That was it drac...you da man!!! It's definitely a mapping problem. Thanks a million.

The only thing that I see, really is the shadows behind the characters should go all the way up under the heel of thier feet. As it is it gives the illusion that they are floating on the ground. This of course can be fixed in post if it is easier. I just thought that I would point that out. Also the color of the ground wouldn't be that green. You can still have a green ground color, but with the hue of the light being red, mixed with the green on the ground, would be more of a brownish green color. These are all just suggestions of course ;-) Michael

I realize there are people that try and stroke thier ego by possibly abusing the spirit of what the H20 is. But also I think some of the regulars you see in the H20 aren't always actually pimping for votes as much as they are added to many peoples favorite artist list. When they upload a new image people click the notice they recieve, and go straight to the picture. They like it then they vote. They haven't actually looked at some of the other images that have been uploaded by the other artists. Also I've noticed there are a phenomenal number of artists uploading in overwhelming numbers at any given time of the day. So it's not that inconcievable that some really great artists slip through the cracks without ever being seen. That holds true especially for new artists, that haven't built up a fan base. That's one reason you see some artists who have the same names commenting on thier work every-time. That's not to say these people are friends with each other, they're just people that really like what that artist does, and comment when they recieve notice of a new upload. I guess my point is I'm having difficulty seeing the problems here as so cut and dry as what some would have us all believe.

There's also another side to all this. One that is never spoken about. I'm in the Hot 20 regularly. I'm not saying this to brag, but just the opposite. I greatly appreciate the people that take the time to view my work and show there appreciation. But at the same time when you are in there a lot, you feel a little weird about it. Listening to all of this makes me want to stop showing my work here. I think am I pushing someone out that is more deserving than I? I'm afraid to post comments on what may be percieved as asking for votes in return...I must've read ten times in this thread alone that the one thing people are the most upset at, is that it's always the same people. Well jeez, If I'm gonna get in the hot 20, should I not show my work here?...I comment on other artists because I feel it's deserved. I take my artwork very seriously. I also take criticism very well...But What I won't take is achieving something that I should feel proud of, and be told basically if you are to popular then people will just think you pimped those 80 comments, and 30 votes.

And the comment that was made about submitting to Raph.com...You might be surprised at how undeserving some of the artists are that get in there. I also publish art at Epilogue, and have quite a large gallery there that also goes through a very tough approval proccess. But I wouldn't say that getting into those types of galleries neccesarily makes you a top notch artist... It is the comments that people give, that are the most important because of the support factor. Sometimes an ego boost is just what a struggling artist needs to be better than what they consider themselves. You get that here at Renderosity. We should all be greatful we have a place like Renderosity to show our work, that doesn't insist on an approval proccess...
Ok I'm through ranting now.

Michael

Message edited on: 11/15/2004 21:53

Attached Link: http://www.fantasticmetropolis.com/show.html?ey,hungariansf,1

" The publication of Galaktika came to an end in 1995 and no stable SF magazine has appeared in Hungary in the last seven or eight years. Twenty to thirty science fiction and fifty to seventy fantasy titles and RPG books are published every year, mostly written by slightly talented Hungarian authors. "

But then I found this LOL...http://galaktika.scifi.hu/

Message edited on: 11/15/2004 00:43

I think this topic is a double edged sword. On the one hand if you remove the hot 20, people's work goes un-noticed for the 15 minutes it was actually shown on the front page. If you keep it, people are always gonna be unhappy with images that are obviously sub-standard in comparison to thier own. It seems to me that no matter what you do to fix this problem there will always be those people that will be unhappy with the results. If it's votes by views people will gripe that only the nudity pics are winning, If you let the admins judge, then it's obviously only gonna be thier friends that when every-time. I just think it's time for everyone to stop beating a dead horse...

That was freaky enough when you just seen the head moving up and down side to side, but then you see the head is actually inverted. That's definitely freaky.

I guess my only real concern with Daz is the collaborating with DA. I have purchased several products from Daz, and everytime I have always been extremely pleased. I did have a credit card issue once, that freaked me out a little, but I called the 800 number and it was resolved immediately. But this recent contest they held through Deviant art turned into a nightmare on Deviant arts site. First off DA says in thier TOS they basically own the copyrights to anyones work that is uploaded to thier galery which worries me. Then they don't meet thier deadlines for announcements, by several days. If you ask questions about what the problem is you are ignored, or told to shutup. After thinking about it you are right Flak. Daz has to many oars in the water, and I would hate to see thier reputation go down the toilet because of thier association with Deviant Art...That's just my 2 cents. But as far as Daz I will still keep purchasing from them, I will still submit works in thier galleries. I just will think twice the next time I enter a contest through them.

lol jaymonjay, That is so true about the blurry pictures. When I said elitist, really I am referring to DA message boards, and many of the so called professional modelers...Thier words not mine. They love to bash on Bryce users. They act like Brycers are to stupid to actually be able to use anything else like 3ds or maya. They truly balk when you say why would I want to?...Especially if I end up acting like my sh** don't stink!!! Whenever I have posted anything there I just end up feeling dirty... Ok that was a little dramatic, but you get the point ;-)

It's not voted on by the members. But look at it like this. It was good enough to get noticed, And that counts for something considering the sheer number of entries. I mean you were at least mentioned, where several who entered were not. You should be proud:-)

Hi dcindian, A couple of things I have noticed that may help is you might wanna try to lower the specularity in the textures over all. As it is now it looks a little to synthetic to be found in a forest. Also what Lunartick says is right on. The main focal point of this ground really needs some varying colors. More dirt colors, and maybe even some bits of smaller vegetation protruding out of the ground in order to break up the large area of green color in the center. The color of ground you have here would be okay if you had something on top of it that was the focal point rather than just the ground. What you have here is a great start, and has lots of potential. I'm interested to see where you take it. Good luck. Michael

I must be doing something wrong All I get is a page with blank squares. I sigfned up. and logged in ok, but I see no textures :-(

Thanks pog, actually the face on the blimp is a vid monitor, I just still have to add the scan lines. I'm actually concerned that the lights shining down from the blimp in front of that building is causing a tangent. Which is throwing the whole composition off.

Message edited on: 10/28/2004 02:50

Yeah that's a good idea... Get rid of the hot 20 and punish those that deserve to be there just to pat the egos of those that can't make it. The hot 20 gives us something to strive for. It's amazing how peoples opinion change once they get thier image in the Hot 20... If you want criticism there's a simple solution...Ask for them. Put your image in WIP, or ask in the image description.

Message edited on: 10/26/2004 16:47