RodS opened this issue on Jan 02, 2023 ยท 221 posts
RodS posted Mon, 02 January 2023 at 4:44 PM
Just curious and not trying to stir the pot....
First question:
What in the name of everything good and holy is happening to Renderosity? This site is not even a shadow of the Rendo I joined back in 2009. Long-time members are leaving in droves. Many of the newer members do not seem to have a clue about community involvement, other than continually flooding the galleries with look-alike images, or promotional images. Most of them don't seem to have the courtesy or time to even post a one-word comment. This new batch of gallery uploaders don't look like they will be shopping in the store. A lot of artists posting here have never left a single comment on anyone's efforts. They post here only to promote themselves and don't care about hobbyists or amateurs.
The entire site seems to feel colder and a lot less friendly than in the past. And the feeling I keep getting is that the site owners really don't care as long as the $$ keeps rolling in. Never mind the fact that all those folks leaving are the same ones that have shopped the marketplace for all those years. I know personally, I've bought a ton of stuff there in the last 12 years. I'm not sure what the total is, but it has to be in the triple-digit range.
So what gives? What is being done to stem the tide? I'm not asking for confidential information, I just don't want to see this site go the way of Hivewire and RDNA. This is my on-line art home. And I care about it. I really do.
Second Question:
What, exactly, is the problem with adding a link - or even mentioning - my Patreon or Ko-Fi donation sites? Poor lil' Rod is not going to be any kind of competition for Renderosity's marketplace. On the other hand, I'm a lot more likely to spend more $$ in the marketplace if I HAD more $$ available to spend. Right now, I'm retired and we live on SS only, so I have to be a tad more careful with the pocket-change these days.
Just wondering.... I think a lot of others are as well..
In closing, I wish EVERYONE at Renderosity a happy and prosperous 2023, filled with success and all things good. ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
DarkAngel612 posted Mon, 02 January 2023 at 4:59 PM
Hi Rod, that is something happening everywhere and yes either the sites get inundated with spammers [ when they infiltrate my store or sites, I just ban them and remove any posts they put, why promote their mischievousness] or they get lurkers, like me but I a least do something eventually, LOL. I do most of my gathering here also since Studio is not taking over and not promoting Poser much, unfortunately when DS is the only thing sold then I can see even more folks leaving. I too have been here for eons.
RedPhantom posted Mon, 02 January 2023 at 9:28 PM Online Now! Site Admin
As far as your Patreon, you can say you have a Patreon account and what your name is there. You just can't put a direct link. The reason for the link is that it is a competing site since some people offer Daz or Poser content.
Available on Amazon for the Kindle E-Reader Monster of the North and The Shimmering Mage
Today I break my own personal record for the number of days for being alive.
Check out my store here or my free stuff here
I use Poser 13 and win 10
RodS posted Mon, 02 January 2023 at 10:07 PM
RedPhantom posted at 9:28 PM Mon, 2 January 2023 - #4452930
OK, thanks for the info, Red - I appreciate the clarification - it does make sense. ๐As far as your Patreon, you can say you have a Patreon account and what your name is there. You just can't put a direct link. The reason for the link is that it is a competing site since some people offer Daz or Poser content.
And, the other part? ๐ Happy 2023 to you and yours!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 12:01 AM Site Admin
RodS posted at 10:07 PM Mon, 2 January 2023 - #4452932
RedPhantom posted at 9:28 PM Mon, 2 January 2023 - #4452930
OK, thanks for the info, Red - I appreciate the clarification - it does make sense. ๐As far as your Patreon, you can say you have a Patreon account and what your name is there. You just can't put a direct link. The reason for the link is that it is a competing site since some people offer Daz or Poser content.
And, the other part? ๐ Happy 2023 to you and yours!
Pertaining to your other question. We've been looking at that problem and are considering options. I presented a possible solution, and others will also, but no decisions have been made yet. If you, or anyone, has an idea to increase engagement in the galleries, please present it. You might have an idea we haven't considered yet.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 2:40 AM
Hey, Mr. Wolf! Happy new year to you and yours!
I do have some thoughts on the issue (big surprise, huh ๐), and I'll prepare something after I get up and get my few remaining brain cells lined up, and working. I know it's a daunting task, and a lot of things need to be taken into consideration. I'm happy to help in any way I can.
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 3:24 AM Site Admin
I look forward to hearing about your ideas. Some past ideas you've seen implemented are the Leader Boards; the Reward Points, and the Gallery Recognition Contest. It's no easy thing to find solutions to a problem that spans the entire internet. Youtube is a classic example - you see videos with 38K views, but less than 200 comments. So, how do you increase engagement? Even the mega-sites with deep pockets have a problem figuring it out.Hey, Mr. Wolf! Happy new year to you and yours!
I do have some thoughts on the issue (big surprise, huh ๐), and I'll prepare something after I get up and get my few remaining brain cells lined up, and working. I know it's a daunting task, and a lot of things need to be taken into consideration. I'm happy to help in any way I can.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
EVargas posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 7:03 AM
Regarding the engagement, far be it from me to have a ready-made solution, but who knows: a suggestion about highlighting or rewarding comments made in the galleries in some way.
Something like highlights by category (chosen by community vote?):
- Best comment in the "Comedy" category (funniest comment);
- Best comment in the "Technical Criticism" category (relevant analysis / adds value);
- Best comment in the category "Connecting the dots" (which associates the post with something unrelated at first, within a broader perspective);
- Etc...
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 9:36 AM Site Admin
@evargas That's pretty good, it's an expansion of the idea I submitted, but I didn't think about breaking down the comment categories.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 9:53 AM Site Admin
P.S. Admin liked your idea. Now we have several Mods watching this thread and collecting the ideas. This is good constructive stuff. I appreciate your suggestion.@evargas That's pretty good, it's an expansion of the idea I submitted, but I didn't think about breaking down the comment categories.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
EVargas posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 10:47 AM
I'm happy to hear it Wolf, I'm sure you will all find a way around it, this community is amazingly creative, we all have a lot of fun around here, always a good place to be.
RodS posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 1:27 PM
Sorry I'm a bit late to the party (especially since I'm the guy that turned the lights on.. ๐), but I do have some thoughts, and I'm sure more will present themselves as the day goes on..
I honestly think one of the biggest things that would help the galleries in a huge way is...
Set a DAILY limit to gallery posts. I strongly feel setting, say, 5 per day rather than 5 per hour would be a great help. Firstly, we'd quickly see higher overall quality work being posted. If there's a daily limit, people are going to choose their best work of the last few days rather than everything they've created in that period. Viewers wouldn't have to wade through 30 similar images of a waterfall, or cute Anime images. I don't think anyone is going to be very likely to comment on 15 - 30 similar images.
I know opening the gallery and immediately seeing a page full of very similar images is an instant turn-off. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
If they want to post more than one at a time, they still have the multiple upload feature where they can place several images in one upload. It would increase visibility for those of us that upload 1 or 2 images a week, rather than burying them under a flood of similar images. I think that would definitely help increase engagement.
Also, you might want to consider a separate category for marketplace promotional images.
I really like the comment ideas presented above!
Another idea I had was for the "Trending Now" category. Maybe comments on a trending image should be a larger part of where an image stands? For instance, today's top image doesn't even have comments turned on. It looks like the number of views is the biggest factor in determining where it stands. Just a thought.
I'm sure I'll have more as the day progresses. Thanks to all of our admins and mods for letting us be part of the positive energy here!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 1:41 PM Site Admin
@Rods Thank you for your suggestions. I especially like the idea of improving how the now trending and leader boards are determined.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Tue, 03 January 2023 at 9:43 PM
A couple random thoughts, and an idea before I head to bed....
In between a couple renders in the ovens, I took a quick spin through the 'New Art' gallery. And that's exactly what it was.. As I rapidly scrolled past 2 pages full of similar looking cute Anime characters, and promos by a daily poster, I had to stop myself - and analyze WHY I'm barely looking at these thumbnails, and missing a good many excellent pieces.
The individuals posting these works have a couple things in common: very similar images, and comments turned off. And this I believe is one major contributing factor to the lack of involvement. If I'm taking a "quick scroll" through the galleries due to this, it's likely a lot of other folks are, too. And missing some really wonderful art.
Maybe a feature that would vary the reward points for having comments turned on. Say 3 points for uploading the image itself, and a couple extra points for allowing comments for a total of 5. I don't know if if this would be difficult to implement, but It might help.
Hopefully this makes a little sense.... I'm half asleep.... ๐ฅฑ
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 6:50 AM Site Admin
@Rods You asked some good constructive questions that need addressed, and by chance at the right moment when those questions are being looked at. I appreciate your ideas and suggestions, they are very helpful.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 10:21 AM
That took a nasty turn. Frankly, there is no need to politicize these discussions, it is childish and immature. It just defines your character and viewpoints that are really not necessary in the forum.
But I am getting back on track, the particular problem with comments, in general, is that there are individuals that are either afraid of constructive criticism or use it as a popularity platform. TwiztidKidd is correct, one bad critique and the hounds are on the hunt. The purpose of the gallery is not only to showcase your work but to improve on it and try new techniques and genres, move on to the next level.
I agree, the gallery is stagnating in true creativity. There are too many similar images flooding the gallery; the same characters, in the same poses, in the same studio environment, etc. It does get tiresome and you are less likely to leave a comment because you are simply overwhelmed by the sheer volume of it. And I won't mention those narcissists that treat the gallery as their own personal realm to huddle insults to those as a backlash for an honest critique.
There is always room for improvement no matter how talented you are.
@ Wolfenshire - Is there an active policing of offensive material in the gallery? I have seen a proliferation of nude photography and I have no objection if they are done in good taste. But I did come across a rather pornographic image that definitely did not belong in Renderosity. I think a clarification on what is posted should be clearly visible to everyone.
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 11:57 AM Site Admin
@hborre Nudity is permitted with a content advisory, but there are criteria listed in the TOS that explains what isn't allowed. If you see something that may be pornographic, report it, or let me know directly in a sitemail. I'll take it to a staff review, and a determination will be made whether the image violates the TOS.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 2:39 PM Site Admin
@hborne I agree, sometimes there are those that use the gallery comments to lash out. I also think there is some confusion at what constitutes a constructive critique. Thank you for your ideas and suggestions.
I'd like to keep this discussion going in a constructive and positive manner. Your suggestions and ideas about increasing engagement in the galleries in this thread are being viewed by the very top muckity-muck Admin suits, and is a chance to have your voice heard.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 3:01 PM
That is very reassuring. Thank you for your support.
RodS posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 4:42 PM
@hborre - I agree with you 1000% on some of those photos. Ugh.
Indeed, there needs to be some kind of quality standard, but that can lead to all kinds of squabbles about 'subjectivity.' It's a hairy mess to deal with. Years ago, I ran a website for a photography club, and that was always a problem finding where to put that "line" that all would be OK with.
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 5:32 PM Site Admin
Just thinking... we have checkboxes in the settings, so you can adjust what you view. Perhaps if there were a few more parameters available to adjust what you see in the galleries, your viewing would be a more pleasurable experience, and hence, you might be inclined to comment more often.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 5:37 PM
Well, that can be controlled with individual preferences if the parameters are set in place to deal with those subject materials. But, sometimes, the filters are too broad to be specific and certain "subjects" can eek through the cracks when it's unexpected. As Wolfenshire alluded to, diligence and reporting those violations are the best measure ATM unless they become a major problem in the future. And lets forget parental controls, there are minors that frequent the gallery whether we like it or not.
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 6:00 PM Site Admin
Yeah, I'm talking with another Mod and we just adjusted the idea a little. On the settings page, you can hide the forums you don't want to see. So, we add the same kind of page to hide the galleries you're not interested in. That will clear out a lot of the clutter you don't want. Then, we had a block user feature, so you really don't see what you're not interested in. And then you have a clutter-free and pleasant viewing experience.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 6:06 PM
Would it be possible to add a "Block User" tick box / feature to one's gallery preferences? That would solve a host of issues... Perhaps limit the number you could block?
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 6:48 PM Site Admin
I really don't know. I know it's been discussed, but we're restricted to what the developers can do, and how the site is built, and other techno stuff I have no clue about. I would think, since we have the ability to select which forums to view, it wouldn't be all that hard to add the same feature for the galleries. But, that's why we need ideas. We keep throwing them at the wall, like spaghetti, and see which ones stick.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 6:54 PM
That definitely sounds promising. The viewer will have more control over gallery content without infringing on the rights of artists uploading their images.Yeah, I'm talking with another Mod and we just adjusted the idea a little. On the settings page, you can hide the forums you don't want to see. So, we add the same kind of page to hide the galleries you're not interested in. That will clear out a lot of the clutter you don't want. Then, we had a block user feature, so you really don't see what you're not interested in. And then you have a clutter-free and pleasant viewing experience.
RedPhantom posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 8:15 PM Online Now! Site Admin
Please keep in mind these are ideas we are looking into. They still need to be approved and implemented. That will take time. Please don't come back tomorrow and say, "But Wolf promised." We really want this place to be a happy place for all and are looking for ideas on how to do that. But we probably have enough technical knowledge to press an on/off switch, so what we think might work, the developers might say are you nuts?
Available on Amazon for the Kindle E-Reader Monster of the North and The Shimmering Mage
Today I break my own personal record for the number of days for being alive.
Check out my store here or my free stuff here
I use Poser 13 and win 10
RodS posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 8:25 PM
I've done some really simple HTML (my website and a few others), but trying to decode some of this newer stuff hurts my brain. I can understand some of the difficulties in doing this kind of stuff. But it seems like it wouldn't be that difficult to add a few simple parameters. Personally, I'd rather see the 'block / hide user' feature than hiding particular galleries, but that's just me. Others might not want to see pinups, or AI, or whatever, but not block out everything from a particular user. It would certainly make the site a more personal and enjoyable experience. ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 8:30 PM
@RedPhantom - Aww, we'll give Wolf at least a week to work all these miracles... ๐๐ And I've seen the official "Developer's Bluebook of Client Relations." The first chapter is entitled "Are You Nuts??" ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 8:53 PM Site Admin
I also want an elevator installed in the break room, so I can get to the donuts faster.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Wed, 04 January 2023 at 9:13 PM
I'll send the TNA Gals over and they'll get right on that. Just save 'em a couple donuts. Me too.... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
antony1 posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 7:01 AM
Hello all,
I would like to give my point of view to this discussion.
I have no idea how renderosity was years ago. I`m here since about 2 years and from the beginning the forum was not very interesting for me.
There was nearly no activity in any category and the gallery was full of poor renders with very bad taste.
The thing which disappointed me the most were and are the comments under the pictures, the huge number of positive comments under pictures of teenage looking girls dressed like prostitutes. Renders with a little higher artistic level get very little or no reaction.
The quality of the comments made it very clear that there is very often not even a little understanding of art and also of the technique to create the art.
I would like to give an example:
A typical comment under an artbreeder picture or another photo which is manipulated with photoshop is, how realistic the hair looks like or how great and realistic the smile is and what a fantastic artist someone is.
Really? Realism in a photo? And they think it is a 3d Render? But the best comes, when the artist responds to the comments with the words: "thank you". When I realized, that the gallery here workes like that, I've decided to delete all my pictures of my gallery.
So what is a solution?
I have no idea.
I thought one reason of being part of an online community like a 3d forum is knowing other artists and discussing art and techniques to become a better artist. I really don't see nothing of it here at renderosity. I don't know if it was better in the past because I was not here, but if so what happened?
One idea I would have:
A very different type of contest!
A contest with a professional jury who gives not just a vote, but also an explanation why someone get the prize.
A professional analyze of a picture or an animation which could be a big help for all the beginners, who wants to know what good art is about.
And another idea would be a creative discussion about the renders of a competition.
A very interesting thing for a competition could be, that not a theme has to be done but something like:
1.the most interesting use of light or
2.the most realistic render or
3.the most emotional face expression or
4.the most interesting interaction between two persons or
5.a special emotion in a render like: joy, fear, courage, despair, happiness, sadness, curiosity etc etc.
The point is forcing the people to be really creative and not just posting girls with big boobs and asking their social media friends to vote for them.
Darkglass posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 9:41 AM
A lot of valid and strong ideas here, this is my view point from having experienced two very different sides to renderosity... the the general population gallery and the forum.
As part of a forum group where we all comment, comment on each others work.. post images, set challenges, help each other out when possible, we are all there because of one thing a "common interest" ART...no matter what way it is created and being creative, part of a community that you can draw ideas and inspiration from...A simple format...
The general population gallery, has a very different feel to it, it's very much each to their own, and i'm only going to comment on your image if you comment on mine, same with the likes and faves, same with the art charts, this no bearing on the individual skill level and so on...it's all to do with likes and faves how many view you have and how many images you upload on a daily basis, this is just a breeding ground for competition,
The likes and faves has always been a part of renderosity and i don't see why that should change, i would like to see that hidden from view tho, so only the author of the image can see,
I can see the need for more involvement, and the rewards schemes suggested maybe the answer
But ask yourself Why do people create art.....
Do they you do it to be rewarded because they have, that could just reinforce the situation that this thread is trying to resolve
I do it because i love to be creative and don't feel i need to be rewarded for something i already love doing, same with comments...i will and have always made comments on others work, even when i spent a year with comments off on my own work...
Constructive comments i've done this, it a very fine line to walk,
So in conclusion.....
The solution is possible....back to basics, grassroots, we are all here for one reason"common interest" ART and the love of being creative and the creation of art, nothing more a simple format...
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 10:03 AM Site Admin
@antony1, @Darkglass
I appreciate your well-thought-out and presented insights and suggestions. I especially like the idea of non-themed contests based on art techniques. Hiding the favs and views is an interesting thought, and the 'back to basics' and a non-competitive environment is appealing. Thank you for your suggestions.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
antony1 posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 10:19 AM
If the comments under renders would be interesting constructive and informative, than it would be nice to keep them visible for all.
But mostly! mostly! they're not. So I find that idea, that the comments are visible just for the creator of the render very interesting and
I've really never thought about that possibility. I think it's at least worth a try.
After reading some of the comments here I get the impression that some comments were missing.
Something which is written looks like a reaction to something which is not there.
If this is the case, it would be nice if there would be some information about a deleted post and perhaps the reason of the deletion,
otherwise it is very confusing for someone like me who entered the discussion lately.
Sorry if this was not the case and I simple didn't understand something right.
Darkglass posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 10:45 AM
Just a quick afterthought...
As i can't see the art charts being removed...but a rewording would change the suggested competitive hierarchy...from " Top Art" and "Top Artists"......to "Most Popular Art" and "Most Popular Artists"
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 11:31 AM Site Admin
@antony1 Yes, some comments are missing from the thread, it was an incident that had nothing to with the discussion.
@Darkglass I really like that idea, it moves the focus from the artist to the art.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Darkglass posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:02 PM
Just a quick after afterthought...
As i never addressed the issue of gallery flooding, obviously the only real way to stop this and not have to have everyone blocking out everything, because that makes no sense to me..you could miss something that you find inspiration in...
would be to have a maximum limit of 5 upload per every 24 hour period, that way, you don't get 25 of the same images....but that's not my decision to make
RodS posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:23 PM
I just saw the announcement about changes coming (https://www.renderosity.com/article/26204/upcoming-renderosity-marketplace-update?aid=5613:2023-01-05-updatebutton), and was thinking about making a quick comment to encourage members to visit this thread with their ideas / suggestions along with a link to this thread. I wanted to check first to see if that was OK.
I'm loving the ideas and suggestions!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:31 PM Site Admin
@Rods That's marketplace and nothing to do with this discussion. Community team and Marketplace team cover completely different areas.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:32 PM
Just a quick after afterthought...
As i never addressed the issue of gallery flooding, obviously the only real way to stop this and not have to have everyone blocking out everything, because that makes no sense to me..you could miss something that you find inspiration in...
would be to have a maximum limit of 5 upload per every 24 hour period, that way, you don't get 25 of the same images....but that's not my decision to make
AMEN!! That's my biggest annoyance with the galleries as well. ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:39 PM
Oh, OK.. Gotcha, Wolf! ๐ I was also thinking about posting something in the galleries - along the "Let Your Voice Be Heard" theme to drive more folks and their ideas here (with a link to this thread). The narrative would encourage them to be positive, constructive, respectful, and creative - and would discourage negativity, and stuff like what was deleted earlier. Thoughts?
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:46 PM Site Admin
@Rods The gallery upload limit is a dead horse for now, and if I bring it up one more time, they're going to make me stand outside in the parking lot and direct traffic. Better to concentrate on what we might be able to do, than what we absolutely can't.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 12:50 PM Site Admin
@Rods There's not enough time for that. In the next day or two, I'll have to start consolidating the suggestions into a bullet comment report summary for the high muckity-mucks.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 2:25 PM
OK, Wolf... Dead horse placed in proper burial container and laid to rest in a short ceremony. Don't want to see you directing traffic, good sir. It's cold out, and people are crazy. I almost got killed last week by some nimrod in a pickup truck texting on his phone, and not watching... ๐ฌ
Looking forward to seeing how everything turns out! ๐๐ Thanks for all you've done!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 4:20 PM
@Darkglass - I don't know about some of the others, but constructive criticisms on my artworks / photos / whatever are ALWAYS welcome. One of my favorite commenters is Mark (Anahata.c) - the guy sees stuff in my work I don't even see until he points it out. Complimentary, or constructive, it is a valuable source for improving my work. There are always ways to improve. And I love it!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 9:17 PM
funny enough, a friend and i were discussing the Rendo of old after reading the last couple of short paragraphs in the article regarding MP changes.
and i'll agree with whoever said that this place does not feel like the Rendo a number of us remember.
some things that were said during my discussion revolved around how back in the day, as it were, people were more freely giving of their knowledge and experience, willing to share such things [without someone having to pay them for the priviledge], and how there was a deeper sense of an actual community between people. these days, it seems that it is a popularity contest more than anything, but the site has been rigged to encourage that if you look at it. everything is weighed and measured via likes, art charts, trending, etc... and while certain types of competition are rather healthy and aide in keeping people striving ahead and inspired, much of what is currently happening does not seem to 'feed the soul'...
i'm not naive enough to not recognise that yes, there were issues, even back then, but they did seem to be as rampant as they are today...
personally, i typically do not leave comments on people's work because i do not believe in the tit-for-tat mentality where if i comment on someone's image, then they come comment on mine. that is NOT why i comment. same goes for favouriting an image or following someone. i do those types of things because i truly care and want to, not because i'm looking for some kind of validation in return. and as far as commenting, i see images i could leave constructive feedback upon, but yea, then it turns into a witch hunt, taken far out of context, seen as negative rather than trying to be helpful... so mostly, commenting in that way seems rather pointless - people just seem to want to be told how awesome they are and it has become more about validating people than about the art itself. not trying to sound like a drama queen, as i sincerely despise drama, but from a creativity perspective, it hurts that the art is getting lost.
the greatest sense of community that i've experienced here most recently has been when i was somewhat participating in Rhol's AI Thread. i'm not an AI kind of person, but i liked, and want, that kind of sense of community that that thread has - folks helping each other, feeding off each other's idea, having fun, sharing stuff... it's an absolutely brilliant thread... [thanks, P]
i like the idea of dumbing down this whole 'weighed and measured' aspect of this site, making it more about the art, the creative process...
i do like having the likes/favourites stuff hidden except to the OP... smart smart idea, that
we used to have so much more diversity here as well in terms of artists and the tools they used, larger populations of Vue, Bryce, Terragen, etc type users, and more traditional artists, more writers, and well, just more diversity. i know some software has gone sub-based, so p'raps your average hobbyist can't afford that steep steep price say for Vue - i get that, but maybe some thought into how to attract a more varied audience could help, if at all possible...
i think limiting the number of posts, no matter how bruised and bloody that horse might be, is a valid point... though, i don't want you to get cold in the parking lot either, Wolf...
i don't agree with being rewarded for commenting - my fear is that would just lead to heaps of vapid comments, but i think constructive feedback should be more encouraged, and i think some of that could be fostered through the mods... being a mod on this site can be tough at times, it's difficult to make everyone happy, but removing a comment that's not a trolling one just because the artist took it too personally is not a good idea [and yes, i've seen this happen more than once, tbh]
on a different note, something else that was mentioned in my conversation was how too many ads on this site do not revolve around art [just a side note as the site needs the revenue]
like Rod, this is my 'home', has been for over 20 years at this point, and i DO care, though at times, i wish i didn't...
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 9:35 PM Site Admin
@Giana Wow, this is great. Your feedback here is golden, thank you. It's going to take a few readings through this to digest it all and put it in bullet comments, but your thoughts will be heard. And don't worry, I've got some warm socks to wear when I get sent out to the parking lot.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 10:02 PM
Just as long as there is someone signing your paycheck as you direct traffic.
RodS posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 10:22 PM
@Giana OMG. I have to echo Wolf's response above! You NAILED so many things here - strangely with a couple angles I hadn't considered. And the exchange of ideas, knowledge, techniques back then was priceless. I remember Art Dorety sending me a Word file on how to do some wonderful details in Vue. (I no longer use Vue, due to the subscription model it went to, as you mentioned - I miss it, but we're living on SS so we have to be careful. My only sub right now is Adobe - I'd roll over and die if I couldn't have Photoshop! ๐)
I've been sitting here, digesting this wonderful input and thinking about it, and you're right about it being too much of a popularity thing, and not about the art. Everyone likes to see their name and uploads at the top of the "trending" page. But like Darkglass, that's not why I do this. I do it because I love it, and enjoy the process of figuring out "how do I do this, or add that, and how do I keep it from distracting from the main subject?" Thank you and Darkglass for reminding me.
And like I said to Darkglass, If you stumble across one of my efforts and see something that could be improved, PLEASE feel free to leave constructive feedback! I love it when that happens, because it gets the creative juices flowing even more freely.
Oh, that poor horse..... Not touching that...... Not going there..........Nope, nope, nope...... Wolf will be sending one of his furry 4-legged buddies over to eat my left arm. I'm a left-hander. I NEED that arm! ๐คฃ
G'night all! And THANKS!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 05 January 2023 at 10:31 PM Site Admin
@hborre lol, I'm just joking around about getting sent outside,I'm remote in sunny Arizona. (but not joking about the gallery upload policy).
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 1:28 AM
thanks guys for overlooking my huge and glaring mistake which was:
"i'm not naive enough to not recognise that yes, there were issues, even back then, but they did seem to be as rampant as they are today..."
obviously i idiotically left out the extremely important word "not" [smacks head on desk - bad Kat, bad bad bad]
and also thank you for reading my words, or of more import, hopefully their intent... feeling heard also fosters a sense of community :))
and Rod? i too create just for the 'oh! look what i can do if i try real hard', or to satisfy that 'can i...?' question. and sometimes i'm just creating my junk solely for the escapism it can provide, that time-out-of-mind aspect that can happen where you're sitting in Photoshop just mucking about and suddenly 4-6 hours truly disappears in a blink, but it can be rejuvenating at times [or in my case, utterly frustrating, but hey, at least it's a type of frustration outside of real world type frustrations which kinda makes it ok...heh]
and these days, i'm just trying more for that fun little giggle at the end of it all, if i'm lucky to find it. i used to be more obvious, i guess, in my expression on the page, if you will, but i am far more secretive and subtle with things these days - and part of that is probably just where i'm at in my life, but i do know that part of it is because i feel like nobody is 'listening' anyway because they're too wrapped in themselves and where they might fall in the 'climb to the cool kids section', or as you said rather well, getting to the top of the 'trending' page.
you know, sometimes true gems actually land there, but i honestly find that typically the really good stuff goes ignored - maybe not the most technically awesome good stuff, but those little nuggets that just grab me, pull me in, and hold me fast for a number of minutes because of what i 'hear' from the image. prolly sounds strange, but that's how it is in my head: i look, which then gets interpreted to words, sound, a voice, something, so i do tend to say i 'listen/hear' art and all those little choices that an artist makes...
and just fyi, for real feedback, i'm more inclined to sitemail, cause i usually have questions, too. i am a Kat, afterall, and ever curious. are you open to that kind of communique, Rod?
anyway, i'm just babbling now... apologies....
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 2:35 AM
@ Giana.. I would absolutely be open to that type of communication! Sitemail me anytime. I actually feel kind of bad about that "trending" remark, because my uploads are frequently in there. I have a pretty decent following and many friends here, but I hope it's because my work actually means something, and not just because "It's Rod!" I wish there were a lot more folks that would delve into our art the way anahata.c (Mark) does. He sees stuff in my work I didn't even see when I created it..
Now, I'm babbling......LOL and it's 0230 AM. I'm such a nut...๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
PeterPixyHarrison posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 4:12 AM
For the most part I stay out of these kinds of discussions as to me they often seem like a breeding ground for anger and needless hatred amongst users, however as I have seen this issue flowing through the forums and other places for at least four months now? I see it as time to speak up and it saddens me that four months on it is still an unresolved and largely untackled concern for many passionate long-term users of Renderosity.
At first when I saw this discussion heading up posts in the forums I didn't so much discredit the people who had raised it but more saw it as a transitional phase as the world of AI art became a mainstay of Renderosity (There is a strange irony in that concept alone) the gallery is often so overloaded with images of largely the exact same thing where quite often our own work is so submerged beneath a wave of images that there is very little point behind actually taking the time to share work in here. This isn't entirely down to AI art, indeed I quite openly welcome the inclusion of it and the new ideas and concepts that may subliminally influence or inspire others to create, in my mind no-one that considers themselves an artist whether they are a full time professional, an aspiring amatuer or hobbyist would willingly take a means of creation from anyone else. However as this discussion has remained a consistent point within the forums it becomes obvious that something deeper is at play and strangely enough something rather sweet in some ways, as what I'm really seeing is a growing collection of users who have been loyal to Renderosity for vast amounts of time who now are increasingly concerned that a site that they love and cherish is fading into it's own slow and self made oblivion.
During December I decided to reduce the number of outlets that I use to portray my work, I wanted two sites where I could show not just the imagery, written element and scenes that I produce but also show the work that goes into building those scenes for which Renderosity should have been perfect as with the multiple images options should have been perfect for me as a Blender user, as I can show the work behind the scenes that goes into an image, the physical building stages of a scene, all those little props and things that are made from scratch, I love that feature and yet still it isn't enough to make me want to post anything at all. Make no mistake I'm no professional writer and work full time so the time that I invest into using any site to me is valuable and yet during December I decided that my post on New Years Eve would be my last for the foreseeable future, now I'm not openly chasing my own vanity and nor do I have much interest in that either but I see little point in putting such time into a post only to watch it be buried beneath a countless wave of the same "close the site and try again later" inducing stuff.
As a writer (which I know that Rod and Wolf are too) it often takes hours to produce a single image and body of text, indeed yesterday I began writing a piece for my latest novel and thus far I have spent around two or three hours writing it and it probably needs another three hours to be ready to then type up, then I will spend around the same timescale writing it up and reconstructing it before I even begin assembling a scene to suit the piece, by the time I have done so, written it, composed it and the rendered it the timescale is likely to be around 30 to 40 hours just to make a single piece only to see it become buried and unseen, that is neither an incentive nor an aspiration of anyone of similar ilk to myself. While part of me wished to use this site alongside ArtStation to show the "How it's made" side of my work, deep down I just couldn't justify that investment of time and effort for very little or indeed nothing in return, I recognise that sounds incredibly shallow and in many ways it truly is but I love my work, my characters and the stories of them which I tell, in a strange my characters are like my children and just as any parent would I expect and indeed demand that they be portrayed in the best light and being strangled beneath nothingness is not befitting of neither them, their stories nor of myself at all.
While I am keen to avoid reducing the number of images someone could post over any given time period I also despise seeing galleries filled by the same thing, as that is neither inspiring nor a motivation to actively bother even looking beyond the first page and I would like to think that if I or anyone else posted the same image four or five times at bare minimum a question would be asked why I have done so? especially given that multiple images can be featured within the same post? Yet daily this almost ritualistic posting dump takes place without so much as even a single feather being ruffled? That for me poses yet another question which Is "How long will you just openly ignore your users questions or requests?" Maybe I am completely wrong and the question has been in an open and long running debate, yet four months later here we all are with the same question being posed in the aftermath of little or no decisive action being taken?
I recognise that running a site like this amongst multiple moderators and users poses intricate challenges to keep the peace as such and in a blunt way I guess Renderosity is rather like a trainset and well if it's your trainset then you can do with it as you wish but those users who are raising these concerns if you wish are like passengers on that train, those users are entitled to get off at any time they wish, with many users like myself largely stay out of the forums, choosing to remain silent and out of sight and yet the risk posed is great as these people will never tell you that they are leaving, they will simply leave without uttering a single word to you, but then if you aren't really listening or at bare minimum making any noise that is conducive to you doing so, then why would they bother raising their voice to you at all?
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 4:22 AM Site Admin
Barring being able to select only galleries you want to view, I wonder if having the Gallery and Genre listed on the thumb would be helpful? For instance, I get views that don't match with comments, and mostly I think, because they don't realize they're clicking into the writers gallery, but they really aren't interested, so they move on without a word, and I don't get a true sense whether they did or didn't read. I don't care if they don't read the story, I just want a better sense of how many real readers there are. Also, and I don't know how to fix it, but getting a comment that says, 'great image', is a source of major frustration. I see that and think, 'okay, thanks, but what about the story?' I would also think that in the photography gallery, it would be equally frustrating to get a comment that says, 'it looks so real.'
I guess what I'm saying is that careless and disingenuous comments are sometimes as bad as no comments. Don't know if making it more clear which gallery you're clicking into would be helpful. I know gallery and genre is listed on the main image, but obviously nobody is seeing it.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
BlackTalonArts posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 4:55 AM
It's hard to slow down at times and write something logical without emotion involved. So now I try to do that. :) I've been a member of Renderosity since 2002 starting with DrmzRmyne which I keep around due to purchases. I have seen so many things in the 20+ years. I actually started with 3dcommunity but quickly made Renderosity my home. I was hooked and there were so many amazing artists of different skill levels, genres and categories. There was an excitement to be here and be a part of ALL of it and members left thoughtful and constructive comments behind. They actually took time to look at your image instead of the fast-paced consumption that is so prevalent these days. I remember when ToxicAngel and even Blackhearted helped me out with an image I was working on....now that's community! However.....
Since then, it HAS become about popularity and not art. Whether you're in that inner circle or not or wait, if you've stepped on someone's toes and/or they simply don't like you how the basically go through the community and blacklist you to where no one has anything to do with you at all. No matter what you think, it is NOT about the art here anymore. :( It's like high school drama and it's enough to drive anyone who wants to make Rendo their home away. Heck, I'd love to make Rend my main home again because it's where it started, and it was my first love. I'd love to engage more with the community but anything that's not blowing roses up someone's arses is considered to be against what the community wants, including the devs and will be reprimanded or your comments removed. Like some have said, a witch hunt. Everyone here seems to want to hear how amazing they are and their art and will only comment and like your work if you do so to theirs. I mean come'on really? Where is the growth in that. Nothing is perfect. Oh fudge, I could go on and on and I feel like it's almost pointless. So instead of continually talking about the issues, I would like to give my two cents worth on what could help?
1. Get rid of the trending charts and popularity contest in the way it is now. All this does is foster what has been a core problem with this site for years. You get to the top if you're in a click or you spend your days running around liking commenting on everyone's stuff.
2. Implement a non-partial person to the artists that will select images to be showcased in a Trending kind of way where it isn't based on how popular you are. This way it IS about the ART. It could be due to just how creative the image is, or how good the lighting is, or how clever, cute, epic, unique and so forth. It could be a lot of fun. Make artists think more and help diversify the site. Let Rendo not be only known for Nudies and promo art but for it's diversity in different areas. I've seen many great artworks go completely ignored on this site by not just members but Rendo as well. Favoritism is heavy here.
3. Contests judged by outside parties that are not connected to Rendo or a part of the community. No community voting (which fosters them to log on to their kazillion accounts or run around behind the scenes getting their friends to vote and again letting it become about popularity instead of ART.
4. Creating a promo image only gallery. No promos period in any category except that. If I or anyone else wants to see what a product looks like by members that are given these items free to promote, then we can go to that specific gallery to see. It really is a turn off to see the gallery filled mostly with promos. Maybe even a gallery for risquรฉ art, and yes I know I can select the filter nudity but not all nudity is offensive. Most of what I see here, is.
5. Also, I would loooove to see a "traditional art" gallery only as well. I love traditional art but when I go look at the 2d gallery....honestly it's a hot mess. wow. I just want to turn and run away. So that would also bring to the forefront of moderating....
6. More moderating of galleries. By this I mean really looking at what people are posting in selected galleries. i.e. 2d gallery, I will see 3d images in there and many things I would not think to be considered truly 2d.
7. Rewards or badges for contributing members/community leaders. What I mean by this is say someone in the community takes the time to give THOUGHTFUL/CONSRUCTIVE comments on art or in forums. (If someone marks on their posted image that they are open to constructive feedback, then they should be.) Or they take the time to help a member of the community with something they are having issues with possibly an image they are working on. This kind of thing encourages community and a place where EVERYONE wants to be because it's healthy, encouraging, hopeful, exciting and bam! tons of growth happen. Having a special badge for true community leaders that go above and beyond the "omg, you're amazing" sets a standard that Renderosity can and once again will be glorious.
Do you know I have all the beginning issues of ImagineFX where Renderosity was touted as the place to be for digital artists and your site was even featured in their magazine? Maybe or maybe not you can be that again. Placating bad spoiled child behaviors will not get you there. There are so many artists out there that CRAVE that kind of community and need it. That's why they get frustrated here and leave. Over the years I've heard the same thing over and over and over why they left. Because it wasn't about the Art.
Most things were covered by everyone else, and I feel I'm just repeating some of those sentiments. I would definitely be more proactive in the community if I truly saw change. I hold hope but no breath. :)
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 5:30 AM Site Admin
@PeterPixyHarrison
I understand your frustrations all too well. After working on a story for a month, and then seeing it buried under a flood of nonsense, it is disheartening. I haven't posted a story since October, and mostly because it got so buried under a flood that I stopped posting... grrr... not a happy camper. Anyway, your voice will be heard - your voice is important. Just remember, I don't write policy, all I can do is what they asked me to do, which was to collect suggestions. Maybe they'll find one or two that will help make Renderosity a better community. And there are some excellent suggestion here. Thanks to everyone for their well-measured and thought-out responses, all your suggestions in this thread will be viewed by those that do write policy to see. After that, it is what it is. I'm not jumping off the train, though. I might have to get out and push the train, but like so many others have said, this is my art home too, and has been for 12 years. I could have jumped to Wattpad at any time, but I like it here, even with all the stress Rod causes me. :P
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 6:11 AM Site Admin
@BlackTalonArts
I had to stop and go make a cup of coffee, because I knew that would take some time to read and digest. Your thoughts and suggestions are excellent, many of which I've brought up to staff before. Thank you for providing that deeply thought-out analysis, I enjoyed reading it, and you will be heard.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hmatienzo posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 6:12 AM
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!
L'ultima fòrza è nella morte.
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 6:30 AM Site Admin
@hmatienzo Thank you for your thoughts. This discussion is to collect suggestions to improve gallery engagement. Please present any ideas you have.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
BlackTalonArts posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:32 AM
@Wolfenshire
A little P.S. Maybe even have a "Challenges Gallery" where once a week or month new challenges are set forth like, Render, Draw, Photograph something with a red balloon and most creative gets a front cover splash, or extra points or a special badge that you have participated in a community event/challenge x number of times. Splash/Announce it on the front page so everyone knows about it to help encourage participation with Renderosity and community members. Make it fair, impartial etc. So much gets lost on the front page. If people stick around, they are more likely to spend as well. You can even occasionally have those challenges use something that Rpublishing or a PA sells in this MarketPlace to not only encourage fun and community but sales as well. Being a little corny here.... but gotta do it. "Build it and they will come" lol sorry.
My point being is doing things that bring the community together, putting pettiness behind and having a bit of fun while rebuilding Renderosity to better than what it was before. Is it crazy thinking that's even possible?
EVargas posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:54 AM
@Wolfenshire, when you said "I know gallery and genre is listed on the main image, but obviously nobody is seeing it": in my opinion the reason for this is because it is a bit hidden, when you click on "gallery at the top" you see options like "trending" and "new". It is then necessary to click on "sections" or "genres" again to see a relevant option.
Speaking a little about web UI/UX, and considering that you would like to increase interaction in galleries and forums, what about simplified menu options? Reducing the distance between homepage and what the visitor wants?
Looking at the homepage it is possible to see that the main content promoted is the marketplace, for obvious reasons even, as others do, I don't see a problem with that, but could there (maybe) be included a small carrousel, of something from gallery/forums? Something like "latest discussions" or latest submissions.
Each user likes to browse the internet in a different way, and I think it's good to have customization options, as mentioned above, regarding the galleries. I particularly use the option to hide forums (Vue for example I don't see it). In the case of galleries what I do is have shortcuts/favorites in my browser, so I browse by clicking on my shortcuts instead of using the menu. Still on this I think it's important that there is always a visible option of "new / all / no filter" so that users eventually become interest in seeing the whole (except for the adult filter, that must persist of course). I myself often click on galleries/new, after a filtered browsing it's very refreshing to see the wide variety of art/artists that exist here and I usually end up seeing something that interests me.
About the example of writers having poor or no feedback, when reading your comments the idea came to mind that an interesting option (and expandable to other cases) would be to promote/encourage more collaborations between artists. We've seen animations here with a narrated story, I think that's pretty cool. There are a lot of people who like challenges and surely materializing your stories in images would also be a great challenge!
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 11:09 AM Site Admin
@BlackTalonArts Back in college, there was a paper of comparison writing assignment - red circle to a blue circle. I think it was favorite writing assignment. My paper was pure BS and probably my favorite assignment. I like the gallery challenge idea. We had one counting cherries in a bottle, and it was successful. The writers gallery had something like that before I joined Renderosity. Wheatpenny said there was a time it was popular, but it faded away and the writers forum died long before me. I've not been successful in bringing it back to life - too few writers left. So, I hang out up here in Community just to annoy Rods. Maybe we can do more forum challenges to improve engagement.
@evergas That's way beyond my technical expertise. I grew up in the mountains and think indoor plumbing is high tech. Mark my words, we'll all drown in our sleep someday with such things. I'll write that one up for the developers to look at. Would love to see more collaborations, though. Excellent suggestions.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 1:29 PM
"...even with all the stress Rod causes me" ๐คฃ
"So, I hang out up here in Community just to annoy Rods.." ๐
OK, that does it. I'm getting my shovel out and digging up that dead horse.. It obviously needs more abuse.. ๐๐๐คฃ
Seriously, I am LOVING the involvement here! I do hope those muckety-mucks at the top are reading this... Excellent feedback here! ๐๐๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
PeterPixyHarrison posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 1:39 PM
Wolfenshire posted at 5:30 AM Fri, 6 January 2023 - #4453198
I would like to stress this isn't an aimed assault of you nor any other moderator or user in any way, you just happen to be the mod that is replying to this thread and yes I recognise that you are one of many moving parts that regulates policy rather than being directly responsible for establishing it.@PeterPixyHarrison
I understand your frustrations all too well. After working on a story for a month, and then seeing it buried under a flood of nonsense, it is disheartening. I haven't posted a story since October, and mostly because it got so buried under a flood that I stopped posting... grrr... not a happy camper. Anyway, your voice will be heard - your voice is important. Just remember, I don't write policy, all I can do is what they asked me to do, which was to collect suggestions. Maybe they'll find one or two that will help make Renderosity a better community. And there are some excellent suggestion here. Thanks to everyone for their well-measured and thought-out responses, all your suggestions in this thread will be viewed by those that do write policy to see. After that, it is what it is. I'm not jumping off the train, though. I might have to get out and push the train, but like so many others have said, this is my art home too, and has been for 12 years. I could have jumped to Wattpad at any time, but I like it here, even with all the stress Rod causes me. :P
From experience elsewhere I know that if a story based image gets 100 views then maybe 10 of those people will actually read the story attached to the image and I am aware in advance that the vast majority of views, likes or comments will be directed at the image rather than the narrative that goes along with it and truthfully that is something that I both understand and am okay with but I feel a sullen empathy that you as the moderator for the writing section for the forums have resisted posting for almost four months for the same issues raised in this post, that's both sad and rather telling all in the same statement.
My decision to cease posting in the future for the time being is based largely on route to having my work published and as such that encourages or even forces me to approach things in a vastly different way, indeed there is a strange sense of sorrow that during August last year I was interviewed and openly named Renderosity as one of the outlets where I actively share my work only to a few months later find myself deciding that this no longer would be the case and I expect nothing to change just to suit my personal requirements but I do hope that for the community as a whole things should change, even if that means ruffling too many feathers among those calling for such action to be taken.
There is no personal resentment etc from myself and nor do I wish to see any medium either removed or negated in anyway from being explored by users of this site however better regulation I do believe could be a good starting point or at least some kind of proactive first step towards a more involved future for Renderosity and it's users at large and indeed the AI forum has been a good example of just how achievable this is with people openly and freely sharing different ideas to aid each other in discovery. As a further note it isn't just Renderosity experiencing this sudden upheaval in policy as many sites are now having to do the same and introduce new policies etc just to regulate things in a more balanced way and just like you Wolfenshire, Renderosity is some kind of home for me as Evelyn, Fae and indeed my entire writing journey as a whole came into being in these very forums and never would I actively remove, mask or change that heritage.
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 2:30 PM
@PeterPixyHarrison I've really missed Wolf's story (and yes, I'm one of the few that actually read the story). As a writer and illustrator myself, it's been a few months since I've done anything with mine as well. Primarily for the same reasons as have been stated multiple times in this thread (so I won't repeat them again. I don't want Wolf pulling all his hair out and end up bald on top like me..). The thoughtful and creative ideas that have been posted here are excellent, and very encouraging! Thanks to all for your contributions!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 2:46 PM
that front page carousel idea is awesome... or if there are stats on the backend showing areas on this site that get hit the most for longer periods of time, then put the carousel there...
there is a disconnect betwixt gallery user and forum dwellers, in my opine, and while your suggestion of more forum challenges is cool, Wolf, it means that one has to actually go to that forum to become aware of it. i just mean i've seen challenges posted in forums before that i never knew about prior to forum viewing, and i've also see that such challenges seem to have a smaller response than one might want. is it due to challenge ideas that aren't the 'right' thing to engage folks? is it lack of end-user awareness? is it some other reason, or a combination of factors? i know i'm not in any real position to be able to answer that, but the carousel idea might be able to address awareness issues.
and to further expand on that, it could run in tandem with a little blurb in a newsletter since not everyone hits the front page, and not everyone subs to the newsletter, if that makes sense - increase the potential of awareness...
have Ricky or Jen or Caroline write a little article and post it under the Community>Featured tab... that type thing
and if it doesn't net results after a certain amount of reasonable time, then try something else.
yes, web dev costs money and time, and it'd be great to think that a site could be designed and remain somewhat static for awhile, esp. since this site has a history of user outcries whenever anything truly changes. thing is is that in part is due to the fact that changes here have been either backend small or way too much too fast, so people are not really asked to be flexible too oft. the small little changes that have been occurring here over the past 4-6 months have been very non-disruptive, so yay on you guys for that. but i think if slightly larger changes happened more frequently, it might not be a bad thing. i'm NOT talking functionality, but i am talking about adding/removing things now and again to refine the site and gear it towards actual engagement.
i really am not expressing myself well here, too many thoughts in my head at once, but i guess what i am trying to express is that the site itself is a reflection of 'investment' not only in its 'mission', but in its people, too... ALL people, from backend to frontline mod to end-user. that 'reflection of investment' can be felt by the end-user.. so try new things, weigh and measure those, adjust accordingly, and keep doing that... love us users enough to try a myriad of things that nurture us. do that and i'll bet you get nurtured in return by an increase in the bottom line, so to speak...
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 3:00 PM
have Ricky or Jen or Caroline write a little article and post it under the Community>Featured tab... that type thing
or whoever's purview it might fall under...
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 6:23 PM
also, in looking around, i really think that 'Staff Picks' inside the pertaining software forum should be done away with. now granted, i use Poser so i'm most inclined to visit that specific forum, so bear in mind that most of my opinion on the matter is shaped through that, though i have, on occasion bounced through to other forums.
in terms of the one in the Poser forum, a couple of things i've noticed in the recent months has been a decline in viewership on the weekly post, so i gotta ask myself what purpose is it providing really. another thing regarding those posts in that forum is that each week it consists of mostly the same artists being chosen over and over. that might make some folks feel like it's a favouritism type thing, but maybe not. but surely there are more than just 5-6 Poser users on this site. and again, if that isn't the case, and other works simply aren't being chosen due to quality so there are only 5-6 users doing 'worthy' stuff, then the overall message becomes one that demonstrates the decline of Poser usage, which should be a blasphemous idea since it is Rendo's flagship software at this point.
if Staff Picks continues to be a thing, then consolidate all weekly picks into one area, tell us why they were chosen, what about them makes them exciting enough to have been chosen by Staff. Ricky usually does a reasonable job at times doing that kind of thing in his articles regarding his weekly call-outs.
and speaking of flagship software, other than Jen's Poser Pulse articles, where on this site is there a place that highlights Poser itself, like a showcase on what it can do, inspirational images, etc? yes, i'm aware of bondware.com, but that's a whole separate site in itself. i understand sort of [?] why it is, but why is Poser so hidden on the very site where artists/hobbyists are more likely to visit and maybe fall in love enough to buy it? i'm sure there is some logic to it all, and the rationale certainly does not need to be justified to me as an individual [not my literal business or my figurative one either for that matter], but i can honestly say that this observation isn't solely mine alone either...
not saying to inundate users w. Poser, or bash them over the head with it... it would require a gentle balance so that other software users do not feel unwelcomed; however, if money is at the root of Rendo's survival, as it is with all business, and Poser software contributes to that required revenue, shouldn't it be at least a little more prevalent in its presence here?
maybe there is some special out of the way section/area already on this site that is doing that that i'm unaware of?
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:11 PM
Interesting.... I've been using Poser for pretty much the entire 12 years I've been here.... How the heck have I missed this? And if I've missed it, more than likely others have as well.. Perhaps something else to look into...
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:18 PM Site Admin
@Giana Your insights, especially with the Staff Picks and Poser Software, is enlightening. I'm guessing nobody has looked at it from that angle. Thank you.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:42 PM
@Rod
Staff Picks has been around for a while. i became more aware of them when my husband, structure, was helping Rendo w. P11 after the purchase from SM
[if ya have P11, i think you might see his moniker in the credits during boot-up. and yes, i'm kind of bragging on him atm as he was so proud and pleased to be a part of something that would/could be a positive thing for the community. he also was providing customer support in the Poser forum and via phone & email, as well as doing some light MP testing, all of which he loved being a part of, making a positive contribution as much as he could :)) ]
anyway, it used to be sort of an open type thing, images that got selected, but then the criterion for inclusion was truncated to only those images which allowed comments to be made on them [tho' at times that was waived - i know this because a couple of mine were chosen now and again which did not allow for comments], and for the image to be marked as usable by Rendo for marketing purposes. i'm assuming that means use on social media sites, stuff like that [sorry, i can't stand social media]. also, because of that, though again, not always consistent, most nudie or risque type images would also not be necessarily eligible for inclusion for obvious and maybe legitimate reasons... hence maybe why your T&A type series would not be chosen. of course, i'm just guessing, so please, do not take my word as any reasonable indicator of absolute truth, yea?
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:52 PM
@Wolf
to further define my suggestion staff picks might be reduced to only 1 or two images from each gallery per week. the overlord [i say that most gently and with humour, btw] of each gallery can choose, or a dedicated staff member. actually, choose 3 or 4, take it to the whole backroom staff for a vote, and then the top 1 or 2 of each category is posted all together in its own area/section.
yes, more work for Staff... i'm aware...
and yes, just another weighs & measurements thing if another one is really necessary...
or just do the above and kill all other weights & measurements. i dunno. i don't purport to have any answers or even a real clue about anything. merely suggestions that either do or don't make sense...
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 7:54 PM
it could even be 'themed'... one week can focus on lighting, the next on spacial presentation, that type thing. that way the reason for WHY an image was chosen is inherently built in, if you see my point... shrug
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:16 PM
and while i'm on a roll, i'll mention a pet peeve of mine... why not...
every month we get a new AoM and a new VoM, yet in forums, that stuff is not consistently updated - and i mean across the board...
either get rid of it, or truly maintain it... obvious neglect as it has been demonstrates either an overburdened staff who can't keep thing up to date [doesn't instill confidence from a user perspective, imo] and/or that it's just not important enough to keep up with, which can lend itself to be interpretted as a sign of dis-engagement from the staff that is supposed to be supporting the community.... either way, just not a good look.
super nit-picky? you bet, but details matter esp. in business...
subconsciously, customers/users/insert that type of word here are influenced by the culture of a market/place/insert work here in subtle ways. ever go to a store where you felt the staff just wasn't there for you, didn't really care about their job, were just there for a paycheck? well, that has everything to do with management, as they are responsible for setting the 'tone', providing good examples for their employees, etc., because we, the consumers, ARE, not matter how subtle, impacted by little things we mightn't even be aware of... just my 2 cents... well, 8 cents due to inflation ;)
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:28 PM
@Giana
That is so cool that your hubby got to be part of the Poser team! You go right ahead and brag on him - he deserves it! That's great! I used to do a lot of testing for Pixeluna (Jenny) when she was doing a lot of V4 / Poser stuff a few years ago. It was a great feeling to know I was even a small part of contributing to both her and the community. I wish I knew more about the newest website coding so I could at least make some suggestions that made sense.
I know lately, I've been creating more images with the ladies being clothed, and surprisingly there was only a couple pages in my TNA story where the Girls were nekkie - which was done primarily to add a bit of humor.. ๐ I shall have to take some time and do some looking at that Poser Forum.
I have to say I'm just blown away by the responses from you and the others to this thread. The love and loyalty to this site is still intact, and it shows in glowing color here. I do hope the Admins, CEO, and such are reading all of this. I think we're on to something here, and we need to keep it rolling. And again... If there is anything I can do to help, I'm all over it!
And now..... Speaking of TNA.......
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:29 PM
This one's for you, Wolf..... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RedPhantom posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:46 PM Online Now! Site Admin
Lol, that's hilarious. Maybe he can use the horse while directing traffic. That way he won't get run over.
Available on Amazon for the Kindle E-Reader Monster of the North and The Shimmering Mage
Today I break my own personal record for the number of days for being alive.
Check out my store here or my free stuff here
I use Poser 13 and win 10
RedPhantom posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:48 PM Online Now! Site Admin
I have to say, I love all these great suggestions and that everyone is working to be helpful rather than whining.
Available on Amazon for the Kindle E-Reader Monster of the North and The Shimmering Mage
Today I break my own personal record for the number of days for being alive.
Check out my store here or my free stuff here
I use Poser 13 and win 10
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:51 PM Site Admin
@Giana The AOM is the magazine's thing, all AOM stuff is posted on the magazine's pages. https://www.renderosity.com/tags/16/artist-of-the-month
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 8:55 PM Site Admin
@Rods You forgot to include the disclaimer that no horses were harmed in the making of this meme. Clever guy... it's pretty good. I actually own a set of chaps. My brother and I used to have a cattle ranch. The cattle got to be too much of a bother, so we ended up just raising and boarding horses.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 9:02 PM
@Wolf
ok, gotcha...
then can we get rid of it in this forum, too? look at the top of this page... or, well, here:
i'd hafta bounce through each forum to see if it's still called out like in here. i know it used to be, but that could very well have changed... my bad, for which i apologise :))
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 9:11 PM Site Admin
@Giana You're right, we should keep that updated too if we're going to have it there. It's a good point. I don't even know who would edit that, or how... I've never edited a forum page. I'll find out. The last time the Writers Forum needed to be edited, I was a Coordinator at the time and didn't have privileges to edit pages. I think Admin updated the page for me. I might have privileges now, I'm just not real big on pushing buttons I don't know what they do. With my luck, I'd crash the whole website.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 9:19 PM
@Wolf
no, no, YOU were correct... it does seem to now be gone from all other forums, or the handful i bounced through... so it's just in here now...
again, apologies :o
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 9:31 PM Site Admin
@Giana I found an edit button, it took me to the moderator's dashboard - the forum edit section, and apparently I can edit the page. I'm going to try and add the current AOM, it shouldn't be blank. Okay, cross your fingers... I'm dangerous now.
edit: Well, that was complicated. You have to insert the link and edit it, you can't just copy and paste. But there you go, that problem is fixed. I'm a Super Wolf.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 9:56 PM
ahhhroooooo
SuperWolf up in da house!!!
i'd hug ya, but those canines of yours frighten me ;)
RodS posted Fri, 06 January 2023 at 10:02 PM
Rock on, SuperWolf!! ๐๐๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Sat, 07 January 2023 at 4:44 AM
does anyone know how heavy simple audio files might be? obviously, it's dependent upon how much is contained within the file, so i'm just asking in general...
and why am i'm asking?
well, i've been thinking about engagement for the writers on this site and their audience/potential audience. i know some folks don't want to necessarily read gobs of text on a page for maybe a variety of reasons such as the time it might take them, or eye strain, or something my lack-of-sleep-addled brain can't think of atm.
but what if the writer had the option to "read" their story alongside the posting of their text? like an "Audible" kind of idea, best of both worlds, giving folks the option to read, or listen, or do both in tandem...
would writers be interested in reading their own tales aloud, record and upload them? or does that option already exist? i see in the 'upload you art' area an option for video, so is that the same thing? if not uber apparent already, i'm woefully ignorant regarding video and audio file creation, and how big a file size that could end up being generated by such a thing...
i would think it fun and interesting to be able to actually hear a story the way the author might hear it in their head, all the nuances and such... plus, i love being read to, so maybe it's just me...
?
Wolfenshire posted Sat, 07 January 2023 at 5:10 AM Site Admin
@Giana I spent years converting my stories to audio, then uploading it to the file locker. I started doing it for one of my readers that was losing her eyesight. She's left the site now, so, ended up not being worth the time anymore.
If you like being read to, The Renderosity Magazine Editor did a reading of one of anahata.c's stories, it is so good: https://www.renderosity.com/article/26063/interview-with-artist-of-the-month-anahatac
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Sat, 07 January 2023 at 12:53 PM
Oh, I'll HAVE to give that a listen.. Mark is awesome!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Sat, 07 January 2023 at 5:41 PM
Hey, Wolf... Maybe this is what you need for those "negotiations" with the higher-ups: https://www.renderosity.com/gallery/items/3095953/negotiation-under-pressure
LOL
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Sat, 07 January 2023 at 6:43 PM Site Admin
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Sat, 07 January 2023 at 7:02 PM
The robots, or the higher-ups? ๐คฃ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 10:46 AM
@Wolf
hey!!thanks for that link. that's awesome :)
JVRenderer posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 1:32 PM
Greetings, fellow 'oldtimers.
Hi Rod, Giana, Red.
'. I've been a member since 2002.
This place isn't what it used to be. I visit perhaps once a month now.
Software: Daz Studio 4.15, Photoshop CC, Zbrush 2022, Blender 3.3, Silo 2.3, Filter Forge 4. Marvelous Designer 7
Hardware: self built Intel Core i7 8086K, 64GB RAM, RTX 3090 .
"If you spend too much time arguing about software, you're spending too little time creating art!" ~ SomeSmartAss
"A critic is a legless man who teaches running." ~ Channing Pollock
RodS posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 2:10 PM
Hey, JV!! Good to see you!! Miss your presence here..
That's what we're trying to change.. It hasn't been the same for some time. I don't know if you've read through this whole thread (I never expected it to go 4 pages, but I'm VERY encouraged that it has), but the higher-ups are looking at things - including this thread - and ways to improve the experience. If you have any thoughts, this is the place and now is the time (not much time left - they're having a meeting Tuesday) to have your voice heard!
I keep beating the dead horse regarding gallery upload limits, but that's apparently set in stone. I just mention it every so often to heckle Wolf.... ๐คฃ
Hopefully, we'll see you more than monthly, my friend! Stay safe, stay well! ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
VedaDalsette posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 2:33 PM
I've used Poser since version 4, but because I was always working so many hours, I never got to play with it like I wanted. Since I've been retired, I have and enjoy it. However, I'm no artist, but I do like storytellingโI've written novels and novellas; I'm a hobby novelistโand I'd like to use Poser more often for that. (In fact, I just posted my first comic series, 9 episodes, on tapas and am working on a second one.) I don't really expect an audience. I don't have one for my books. I just want to create and have a place to put it "out there." So my books are on amazon, and I'll be using tapas for my comics/picture stories.
Reading through these posts, I see a desire for community and artistry. I like the community part, but I'm no artist and don't expect I'll become one in my lifetime. I'm okay with that. But I don't think I'm alone in wanting to use Poser for storytelling. (Of course, Renderosity is more than just Poserโbtw, I'm a steady customerโand I regularly read through and sometimes contribute to the forums. I've learned so much from them.) Anyway, I wonder who makes up the bulk of Renderosity users (aside from the marketplace): artists or people like me. Shouldn't both groups be accommodated in this community?
Oh, and I don't go to the galleries very often. They're so overwhelming and, like others said previously, full of the same stuff, over and over. Boobies and fractals and ghouls. My slim contributions aren't worth crap either, but I always feel like I "should" post something every so often.
W11,Intel i9-14900KF @ 3.20GHz, 64.0 GB RAM, 64-bit, GeForce GTX 4070 Ti SUPER, 16GB.
Old lady hobbyist.
All visual art or fiction is "playing with dolls."
RodS posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 3:13 PM
Hi, there, VedaDalsette!
I'm there with you.. I've been using Poser for a little over 12 years (started with Poser 8), and I definitely use it for storytelling. I've had a series running here @ Rendo for around 11 years now ("Girls From T.N.A.") and have thoroughly enjoyed the interactions with everyone - at least until things started to slide downhill - which is what all of us in this thread are trying to remedy. And you are on the money... Yes! Both groups should be supported here. Writing is an artform just like any other creative endeavor. Just look at some of anahata.c's or Wolfenshire's work. It's brilliant.
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.
Also like you, I get tired of the floods of repetitive images being constantly posted by the same 4 or 5 individuals, but as I said above, that's a dead horse I've been beating for a long time, and it's not likely to change unfortunately. It is what it is.
But please don't feel like your contributions "aren't worth crap" - they are as valid as any other contributions. Art is a very personal thing.
Have a great week ahead!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 3:14 PM
Joey!!!!!!!!!
[whopping BIG HUG}
RodS posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 3:29 PM
@Giana - I'm just about in tears... Good to see folks from the good ol' days are still checking in now and then. I even saw a comment from Magnus073 on one of Diemamker's story uploads!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
PeterPixyHarrison posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 3:37 PM
RodS posted at 3:29 PM Sun, 8 January 2023 - #4453437
In some ways there is something nice about seeing a community still alive in the forums even if that appears to be dwindling but I do hope that somewhere in amongst all this there is some kind of resolution that hopefully saves something that could be quite beautiful.@Giana - I'm just about in tears... Good to see folks from the good ol' days are still checking in now and then. I even saw a comment from Magnus073 on one of Diemamker's story uploads!
But keep flogging Rod because one day a gallery full of silent users is otherwise an inexorable end
VedaDalsette posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 4:07 PM
RodS,
Thanks. Looking forward to checking out your suggestions (your work and anahata.c's and Wolfenshire's).
W11,Intel i9-14900KF @ 3.20GHz, 64.0 GB RAM, 64-bit, GeForce GTX 4070 Ti SUPER, 16GB.
Old lady hobbyist.
All visual art or fiction is "playing with dolls."
Giana posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 5:09 PM
@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!
Giana posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 5:14 PM
@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
Wolfenshire posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 6:02 PM Site Admin
@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.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 6:38 PM
@Wolf
caught that, didja? and here i was trying to be super subtle about it ;)
RodS posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 6:44 PM
The flogging continues - if only to heckle Wolf... ๐
And my arms are getting really really tired.... ๐ฌ
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
VedaDalsette posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 8:10 PM
Thanks, Giana!
W11,Intel i9-14900KF @ 3.20GHz, 64.0 GB RAM, 64-bit, GeForce GTX 4070 Ti SUPER, 16GB.
Old lady hobbyist.
All visual art or fiction is "playing with dolls."
Wolfenshire posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 9:53 PM Site Admin
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).
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Sun, 08 January 2023 at 11:16 PM
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<
RodS posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 12:44 PM
LOL... Actually, more like good Kat >kitty treat< ๐
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....
So many memories.... This is what 'Rosity needs to get back to being.. ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
PeterPixyHarrison posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 1:53 PM
Giana posted at 5:09 PM Sun, 8 January 2023 - #4453441
Thank you @Giana, and no I'm not one for tooting my own horn but just to forewarn you @Veda much of my written stuff is buried away as for quite some time I didn't realise we had a dedicated writing section so much of it is just under either the banner of Daz or Blender, though chances are if it has a story attached it will be down as Atmosphere.@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!
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?
Giana posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 2:32 PM
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...
Giana posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 2:49 PM
@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] ;)
PeterPixyHarrison posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 3:08 PM
@Giana no offence taken and it's equally a case that I don't want to go through and change the categories that they go in as much as anything :) though maybe that is good call to have the option to post them in two different galleries at once?@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] ;)
Giana posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 3:18 PM
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 :))
Giana posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 4:32 PM
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
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 4:46 PM Site Admin
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Mon, 09 January 2023 at 10:14 PM
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!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 2:02 AM
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.
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
anahata.c posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 6:09 AM
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.
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 7:05 AM Site Admin
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. Thereโs 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 โ go plant some carrots.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 1:14 PM
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!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 3:22 PM Site Admin
@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. Iโm fairly good at identifying various bird species, but Iโve never seen feathers like these before. While I was collecting up some of the feathers, I found a dagger, but like no other dagger Iโve ever seen. The dagger is forged to resemble a birdโs talon, and when I tossed it up on the hood of my old Pinto, it sliced through the metal like warm butter. Iโm going to take the dagger to a buddy of mine over at the University Chemistry Department to take a look at. And, thereโs one other thing. There are several burn marks on the old cracked asphaltโฆ likeโฆ well, I donโt 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. Iโm not sure, but it looks like there was a fight here and someone lost a dagger. Iโm not sure what this all meansโฆ maybe the government was up to something, but that daggerโฆ Iโve never seen a dagger cut metal just being casually tossed like that. If I didnโt know betterโฆ noโฆ I shouldnโt jump to conclusionsโฆ but is it possible thatโฆ noโฆ thatโs silly, forget I said anything. Iโll wait until my buddy analyzes the metal before I start getting crazy with wild theories. I just hope whoever lost that dagger doesnโt come looking for it.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 3:46 PM
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.
RedPhantom posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 5:22 PM Online Now! Site Admin
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".
Available on Amazon for the Kindle E-Reader Monster of the North and The Shimmering Mage
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RodS posted Tue, 10 January 2023 at 6:46 PM
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...... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
anahata.c posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 5:35 AM
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
CHMedia posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 9:49 AM
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.
RodS posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 12:39 PM
๐คฃ๐๐ Oh, Mark..... You slay me, bruh! ๐คฃ 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.... ๐
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... ๐ You all ROCK!!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
PeterPixyHarrison posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 3:55 PM
Thank you for asking that seemingly simple but all too vital question.๐คฃ๐๐ Oh, Mark..... You slay me, bruh! ๐คฃ 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.... ๐
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... ๐ You all ROCK!!
RodS posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 6:18 PM
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.... ๐คฃ
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 9:13 PM Site Admin
Thank you to everyone that provided thoughts and suggestions to improve the community.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Wed, 11 January 2023 at 9:24 PM
And Thank You for listening (reading, actually), and dealing with my consistent abuse of expired Equus caballus, Mr. Wolf!๐๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Thu, 12 January 2023 at 8:54 PM
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.... ๐๐ c'est la vie..
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Amaranth posted Mon, 16 January 2023 at 12:54 PM
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.
RodS posted Mon, 16 January 2023 at 1:40 PM
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.
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Mon, 16 January 2023 at 2:15 PM
@ 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 reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
anahata.c posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 1:13 AM
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.
RodS posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 1:57 AM
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..... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
bbost posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 12:13 PM
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.
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 12:27 PM Site Admin
@bbost AI art has its own gallery and forum.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
bbost posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 12:36 PM
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.
Wolfenshire posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 1:04 PM Site Admin
@bbost Thank you for your suggestions. All suggestions are being looked at to improve the Community and Galleries.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Crystalis posted Tue, 17 January 2023 at 2:51 PM
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.
Giana posted Thu, 19 January 2023 at 11:53 AM
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??
brain1969 posted Fri, 20 January 2023 at 1:24 AM
I like the idea with the settings in the Profil ... great idea
RodS posted Fri, 20 January 2023 at 12:41 PM
I need coffee..... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 20 January 2023 at 2:46 PM Site Admin
@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.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Fri, 20 January 2023 at 3:25 PM
"Make it decaf....." ๐คฃ๐
Aw, c'mon Wolf, you're gonna spoil all my fun.... ๐คฃโ
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Sat, 21 January 2023 at 5:28 PM
Coffee...... Must have coffee....... ๐คฃ
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
DCArt posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 6:11 AM
On some of the stated points, I agree. If you think things have changed since 2009, it's even much different than in 2000 when I first joined. Back then there was no marketplaces. We all learned how to do things and experiment together, and things got shared in free stuff. That inspired people to learn more, and to do more. Definitely more of a team spirit.
There is still that, to some degree, but not as much as back in the early days. Nowadays, you can find most anything in the store and purchase products that do those things for you. So there isn't as much learning or collaboration.
On the gallery flooding, I have my frustrations as well on the amount of repetition, and I have my "pet peeve" list as well. LOL
it's a start to allow multiple images in a single post (like multiple renders of the same character, for example), but to that I would also suggest allowing it to be assigned to multiple genres. People AND Portraits AND Realism, for example. Instead of having to post in all three categories (because you don't know which one gets viewed most), you have one gallery thumbnail in What's New instead of three.
With these two things in place (multiple images in multiple genres), you might be able to limit the number of posts to one per day. Or maybe even three.
Giana posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 12:45 PM
to your point, Denise, this is why some folks i think do not understand why limiting the number of posts a day is a dead horse.
if i am limited to say 5 posts a day, i can still post at the very least 25+ images within those 5 posts BECAUSE of that lovely multi-image gallery option, so how would limiting me actually be limiting?
RodS posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 1:50 PM
Hi, Giana..
With that option not all 25 images would show up as thumbnails in the gallery. Just 5. All 25 would be there, still. I really like that multi image option - I've even used it a few times. ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
EVargas posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 2:14 PM
I agree with RodS, the multi image has its uses. There are cases where one wants to add a behind the scenes or render settings for example.
Also, the "Activity Feed" is a bless, I wish it has a grid layout similar to the galleries, like thumbnails side by side.
Wolfenshire posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 2:22 PM Site Admin
About the dead horse: Remember when you were a kid, and your mom said you could have two cookies, but you wanted four cookies, and so you argued and pestered her until your two cookies turned into zero cookies, and you found yourself sitting on the curb eating a piece of celery thinly smeared with peanut butter - and not the good peanut butter, the greasy, oily, store-brand peanut butter mom got on sale for $1.50. Yeah, it's like that. Instead of arguing about the two cookies that weren't going to turn into four cookies, you should have been arguing for a tall glass of Kool-Aid to wash your cookies down - but now all you got is a mouthful of sticky peanut butter, a nasty piece of celery, and the gross metallic-tasting water from the garden hose to wash down your disgusting snack.
The only problem I have with the multi-upload feature is there is only one description box for all the included images.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 2:36 PM
Ewww...
I do sometimes use that multi-image option for a BTS, or progress image.
Now, I'm gonna go dip my cookie in a nice cuppa java.. And do some writing / rendering... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 2:40 PM
@Rod
i guess i must be missing something here. i know that not all 25 images would generate 25 thumbs, but i'm not sure why that matters?
@Wolf
it's not that i don't understand the unmovable cement wall... i guess what i'm alluding to is that people have said that a lot of images these days look the same, just variations of a theme, i guess [that's if i understood it correctly]. and we have a multi-post option that maybe is under-utilised[?]. so truly my thought was if i just NEED to post a lot of images in one day, but i'm limited to how many posts per day, that Rendo has still provided me with a tool i can use to fulfill my need...
honestly, it was more just an observation/comment, and not taking another swing with my studded bat at the pretty pony...
here - have an apple instead ;)
Wolfenshire posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 2:57 PM Site Admin
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 3:10 PM
Speaking of TOS...... You might have a quick peek at a few "new images..." Whoooooo-eeeeeeee....." ๐ฒ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Sun, 22 January 2023 at 3:25 PM Site Admin
@Rods The New Art Gallery Mod is already going through them.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
hborre posted Mon, 23 January 2023 at 12:11 AM
Things are now getting out of hand in the gallery now.
https://www.renderosity.com/users/enxo69/gallery
RodS posted Mon, 23 January 2023 at 1:06 AM
Really.... Someone needs a lesson on the difference between art and porn.... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 23 January 2023 at 4:46 AM Site Admin
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Mon, 23 January 2023 at 12:21 PM
Will do. You're most welcome, Wolf! ๐๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 3:59 PM
someone just told me this, and i've just tested it myself, so i can confirm...
did you know that if you turn on your Nudity filter in your gallery preferences that it will even filter out your own artwork so you're unable to view it?
is there a way to make the filter exclude the user him/herself?
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 4:41 PM Site Admin
@giana
I'll pass that on, thanks.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 4:48 PM Site Admin
@giana
They have a question for you:
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 4:53 PM
Not only that, but it knocks your contest entries out if you tick that nudity thing, and your entry is right on the line..... Right, Wolf? ๐คฃ๐๐
Good one, Giana! ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Giana posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 4:57 PM
@Wolf
the former... i have 1 image in my gallery that has flagged nudity. if i turn on the gallery filter that essentially turns off visibility of gallery nudity, my own image disappears for me along with all other flagged nudity...
Giana posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 5:00 PM
ugh.. dunno quite what you're asking regarding the second scenario... but i'm assuming that turning off nudity period for the galleries means, as of now, ALL nudity regardless of origin... think it's simply all encompassing and omnipresent
Wolfenshire posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 5:02 PM Site Admin
@Rods Images in the contests that would require a content advisory can't be used, because we don't have the ability to place a content advisory on a contest image.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 5:11 PM
actually, i tell a lie... there is inconsistencies in regards to activity feed... you will always see nudity there as that has never been properly filtered from the start, fyi...
just tested it for that specifically, and these are the steps i took:
found a pic in the galleries w. nudity...
changed my profile to end seeing nudity...
went to the activity feed of the person w. the nude image...
viewing nudity on activity feed since gallery options don't prevail in that area of the site...
hope this makes sense
RodS posted Thu, 26 January 2023 at 5:40 PM
Actually, I was just giving Wolf a little good-natured rib poking... ๐
But yeah, I didn't think about that when I ticked the nudity box when I uploaded it to the gallery. My bad! LOL
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
CHMedia posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 9:13 AM
If you are testing please make sure you clear your cache after you toggle a feature. The browser may have the image cached.
Giana posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 11:08 AM
not a cache issue in terms of the Activity Feed...
steps taken:
logged in
found a random nude image
went to person's activity feed and bookmarked page
logged out
cleared cache
closed browser
opened browser
used bookmark without logging into the site at all
my results are captured below, and as you can see nudity is quite visible there. it's been this way from the start of the whole activity feed.
if i am logged out and IN the galleries, the nudes won't show, same as having the filter on in my prefs; however, Activity Feed does not follow the same rules - you still see whatever thumb was made for the galleries without any alert that there is nudity if the thumb itself is devoid of nudity. i'd assume it's the same for any of the gallery flagging features.. shrug...
CHMedia posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 2:14 PM
"went to person's activity feed and bookmarked page"
If you use the direct link you will still be able to view it.
Giana posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 3:55 PM
that is my point... glad you understand...
but just in case:
if i use no gallery filter for nudity, i see all nudity everywhere WHEN I AM LOGGED IN
if i turn the nudity filter on for the galleries, i see no nudity period EXCEPT in the activity feed WHEN I"M LOGGED IN
if i view things WHEN I"M LOGGED OUT, i still see nudity on activity feed, meaning no flags carry over to the activity feed area...
better yet, try this scenario...
i am a casual viewer of the site, maybe a member, maybe not. i am browsing not logged into the site, and i am at work. i see an image and am wanting to know more about the artist, so i hit that Profile link above the image i'm looking at [which has no nudity because i'm logged out and i can still see the image]
so, i've hit the profile link, which takes me to the page where the Activity Feed is, and suddenly, unwittingly, i'm at work looking at NSFW images.
which really sucks cause i'm actually on my lunch break, eating at my desk, etc., but my boss just happens to be walking by behind me and sees what's on my phone. whoopsie...
or the scenario could involve a younger person who is browsing the net, or a whole host of various circumstances - i mean pick your poison, so to speak
btw, i'm not complaining or finding fault. i personally have no monkey in this particular circus. i'm just trying to be helpful in the sense that this site has a ToS, has flags to filter out nudity, or violence, has Mods to enforce said ToS, etc., so it gives me the impression that Bondware is trying to be extremely user-friendly, and maybe even protecting its viewership/potential members/whoever, esp. when not logged in, and maybe when logged in as well. i'm just simply pointing out an area on the site that may, or may not, depending upon who you ask, seem a bit inconsistent...
change it or don't... shrug
edited to add: honestly i was just trying to answer Wolf's questions as thoroughly as i could
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 6:17 PM Site Admin
@giana
You're awesome and thorough, but I'm so confused now I don't remember the question... this is one of those 'who's on 2nd' things.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 6:39 PM
@Wolf
to be fair, you did not ask the question directly...
you said that TPTB had a question regarding how the nudity flag operates for the end user within the galleries, which i answered, but [I] was of the mind that maybe said PTB might also want to know about how flags, nudity/violence/etc. work across the site since the activity feed is directly, uh, fed via the galleries...
maybe they didn't want to know, or already know, or do, in fact, want to know... regardless, to be clear, it was me who opened the worm-can, not you... my bad
here, have another apple - wormless, btw... they're good for you :))
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 9:56 PM Site Admin
@Giana
Oh, I see now. So, that's how this got on the subject of flags. No, I was only clarifying why an image that would require a content advisory (the nudity, violence, or language tag) can't be submitted into the contest. It was a conversation that had bled over from sitemail when Rods brought it up here. I was only clarifying the answer I'd already sent in a sitemail because since Rods mentioned it again here, I thought perhaps he hadn't understood my sitemail answer.
However, you did discover some interesting things that will be passed to the devs. Good looking out.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 10:09 PM
Naw, I understood what you were saying, Wolf. I just wanted to give you a little poke in the ribs, bud. I know you don't get enough of that around here.... ๐คฃ I did make her change her nightie, and sent her back to the contest. She didn't want to change, but I told her I'd buy her a new nightie if I won. LOL
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Fri, 27 January 2023 at 10:15 PM Site Admin
@Rods
I saw it, all is good.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Sun, 29 January 2023 at 5:50 PM
Quick question...
In browsing the forums, I've run into several banners informing me "Heads Up! This user's messages are blocked from your view." These are from one particular person (I think you know who). It doesn't bother me, particularly, but I cannot find a setting to do this so I can return the favor, so to speak. Where might that setting be hiding? ๐
Thanks!
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
DCArt posted Sun, 29 January 2023 at 7:00 PM
Buttons at bottom of each post. Select a post by the user you want to ignore, and click this button here:
RodS posted Sun, 29 January 2023 at 8:46 PM
OK! Thank you muchly! Never used it for over 12 years, but now I have someone being a jackass so....... First time for everything I guess..
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Sun, 29 January 2023 at 8:54 PM
Nope. Didn't work. He has me locked out of anything he posts in the forums ("Heads Up! This user's messages are blocked from your view.") so I can't select a message from him to get the buttons at the bottom.. I want to block him from my messages as well.
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Crystalis posted Sun, 29 January 2023 at 9:50 PM
I can never figure out why a vendor from RMP would recommend this to someone . . . WOW!!!Buttons at bottom of each post. Select a post by the user you want to ignore, and click this button here:
RedPhantom posted Sun, 29 January 2023 at 10:11 PM Online Now! Site Admin
DCArt posted at 7:00 PM Sun, 29 January 2023 - #4454901No one was suggesting it. They were only explaining it since someone else had used it.I can never figure out why a vendor from RMP would recommend this to someone . . . WOW!!!Buttons at bottom of each post. Select a post by the user you want to ignore, and click this button here:
Available on Amazon for the Kindle E-Reader Monster of the North and The Shimmering Mage
Today I break my own personal record for the number of days for being alive.
Check out my store here or my free stuff here
I use Poser 13 and win 10
Darkglass posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 5:51 AM
It works both ways. If this individual has blocked you, you can't see there posts and they can't see your posts either. So you don't need to do the same, obviously if your off line you can read everything, only when your login will the block applyNope. Didn't work. He has me locked out of anything he posts in the forums ("Heads Up! This user's messages are blocked from your view.") so I can't select a message from him to get the buttons at the bottom.. I want to block him from my messages as well.
DCArt posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 5:57 AM
RedPhantom posted at 10:11 PM Sun, 29 January 2023 - #4454913
Crystalis posted at 9:50 PM Sun, 29 January 2023 - #4454911Correct. 8-)DCArt posted at 7:00 PM Sun, 29 January 2023 - #4454901No one was suggesting it. They were only explaining it since someone else had used it.I can never figure out why a vendor from RMP would recommend this to someone . . . WOW!!!Buttons at bottom of each post. Select a post by the user you want to ignore, and click this button here:
And for the record, it's very easy to click that button by mistake, so if you can't figure out why you're getting that message it may be you accidentally hit it. In that case you click that same button to "un ignore"
hborre posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 7:09 AM
But this is not a commonly known feature. Right now, I'm on 2 individuals' s__tlist for no reason that I can think of.
DCArt posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 7:19 AM
Yeah, like I said, it's really easy to click that button by mistake. That's initially how I found out where it was, because I accidentally clicked it once. All of a sudden I saw blue bars and couldn't figure out where they came from. LOLBut this is not a commonly known feature. Right now, I'm on 2 individuals' s__tlist for no reason that I can think of.
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 8:03 AM Site Admin
I don't have that button on my screen, so can't experiment with it. Are you saying you don't get any kind of warning/confirmation dialog when you push it? If so, I can pass that on to the devs, because that seems like something that should be added.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
DCArt posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 8:12 AM
Wolfenshire posted at 8:03 AM Mon, 30 January 2023 - #4454925
Here's what happens in my case.I don't have that button on my screen, so can't experiment with it. Are you saying you don't get any kind of warning/confirmation dialog when you push it? If so, I can pass that on to the devs, because that seems like something that should be added.
Sometimes if I'm not sure how to answer a question re Poser, I click the third button (Copy Link) and send the link to someone on the dev team or whatever. But I miss and click the fourth button (Ignore User). I just tried to test it on you but you have POWER, you can't be ignored LOL
So I temporarily tried it on someone else. And no, there is no warning. You just get a message that you have successfully ignored the user. There is a link in that blue bar to "unignore the user"
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 8:26 AM Site Admin
So a confirmation box that pops up to cancel unintentional presses of the button would be useful.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
DCArt posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 8:30 AM
Wolfenshire posted at 8:26 AM Mon, 30 January 2023 - #4454928
Yeah, but maybe a little more than that. Because I wasn't aware until this came up that it hides YOUR posts from the other user also. So how about this?So a confirmation box that pops up to cancel unintentional presses of the button would be useful.
"Ignoring a user will hide all posts from that user in the forums. The user will also not be able to see your posts. Do you want to continue"? And then click Yes or OK, or Cancel.
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 8:55 AM Site Admin
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
antony1 posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 11:18 AM
"I don't want you to see my arguments, opinions or thoughts in a discussion and I don't wanna see yours". It feels like being in a kindergarten.
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 12:26 PM Site Admin
It's no different from any other social media site with a block feature. If a person is trolling, being a nuisance, or intentionally trying to derail a subject, but not necessarily breaking the tos, and we have plenty of those, you block them - you have no obligation to listen to them. They can still talk, you just don't want to hear whatever they're saying, and for many reasons. They have a right to free speech, and I have a right not to hear it.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
antony1 posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 12:55 PM
@Wolfenshire, you are right, but it is still sad.
RodS posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 12:56 PM
Right on, Wolf. ๐
OK, so at some point I must have chosen to ignore that particular person, and just don't remember doing it. My memory retention is like 15 seconds. Getting old is a PITA. LOL I really like DC's idea about the dialogue box for that button.
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
RodS posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 12:57 PM
Of course, all one has to do is log out, then come back to the Forum, and read whatever you want to. ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
DCArt posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 1:02 PM
I just blame it on bad eyes. heheheheheRight on, Wolf. ๐
OK, so at some point I must have chosen to ignore that particular person, and just don't remember doing it. My memory retention is like 15 seconds. Getting old is a PITA. LOL I really like DC's idea about the dialogue box for that button.
RodS posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 2:05 PM
LOL! Same here, DC! ๐๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 3:15 PM Site Admin
Just for the record, I passed the block button discussion of the general conscious pertaining to the recent discussion as follows:
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
Giana posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 3:23 PM
not sure this is a viable suggestion, and i wrote it in the Writer's Forum in response to allowing writers a way to have an album that contains a story and how it might be better presented to the end user/reader.
pasting it here since Wolf just stated that this is thread he'll be monitoring for ideas.
my suggestion:
in terms of an album type idea, couldn't something be worked out/coded where the OP has a backroom type control that allows him/her to maybe tick radio buttons to designate the order/flow of something?
for example, i have two chapters of something. Chapter 1 is set as priority 1 via the radio button assignment for sorting; Chapter 2 is assigned the number 2 slot.
but now i've reworked, or added something to my Chapter 1 separately. so i upload, assign it the number 2 slot, and move/assign my Chaper 2 to my 3 slot...
edited to add: essentially the post in the galleries still stays in its uploaded position so Mods can review for ToS, but within the album, it can be sorted for presentation by the writer
Wolfenshire posted Mon, 30 January 2023 at 4:54 PM Site Admin
@Giana
Excellent idea - better control over the albums.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
DocMikeB posted Tue, 14 February 2023 at 12:10 PM
I am very late to the party but I'd like to share my thoughts.
I started lurking Renderosity gallery as guest in 2002 and I became a member in 2007.
I am no longer active as I used to be until 2014-2015 but I still log at least twice a month and once in a while I upload a freebie.
Many smaller forums unfortunately are gone but this place is still a community and the admins are trying to keep it alive.
And it's the home of Poser, one of my favorite tools, together with 3dsMax.
I was very glad when the owners of Renderosity purchased it from Smith Micro and saved it from stagnation or death.
They are actively developing it (Poser 13 will come soon) and listening to our requests and feedback. We still have an alternative to DAZ.
About the site... the growing flood of low effort AI generated "art" is concerning, of course.
I wonder if some of that stuff (including the occasional very explicit picture, quickly removed*) is posted by spammers or bots.
I am not an hater of AI in general (as tool has some interesting potential), but I totally understand the complaints made by many artists.
It's very unpleasant to know that someone will use your creations to generate AI "art" (often NSFW) without your consent,
Probably a daily limit of 3 or 5 pictures for user could improve the overall quality of gallery content.
One word about freebies. Don't take me wrong.
I never judge a free item from its complexity o with an "elitist" attitude.
A gift is a gift.
Anyway... a lower daily limit could be useful in that section as well.
People who wants to share photos of walls, fractals or AI generated textures could group them (a 20 pics pack instead of 20 pics).
Image flooding apart, there are other problems as well.
I noticed that very few 3d modelers are actively posting in the galleries.
In late 2000s and early 2010s the site was full of character creators, architects, car designers.
I have no simple solutions to offer, just an idea.
Maybe 3D modeling contests could bring back some of them?
Thanks for your attention, Good day to everyone!
P.S.
Renderosity, thanks to moderators, is still a relatively safe harbor.
EClark1894 posted Tue, 14 February 2023 at 1:47 PM
For the record, I'm not being ignored, the box says that I have the user on ignore. Except I don't. I don't really ignore anyone. Anyway, I stopped posting to the Official Poser Forum because it seems like one of the moderators there doesn't like me very much. Whenever i post something, most likely it will get deleted, so why bother posting?
RodS posted Tue, 14 February 2023 at 4:45 PM
Hey, DocMikeB! Good to see you're still here!
I sooooooo agree with you on the daily upload limit, and the floods of AI "art." And yes - Renderosity buying Poser is the best thing that's happened to it since it hit the market. I'm up to version 12, and it's great - looking forward to P-13. Lots of positive energy and things happening here. And you're right on about the 'safe harbor' observation.
I'm hoping to get my DS system upgraded and working again, as I enjoy using both.
Hope you have a great day as well! ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
CHMedia posted Thu, 23 February 2023 at 11:22 AM
Please continue to post to the Poser Official Forum. Let me know if you have any other concerns like this.For the record, I'm not being ignored, the box says that I have the user on ignore. Except I don't. I don't really ignore anyone. Anyway, I stopped posting to the Official Poser Forum because it seems like one of the moderators there doesn't like me very much. Whenever i post something, most likely it will get deleted, so why bother posting?
terry0 posted Sat, 11 March 2023 at 1:47 PM
lol
hi kids....
I was chafing at how I was unable to 'like' a post and send encouragement for taking the time to add thoughts to the conversation or to start a dialogue.
So I chafed several times and then like in so many forums and sites I realised I could simply follow the poster. I started thinking of how to build out form that because hundreds and hundreds of people can simply follow someone so what I need is a *** way to use my 'following' list to 'see' those I follow ***.
In another well meaning but built from ideological scratch site the DM's are totally absent as are other 'features' of robust chatting I simply made a list of all those who liked my posts and did a clumsy "@" list workaround for something I wanted people to notice or to chime in on. As the follows went up people asked to be removed because they saw things several times :) Now I might tag a couple of interested parties.
I'm afraid there is also a ratio - 1/10/100/1000 etc of participation by users.
Anyway, away for five years, complete n00b again, but have my purchases and Poser 12 upgrade, lost my old files (I think I may have missing drives (did I ever tell you the story about dumping my water through the top of my computer while it was running).
Wolfenshire posted Sat, 11 March 2023 at 6:17 PM Site Admin
@terry0
To see gallery posts by those you follow, click on your name in the top right corner, then click on activity feed. Now you see all the current gallery posts of those you are following.
To follow a forum thread, click on the blue subscribe button at the top of the page.
You can also turn on notifications in your settings to receive email notifications, though I personally find that floods my email to the point of rendering my email useless. I find it easier to just come check my activity feed when I have time to leave comments.
Wolfenshire, Moderator/Community Leader
RodS posted Tue, 21 March 2023 at 6:25 PM
I just went to the "new art" section. For today (03-21), I counted 11 AI images by the same person - who does this on a daily basis. Surprisingly, I didn't see the usual daily flood of promotional images from RGM. Yet.
I'm wondering how long it's going to be until there's no room at all for non-AI or non-promotional art or artists. I sure miss the Renderosity of only a few years ago. ๐ข"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
ladylake posted Tue, 21 March 2023 at 8:15 PM
Coming in to comment but I am ducking cause I don't want to be hit with rotten tomatoes/etc. As I am sure you all know, I am one of those "awful" AI people. I have to admit that when I first discovered AI it was so exciting that I overdid the posting of images. Didn't take long though, that I realized that I was posting too many ,so have been, for some time, posting three a day. If the brass decides that that amount is too many I will abide by that. :-) Right now I believe the limit is 5 per hour which is a lot of images.
But to be fair, there are several that are posting some of their images that are AI or mostly AI and putting it under Prime Members Gallery, Mixed Medium, Other Apps, Deep Dream Generator/etc. RodS, you mentioned that today someone posted 11 images. Well, yesterday, someone posted a lot of images with the same face and almost the same clothes and put it under the heading Other Apps. I am not saying the images were under the wrong heading, only that it is a lot of images with almost the same content. I thought that was the reason for the extra images you could add under that main post. Guess a catchy title is all it takes.
Anyway, I understand some of you don't like AI, that is your right. But I also understand that there many using it and many more everyday that are trying it out. It is here to stay. Surely we can be adult enough to get along and not block people we disagree with or tell others not to comment other's images. I comment on many images I like and I don't stop to think "how was this made" before I post the comment. I post because I like it or am interested in what it is saying/etc.
Sorry so long winded.
WendyLuvsCatz posted Wed, 22 March 2023 at 12:21 AM
Crystalis posted at 9:50 PM Sun, 29 January 2023 - #4454911interesting that I can still read blockers when quoted by othersDCArt posted at 7:00 PM Sun, 29 January 2023 - #4454901No one was suggesting it. They were only explaining it since someone else had used it.I can never figure out why a vendor from RMP would recommend this to someone . . . WOW!!!Buttons at bottom of each post. Select a post by the user you want to ignore, and click this button here:
RodS posted Wed, 22 March 2023 at 12:59 PM
Hi, Ladylake. Hey, all my tomatoes are fresh, so they'll go in the salad, and not become projectiles... LOL
Folks like you are NOT the problem - and you're not "awful" in any way. And I guess it's not really a problem - it's just a little irritating to see anywhere from 10 - 30 images that are essentially the same (as you pointed out) because it takes almost no time at all to generate an image with AI. And yes... There IS a category for AI. So folks, post your AI stuff there. And please don't flood the galleries with it. Please. And thank you.
Have fun with your AI - I've played with it a little bit with one of the freebie web-based apps (I'm not paying MidJourney or any others), and it's fun, but I can't see doing something like TNA with an AI app. ๐
'Nuff said. I'll go back to my little corner now.... ๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
CHMedia posted Tue, 28 March 2023 at 9:42 AM
Just wanted to pop in there to say that in order to address gallery flooding we now only allow 8 items a day to be uploaded. You can upload several images per item. Each item is now 10 Render Rewards Points rather than 3.
@RodS: I guess we put the dead horse to rest or revived it? I'm not sure but thank you for your suggestions.
RodS posted Tue, 28 March 2023 at 12:48 PM
You are more than welcome! Both of these changes are excellent! ๐๐ I think we can lay that horse to rest with full military honors.... Thank you so much, and thank you to all for all your hard work and ideas / suggestions. ๐๐๐๐
"I reject your reality and substitute my own" - Adam Savage
DocMikeB posted Tue, 28 March 2023 at 7:16 PM
CHMedia posted at 9:42 AM Tue, 28 March 2023 - #4459774
Thank you for listening to our feedback.Just wanted to pop in there to say that in order to address gallery flooding we now only allow 8 items a day to be uploaded. You can upload several images per item. Each item is now 10 Render Rewards Points rather than 3.
@RodS: I guess we put the dead horse to rest or revived it? I'm not sure but thank you for your suggestions.
Items containing several pictures are very useful, mini-galleries... I have used one about one year ago.
Photos from Bologna (dedicated to Richardphotos). by DocMikeB (renderosity.com)
Perfect for AI generated pictures too... with one item you can showcase many variants of the same prompt.
"Full body portrait of Scarlett Johansson wearing Star Trek star fleet uniform and eating pizza in a space station".