Threedy Forums. Improvements. Suggestions. Please contribute.

[Chris-3DT]

We all know that threedy has not been what it was for a couple of months now.
We therefore ask you to help us making threedy the place you called home once more. You are the forums and the forums are you. Without the members forums are nothing, with the contribution of every single member forums can be so much more.

[Jason-Lavoie]

The thing I woudl really like and appreciate, is more admin and mod contribution to the forums, like not running it (cause you are doing a great job) but, more like criting.

I know all of you do crit, but I don't think its enough (in my opinion) People are complaining that newer people do not get helped a lot, and I know that we the members have to chnage that, but you are members as well.

I rarly see any admin or mod comment on a new persons model, or art or what not, and its not a terrible thing that you don't, but its nice to know that you are looking at our modelsor art, and you are trying to help.

And I will admit, I tend to go to the people who have better loking models, or art, but I am definatly trying to chnage that, because I remember when i was new to modeling, I really didn't get much help, only a few helped me, and the biggest one was Knut in my opinion.

Thats my 2 cents, I am sure I will have more.

But I just want to say, that you guys are doing a great job running threedy, if there is a problem, you try and fix it, and you do listen to the members, which is very hard to find these days on forums.

So thanks

[BlackSeer]

To be honest this one of few forums I seen where the staff post on regular base and thats good.

I know a lot of people that are afraid of posting criq becuse they are uncertain what do say, except they like it. Maybe somone should make a thread were a number of things to look for is mentioned to give new folks help on the way?

When the those that been here a long time leaves they take with them the spirit, that will not solve the issue they walk away from just make it larger.

So other idea would be making a thread on a subject, like a tutorial then new people can show what they learned and ask questions to the more advanced how to do certain aspects of the modeling. Beginner aid program or something

[Phynius Gauge]

I agree with Jason, in that if you guys were to critique the models of the newbians a little bit more, I think they would feel much more welcome here. I am in no way implying that you guys are slacking off, as you do a great job keeping these forums together (please don't smite me ). But if you moderators don't have your hands full with other stuff, I think it would be a great way to improve the feeling of being in a community.

Also, I know 3dtotal is like the front page here at threedy, but I think it would be really cool if you guys had a little front page deal similar to CG Talk. I don't visit 3dtotal as often as I do the forums, so I probably miss a lot of the good work here on the forums that you guys post links to at 3dtotal. But if there were links to the worthy works staring you in the face right when you come to threedy, I think that a lot more work would go appreciated around here. I don't know anything about internet coding and all that jargon, so it may be easier said than done, but it's just a suggestion.

I think the speed sessions have done great in improving a community spirit, so much props to the mods who cooked that up .

In general I think that threedy should be more tightly integrated with 3dtotal, because at the moment they seem like two seperate websites rather than a symbiosis. I think it would eliminate a lot of unneeded questions that can be answered by looking at the 3dtotal tutorials, and would also give us more to talk about in the general discussion section, because you could post links to cool websites or interviews at the top of the front page, or something like that.

In general I'll try to help improve the forums by offering more of my input to people who might need it, even though I'm no master, I think I could still help some of the newbies with advice or whatever.

Good idea Blackseer, you could have a tutorial thread/section where people could post their tutorial driven works.

In general I just think all the seasoned members who are still around to fight the good fight should try and help the newer members more often, because it is up to us to contribute to the environment of the forums, and to help restore it to the thriving place that it once was (even though I don't think it's half as bad as some people are making it out to be).

[Jason-Lavoie]

Tottaly agree with both you guys. I have been trying recently to try and help the new people here, mostly i do the moldeing help, because I am not the best at artwork (neither moldeing as well) but i certinaly feel more comfortable critting models.

Now I have another suggestion, i know that you have Frontpagers, and of course, the frontpagers are very VERY nice models or artwork, but how about you relise the smaller people.

Such as newer folks, have alittle section called "Most Improved" or somthing, because its telling the people who are curinsg the site, that you do relise pro talent, and then novice talent.

When i joined here I thought it was a pro place with snooty people like CGTalk (i really don't like CG Talk, but that is just my opinion)

So some more 2 cents from yours truly

[Beatrix_Kiddo]

the front can be somewhat intimidating, but i think that it should stay the way it is because it shows that the site does have quality standards, not just as far as artwork, but also the way its run and what not. It cant be a site that babies beginners, but rather, inspires, or pushes them to grow. I know that I see the images on the front, and it makes me want to make something even better. If I saw some beginner images, id be like, what the hell is this crap, and leave. Not because it is bad work, but because it says something about the quality and nature of the site.

lets just say that i wouldnt want any of my own crap on the front page right now.

[Dill]

add more colour schemes to the board... seriously i think its the dark colours that have an effect on everyone

[MonteCristo]

Jason, has an interesting point about us mods not critting enough. I think that part of the reason for this is the volume of stuff that goes through here. There are certain members (THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE) that post far too many things. They start far too many new projects and never finish them and post far too many tiny updates. As a result the volume is more than we can reasonably handle. Perhaps if they stopped a bit and gave everyone else a chance we might get somewhere.

I also think that points about improvement would really help too. A while ago I suggested that we, the mods should have an awards system. We could award medals for various things such as:

Medal of Excellence. - For great work.

Medal of Improvement (This award is given to people who listen to the crits they recieve, and radically improve their project of the course of time.)

Medal of Loyalty - for the good guys who stick with us over time, not necessarily posts.

Medal of Insight - (A personal award to a user) If someone posts consistently well, with helpful crits, and display a level of diplomacy with flame war type things.

These are just suggestions, but I think they would be worth earning, and also help to boost morale across the forums.

[MonteCristo]

I agree that newbies could do with a bit more help from us, and sometimes I do try. But one thing gets on my nerves is giving someone a suggestion, only to be told that "they knew that already" or that they were planning on that. Now coming from intermediate to expert users, I think that can be fine and fair enough, but if you are a learner in the early stages you need to grab all the help you can get. A great example of this is Pikmin. He came to these forums a long way back and was a complete beginner. But he always appreciated the help, and asked for insight; he listened; he improved. Now He works for UBI in Montreal, and regularly has characters posted on the Front Page. I am proud of him.
What I'm saying is that we mods have fairly good memories for these things, and we may be less inclined to help people if they don't accept or appreciate the help. It might seem shallow but that's the way of the world.

Anyway, I'll see what I can do with upping the level a bit. But can I ask one think of ceratin people? Stop spamming the off-topic threads with garbage please. The less of that I have to read through, the more I can help other people.

[Jason-Lavoie]

But its an off-topic forum dude, this is like where spammers are born, if you want to stop the spam, i suggest you get rid of the Off-Topic forum, or maybe call it somthing different, cause if you look at other forums with an off topic part, you get some pretty weird things, and spammers.

[Daniel]

Offtopic doesn't have to mean: Oh, I saw a cat today, I'll post about it!

or: What shouldn't I do in public? I'll post about it!

It's where you can talk about other interests, not where you can post the most idiotic thread known to man and win an award. And I have a feeling it will clean up soon.

[Jon]

Hi,

I came here from the thread in Off Topic about people leaving Threedy - and I was sad to see that many of the most experienced and respected members of Threedy have / are contemplating leaving. Although new members join everyday, it would be terrible if these members left.

I must say that I myself have seen a drop in the amount of work (and updates) posted - especially through the summer. However, this seems to be improving, yet I still find myself visiting less frequently than I did before.

The members of this forum, as many people have said, are the most important things - and without them and their contributions, Threedy would be less interesting, dead, and would eventually, close, if enough people began to 'leave'.

I think, and I know people will probably flame me for this, that instead of leaving Threedy - all of these members should try to make it better; posting comments on both new and experienced artist's work. Now, I know that this topic is far from how to improve Threedy (from the Admin's perspective), but I think that it has to be said. Why did we all join Threedy originally? Because there are a lot of experienced, and non-experienced artists - and a great team of Moderators who check the site thoroughly. I don't think I will leave: Threedy needs work, but a secure and friendly community lay beneath it.

Post your improvements, but I think this is an important reason why Threedy has seen such comments recently.

-Jon

[Lord Soc]

I know I'm fairly new here, but here goes.

I agree with what people have said so far, especially MonteChristo's Awards System suggestion and Phynius Gauge. The speed challenges were a stroke of genius.

It would be nice to see certain rules more strictly enforced, however, especially with regards to useless critiques that read "WOW, OMG, really good. Keep it up!" and gratuitous "updates". I know mods don't always like being policemen, but people will benefit and love you -and threedy- all the more. I suppose us members could help by reporting such posts more often, too.

One thing that strikes me as a shame is that threedy has so many registered members and such a tiny number of currently active ones, not all of whom are "useful". While this is to be expected with free forums, this could be improved. Another site I'm a member of 'screens' each potential member before allowing them to become a registered user. This involves filling out a questionnaire as part of the registration form, which basically quizes people to make sure they've read and understood the rules, are capable of writing half-decent crits and know enough english to be able to communicate. This would mean a lot of work for the mods, though.

I believe everyone should be encouraged to post crits, no matter what their experience. If you post advice that someone thinks is wrong, or can be improved on, they can crit your crit and then you'll learn something new, too.

[<<GhosTS>>]

Well first of all I must say...I'v been to dozens of places before Threedy..But this forum is the best I came across..The Mods are doing a great work..they are critting the models and posting more than any mods on other forums..

Now for the recent events.......

I'm so sad about all these members leaving..Specially ones like stripe..

The mods are posting as many as could..i know..but you can always try more..

I also like the idea of Monte about the award system..
I think you should give it a try because that makes all the members inspired..

Also I suggested some time ago to have a new forum where Mods will select the best artwork from the Final 3d Art sections and put it there..

These things will be help newbies too..they will see the good artwork and they will try to make things better..
Then those useless threads that will stop in half way will stop because they will understand the true quality work..

The Offtopic...

the offtopic s a very dangerous place these days..So many useless threads..The offtopic must be a place where people post thing that in INTERESTING..or FUNNY..Offtopic isn't a place ARGUMENTS..

The saddest thing is most of the members post in Offtopic than any other part in threedy..This is a 3D forum guys..The main part is the Final 3d Artwork/WIP 3D or 2d sections..not the Offtopic..

This goes to all the members..think twice before posting..
When you are critting a model just post your ideas...don't diss the artist..Always remember that there is someone out there who knows more than you..Always post comments on as many artwork as you could..
I think it's up to the members to make Threedy a better place..

I hope the mods will try very hard...Keep it up guys..

Threedy is my homepage and it will be always...I visit the forum all the time..Now it has become a part of my life...

Thanx for reading all that..If any one disagrees with me don't start an argument here..Just PM me..Make the forum a better place..

[Drew Carey]

I think the forums just need some stirring-up, Something to attract new members and increase the flow of quality work. Speed challenges are a great attempt at this, but they are too many in my opinion, and they are quickly losing their initial attraction (just imo). Perhaps an "image of the month" or even "WIP of the month", something that will motivate more users to post their work. I guess I'm basically repeating Monte's award system.
Anyways, I definitely think that not all online forums have to start degrading at one point or another, it's just a matter of refreshing things every now and then.

Good luck guys!