Too bad the AOM nominating process has been turned into a merchant-controlled exercise in insider politics. I guess Rosity changed the rules to prevent another Legume-type debacle (from their point of view, at least), but geez, talk about promoting only the prevailing aesthetic--you'd think the software was only good for one thing. All but two of this month's (Poser) nominees are doing pretty much the exact same stuff--the Hot 20-Vic/painted-hair/armor school. Maybe the nominating criteria have something to do with it: "Several elements should be balanced and considered when selecting a nominee --things like technical expertise, mood, message, design and content should be taken into consideration." Note that originality is nowhere in the mix. And what "mood" is it, exactly, the panel is supposed to be looking for?

This was my preditction when they announced the new standards. I stated then that the hot 20 would become nothing more then "naked Vicky with a sword in a temple" Seems I was right. Of course my other recommendation was completly ignored. I suggested we get away from the application aspect but rather go to a theme aspect. For example: This months theme is "Vicky in a temple" Here are our suggestions that fall into this catagory from various rendering engines. (list of artists would follow) Next months theme will be "Comical art" The month after would be "Abstract Art" Followed by "Landscapes" With a good mix of themes we would not only get a mix of rendering applications but also a mix of styles. It wouldn't limit itself to just the ultra realistic rendering but would allow for simple 2-d line work to be featured also.

KattMan i like your idea. The Vue forum has something like this going, but there, next months theme is made up by the winner of this months, therefore you have a different type of challange each month, it keeps things fresh and gives people a different subject to have a go at each month therefore pushing your understanding of the programme David

If the AOM was theme-based, then would it really be an AOM? How many artists only dabble in one theme? I like your idea of theme based contests, but maybe there should be a site-wide contest each month called Pic of the Month. To me, Poser is the hardest app to find variety. I use Poser as a way to make people for my scenes in other apps, not as a main subject. Again, that is my use; others will be different. So far, I haven't seen too much that impresses me with Poser. Every once in a while though, something does strike me (other than my wife when she catchs me drooling at the nekkid Vicky in temple pics). :)

Does anyone really really care about the Top 20? I know I did when I was 2 weeks newbie here, but I haven't cared since. Haven't looked at the dang thing since. Emily

Kattman - HOW could the top 20 BECOME nothing but Naked Vicky In a Temple, when that's what it has always been from the time it was first started? There has never been a time when it was NOT "All NVIT". ;o) *********** As far as the AOM thing - I know they wanted to be more inclusive and have artists from other softwares get into it - as they were under-represente before, but it's much less than fair that the Bryce & Poser artists, who make up well over 90% of all the artists posting here, only get 1 chance each year for AOM, and the other 10 months are divided up among the less than 10% of artists that work in the other softwares. It would seem fairer if the Byce/Poser people, being so vastly in the majority, got a chance more often, like every other month, with alternate months being for the other softwares. Even then, less than 10% of the artists would be getting 50% of the total opportunities, but it would be much fairer than the current system.

I've always looked at the AOM as a showcase of an artist's skill, not their image subject matter. Looking at it that way, I see no problem with the current AOM nominees. It's ridiculous to think that artists like ToxicAngel shouldn't be nominated just because he chooses to create nude or semi-nude Vicky with sword pics. Just my opinion as always. Take care. SnowS Hoping his pictures (even my Vicky with sword ones) are worth 1001 words.

kattman has the right idea a different theme each month not just vicky in a temple, don't get me wrong I love vicky in a temple, naked even better, but variety will make people sit up and take notice. Rob

How about Naked Posette in a Temple, for those of us who don't happen to own a Vicky? Or possibly naked P4 Cat? This is not intended to give offense to anyone, but it seems to me as I browse through the galleries that the images featuring nakedness, usually of some glamour model, are the ones that have the greatest number of viewings and the highest rankings. This is to say nothing against those images; I look at them too, and most of the ones I've seen have been beautifully executed. I guess I'm just saying that when it seems as though everyone is drawn to the "female form divine", mayhap it is difficult for other artists to stand up on the basis of concept and originality. Anyone else with a notion on this? Peace, Morgan

oh come on who wants to look at a naked p....cat? hmmm gives me an idea "moggy porn" naked female felines for the discerning tom lol Rob

that'll fly just fine, Rob, provided that you put them in a nice temple...preferably with a fairly ornate sword lying about somewhere Morgan

I may have to try something like that, there's plenty of temples about, as Baldrick used to say "I have a cunning plan" (blackadder) Rob

hmmm...p'raps I'll likewise try a hand at this game...will you post these to the Galleries when done? (hope I'm not stirring up too-o-o-o much trouble here...) Morgan

I got 1 done not very good but i'll shove it in the WIP gallery so there'll be no complaints. :) Rob

I am unfortunately at work at the moment, but will see what manifests itself after I get home tonight. Peace. Morgan

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=196217&Start=1&Sectionid=21&WhatsNew=Yes

no it's called the warrior rests, I don't even know what I called my own picture now. Rob

"I've always looked at the AOM as a showcase of an artist's skill, not their image subject matter." Hmm... maybe they should change it to "technician of the month." There's more to art-making than technical proficiency. Right?

Well you see, my idea helps bring others into the fold and will also push people to create things in poser that they normally wouldn't. Perhaps pushing thier limits even further. I always loved the theme idea over a shadow commitee that picks something. In this case, the only people we can vote for are the ones this committe likes. If there is no one there that likes landscapes then we will NEVER see a fantastic landscape artist there. Now take a look at the galleries and look for 2D line art. Some fantastic stuff there but it never gets recognized. With the theme idea them even they have the chance consider the shadow committe will have to pick at least one from each gallery for us to vote from. It keeps the final choice in the hands of the community but opens the doors for more people.

technician makes it sound cold and clinical, art should be more emotional than that. even if it's just to laugh at it. Rob

"Hmm... maybe they should change it to "technician of the month." There's more to art-making than technical proficiency. Right?" That's true, but we could argue forever as to how "good" art should be judged. You seem to prefer controversial art that makes a statement against the norm, no matter what the quality may be. I like art with detail, action, and those created with technical skill. No matter how the judging is handled, someone will complain that the criteria will exclude their favorite artist from being considered. We should at least give this new method of judging a try for a while and see what happens. Thanks. :) SnowS

"You seem to prefer controversial art that makes a statement against the norm, no matter what the quality may be." On what do you base this supposition? Why do you associate "quality" with proficiency at a specific short-list of techniques: hair-painting and such?

You know, I've watched you guys beat this around here a few times, and I guess as a seminewbie-hobbyist my comment would be "Who gives a..." I tend to marvel at all the pics ALL you guys do and just try and appreciate them and learn from them. I couldn't care less who's a hot 20 or whatever. I do however seem to like the Boris-Franzetta type fantasy pics as I think poser lends itself to them. But hey...if there were only pictures of housewives doing normal things people would find that boring and gripe about it too. With new people...the theory is simple...we gotta pay for Vickie and Mike and all the trimmings...we pick up the same freebies...and we're gonna use em if it kills us....so, the pics are repetitive. As a new guy, I see small things in each to appreciate and wish I could do. I just focus at the differences instead of the similarities.

how about a nube aom award, as well? like the newbie who has the BEST temple...THE MOST EXPENSIVE CLOTHING AND TEXTURES... and, don't forget...centering in a huge render is an art to some...so...the biggest screen scroller should be a criteria. please, when voting in this category...do not worry about whether or not the "artist" has figured out how to make his/her vicki/michael not to come across so crosseyed. also, please give points for textures/poses/lighting that you have seen used over 10-15 times before. marketplace creator listing should be a HUGE part of this judging. Definitely, using textures/props/poses by a popular and, perhaps expensive vendor should be given an edge. props/textures/clothing/lighting, etc....created by the artist should be given "points off". happy voting. happy creating???? are you7??

"On what do you base this supposition? Why do you associate "quality" with proficiency at a specific short-list of techniques: hair-painting and such?" LOL, watching your antics during the MPP war was quite enough for me to come to that conclusion. :) I also didn't say that the only quality images are ones that include certain techniques, but I'm also not one of those people who thinks that anything that stirs emotions or makes a statement is "art" either. Anyway, I'd rather not continue to argue with you over this, since there's no real right or wrong answer. You have your views on art, and as much as I might disagree with them, you've got the right to make them heard...as do those of us who like sword-wielding Vicky renders. Thanks, take care. SnowS

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=196401&Start=1&Sectionid=21&WhatsNew=Yes

Ugh... Now I'm sure people here are never happy. When we could still nominate people for AOM, it was nothing more than a popularity contest. Now, the nominees are selected by a committee and each month has its own theme. To me, this is about the best it can get. Sheesh, just go and look at the galleries of this month's nominees... can you SERIOUSLY say they don't deserve it? Looks like ToxicAngel will win. GREAT. I've seen too many closer-to-average-than-a-master AOM's already. Toxic deserves to win...

eowyn. No there is no theme for the AOM at all. I do agree the works chosen are good works, but my fear is that the committe will only piclk works in this genre. What about the fantastic 2-d work on this site, what about the great landscape art. I just don't want to see it become nothing more then the best of one style.

"I'm also not one of those people who thinks that anything that stirs emotions or makes a statement is "art" either." As long as it goes with the sofa...

Sorry, I didn't mean that I don't like art that stirs emotions or makes a statement, I meant that I don't automatically like ANY piece of work who's only purpose is to rile people up and cause trouble...like some others around here. ;) SnowS

KattMan - sorry, I meant applications. I love the system the way it is now... I've seen too many months of popularity contests and almost nothing more than Poser people among the nominees back then. This new system kicks a$$!