I was an Amiga user as well, and remember Mr. Mortier as a very interesting writer for the Computer Graphics community. His artwork that accompanied the articles always struck me as if he had learned to use the software well, but as an artist just had very little to say. Throw 5 or 6 objects on screen, put some weird textures on them, done. We all do this in the beginning, but we advance. I wouldn't want Mr. Mortier (or anyone else) to give up, just try harder. But find an experienced Computer Artist to do the illustrations for your books, please, Shamms?

Is there still a Renderotica site? (After checking them out some time ago, I decided that it just wasn't the place for me.) Maybe you should post images that are as questionable as the one being described (I can't give a complete judgement because I didn't see the work in question)on that site as the rules are less strict there. As suggested by some of the above replies, there are many ways to treat nudity in more subtle ways without getting too "graphic" (sorry about the pun, I couldn't help it). Are we trying to make an artistic statement or just tweak people's noses until they go out-of-joint? Do you want the job of "Renderosity Police"? I don't. Let's give them a break and the benefit of the doubt, eh? :^)

Well here are some suggestions that you might try. (Please don't see me as too judgemental here, you did ask and I'm gentle as a kitten.) 1. I would lose the horizon line. It is very distracting, the first thing your eye goes to when you look at it. Then the objects have to compete with it for attention. You could paint it out in post work, or if you're keen on a re-render, turn fog and haze off. Or you could change fog and haze to a shade of blue that blends in with the rest of the background. IMO, this may be the one thing that is keeping you from feeling it is finished. The next suggestions are more about possible improvement from my POV and a little more subjective on my part. Feel very free to ignore them. 2. I would enlarge the martini itself. I think the image would benefit from the focal point of the piece taking up more space. 3. You could place a cocktail napkin in the pic with the logo of the bar (if available)on it. This would give you an excuse to have the name of the bar a little larger in the picture as this is meant to be for advertising purposes (I'm guessing). Also this would be cheap to do computer-wise because you could do it with a 2D Pic in Bryce. As far as your last question, metaballs are exactly like spheres except when you put them close together- then they physically run and blend into each other. But only when rendered, you won't see this in the wireframe. Hope this helps. Render on.

I haven't seen this addressed in any of the above posts, so I'll say it here. Bambam131 (may I call you "Bam"?), you have set up some "rules" for yourself in order to produce work you can be proud of. This is commendable, and shows you work logically at the "craft" side of digital art. This is the kind of attitude that would be essential if you were for example working in the animation department at NASA. However, none of the rest of the artists here are going to follow your rules. Heck, until you stated them here, we didn't know you even had rules. Most of the artists here are winging it with the best their knowledge and experience (and talent) provides them, myself included. Now as to why your images lack "popularity". The best illustration I can think of is this: Rent "2001: A Space Odessy" and "The Empire Stikes Back". In "2001" the outer space science is built on real science of the time. There is no sound when the engines are fired in space, for example. The ship designs are very functional and based on what NASA could produce at the time. Now look at "Empire": you can hear engines roar and lazer fire, etc. in space. The ships are designed for maximum coolness, not functionality. Which of these two movies would be the more popular if released today for the first time? Finally, I checked your gallery: I saw a lot of "hits", rankings and comments- a lot more than my stuff gets, anyway. So it's not like you're not getting recognition. Do what satisfies YOU as an artist. That's all that counts.

Checked on all your galleries, people, and that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. All the art galleries at Renderosity are like a big field of daisies. Every single work of art here (even the ones I don't like and they are blessedly few)is a beautiful flower unique in its own way. And if you look closely in between the flowers, you might find a diamond. I just want more diamonds. (Whoah... it may be time for a nap, I'm getting all poetical. :>) ). Sorry I missed Melanie's challenge. I try to hit the forums every day, but I tend not to read too deeply (short attention span). The talk gets me ready to fire up my creation machine, so sometimes I stop reading and start rendering. If I may, I'd like to offer 2 of my works for the challenge. 1. The Sculptor 2. One Summer Dream. Thanks.