RodS,

Thanks. Looking forward to checking out your suggestions (your work and anahata.c's and Wolfenshire's). 

@VedaD

if you like reading stories, he won't toot his own horn, but Peter does some really nice stuff too

this link will take you to his gallery, but filtered for only the stories, though check out his images, too!

Peter's Stories

@Rod

i do so love seeing members of yesteryear popping in, too.

i so miss that old, now defunct, chatroom Rendo used to host.  as a matter of fact, it was there that i met my husband... hah! 

i hung out there waaaay back when, at first in 2001 when i first joined for a bit, then for about a year maybe around 2K5 [how i met Joey, actually], and then again in 2015, and 'lo & behold, Joey was STILL stuck in there... lol

@Giana Ah, thanks for reminding me about the chatroom, I want to add bringing that back to the report I'm consolidating. It would need some changes, but I'll include those also.

@Wolf

caught that, didja?  and here i was trying to be super subtle about it ;)

@ PeterPixyHarrison

The flogging continues - if only to heckle Wolf... 😂

And my arms are getting really really tired.... 😬

Thanks, Giana!

There are many here that don't post masterpieces (including me), but it IS legitimate art, and has a place here. Like any community, Rendo runs the gamut. There are 2-D images here that look like they were done by a young child, and there are pieces you have to look at closely to determine if they're a photo or a render. There is - or at least should be - room for all.

This brings up one of my own suggestions for improvement to gallery engagement. When I first retired from the army, I was looking for a hobby - something to occupy an abundance of extra time I'd never had before. I saw Poser at the store and tried it. I found Renderosity shortly after, and posted some cartoons. I didn't get any comments, and so didn't come back for 2 years, not out of a tantrum, but because I thought it was a dead site. I tried again 2 years later when I saw Renderosity was still here, and this time something weird happened, the below image was selected as a Staff Pick. That encouraged me, even though it wasn't a very good cartoon. I then started posting simple stories, and in a short time they expanded. The next thing I knew (with a ton of encouragement from Auntietk), my stories got better and I won the writers AOM. I wouldn't have posted any stories at all without that little nudge of encouragement.

The point of my story is... comments are vital to encourage artists to continue to create and grow as artists, whether as digital artists, photographers, or writers - and Staff has to be involved in actively commenting. But, back to the Staff Picks. I see the most incredible art being selected for Staff Picks, but maybe we concentrate too much on perfect art. I think we need to turn an eye towards commenting, and Staff Picks, to encourage those that might not be at that upper skill level. There needs to be more encouragement towards the beginning artists from the Staff (and members, of course), and not just the stuff from artists that have already achieved technical and creative expertise. I'm not bashing on staff. I'm just suggesting we comment more. (and maybe the members will follow the example.) (I do have to give a shoutout to Donnena. I see her commenting and encouraging artists in the galleries all the time).

i agree... hats off to Andy for everything she does, in the galleries, in the MP, behind the scenes

what you're talking about, those little imperfect images you can find in the galleries, well, i just love those. course, that might just be a way for me to justify my own junk... snort

i remember just strolling through the Beginner Gallery section, back when we had such a thing, because i felt i could get a better 'sense' of the artist [does that make sense?].  like in many ways, for me, technically sound images, whilst awesome to view, to strive towards, maybe, are so glossy good that the artist and what might be truly important to them is muted under all the shiny. yea, a neither here/there comment... i'm digressing... bad Kat! >smack<

there was someone who used to post here whose images were nothing special on the surface, but they were posting a lot of experimentation results in Poser under the guise of a full image.  they played with lighting, or with materials, just see scratch-that-itch and then go about trying to create a scene for an image after the fact.  my point being is that what might be important to a person mayn't be to be technically perfect across the board, but to be more of a 'specialist'. so much of the time, that person's images went unnoticed in a way, in general.

i think your idea of more Staff involvement might be a good one.  my concerns about that... well, no, not concerns... um, thought[s] would be to not only offer up encouragement, but maybe a tip on how to hone their skillset a bit more - not to be perfect [no such thing, in case someone out there thinks there is], but sometimes a person may want to improve, and yet have no idea as to how to begin/where to start... i mean nurture the creative soul, lots of nurturing actually, but not coddle it - you know, that other side of inspiration...

yea, i'm just gonna stop typing whilst i'm still a millimetre ahead here...  bad Kat  >thwap<

LOL... Actually, more like good Kat >kitty treat< 😁

Yes, Andy is a real blessing to this community, and she always has time to comment and encourage. Thanks for all your hard work BTS, Andy!

I was in much the same position when I first started here. I was a neophyte with Poser, and most of the things I posted were "airbrush" paintings in Photoshop. The encouragement I had back then was what kept me going - and it's still keeping me going.

BTW, I had a nice phone chat with Faemike55 yesterday. He's had some life and health issues, but he's doing well. He misses being here, and is hoping to be able to return once he's able to afford a new computer. A big HI! from Mike to all!

@Wolf.... Oh! Auntietk (Tara)! It's been so long.. I really need to look her and Bill up - they actually live pretty close to me. Yeah, she was a gem as far as encouragement.

OH! That reminds me.... She collaborated with me way back when on a little funny with the TNA Ladies...Hang on - I'll see if I can find it....

OK - Page 1 and Page 2

So many memories.... This is what 'Rosity needs to get back to being.. 👍

Giana posted at 5:09 PM Sun, 8 January 2023 - #4453441

@VedaD

if you like reading stories, he won't toot his own horn, but Peter does some really nice stuff too

this link will take you to his gallery, but filtered for only the stories, though check out his images, too!

Peter's Stories

Though as an interesting add in to what @Wolfenshire was saying when I first switched from Daz to Blender one of my first attempts using it found it's way into the staff picks too, at the time it was strange because to me my Daz work had been way better than my Blender but it drove me to keep digging deeper into that software and develop further so maybe becoming more like ambassadors for new members isn't a bad thing as just like everyone else I love seeing new theories and ideas cropping up, even if they aren't the best image, that doesn't matter as at least it's more interesting than something so refined to the point of utter perfection and well I guess with a decent comment then who knows how far someone may take something?

in the spirit of things, here is one of the 3 images of my very first post to the galleries back in 2001.  there was a 3 image a day upload limitation back then, and i had only 3 images anyway. don't laugh... well, ok, go ahead... ;) [i added today the pink boobie covers so the image won't offend]

edited to add that that is Posette, rendered by herself - the rest was Photoshop because i had absolutely NO assests for her or the program apart from what came with it. Rendo was just starting up its MarketPlace, too, so that was helpful a few months down the road for me after joining...

i remember feeling so bloody nervous about posting, too. i still do to this day actually, but not to the same degree.

the image is small because i didn't know i could change render settings, so it's my 'preview' image.  someone here taught me about changing settings in P4.  he was a vendor at that time, and he taught me that as well as the more tech, backend of P4, like what Kd and Ka was in the image/texture input area, how to change things a bit [akin to the shader/node tech of today].  he taught me how to read & edit Poser generated files through a text editor, how to understand all that crazy coding stuff. he taught me how to do the manual process of creating morph INJ files via a text editor, and so much more.  

i learned other things from other people, too, on occasion, and i've tried, when i can to pay it forward if i have info that might help someone broaden their knowledge or skillset.

in just the past two years, i was taught a little about the Morph Brush in P2014, was able to take that knowledge, experiment a bit, learn more on my own and then give that back to the person who taught me about it in the first place. same with use of the Fitting Room, and a small bit regarding use of the SetUp Room.  working with dynamics was something i was being taught, but that was a while back, and well, use it or lose it, so that never stuck. i've tried my hand with the Joint Editor, but still don't understand it though i can do the teeny things i need/want to do when required.

my point being is that the bits i know, that help me with the junk i do in the creative process, were mostly all gifted to me by people who took the time, gave of themselves simply to share knowledge.  nothing was asked for or expected in return.  i've been extremely fortunate, am eternally grateful,

sometimes i get the feeling that these days people would rather be paid for everything rather than having the simple joy of sharing & contributing. or they're afraid if they share their 'secrets' that somehow someone else might outshine them.  it's all rather a sad commentary...

that's not to say that there aren't folks out there who would try to take advantage of another's generosity - i get that.  and that's kind sad, too...

@Peter

yanno, i know that about your gallery, the story/images mix, but i had a brainspot i guess that didn't remember to keep that registered in my mind

deepest apologies

[the taste of foot is really no that pleasant] ;)

@Peter

yanno, i know that about your gallery, the story/images mix, but i had a brainspot i guess that didn't remember to keep that registered in my mind

deepest apologies

[the taste of foot is really no that pleasant] ;)

i hate that categories thing, tbh... well the sub-category thing [ex. Fairies, Science Fiction, et. al]

i don't want to 'influence' how someone may see something based on labels - just me though, i'm sure. there used to be a sub-category that i used all the time that was something like 'No Category', but they did away with it a few years back... shrug

your idea is interesting though :))

just had a conversation with someone, part of which was regarding the weights and measures stuff on this site...

if part of what contributes to getting to the "top" is the number of views, then that algorithm should be based on unique views.

currently, if you click into an image, that generates a view.  if you leave a comment, once that page refreshes, that is counted as another view.  which means, in theory, i could just go and hit refresh on someone's image 100 times and that would generate 100 views.

so maybe unique views based on IPs or something, if all these weights & measurements tool continue to plague the site...

-- general gist of a piece of our conversation

Thanks for that, Giana! That never occurred to the semi-functional mass of stuff living inside my head.... Good - no, GREAT - observation! Good news on that, Wolf!

Just for the heck of it, I tried it.... Opened an image, and counting me, it had 10 views. i hit refresh, and bada-boom - 11 views.

Ok, before anyone faints at the length of this, I'm only able to be here on occasion, so forgive me if I leave a long post. I've read everything here and it's marvelous; so allow me to give something back. I hope it's interesting to all of you.

Rod showed me this thread: Very exciting, w/ many terrific suggestions. Great to see so many artists thinking about this. I've been a member of RR since 2008, and an artist for almost 70 years, so allow me to give some thoughts on what you've all said...

First, II'm part of the problem 'cause I'm only here on-and-off now (work, health, family, etc) which I regret. But I used to be a regular here (galleries and in the forums), so I know how the site has changed.

First: Art sites (plus music, writing and others) are 'democracies': They're 'open'---anyone can post as long as they follow the rules. The only way to stop that is to screen, to make people apply, meet qualifications, etc; and I sense that arts sites don't want that. A lot of offense in that...And if the site is commercial---as RR is---it's even harder. If you have to fill out a questionaire to walk into a store, you won't go in. So membership is open...

As long as that's the case, you'll get dedicated artists right alongside fame-seekers; and it seems the latter are in greater numbers now than ever before, and I sympathize with all of you that it's turned the site around. But if the site is open, it's bound to happen sometime. People who want to be artists without putting in the effort---they'll join. And---a point some of you have made---being a beginner is something totally different: Beginners bring whole new energies, and are often hungry to learn; and they teach the rest of us too. But the artist whose sole interest is fame? Who takes the easy way out? They're another matter. If RR wants to keep them at bay, it's a matter of isolating them rather then getting rid of them....and I don't know how that's done. Wolf and others have their hands full. The suggestions here are deep.

One way is to share: I'm grateful Rod always tries to make this place better. He's been doing it for years, along with a few others. And yes, I know that Rod's driven Wolf to drink and spend nights in abandoned parking lots; but hey, Wolf may get a tale out of it! I'm serious: Wolf is one of the few artists who could start with an abandoned parking lot, discover some ancient DNA in it, go into 6 millennia of history, span several civilizations, 6 supernovas and a few galactic battles along the way...with a delightful love story thrown in for good measure. And he'll do it in 2 nights! (2 nights!!!) So maybe Rod'll inspire great writing before Wolf files a lawsuit. It could happen... 

But my point is, some will always use art sites as show-off zones. If you can all come up with ways to keep them from turning the site upside down, that would be grewat. I've seen this in all open arts, for years. I'm sorry it happened here. And we've lost so many good artists (many of them my friends)...

But...my thoughts on boosting the inspiration here:

Comments:

First, we have to remember that all artists are not writers. They aren't comfortable writing about art. Some give slight comments because they're much more comfortable creating than writing about art. And some are afraid of sounding clumsy. And that's true of even superlative artists. We just have to remember that they're different from the ones who don't CARE, or who are here strictly for attention.

But, can the first group be drawn in? Yes. Sometimes. Communion. Communion: touching other artists' hearts. Even if it doesn't draw them out, you'll still be touching them, and that's the essence of inspiration. Keep the light lit where you can; If you critique, critique with love. I mean that we all have the same pitfalls, so one person's shortcoming is matched by one of our own. Beethoven the composer worked for eons on a single piece, because he was so unsatisfied with his drafts, he couldn't bear them. If you saw his manuscripts, omg: They looked like a hurricane hit them. Directors remove a third to half of Shakespeare's plays because they're just too long. We all have pitfalls, it's our common heritage. I'm hardly Beethoven, but I've been creating since age 4, and I still have times where, after sharing, I want to change my name and move to the Yukon. I keep expecting, "Mark---don't take this the wrong way, but don't give up your day job!" Like stage fright, it never goes away. So we all should recognize that pitfalls are universal; and only one who's labored over a single color, a single light, a single stroke or single reflection can understand how much we put into a work of art. Actors call it "public solitude"---standing naked in front of the world---and that's what we do. We're exposed, we're seen---and it's glorious because we're sharing our common humanity. So remember that you're in the same boat, even if you're experienced and your recipient isn't. We're privileged to share this very special world. That's how you counteract the fame seekers...create a world they can't. 

The little things...

I studied classical piano for many years, and we had 'masterclasses'. That's where famous artists came by and critiqued us. My first time, I watched a great teacher pour over 4 little notes in a Chopin 'Polonaise', and I thought: Is she kidding??? 30 minutes on 4 notes??? But omg, when she finished: In that 30 minutes, she showed us how 4 tiny notes can express so much joy, so much yearning, so much mystery, and can be so wondrous...we walked out looking at every leaf, listening to every breeze and feeling every stroke of air across our faces as if the whole universe was in them. It's "the universe in a grain of sand..." I'd say, rejoice in those moments! See that we're dealing with heaven in a grain of sand, of how a doodle can be a dance, a single light a galaxy. No exaggeration. That'll be the antidote to fame-seekers...

If some are clumsy sharing these feelings, welcome to the club: There are no manuals on this, it's all from intuition. (God, I studied "Critical Theory" in grad school: the study of criticism. I can guarantee you, there were no answers. None. No field can tell us how to speak from the heart. That's up to us. It's clumsy and messy, but it's glorious. It's heart and soul.) I mentioned Rod: He leaves some of the best comments I get; and, in addition to tackling my crazy prose and wild images, he's way funny. He does little standup routines. But will everyone do that? No---lots of funny people freeze when they have to write it. Wolf on the other hand, leaves smaller comments...but they are so to the point, and so helpful, I walk away glowing. Speak from the heart, that's the key. The fame-seekers don't.

And keep in mind: Critiques in academia can be brutal; so relish in what you get here. (It's equally brutal in the pro world. I made a living in jazz, graphic design and so on...and ay ay ay, some of the reactions you get! One client crashed into the room and shouted: "NO NO NO!" She threw our artwork to the ground. (Nice! Nice one!). Then she yelled: "Make your work like CARROTS!!!!" She lunged forward: "CARROTS---do you UNDERSTAND???" Oh yeah, THAT clears it up! Then she stormed out. Ooooookay.....we thought: "What the _____???" The assignment was NOT about carrots: It was about tools. Wrenches. To the best of my knowledge wrenches do not grow out of the ground...We had no CLUE what she meant. But that's what you get out there, for those of you who've not  had to make a living on your art. Believe me when I say the comments you get here are sooooooo much better...)

One more thing, then I'll stop:

Someone mentioned riff-ing off of other artists: Yes! If you can work with someone else, do it! If you want to pay little homages to an artist, do it!  It doesn't matter if the result is whacked out---'whacked out' is part of being an artist. If an artist inspires an image or a tale, go for it! The fame-seekers wouldn't know how. Break down the barriers between galleries...In many of my dedis, I try to emulate the recipient's work. I often fail miserably, but it's a blast! A connection! And the recipient almost always loves it. That's a connection so much more potent than 30 shots of a waterfall in 10 minutes. Creating is in many ways like being a divine fool, dancing off of clouds...be a fool, a dancer, and revel in the act of flying off of treetops and hugging the sun. The poet Auden wrote: "Follow, poet, follow right, to the bottom of the night, with your unconstraining voice, still persuade us to rejoice, with the farming of a verse, make a vineyard of the curse, sing of human unsuccess In a rapture of distress..." He's saying, stand up and shout the very act of creation. Some of you already work with other artsts (I know Rod does): It's another way of counteracting the fame-seekers. Ie, create where they merely imitate. That's how I made RR a home, years back. And several artists did it with me. No one can topple that. No one.

A final anecdote:

One day (it's told), Beethoven was walking with the famous writer, Goethe. Two royals walked by, and Goethe bowed deeply. Beethoven grabbed him and said: "Don't do that! They should bow to US, not us to THEM!!!" Much of the world hasn't a clue why we do what we do---why we could spend a week on one image that isn't food, it isn't money, it can't start a car or clean a carpet---but we do it obsessively anyway. Outsiders call it 'much ado about nothing'...but nope: It's much ado about everything. So the world should bow to us once in a while! I'll check out the artists in this thread (wonderful stuff), and I'll try to come back to this thread in a day or two. Take care, and keep creating! M.

What we have here from Anahata.c is a field of carrots with their leafy green tops and hint of earthy-orange protruding from the ground. There’s a sweet deep earth-scent that lies over his crop, and if spring could be given its own scent, it would be this crop of wisdom so carefully seeded and brought to fruition.

Anahata.c writes from a lifetime of experience that he sprinkles over the ground wherever he walks, like Johnny Appleseed leaving behind a continent of trees that continue to feed each following generation. If there were any one thing I would take away from this delightful gem – go plant some carrots.

OH

MY

GOD

!!!!

I am sooooo glad I started this thread with those couple of 'quick questions' - if for no other reason than Mark's brilliant essay from the heart. Something he does so beautifully. And he does it with such flowing beauty and ease it just blows me away! Mark, you are on the level of Beethoven, Wagner, Bach, Michelangelo, VanGough, and a gazillion others. The input from everyone is wonderful, and just confirms how much love and talent this site is home to. I am truly at a loss for words - Thank You All!

As soon as I finish clearing a spot for my new carrot garden, I'm going to grab this wonderful essay, print it on faux parchment paper, frame it, and hang it on my wall - right next to the TNA Girls in bikinis for the Pin-up contest.

And hang tight, Wolf... I'll bake us a nice carrot cake, grab a bottle of cheap wine from CVS, and we can kick back and have our own little party in that abandoned parking lot.

I am just blown away.... Thank you Mark, Wolf, and everyone!

@Rods

That party will have to wait. I had a flat tire and pulled into the old Piggly Wiggly parking lot to change the tire. While I was there, I found feathers all over the ground. I’m fairly good at identifying various bird species, but I’ve never seen feathers like these before. While I was collecting up some of the feathers, I found a dagger, but like no other dagger I’ve ever seen. The dagger is forged to resemble a bird’s talon, and when I tossed it up on the hood of my old Pinto, it sliced through the metal like warm butter. I’m going to take the dagger to a buddy of mine over at the University Chemistry Department to take a look at. And, there’s one other thing. There are several burn marks on the old cracked asphalt… like… well, I don’t want to get labeled as a conspiracy nut, but the burn marks have several melted spots from intense heat, as if someone was launching rockets. I’m not sure, but it looks like there was a fight here and someone lost a dagger. I’m not sure what this all means… maybe the government was up to something, but that dagger… I’ve never seen a dagger cut metal just being casually tossed like that. If I didn’t know better… no… I shouldn’t jump to conclusions… but is it possible that… no… that’s silly, forget I said anything. I’ll wait until my buddy analyzes the metal before I start getting crazy with wild theories. I just hope whoever lost that dagger doesn’t come looking for it.

An old pinto, eh?  Anything can cut through that tin can.  A bird talon dagger?  A dime a dozen at your local D&D Fantasy Game Shop.  If it happened in a parking lot, the bird feathers could be decorating someone's front grill.  Burn marks on the asphalt?  Take to higher ground and see if there is a pattern connecting them.  I suspect witchcraft and a sacrificial rite at the very least.

Hey, Wolf,  I think I know the owner of that dagger, but he isn't supposed to leave the state without letting Colonel Gillman know so he won't come to get it and admit he'd done just that. If Gillman shows up, deny everything and call Steve Mathis at Hart, Smyth, and Mathis. He'll help you out. It's likely his daughter-in-law was involved in the incident and is probably the source of the flame "thrower".

Aw, man.... I thought I circulated a memo to our Weapons Research & Testing Team to try and find places a little more out of the way - And Wiggly Pig parking lots are not what I had in mind...

Then again it might not have been this team. Who knows.... "I can neither confirm nor deny....." You know the routine.. But I sure wish folks would stop dumping those boxes marked "Top Secret" through my basement window. I'm starting to get a little paranoid...... 😝

thank you, wolf and rod, for your very kind comments. I really appreciate them. I have no new suggestions---everything I read here was as good as it gets. So I just tried to give some positive suggestions (or bypasses). Thanks so much again...I had carrots for dinner. I was so inspired, I wrote an opera...

And Wolf: When I started to read your experience in the Piggly Wiggly, I honestly thought you were starting a new tale...it's great fodder for something! I realized by the end that you were serious, of course, but it's right out of a mythic tale...the mystery dagger that can cut through rare metals, w/ feathers from a bird no one can place...But if you should ever write it---and this is just a personal point of view---you should lose the piggly wiggly---not a great name for a galactic myth. (See, if I wrote it, I would have one of my characters turn to me halfway through the tale, and say: "Uh, can we lose the piggly wiggly??? The name doesn't make it, it ya know what I mean..." And he'd walk away muttering, "I gotta get into a decent tale...") (I always say, you got a problem with your prose? Have a character chew you out. It's quick, it's cheap, and you can always blame the character if no one likes your writing...) Please post what you found out about the dagger: I'm genuinely curious. Even if it came from a fantasy game shop (accg to hborre), it's pretty amazing that it cut through your car...I just love that whole chain of events...

One other thing (as long as I've lost this thread entirely): When Rod talks about his "Weapons Research and Testing Team," he ain't screwin' around, jack, in case you didn't know...I don't know if you know this, but in addition to his 2000000 computers, motherboards, fatherboards, monitors, 3-way talk radios and NASA cockpits, he's got an atomic centrifuge (i've seen pictures), a particle collider, at least one launch pad (a gift from NORAD), and several corpses of babylonian kings and queens. (I have no clue how they got there, but his digging up his backyard "for the pipes"---wink, wink? Riiiiight. The man's up to something is all I'm sayin'. And that's all just his basement, btw. (You can see why he wants to move...) Actually, when I put it all together, you two are creeping me the hell out. Ya know how you get to know some people and suddenly you realize they're not 'quite right'? Well you guys do the math...that's all I'm sayin'.........

Anyway, cheap and uncalled-for insults aside, thanks for your responses, and I truly hope that the many great suggestions that preceded me will have a positive impact. Running an arts site must be unwieldy at times, but there's a lot of love and inspiration here, and I hope it wins out over everything else. Have a good day! Take care, m

I have submitted these suggestions to the higher-ups and they have been reviewed. Thank you for letting us know what you think. Any further suggestions can be posted here or in the Changes Wanted in the Community Forum.

🤣😂😆 Oh, Mark..... You slay me, bruh! 🤣 Believe me.... It was a real b***h moving all that upstairs! It took me two weeks to get the particle accelerator disassembled into bits that would actually fit through the doors.... 😆

Well, now we wait with baited breath... Hopefully some good will come of all this. A BIG "Thank You" to everyone who participated with some awesome ideas! And a really BIG Thanks to Wolf for listening to me rant - and flog deceased horses... 😂 You all ROCK!!

🤣😂😆 Oh, Mark..... You slay me, bruh! 🤣 Believe me.... It was a real b***h moving all that upstairs! It took me two weeks to get the particle accelerator disassembled into bits that would actually fit through the doors.... 😆

Well, now we wait with baited breath... Hopefully some good will come of all this. A BIG "Thank You" to everyone who participated with some awesome ideas! And a really BIG Thanks to Wolf for listening to me rant - and flog deceased horses... 😂 You all ROCK!!

It was my pleasure! At least these issues and prospective improvements are in front of the 'higher powers' now. And that well-preserved horse is still gonna get the occasional visit... So don't say you weren't warned, Wolf.... 🤣

Thank you to everyone that provided thoughts and suggestions to improve the community.

And Thank You for listening (reading, actually), and dealing with my consistent abuse of expired Equus caballus, Mr. Wolf!😁😂

I had to give that horse a couple kicks on the way out to Piggly Wiggly... 30 photos by the same person again... *shakes head* sigh.... 🙄😉 c'est la vie..

I got here in 2005 (uhm wow I got a anniversary in 2 years XD)

I have very fond memories about the Renderosity Chatroom where I met awesome people. I should peek more often into the Discord Slackers server, but too busy atm. 

The site isn't what it used to be, I'm even considering closing my store here. 

I think many people moved on elsewhere, on Discord to DAZ3D, ... Or just quit doing art.

Hello, Anita! I for one hope you stay with us. Too many wonderful artists have left the site for numerous reasons. I almost left myself, not long ago. But I still have many wonderful friends here. And this thread reflects the dedication that still exists. Many of us miss the Renderosity of old. And many of us are doing what we can to turn things around. I hope you continue to hang in there with us.

@ hmatienzo...

And while we're on the subject.... And I quote:

"I, too, wonder what has become of the community.  I have been here nearly 23 years now and we have always had disputes and ups and downs.  But never, ever, were we forced to kowtow to one disgruntled member who cannot or will not let others be!  Don't like AI?  Don't look at it!  Me, I don't like endless huge boobs, or fractals... or photos of what people have for supper or their workplace (how exciting is a desk??) or crotch shot photos.  Still, I do do not whine about it every day, because to each his own.  And if naked private parts turn you on, so be it.  But... give us the same courtesy of creating what -we- want!  And if your one monthly picture gets lost in the shuffle, join the club, other members have the same problem.  Do you hear them yell?  Mods, maybe we ought to take a vote here about things, we are so many more than one person!"

I am assuming that I'm the person targeted by this statement; and if not, my deepest apologies. As far as "kowtow to one disgruntled member who cannot or will not let others be.." I am sorry that you interpreted it that way. It was not, is not, and will never be all about "me." It is about the entire community. No one is asking or forcing you to "kowtow" to anyone. Yes, create what you want, and enjoy it. Post it, and enjoy the results.

Yes, I (and many others) find floods of 30+ similar images somewhat annoying. I get annoyed at a neighbor's dog that yaps for hours on end, but I'm not going to walk over and shoot the dog. Nor am I or others saying "you cannot upload photos of foggy streets or weeds in your backyard."

Just try to have some consideration for other artists that would like their work seen as well. Is that really too much to ask??

I apologize if you found anything I've posted in this thread (or anywhere else on the site) offensive. I am just expressing my thoughts feelings, and opinion. And possibly a few suggestions. You have that right - and so do I.

I'm done with the subject.

Have a good day.

I understand what you're writing Rod. You're trying to better the site. Lots of different approaches; you're not stopping others. It's fully understood. We'll see what the mods and admins do...I'm sure they're grateful for all your suggestions and efforts, and for the big dialogue they've created from so many sides. I was happy to be part of what you began.

I couldn't help but notice he / she never responded to Wolf's reply and invitation to suggest improvements or his / her own ideas. But I'm the 'whiner.' Whatever.... If this thread results in some positive changes for this community, I accept the title happily and proudly.

Now, where did I put that bottle of whine ...... uh ....... I mean *wine*  ..... Heh..... 😉

Get rid of AI Art labelled as Mixed Medium art. That's not art  that is regurgitations. Or atleast relegated it to some other sub par gallery for untalented field generated texters.

3D art and photogrphy built Rendo,  those are far more interesting gallery entries to experience.

@bbost  AI art has its own gallery and forum.

Yes but it still shows up in the "trending" ,  and takes away attention from the legitimate real 3D art and Photography.  I admit I have a bias.  AI generated Art,  even when it is spectacular,  is still regurgitated stolen elements and techniques from real artists. 

@bbost Thank you for your suggestions. All suggestions are being looked at to improve the Community and Galleries.

Get rid of AI Art labelled as Mixed Medium art.

There are artists here that spend hours in Photoshop postworking and perfecting the AI generated art to a level that you cannot even tell it's AI art. 

You can use the AI to create variations from YOUR OWN renders and photographs. That's not stealing.

You can use AI apps like FaceApp to add a smile to your character, or add makeup, or change the hair style, etc. . that's not stealing. It's just a filter. Is it AI? Yes.

A gallery that's not moving, waiting for someone to upload IS a dead gallery (obviously) unless you like re-visiting what's been posted already.

It's not the artist's fault their artwork is trending. Not everyone here cares about 'What's trending now'. Not everyone is here to socialize and comment. 

As far as working on a 'ignore option' to block other artists, just scroll past. It works for me. Be kind and loving, and you probably should ease up on the coffee.

another suggestion:

integrate the functionality that exists in the MP to the galleries in regards to multi-image posts, so that you can mouse over and move to the next image easily [whilst in "enlarge mode"] rather than having to click in and out of each sub-post... not sure how else to describe it?  like a carousel idea, if that makes things more clear??

I like the idea with the settings in the Profil ... great idea

I need coffee..... 😉

@Rods Make it decaf, ;P

@brain1969 I too think that's the one that would solve much of the problems. If you had to see all the forums, even the ones you aren't interested in, it would be over whelming, and you would miss the stuff you are interested in. It's the same in the galleries, and being able to select the galleries you are interested in would make a better gallery experience.

"Make it decaf....." 🤣😂

Aw, c'mon Wolf, you're gonna spoil all my fun.... 🤣☕

Coffee...... Must have coffee....... 🤣