Excess unused Forums?

[Engel47]

Do you think that we have too many forums? There are several forums that are hardly ever used, and have very few threads.
Do you think we need to get rid of some of these redundant forums but perhaps add others?

What I mean is the following, for instance:

Modelling Forum - last post 29th July 05 - in the last year just 3 threads
Texturing Forum - last post 17th June 05 - in the last year 9 threads
Lighting Forum - last post 14th Jan 05 - in the last year 3 threads
Carrera Forum - last post 29 April 05 - in the last year just 1 thread.
Rhino Forum - Last post 1st March 05 - in the last year just 1 thread
Maya Forum - last post 9th Feb 05 - in the last year 3 threads
Cinema 4D Forum - Last post 6th Apr 06 in the last year 9 threads.

So what do you reckon - are there some forums that we can live without - and on the other hand are there forums you would like to see added - and that you will use :love:

[ppetersen]

Good idea!!! Maybe replacing with ones that hold tutorials, that way folks can share what they have if they are so inclined like those in the TG forums... I tried to get some tuts going, but it's been hellish at work, :) september is the toughest month of the school year.

[classylady]

I would think some are not used often some don't even have a Moderator for.some that do aren't used much either. But I also don't believe that is the reason why people don't participate in the forums, most people don't participate for one reason or another, some just don't have the time to visit the forums and post in the gallery and comment in the same day some people its just as simple as a language problem, some are to shy to comment in forums.......

I think getting rid of these or combing them with another forum would be a good idea. Myself I like the idea of combing some of them.. If you take an average of what programs are used and combine from there you'll have a better idea on what forums do we need


. So the next question is what are the programs used the most, Poser, Vue,Fractals, Fine Art, Terragen, Bryce, Animations not many are used,Photography also so combining some would cut down on all the forum.


However I still don't believe that is the problem as to why people don't use the forums. I do not feel the forums are hard to use this site is very easy compared to many others. I think if any thing sure get rid of those not being used then put something out to incourage people to use the forums more if no increase is shown in those that are left say give it a month if not much has gone one start combining forums

Poser should stay alone
Vue, Terragen and Bryce maybe together
Fractals, Animations, Photography Together
Fine Arts, Photoshop and Paintshop together

just suggestions nothing more or just examples nothing more

gosh I just don't know the answer but to me it boils down how do we get more people to participate in the forums........????

Sure get rid of those not being used.... :hug:

Another quick point here then I'll leave it , we all know any site has the same problems with people participating in the forums most people #1 are post and leaves then comes post in gallery and comment in gallery, #3 most of the forums are used during a challenge the most. so how do you turn that around when we have a language problem with probably 40% of the members. that maybe high I'm just guessing..... but language is a problem ..

Another suggestion you can get a translation put here on the site example Alta Vista Bable Fish, it may not be the best one but it is free. We have it listed on each page of our site , it is just a script easy to put on each page if necessary. You may have another one in mind :hug:

[classylady]

Good idea!!! Maybe replacing with ones that hold tutorials, that way folks can share what they have if they are so inclined like those in the TG forums... I tried to get some tuts going, but it's been hellish at work, :) september is the toughest month of the school year.



Good idea Pat, we could also have one for links only. So when people do what to check anything out they all go to on link area. oops sorry hit edit instead of quote...

[wile1]

I'm in total agreement, we should get rid of some. They are not used and I think you could classify some programs in a general category for them, like paint programs or modeling programs etc.

Poser, Vue, Bryce, Traditional, Fractal, And Terragen are the main used programs here. But I've seen lightwave and cinama3d etc. but truthfully they could be categorized as Modelling. And you could put Vue, Bryce and Terragen into one category, landscapes although a lot of people use Vue and Bryce for other things, so that wouldn't be fesible.

My choices for forums would be Poser, Bryce, Vue, Traditional Art, Fractal, Terragen, Modeling, Photography

[Mikan]

I agree with the choices of the lady who lives On a chair in a living room somewhere :D, but, in the same time, we cannot forget that some of members are using those programs that we want to close their forums...we should probably gather some of them as carolyn specified earlier and, in this situation we'll have few moderators on a single united forum; obviously, the moderators will respect each territory and they won't put their boots where they don't belong!
I have to agree with the language barrier for a lot of members, but since the english language is the easiest one to learn, well - in time - everybody will know enough to commmunicate their thoughts/opinions on a given theme/thread.
I think I gotta do smth with the song from my stomach, 'cause I'm kinda :hungry: ! I think I'll start with an ice-cream! :boogie:

[Engel47]

Hmmmm, combining forums might not be such a good idea. A while back we combined Terragen and Artmatic, it was not much of a success and we ended splitting them again. Individual forums seem to be the best bet. BUT do we leave them as they are, or do we get rid of some of the unused ones and add others?

[AnnaKirsten]

There are always going to be drawbacks, no matter what is done. I do agree that the forums that have not been used for over 6 months, and particularly those with only a couple of threads in them in any case (shown above), should perhaps be closed. However, a lot of stuff could come under 2D, 3D, Fractal, Photography and Traditional Art/or Fine Art (I'm not quite sure how wide a scope Trad/Fine Art contains though, for instance, does it incorporate Mixed Media?)

One other observation I feel I want to make and that is (yes I know I spoke of this before and so did Carolyn) that I see no challenges for art that is mixed medium, unless someone is pressed into doing one specifically? We have the monthly Fractal, Poser, TG, etc., or maybe even Fine Art, and too often it seems these challenges are either program-specific or medium-specific, saying no postwork, or just seem to eliminate people who's artforms are specifically mixed medium? OK, MM could come under 2D perhaps? But even that would eliminate elements of the use of 3D proggies with use of 2D ones. I am still all for having a mixed medium section and forum, with its own moderator and its own challenges. (Just to clarify, I was unable to take part in the Greecian one as I was either going away or actually was away, so just didn't get the time as it also required some thought on my part!!!)

(Forgive me, but I'm still unsure what the collaboration section is? :imslow: The impression I have is that this is art that is carried out by more than one person to create one image? If so, this is different to one person using several media to create an image, i.e. mixed medium.)

Hey, at least we aren't getting some people spending hours and hours complaining and moaning about aspects of the way things are run here! (Ooops maybe I just did appear to, but it honestly isn't a moan, just an attempt at getting some clarification, and to extend some challenges and focus into another area. lol!)

There are, as I think most of us know, some art sites where, instead of getting on with their creativity, people are bickering and biting each other behind their backs because of things they don't like. :duel: I'd hate to see that creep into here...

I do hope some of this is of some help?

[AnnaKirsten]

Sorry, Me again! Just had a thought...

Would it be possible for a description of what is intended or meant to be included, to be added under the headings of some of the forums, or even some of the art sections? I just noticed under the "Pub" one that there's a description, and it brought it to mind as a possibly constructive idea.

__________________________

UM.. Just editing this to let you know that the very funny thing is that the one in question that I now see hasn't a description under it is in fact......

Collaborator's Corner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :chorus:

[Rumour]

I don't mind if the Lighting, Texturing and Modelling forums are combined either into one or merged with others... Say 3d Setup for lack of any better title. Or just a General 3d. If mods of other forums don't mind being merged together, I don't see any reason why we shouldn't do it. I will raise one point though for people to ponder:

Why are the forums listed out into individual programs?

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but it's something to consider, the reasoning behind the set-up in the first place. If it's not working, sure fine, change it, but consider first will grouping make more people visit them? Are we trying to cover too much by having so many forums, and will we be restricting ourselves if we start lumping things together. Where do you draw the line between some programs if it can be lumped with landscapes for example, as well as I don't know, something else? Is one forum to cover 5 (for eg.) different programs too much, about right, not enough? Will it make it more, or less confusing for people to find the help they need? Do we want to be seen to promote a few programs over others because other programs don't rate having their own separate forums? These and other ideas I will leave you to muse upon, because when you change something, it's important to know why it was there in the first place, be clear about what we want to achieve and be reasonably certain that the way we go about it will achieve those results.

As a totally out of whack suggestion, has anyone considered having a poll?
Do you visit IT: a) to post art. b) to post art and get help with stuff c) to belong to a great art site, d) because I like seeing my name on screen... e) just to chat f) to vote in silly polls...

@ AnnaKirsten: Collaboration section is where 2 or more people can contribute to creating an image and both have share of the kudos. And your suggestion for a short description is a good one. As soon as I can think what to put for the others (and we've decided what the other forums are to be) we'll sort out how to incorporate it.

[AnnaKirsten]

AnnaKirsten: Collaboration section is where 2 or more people can contribute to creating an image and both have share of the kudos.

I had a feeling this was the case. This means to me all the more importance of a recognition of mixed media as a section in its own right, for its own events etc. Not necessarily as a separate section in which to post art, but as a place for discussion about techniques of mixing media, and to produce its own challenges etc. Unless, of course, Fine Art, or Tradition Art covers this practice? (Again needs clarification.)

It seems sad that mixing media seems to be classified as one or another specific program having been used with loads of postwork, when I for one, often set out with the full intention of using several media, including fractals, scenery, Poser figures etc. to create an image. This usually means that I see no specific events for this kind of work.

I suppose the equivalent in non-digital work is when an artist employs use of Acrillic as well as Oils, having most likely started off with a pencil drawing, and so on. Is that picture then classified as Acrillic or Oil painting?

Perhaps we need to consider both types of artists - those who only feel they have achieved something well by use of only one medium, which means use of lots of clever techniques and precision within that program which are very time-consuming, and then those who feel they achieve a really great image from using several media in order to achieve it with ease and probably far more quickly?

Re: Having a Poll.. I can tell you now that I visit the site in order to look at beatiful art and to comment on the images that draw me to them, and also to post my own images in the hopes of receiving feedback. I also look for friendship and to reciprocate it. The use of forums for me is usually when I need to know something about how to use an aspect of a proggie, maybe to help someone else out, and also to find out about challenges etc.

My experience of running other sites (not art ones) has been that use of forums always dips hugely when there are other means of communication, such as IM or a chat room. I currently run an MSN group for people with chronic illness, and we now only use the forums (basically because we encountered some very nasty difficulties inside the chat room). Similarly to here, there were several forums that rarely got posted to, and I do tend to cull those out after about 6 months of non-use, although if there has been something really important said on one of them, I will move that to a better used forum (actually in MSN circles they are called discussion boards lol).

Can I just say in favour of IT.. It's a great art site, and it's really nice to be able to go through the gallery and hopefully not miss out on anyone's wonderful art that we particularly get drawn to, whereas some of the very large sites make this an impossibility. I like it here, and find it most friendly! :worship:

[classylady]

Maybe with a poll you'll be able to tell exactly how many will particpate in it, that will be about the same ones who will visit the forums .. I still say get rid of those not being used and go with what Lou Ann said basically it is leaving the rest as they are with a few minor changes. I certainly don't mind sharing a forum. Since most of the forums are basically used for challenges information accept link and those can be put into a link section....

I think the bottom line here is still how do we get people in to the forums to particate more?? Combing may confuse more people on the other hand may be it won't ...... yet look at what is under my sigature and look so far who has come in here to speak up .. May be a news letter sent out to everyone would get more idea in here :meditate:

[Engel47]

Sorry, Me again! Just had a thought...

Would it be possible for a description of what is intended or meant to be included, to be added under the headings of some of the forums, or even some of the art sections? I just noticed under the "Pub" one that there's a description, and it brought it to mind as a possibly constructive idea.

__________________________

UM.. Just editing this to let you know that the very funny thing is that the one in question that I now see hasn't a description under it is in fact......

Collaborator's Corner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :chorus:
Forum descriptions added :reading:

[AnnaKirsten]

Gee that was quick! Thanks for letting us know....!

[Engel47]

Just call me Lightning http://smilies.sofrayt.com/fsc/computer2.gif........http://smilies.sofrayt.com/^/aiw/laugh.gif

[wile1]

If I call you lightening are you gonna zap me??? :D

I think some of the forums could be combined well into like general class forums. General art general information type things. Whatever ya'll decide is fine with me. :)

[ron0946]

Carrera, Rhino, Maya, C4D could go in to others as a sticky in 3d apps...
Painter, Coreldraw and Photopaint, Photoshop and Paintshop could go into others in 2d tools.....
That would cut the main form index in half or close to it as it looks like those are probly to least used of the forums...

[ppetersen]

I like the idea of putting the photoshop (I don't know how to use or use it myself) along with PSP and other 2d enhancing programs into one. As I do use PSP to enhance or work on my hand art, this is a perfect idea.

As for mixed mediums, I use on occasion as in Terragen and my sketches, not often yet as I'm still learning TG but getting there :) Also I incorporate on occasion Sinedots in the framing of...

So that would I guess go in Mixed Medium... :) ehehe...

[AnnaKirsten]

So now we have KuTa running the Photoshop forum, is the PSP one going to be incorporated in that, so it becomes Photoshop/PSP forum? Or should that remain separate, and if so, who's the moderator of it? (I definitely wouldn't like to see that disappear!)

[Engel47]

So now we have KuTa running the Photoshop forum, is the PSP one going to be incorporated in that, so it becomes Photoshop/PSP forum? Or should that remain separate, and if so, who's the moderator of it? (I definitely wouldn't like to see that disappear!)
That forum - PSP - is one of the forums with no moderator :cries: No one wanted that one :community - Not sure if they should be incorporated into one forum though :exclaim:

[wile1]

How about grouping some forums into one category, such as Painter, PSP, PS Coral etc which are paint programs basically, under a category as PAINT Forum, then maybe some like Terragen, bryce mojo world etc under Terrain makers, Then have Fractal, Poser whIch btw I can't think of anything it could go into unless it would be classified as a 3D program along with other 3D modelers. Anyway you get the idea.

[Rumour]

Some of the more heavily used forums would get too confusing if put into a category with another. Keeping track of which threads related to Poser and which with other 3D apps would be a headache! Not everyone write clearly defined subject lines for a thread. So let's see which forums get the most use, and leave those as the are decide how to categorise the rest. the paint programs could be put together fairly easily though, we'd just have to say this is where you can ask questions about PS, PSP, Corel, Painter... etc.

Perhaps the Modelling, Lighting and Texturing forums could become something like 3D Creation?, where you can submit general questions about how to create the right lighting and textures... dumb name but I can't think of a better one to cover them all except for General 3D. They don't get used hardly ever at all except by me, so maybe they should be dropped entirely?

Those forums that've got hardly any threads or people posting in the last 30 days to few months should be merged - but the 3d ones - cautiously. And by that I mean, don't put a 3D app in a group with other ones that do terrain for eg, if that app is also good at something else. I don't know enough about some of the programs to know what they can do, but I do know that ones like Max, Maya, Lightwave, Cinema 4D and erm, maybe Rhino are pretty much all purpose programs that can do many things.

Um, I think that's me for now.

[Robert_S]

Hi all here,

after reading most of the last postings I will tell something of my ideas. Combining the 3D-Forums are a good idea. Maya and 3ds Max are high-end modeling programs and Cinema 4D (a german product) is right behind but the price what I like. Rhino is the best (and only) nurbs-modeler (using Non-uniform-rational-b-splines); Maya and Max have NURBS modelling too (in Max it is a nearly forgotten section, in Maya a good aspect beside spline-, subsurface- and polygone modeling... Cinema 4D is a realy good polygon- and spline-modeler with a function called Hypernurbs to smooth faces like using nurbs; Max has modifiers doing the same in a better controlled way.

Beside the above mentioned programs are programs like Silo, Modo, Amapi, Hexagon, Lightwave, XSI being not so expensive. Blender and Wings 3D are freeware and for me hard to use... Shade is the japanese '3ds Max' running at this moment over europe and the rest of the world - the interface has some strange aspects.

Putting them all together in one 3D-General Forum would be all right for me. I know different forums for this programs and I think that most people are using Max and Cinema 4D; some are using Silo and Modo (and other) but only for the beginning modeling process - the killer application Photoshop is used nearly everywhere people want to texture their meshes (what you can see because Max, Cinema and others can read the Photoshop file or can produce a multipass-render in photoshop-layer-like style). PSP is not so expensive (I know times it was just freeware) and has most of the important functions to do some postwork with renderfiles or painted images.

The landscape-programs like Terragen, Vue, Bryce and maybe other can form another forum.

Fractal programs like Apophysis, Fractal Designer or XenoDream fit together.

ZBrush is a outstanding 2.5/3D program (at this moment I'm the only Moderator of the german ZBrush site... a hard job too) - for this program I don't know a special section because of the hybrid kind of it.

Painting programs like the genial Painter and the outstanding PD pro (former dogwaffle) are the digital-art sisters from Photoshop and Painter now works very well with Photoshop using nearly the same layer technique.


Fine Art has to be fine art I think and should form a seperate forum like the digital art programs. The contests are imo one of the best ways to get people using this fantastic website and this has to be mentioned in a better way (maybe direct on the homepage of IT). The way to combine programs in creating artwork is today normal like the postprocess with a program like Photoshop and should be allowed nearly all the time.
A tutorial section would be fine too because many users wanna know more about different aspects creating a artwork - step-by-step tutorials are most wanted everywhere.

So, this are a few thoughts of mine - sorry for my bad english.

[wile1]

The whole thing is .. its not so much having several forums in one category you rather do that here now. What you have is a category and you list the programs that are in it. Thats fine... What is happening though is .. and from my observations.. that most of these forums go unused because there aren't many users using them as programs.

If you look at the art work here you will find.. Fractals, Poser, Bryce, Terragen, Vue, Xenodreams, PSP, PS, Painter on occasion and other various fractal programs that are being used. Occasionally 3dmax or some other modeling program. But they are rare.

So technically the art here is done on very few programs and a lot of unused space is being taken up. Putting all fractal programs into one lump category.. fractals.. Putting terrain programs... paint programs .. that all kinda works together.

If someone has a paint question in painter or coral or psp etc. someone will know the answer. same with fractal.

Honestly its early morning Im sick don't mind me! LOL it just seems to me theres to much wasted space in programs topics that are not used.

[vos]

Your english is very good,Robert!!!

[classylady]

I hate to even comment because I do not want to offend anyone here, but here goes ......for one all fractal programs are already into one..However Xenodream is in question as to if it is a fractal program or not along with Apophysis. there has been a highly disputed controversy for a long time, same as in Bryce making a fractal in it or rendering one in Bryce as beautiful as many can be none are considered a true fractal program...and why aren't they considered a true fractal program simple there is no trueMathematical equations Algorthiums used, true a form of one is used in apo , so yes you are going to see a lot posted under fractals again as for those forums that are hardly used or even visted does make sense to combine a few of them. as Wile1 said combining some would be a plus , getting rid of some would also be a plus. Plus she is right, most posted here are Fractals, Poser Terragen and Photography, along with Bryce and fine art and so I believe keep the forums of those mostly used.

[kansas]

Maybe being a senior is my problem! But I find it rather difficult to find my way through all the forums. It is difficult to find just whatever I'm looking for. There seems to be a lot of overlap between forums.

I think there should be one forum where ALL CHALLENGES are listed. It would be a central place to find out about every new and current challenge. And the winners could be posted here also.

I posted this in the "Other" forum also. How does one decide which forum is the correct one to post this in?

[wile1]

Thats exactly it its very confusing!! Where do you post a question about using paint brushes in paint programs when you have several paint program forums? Generalize seems to be the key!

And Let me add here.. I belong to a fourm site similar to this.. I have belonged to it for years. It is defintely not as confusing as this site is. And its almost identical!

First off.. It has a General category.. In it the forums that are listed are the general forums most people post to. In their case, POV, World Issues, Spherites, and a couple more, umm Fan Fic and General topics.

Next they list all the Star Trek shows in one category called Star Trek.. all the shows forums are there.

Then General Sci Fi.. which includes forums on all other sci fi shows.

Then it goes down to like Rod's place, Writings etc. But the most used topics are listed under General.

Each Cateogroy, General for instance and its forums. each forum has its threads.. Threads that have not been used in 20 days are moved to page two etc. So the main threads that are being posted on are always on page one. As someone posts the thread moves to the top of the lists.. On the threads the date of the last post and poster shows, doesn't say TODAY says 10/10/05 .. So... Why can't this Board which is almost the same as that one be easier to use and more condensed?

[Engel47]

Maybe being a senior is my problem! But I find it rather difficult to find my way through all the forums. It is difficult to find just whatever I'm looking for. There seems to be a lot of overlap between forums.

I think there should be one forum where ALL CHALLENGES are listed. It would be a central place to find out about every new and current challenge. And the winners could be posted here also.

I posted this in the "Other" forum also. How does one decide which forum is the correct one to post this in?
Fair point - but I think if you are using PSP and have a question about brushes that is related to PSP then ask it there, but if the brushes you use are in Photoshop then ask in the photoshop forum!! Program specific.

As to the challenge listings I think this is a good idea. How about if we use the Announcement forum? Still means you will have to go into that forum and check the threads though :love:

[kansas]

Yes, please put ALL CHALLENGES and WINNERS in an ANNOUNCEMENTS/CHALLENGES forum.

Wile1 has some good suggestions. I wish the newest posts in the forums would appear first instead of having to go to the last page.

I thought of a few other things last evening but haven't the time now.

CU all later.

[classylady]

It can Marion just change the way you want to read a thread in a forum I believe its done in your edit area. Oh darn I can't think without seeing it exactly what to do.. where it says ascending or descending choose , choose the opposite of the way it is now.

Hope that helps I am sure if I am incorrect someone will surely correct me..

Have a great day and Congrats :)

Okay go to your control panel settings, it is listed under Edit Options then go down to Thread Display options mode change it to Linear

that should do it

[AnnaKirsten]

Yes that's correct - it's at the BOTTOM of the page to the left. You'll see it there, Ascending or Descending with a button to click on. Er.. Look there before opening any strings though, or you won't see it! lol!

[Engel47]

@Kansas - On the grey bar at the top of the page - Click on "User CP" (User Control Panel) then on the left of the page in the "Settings and Options" click on "Edit Options" scroll down to "Thread Display Options" and then choose from "linear - Oldest First" or "Linear - Newest first". You can also choose how many posts per page you prefer to see and you can also specify a time period, so threads older than, say 1 month, won't show, you can even set it to show that days threads. Hope this helps :boogie:

[Engel47]

Yes, please put ALL CHALLENGES and WINNERS in an ANNOUNCEMENTS/CHALLENGES forum.

Wile1 has some good suggestions. I wish the newest posts in the forums would appear first instead of having to go to the last page.

I thought of a few other things last evening but haven't the time now.

CU all later.

OK an announcement has been made to all the moderators and from November 1st a new thread will be opened each month in the Announcements Forum and all challenges will listed in that thread, and at the end of the month the winners will be listed too :boogie: You speak......we listen :love:

[kansas]

Thanks for the tips on ascending/descending threads.
Marion

[kansas]

My question has more to do with redundancy than with excess forums, but
thought I would post it here as I didn't want to start a new thread.

In the Announcements thread>This weeks fractal show case,
I received some very nice congratulations. And so I replied to
them there.

Carolyn's beginning post asking for others to join in congratulating
me, she has a link "HERE".

When I click that link I end up in
"innertraveler.com > 3D Tools > Fractals"
So I replied there too.

To me, this is rather confusing. I can't understand why
this should be posted in two different places. It seems
that just posting this in Announcements is sufficient.

Maybe I'm being dense.

Marion

[vos]

My apologies,Marion

I know,I must have click on the link here(fractal forum) and I have not done that,sorry
So for the 3 time congrats,and a lot of pleasure with your fractal stuff,thanks for sharing your wonderful fractals with us!

[Engel47]

My question has more to do with redundancy than with excess forums, but
thought I would post it here as I didn't want to start a new thread.

In the Announcements thread>This weeks fractal show case,
I received some very nice congratulations. And so I replied to
them there.

Carolyn's beginning post asking for others to join in congratulating
me, she has a link "HERE".

When I click that link I end up in
"innertraveler.com > 3D Tools > Fractals"
So I replied there too.

To me, this is rather confusing. I can't understand why
this should be posted in two different places. It seems
that just posting this in Announcements is sufficient.

Maybe I'm being dense.

Marion

Not dense at all :love: The Announcement Forum, as the name suggests, is simply for making the announcement - that was why the link to the relevant forum was supplied. However, you are correct, it can be confusing so in future when these types of announcements are made the thread will be locked to prevent replies, so if anyone wants to reply then they will have to follow the link to the forum - hope that makes sense :thinkey:

[kansas]

Yes, that makes sense. Good idea and much less confusing. Thanks.

Vos--sorry you had to go to three places. Thanks a ton!

Marion

[classylady]

What ever happened to this thread? Are any going to be merged or simply deleted or are they going to stay as is....... :love:

[Engel47]

What ever happened to this thread? Are any going to be merged or simply deleted or are they going to stay as is....... :love:
As Rumour said "Some of the more heavily used forums would get too confusing if put into a category with another. Keeping track of which threads related to Poser and which with other 3D apps would be a headache! Not everyone write clearly defined subject lines for a thread. So let's see which forums get the most use, and leave those as the are decide how to categorise the rest. the paint programs could be put together fairly easily though, we'd just have to say this is where you can ask questions about PS, PSP, Corel, Painter... etc.

Perhaps the Modelling, Lighting and Texturing forums could become something like 3D Creation?, where you can submit general questions about how to create the right lighting and textures... dumb name but I can't think of a better one to cover them all except for General 3D. They don't get used hardly ever at all except by me, so maybe they should be dropped entirely?"

I think merging may may cause problems as some members already have problems navigating the site - but there are certainley forums that could go I think - as I said in the 1st post:

Modelling Forum - last post 29th July 05 - in the last year just 3 threads
Texturing Forum - last post 17th June 05 - in the last year 9 threads
Lighting Forum - last post 14th Jan 05 - in the last year 3 threads
Carrera Forum - last post 29 April 05 - in the last year just 1 thread.
Rhino Forum - Last post 1st March 05 - in the last year just 1 thread
Maya Forum - last post 9th Feb 05 - in the last year 3 threads
Cinema 4D Forum - Last post 6th Apr 06 in the last year 9 threads.
(this is not a full list - just a selection).

So what do you all think - which forums could in fact get deleted from lack of use, or support? Which do you think are obsolete?.

[classylady]

This is only my personal thought

I like your suggestions on merging psp.ps and corel painter, easier to ask questions in.

I agree it would be a nightmare to combine any 3d forums
or any others forums that are used regularly.

I think the list you have started here maybe a good starting point. then hold off on deleting any others and see how they go for say another 3 months and re acess them again, before going further.

Just my own personal thoughts.. :wave:

[vos]

Questions about,
Modelling,Lighting,Texturing.I have put tutorials in the Bryce forum for this
so I do not use the Modelling Forum,Texturing Forum our the Lighting Forum

[AnnaKirsten]

I'd certainly say the ones that haven't been used for the last six months could either go or be merged somewhere else.

I like your suggestions on merging psp.ps and corel painter, easier to ask questions in.

This could also be a good idea. Quite often some of the questions or even suggestions are related to one another, and WIP's also are sometimes related.

It's really hard to dig up stuff to keep forums going if there just isn't anything to say, but these ones suggested by Carolyn do get used, even if not as much as some of the other forums. As I said, often questions raised, or suggestions given, do apply to all three.

[wile1]

Put all the modeling forums under the general heading of Modeling Put the paint programs or programs generally associated with painting under Paint like ps and psp and coral, leave poser in its own, bryce, in its and vue in its own and terragen in its, put all fractal programs und fractal. Anyone who has a question on lighting say in bryce or cinnema can go to the forum most likely associated with that particular program.

[classylady]

Put all the modeling forums under the general heading of Modeling Put the paint programs or programs generally associated with painting under Paint like ps and psp and coral, leave poser in its own, bryce, in its and vue in its own and terragen in its, put all fractal programs und fractal. Anyone who has a question on lighting say in bryce or cinnema can go to the forum most likely associated with that particular program.


All fractal programs already are under fractals which is another subject for another thread at a later date.:)

[wile1]

In other words go from......................


From this:
ITSTUFF
Announcements
In Memory Of
How to use this Message Center
Meet & Greet!
Moderator's Room
Questions/problems/suggestions
Travelers' Pub
Music/ sound effects
Collaborators Corner
ARTTECHIQUES
Modeling - TECHNIQUES
Texturing Lighting -TECNIQUES
Animations/ Videos - TENIQUES
3DTOOLS
Carrera -MODELING PROGRAMS
Rhino - MODELING PROGRAMS
Maya - MODELING PROGRAMS
3DStudio Max - MODELING
Poser - MOST USED PROGRAMS
Bryce - MOST USED PROGRAMS
Vue d'esprit - MOST USED PROGRAMS
Lightwave - MODELING MODELING PROGRAMS
Cinema 4d - MODELING MODELING PROGRAMS
ZBrush - MODELING PROGRAMS
Fractals - MOST USED PROGRAMS
Others - MODELING PROGRAMS
Terragen - MOST USED PROGRAMS
2DTOOLS
Mixed Medium - TRADITIONAL ART
Photography - TRADITIONAL ART
Fine and Traditional Art - TRADITIONAL ART
General 2d Chat - DELETE
Photoshop - PAINT PROGRAMS
Paintshop Pro - PAINT PROGRAMS
Coreldraw and Photo paint - PAINT PROGRAMS
Painter - PAINT PROGRAMS

To This:
Inner Traveler Stuff ********

Announcements
In Memory Of
How to use this Message Center
Meet & Greet!
Moderator's Room
Questions/problems/suggestions
Travelers' Pub
Music/ sound effects
Collaborators Corner

Art Mediums***********

Techniques - Includes Texturing, Lighting and animation

Modeling Programs - Includes Carrea, Rhino, Maya, 3D Studio, Lightwave,
cinnama 4d, zbrush, Other

Traditional Art - Includes mixed medium, fine art, photography

Most Used Programs - Includes Poser, Bryce, Vue, Terragen, Fractal makers,
Vue

Paint Programs - Includes Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, Corel Draw, Painter

[Robert_S]

....
Modeling Programs - Includes Carrea, Rhino, Maya, 3D Studio, Lightwave,
cinnama 4d, zbrush, Other

...[/COLOR]

...I can't find them... :reading:

[wile1]

...I can't find them...

Hands you my glasses :D

Seems they condensed everything already :D Guess it would now be in some general topic lol Oh well ... :)

[AnnaKirsten]

GOSH!!! That was FAST!!!!!!!!!!

Except at the moment there's only the PSP stuff there inside the Paint Programs and nowt else, but maybe that's in the sorting?

[Engel47]

GOSH!!! That was FAST!!!!!!!!!!

Except at the moment there's only the PSP stuff there inside the Paint Programs and nowt else, but maybe that's in the sorting?

NO everything is in there - I manually moved every single thread one by one, from all 4 forums into the new one!!

Modelling forums are not sorted yet - I deleted only the ones with no moderator and no posts for the last 4 months or more. I then went to have my dinner http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5elf/burger.gif as I have been at work all day - and now I am ready to crack on and sort the rest out.

[AnnaKirsten]

Sounds as though you had an envigorating dinner!

OK, I've found the rest now, by getting everything to show over the past two months! :party:

[Engel47]

Sounds as though you had an envigorating dinner!

OK, I've found the rest now, by getting everything to show over the past two months! :party:
Thanks - I enjoyed my dinner - I was starving :)
Glad you found everything where it was supposed to be (well........more relieved actually :)) - so, what do you think of it so far? Is there anything else you can see that needs sorting, or have we cracked it :monkeydan

[AnnaKirsten]

In that particular section I think it's all ACE, Angela, and you've done a wonderful job. :clap: I can't speak for the other sections of course.

There's only one thing I haven't spotted (but it may have already been removed prior to this event) and that is a WIP that was done by sade earlier this week (I think) in Painter. It was an excellent WIP and I think would have been incredibly helpful for many people, including myself if and when I get around to using that program, but maybe she removed it herself... Or maybe it's actually around somewhere else... :meditate: Senior moments are getting rather frequent these days! NOT funny!! :froggy:

EDIT: NO, I FOUND IT (was under a different title to what I was looking for)!! IT'S THERE! EXCELLENT! :brushteet I'd better go to bed before I fall into any more silly holes of my own making! lol!

[wile1]

BTW I like the condensed forums now! Easier to find your way around and looks like people are using them just fine. Maybe because they don't have to wade through so much. Nice work Angie! *gives you leftover turkey and dressing for a job well done* :D

[classylady]

Wow Angela you really did some excellent merging just looking at the main menu for the forums doesn't seem to be so difficult now


Thanks
excellent decision

Thanks for all your hard work merging them....

[Engel47]

In that particular section I think it's all ACE, Angela, and you've done a wonderful job. :clap: I can't speak for the other sections of course.

There's only one thing I haven't spotted (but it may have already been removed prior to this event) and that is a WIP that was done by sade earlier this week (I think) in Painter. It was an excellent WIP and I think would have been incredibly helpful for many people, including myself if and when I get around to using that program, but maybe she removed it herself... Or maybe it's actually around somewhere else... :meditate: Senior moments are getting rather frequent these days! NOT funny!! :froggy:

EDIT: NO, I FOUND IT (was under a different title to what I was looking for)!! IT'S THERE! EXCELLENT! :brushteet I'd better go to bed before I fall into any more silly holes of my own making! lol!

You may want to make it a sticky for a while?

[Engel47]

BTW I like the condensed forums now! Easier to find your way around and looks like people are using them just fine. Maybe because they don't have to wade through so much. Nice work Angie! *gives you leftover turkey and dressing for a job well done* :D
Cheers, nice bit of turkey http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/hol/turkey3.gif great dressing too :)

[Engel47]

Wow Angela you really did some excellent merging just looking at the main menu for the forums doesn't seem to be so difficult now


Thanks
excellent decision

Thanks for all your hard work merging them....

Thanks Carolyn http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_15.gif

[AnnaKirsten]

You may want to make it a sticky for a while?

I've been through the whole of that forum now and pulled out all the stuff that looks important and made them sticky now. I'm hoping too that there will be more input about Painter and any other programs as well, soon.

Is it possible to change the pemanent Forum layout setting to show Strings 1-10 of 10 after the sticky ones instead of only the current three? It currently makes the forum look a little small at first sight, and not everyone will realise they can change the settings (temporarily) at the bottom of the page in order to access what other strings are there..

[Engel47]

I have changed the forum default seting to show all threads from the last 100 days by default. I have set this in the larger forums - Mods room, Paint Programs, and Modelling Programs. If you want I can make it less, or more, and can do the same for other forums if you require. Let me know.

[AnnaKirsten]

Totally fantissimotastical Angela!!! Many thanks for all your hard work! :clap: :chorus: :hug:

[classylady]

Thanks Angela I don't believe Fractals need any more thanks for the offer
:clap:

[Engel47]

I have changed the forum default seting to show all threads from the last 100 days by default. I have set this in the larger forums - Mods room, Paint Programs, and Modelling Programs. If you want I can make it less, or more, and can do the same for other forums if you require. Let me know.

By The way - if you are still having problems viewing all the posts as set in the forum default then go to User CP - Edit Options and change the "Thread display options" "Number of posts per page" to Forum Default and "default thread age cut off" to Forum default as well.

[Engel47]

Thanks Angela I don't believe Fractals need any more thanks for the offer
:clap:
No problem - it can always be changed if you want at a later date :)

[classylady]

Sounds wonderful Thanks Angela :love: