I've seen a lot of forums that deal with the technical end of creating art -- and that's great, it's exactly what's needed for specific software products. However, the technical end of it is only part of the process of making art. There's a right-brain side involved, too! Sometimes I find myself floundering for either an idea, or for a specific direction to take a particular idea towards. Sometimes I have this little niggling feeling that it can be done easier somehow, but I don't know quite how. I think it would be great to have a forum category entitled something like "Idea generation and Creative development," or something like that. In it, people could share their thought processes in how they come up with ideas, source material, etc. They could also discuss the best possible process for fully developing their images into the best they can be. Professionals and hobbyists alike could benefit from something like this. It could become a way of jogging creative juices or re-connecting with the basics. Technical issues would be helpful here as well, in a general sense, as technical issues often hang one up during the creative process, and sometimes the frustration of technical problems can stymie creativity and cause one to want to stop making images. That's what I'd like to see prevented at all costs! I'd also like to see what's going through people's heads when they make an image -- that is, if they're willing to share! I see this idea as spanning the boundaries of specific software products - i.e., users of products other than Poser, Bryce etc. might want to join in the discussion as well -- and to cover the entire spectrum of people who make 3D digital imagery. Is this a possibility? If so, I promise I'll be a regular contributor! And if there's anything I can do to help make this happen, just ask! :)

Most anything creative can be discussed on the Poser section. That's where you'll get the most response. -JH.

Laffoli, I think thats a great idea. -Trav

I was just thinking, what about a gallery/discussion/idea forum, just to talk about works in progress, done works, sketches, etc? Could be 2D and/or 3D all in one? -Trav

I just added the 2D Graphics forum if anyone is interested ;-) -JH.

:) I just posted a note about it in the poser section, since that one gets the most traffic ;) Thanks Jeff! -Trav

that's essentially our mindset here under the DSI regime Lafolli. To delve into the Artistic side as well as Tech support. But to have a "specific" Forum may be a possible way to go. Let us "mull" it over and see what what we see. Again, great idea Lafolli!! ed

For my part, I hardly ever get on the Poser section of the forum, not because I'm not interested in Poser but because I'm more of a "renaissance" artist. Also, I think those sections seem under used in general by comparison with the Poser one. And probably many of the people who post to the Poser section rarely venture into the other sections, as well as the other way around. I think that having a separate section would be a good way to to exchange ideas regardless of application preference. And it might help someone who is struggling for an idea to get insight into others' working processes and hopefully inspire their creativity.

The fact is, Poser is what generates all this interest and traffic. There isn't a product like it. It's why so many people come here in the first place. If you want to get the ball rolling on an Idea try it out there; the folks are always willing to get into a good Idea. -JH.

another possiblity for a sub catorgory is for the other products that metacrations make and that never get mentioned here i noticed. like super-goo, dabbler and the other software they make. has anyone here tried them products at all?

We now have a 2D Graphics Forum and a Virtual Tavern, so all is covered.