranking or voting... The ranking part I am neutral. I don't really much care about rankings. As for voting, you might want to consider that you could be contributing to the problem. Many people believe that the Bryce "Hot20" in particular is not truly indicative of that program's capabilities. The primary reason for this being the wide range of people's opinions and reasons for voting. However, the more people that vote, the more the "Hot20" will represent the average opinion of Renderosity. You don't have to leave a comment to vote. If you like an image and think it deserves some recognition, then I say vote for it. All that you are doing is encouraging that artist to make more art that you will like. And I agree with you about the ranking system. I hear that it used to be completely numerical; I really think that this is better. If someone puts "Interesting", what is meant is "Interesting" in the sense that I don't really much like your image, but I'm too polite to just say so (or something like that). =)

I don't want any ranking or voting either, especially since I don't have any images posted, giggle. Wouldn't it be darn awful if I somehow got into the hot twenty when I don't even have a gallery? That be kind of weird, but strange things do tend to happen here sometimes and then some. There's times I do think about making some kind of image to post, but then again, why bother to add to the foray. I'm too shy with my artistic attempts and if I did get into the hot twenty rub my back and I'll rub yours club, I'd probably think it was a set up or feel real guilty about it, lol!

I am in the Top 20...so...there! However....I had to ask for votes...I hope there is no Punishment for Solicitation :[

I am in the Top 20...so...there! However....I had to ask for votes...I hope there is no Punishment for Solicitation :[ Uh, yes, the punishment would be..sometimes you get just what you ask for, and so..from now on hence forth, you will be a hot twenty celebrity; meaning..you cannot find one quiet corner of peace anymore; people will flock by your side and curtzy by your toes and shine your shoes and offer you their kisses and hugs and ask you for advice constantly on every rendering they create and if you even hesitate they will haunt you as to why, and how come, and where and what, and people will even want to feed you and pamper you and give you free sex and paint your house and wash your car and walk your dog and style your hair and.. Your life is now no longer yours, it belongs to the fab hot twenty!

You are right! And I shall add You to My Favs if You vote goodnite fans

I think that soliciting votes actually is against the rules here at Rend. I could be wrong, though... certainly it is frowned upon. =)

"D00d u suck, were r the tits!!!!!11!1!" ROFLMAO!!

What has been bugging me since I first got to Rosity is that the comments are nothing but worthless praise. The comments generally contain just few words like "Great pic", "Excellent", "wow". There is no constructive criticism. No matter how poor the image is, it is overly praised. People do not even say what is good in the picture, and even less so what could be improved. And if there is ranking, it is always "Excellent". That makes the ranking system pretty much useless. Compare this to Elfwood, for example. There people spend significant amount of time writing helpful comments and criticistm. On the other hand, the images do have descriptions, too.