I have received word that there won't be more prizes made available for subsiquent Forum Challenges.

My question: Is there interest in the challenges? Anyone have any ideas as to a good challenge to issue?

I sent you some ideas a few months ago - not sure if you would still have them.

1)  Solicit prizes from vendors instead of from the site bosses.  If awarding the top 3 entries, at least 4 prizes would be needed in case a vendor also enters and happens to win - that way, said winner is not out a prize because they "won" their own donation.

2)  Alternate between technical and artistic topics (whatever those happen to be).

1. Set the time limit to the calendar - accept entries starting August 15 through September 1, 15, or 30 for the next one, for example - no "3rd thru the 22nd" weirdness.

As for actual topics or price range for prizes, I will leave that open.  I still like my idea of a movie poster done completely in Poser, including making any words as props, but "Back to School" posters would work now as well (especially since the closing date for entries would be in September.)

I will be more than happy to help out with the prizes.  I'm not sure what I can offer beyond Gift Certificates and free workshops.  Just let me know.  I may be able to donated up to $100 in gift certificates from time to time.

Let me know what I can do to help.

Frederick

Quote - I may be able to donated up to $100 in gift certificates from time to time.

If buying these at any denomination counts towards the monthly goal of at least $100 for the next month rebate, a "collection plate" for low dollar amounts could work as a type of prize, with, say $100 total as a prize but consisting of x certificates from y people.  The odds are good the "plate" will hold more than needed, but those could be set aside for the next challenge.  Possibly a bit to manage, but it is an option.

Once I figure out how to make character injections then I'll be able to donate my characters.  I have some custom poses also just sitting around that I'll be able to donate as well.

Do you usually offer a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes?

Quote - Do you usually offer a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes?

Perhaps I should say, in case anyone reading the thread thinks otherwise, I am not associated with the site other than as a member, I just have ideas. :)

The challenge of showing muscles in action by lifting someone/something awarded "top three" (one person won two spots - 1st and 3rd I think).  I do not remember what the prizes were, but I seem to think they were a little repetitive - more than one "copy" of the same thing was available - which is fine as long as it is something everyone could use, like a $x certificate.  No idea how many would use a mega lighting pack, for example, but I would think a lot of people would like such a thing "free" even if they only used a portion of it.

So, if you do donate your figure with morphs, I would want you to be able to say how many "copies" of it you would make available, since you would probably want to sell the product generally (unless you made it a "challenge exclusive" item - probably not.)

"Challenge exclusive" or "Challenge head start" Free Stuff type items are also an option I would think - something the artist wanted to make but had no intention of selling, with the winner either getting the only copy or the artist not posting the item to Free Stuff for something like two weeks so the winner had it first and could show it off.

Until recently, I never considered myself a 'regular,' and thus I managed to miss every single challenge this forum has to to offer. I don't know how many were done in the past, but since I've joined, I've only ever heard of the last one...and at that, only the voting and not what the actual theme was or how to submit or the kinds of time frames we're looking at...

I fully second having an immutable (mostly) set of dates, and also suggest having the rules and submission guidelines plastered on the first post of every challenge-related thread there will ever be made heretofore. (That way, newbs like me can gather information without feeling like we might look stupid for asking, ehehe...he...)

I hope challenges continue. I think soliciting prizes from Vendors is a fantastic idea. I also think a 'collection plate' for gift cert prizes is a good idea. I would be willing to offer up some dynamic cloth stuff for free (limited edition items that would never be for sale), but I would need someone to partner with for texuring, because, well...yeah.

I cannot promise that I will participate in every forthcoming challenge, should they continue, but I can promise that I would try to enter those that I was inspired enough to enter. For example, RDNA's last contest was "One Light," allowing the use of only one light object...I ran out of time before I ran out of ideas. The new theme is "Still Life," and I've been going "Uhh...uhh....uhhhh..." since I found out about it. The muses, they are fickle, right?

As for challenges/themes to suggest, how about...Fall colors? Juxtaposition? Using Dynamic Cloth? Interior scene? Outdoor scene? Inclusion of water? Capturing Motion? Make your own comic book character/scene? Usage of built-from-scratch (instead of pre-packaged, then tweaked) poses? One figure? More than one figure? Poser native figures only? No faces (only backs or back 3/4 views)?

A good Halloween challenge would be dynamic cloth ghosts (on non visible figures) - scary, cheesy, or kid-cute would all be fun. :D

I'm just sorry I didn't get to finish my entry for the last one, especially since I asked about using Mike 2.  I got the thing started then ran out of time.

Real life bites me in the arse every day.  :) 

Quote - My question: Is there interest in the challenges? Anyone have any ideas as to a good challenge to issue?

1.  Depends on the challenge

2.  Maid Viki in a temple with a feather duster

It maybe just a fact of hot weather, cheap beer, and exhausting long drive talking, but I don't think prizes for a poser challenge are all that important, bragging rights are good enough, plus the experience of learning to use poser better, are plenty good enough.

So.... “Maid Viki in a temple with a feather duster”, is next? I think I'll get on that will I'm still not coherent.

Quote - It maybe just a fact of hot weather, cheap beer, and exhausting long drive talking, but I don't think prizes for a poser challenge are all that important, bragging rights are good enough, plus the experience of learning to use poser better, are plenty good enough.

So.... “Maid Viki in a temple with a feather duster”, is next? I think I'll get on that will I'm still not coherent.

I'd be happy with a semi-monthly (monthly is too long, folks forget) challenge instead of contest.  The prize is the skills you learn entering a themed challenge and the recognition.

Yes - definitely interested...

I was disappointed not to make the deadline for the last one due to being away on the family holiday that week... and I'm kind of last minute in my project completion habits, so didn't get an entry finished before I left. I must pick it back up and finish it actually, that scene. But anyway.

I would be happy to try my hand at any kind of theme... I think that's the appeal, in trying something I might not otherwise...

...and I don't think prizes are too important. I think the taking part and the kudos is probably enough...

how about something that would show a posing skill?  like a cat fight for example.

How about instead of prizes a little trophy picture to put in your sig saying something like "I won x place in the poser monthly challenge". And perhaps the option to choose the next challenge with basicwiz's approval. That way people have a challenge their way and basicwiz doesn't have to come up with tons of ideas each month.

For some starter ideas, how about black and white.

I like RedPhantom's ideas.   There isn't really a need for prizes if this is to become a monthly event.   I actually prefer monthly to semi-monthly;  gives those of us with work, family and other priorities a chance to actually do something.   Two weeks usually translates into just 2 days for me :)

The black and white idea sounds like it would be good just like other colour challenges would too, though spaced apart if some ideas are too similar.   Have a look at the RDNA challenges, winners get recognition in the form of an icon in their avatar or something and if you look through the challenge gallery you'll see most themes were general enough to allow for more creative involvement.   If it were  too constraining then fewer people would participate IMO.   I'm always amazed at all the great art in those challenges so RDNA must be doing something right. 

I'd also like to see the images in a separate gallery not in a forum thread.   I think the Contest gallery would be best for this.   You can easily see what the current challenge is, what previous ones were (with the contest archive section) and voting can take place there and not have to be announced in a thread or through "clandestine" emails :)

These are good, thoughtful, workable ideas. I do appreciate those who have taken the time to respond.

My conclusions are as follows:

1. Forum Challenges will continue.

2. The prize will be a banner that the winner can display in his/her signature line, plus the privilage of selecting the next forum challenge theme.

3. I am in the process of contacting the previous winner to get the theme from him.

4. I am going to request a Forum Challenge gallery be created for use by the contests.

I'll get back to you good folks when I know more particulars.

Quote - 4. I am going to request a Forum Challenge gallery be created for use by the contests.

I think there is already a place for posting contest images and the website has the tools implemented for voting, etc.    I remember this being used for challenges before.   If it's just a new gallery being created in the main one then how would voting be carried out?

Checking on it. Will be back to you.

as I said earlier: let's steal the ideas from the Terragen guys and girls, they are challenging for some time now. The recent suggestions look like it. I don't need prizes, I need the time to make an entry.

artbee when I suggested the winner coming up with the next coming up with the next challenge, that was from terragein challenges i used to do.

Quote - These are good, thoughtful, workable ideas. I do appreciate those who have taken the time to respond.

My conclusions are as follows:

1. Forum Challenges will continue.

2. The prize will be a banner that the winner can display in his/her signature line, plus the privilage of selecting the next forum challenge theme.

1. I am in the process of contacting the previous winner to get the theme from him.

2. I am going to request a Forum Challenge gallery be created for use by the contests.

I'll get back to you good folks when I know more particulars.

Perfect!  A challenge is just that! It's for bragging rights; it is not a contest for prizes.

If you need help with banners for the winners, I might be able to help with that. I can't guaranty they will be in 3D though!  I prefer to make banners in 2D in my graphic program.  And I must warn....my taste moves towards "pretty" when it comes to banner themes :)