Official Off-Topic Thread

[.TakaM]

the triangle is perhaps the most recognized symbol of strength, so helm is clearly compensating for some form of power.

I just thought it was a little reference to the C64, how he and ptoing sometimes make pixelart with lots of triangles for it

[ndchristie]

not informed of theories you might be taught to at school

well, i didn't have to go to school to know that crossing lines halt motion, and since it's in keeping with your personal preferences, neither did you .  It's all based (ideally) on concepts that can be discovered, and a good school merely strives to foster that discovery and is constantly inviting students to challenge what is presented; students are not just 'fed' information in the same way that those without a formal artistic background don't 'starve'.

Mia is very fluid, yes, and panda too, though they complement each other (panda being a fan of polished smooth curves and mia being a fan of expression)

ptoing's compositions are a very interesting thing to study because they are surprisingly grounded in classical thought, with or without his intention ^^.  I use his pieces to justify the idea that practice and a good eye can rapidly ascertain what years of study can struggle to define*.


* the attempt of definition in itself flawed, as there are an infinite number of scenarios which present and infinte number of choices, with many of them valid and many "definitions" turning out flawed.  Thomas Kinkade went to art school and learned all the technical skills and design theory and has yet to produce a good piece.

[Helm]

Sherman, thank you. That's lovely. Thanks for the gift and the kind words, they mean lots.

[Helm]

A rather interesting tutorial from the Battle for Wesnoth forums: how to go from scanned sketches to small sprites. http://www.wesnoth.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16760

That's a really really bad way to make sprites, I think.

[happymonster]

Doesn't everyone have their own way that works for them though?

[Helm]

I'm pretty sure if this dude learned to pixel in a more controlled and streamlined way his sprites would end up being much better.

If everyone had their own way that worked for them there would be no need for the critique process. This dude has a way. That works for him. It's not the best way, I think. There's others that would work for him much more.

[happymonster]

Are you sure there is one best way? Don't all painters (classical and modern) work in different styles and ways?

[ptoing]

Depending what you are working with there are certain ways to do things. Such as fat over lean for oils and so on. BUt of course there are always more than one ways to do things, but I have to agree with Helm. I think that is a rather roundabout way of doing things, not efficient at all imo.

Panda will be really happy when he sees this.

[Helm]

Are you sure there is one best way? Don't all painters (classical and modern) work in different styles and ways?

There is no one best way. There's ways that have been proven to work for most people. They might not work for him, but judging from the looks of it his method is not his response to having tried 'proper' methods and having had them not work for him, it's just how he ended up working in the lack of any training in most methods we employ here. It's a method that creates as I see it, a limited scope of spritework that isn't controlled very much (and control is everything in pixel art) which also takes more time to make probably than it would strictly have to. Not good for professionals, and of doubtful use to people learning to pixel also.

Also no, not all painters work in different ways. Their styles are something we've said they have (and that's a whole different discussion) but their ways are mostly similar, though there are of course exceptions. I'm sure Klimt and Rembrandt would be fascinated by each other if they were ever to meet but they wouldn't actually find their processes to be very alien.

[Panda]

 
Cleaned the Tools, Resources and Linkage thread and merged with the OT thread.
I don't know how to stress it further, but DO NOT CHITCHAT ON THAT THREAD 
Next time you have any opinions on the posted links, post about it here, not there!.
Now the strikes. 

[Jad]

Cleaned the Tools, Resources and Linkage thread and merged with the OT thread.
I don't know how to stress it further, but DO NOT CHITCHAT ON THAT THREAD 
Next time you have any opinions on the posted links, post about it here, not there!.
Now the strikes. 

Hmm.

Is the TR&L-thread very hard to manage if people manage to speak freely about the matters that concerns the links posted there (sincere question)

I feel that discussions have a tendency to be quite non-spontaneous when you have to jump between threads just to have a fruitful discussion. O:

EDIT

Umm, speaking of nothing, this random-8bit:y sound effect generator is very simple but quite rad if you're lazy (:

http://www.imitationpickles.org/ludum/2007/12/13/sfxr-sound-effects-for-all/

EDIT AGAIN

MAN, if rippers are a race, I'm a racist = A= What the heck is up with the complete denial? How do you become like that!? It's like, on pixelation boards, there are the normal guys who do their stuff, and then there's the rippers who always act kind of polite until you post evidence (often VERY CLEAR such) and then you get met with-

COMPLETE DENIAL

and when you further stress the point you get met with ANGER AND INDIGNATION-

As if it was inhuman to actually get people to use their creativeness and make their own art. As if they actually believe themselves, 100%, that they have created these pixel-rips without reference.

I mean, that totally scares me! How can you get so angry and defend NOTHINGNESS, LIES, to that extent? They're like the ghosthacked guys in ghost in the shell. It's like they have fake memories and values that they're programmed to fight for. How do you become like that? Man, I don't get it (:

(Ah, and I'm not really referencing to the case where the swordsman guy got totally angry with me and stuff, that was more a misunderstanding from his side (regarding the rules) and my side (regarding the ripped-ness) and much of a border-line case. I'm rather speaking about post incidents in this board, which totally puzzle me.)

[am_pm]

The Sufjan Stevens Christmas album is the best Christmas album I've ever listened to, ever.

[eck]

speaking of albums. 

is it just me, or has all the recent metal just sucked?  the last decent things i heard were serj tankian (although he was a bit softcore), and the ozzy album that came out ages ago (still a bit softcore for my tastes).  i was also a bit fond of the trivium cd, and the most recent slayer album (christ illusion)

[ndchristie]

everyone has their total dick moments, and it's usually when they are embarrassed or threatened.

with rippers inviting both embarrassment and threats, they usually are the ones to have total dick moments.

a lot of rippers too think that they wont get caught, adding to the embarrassment.

ripping is all about an ego trip, making others think you are better than you are.  to get called out in the middle of an ego trip will heighten the dickiness.

rippers are not concerned with anyone but themselves, which makes them prone to dickiness.

in short, rippers - dicks.

[Cow]

is it just me, or has all the recent metal just sucked?  the last decent things i heard were serj tankian (although he was a bit softcore), and the ozzy album that came out ages ago (still a bit softcore for my tastes).  i was also a bit fond of the trivium cd, and the most recent slayer album (christ illusion)

Maybe you just need to look a bit harder?

[Jad]

everyone has their total dick moments, and it's usually when they are embarrassed or threatened.

with rippers inviting both embarrassment and threats, they usually are the ones to have total dick moments.

a lot of rippers too think that they wont get caught, adding to the embarrassment.

ripping is all about an ego trip, making others think you are better than you are.  to get called out in the middle of an ego trip will heighten the dickiness.

rippers are not concerned with anyone but themselves, which makes them prone to dickiness.

in short, rippers - dicks.

Well, I guess. It's just that it's a level of self-indulgement and lack of self-distance that's hard for me to comprehend ):

[Helm]

I mean, that totally scares me! How can you get so angry and defend NOTHINGNESS, LIES, to that extent? They're like the ghosthacked guys in ghost in the shell. It's like they have fake memories and values that they're programmed to fight for. How do you become like that? Man, I don't get it (:

My experience tells me that these people are simply spoiled. They've learned from their life with friends and family that if you defend your lies enough and act indignant enough eventually people will cave in and accept them as truth. When this simply doesn't fly when caught for ripping they just explode in a big way. They'll come up with the most outrageous stories and they'll get all moral highground on you, they'll try any rhetoric trick they can to justify the simple fact that they were misleading people to get asspats about how good they are at something they're not.

Think about it, think about the person that desire so much acceptance and admiration that he's willing to shortcut straight to being awesome. Think how insecure this person is and how much he must constantly defend his ego from even the slightest prod. It's not so difficult to see that they'll pile on lies upon lies when challenged. Eventually they give up, I think, and that's a really learning experience for them. A lot of kids rip and get found out, make a huff and then when it all lies down in a few months the lesson has sunk in and they try to do things differently from then and on. This is why we ban for a year and not forever, but also not for like, a week. To have that lesson be attached to a reprimand that has gravity. A year is not forever for you and I, but it sure sounds like forever for the 14 year old kid that ripped here to get instant gratification from respect and asspats. He wanted it HERE and NOW. And now he might get it a year from now, and then it's not for sure. It's a good thing to have this happen to you.

is it just me, or has all the recent metal just sucked?  the last decent things i heard were serj tankian (although he was a bit softcore), and the ozzy album that came out ages ago (still a bit softcore for my tastes).  i was also a bit fond of the trivium cd, and the most recent slayer album (christ illusion)

You're listening to shit metal, that is all.

[am_pm]

There is a lot of good metal out there. You just have to look harder than the mainstream. Try listening to Arsis, Behemoth, Decapitated, or Nile. If you don't like the growling and you're into a little more blues-y style, try Electric Wizard or High on Fire.

[The B.O.B.]

is it just me, or has all the recent metal just sucked?  the last decent things i heard were serj tankian (although he was a bit softcore), and the ozzy album that came out ages ago (still a bit softcore for my tastes).  i was also a bit fond of the trivium cd, and the most recent slayer album (christ illusion)

You're listening to shit metal, that is all.

took the words right out of my mouth...

[Panda]

Hmm.

Is the TR&L-thread very hard to manage if people manage to speak freely about the matters that concerns the links posted there (sincere question)

I feel that discussions have a tendency to be quite non-spontaneous when you have to jump between threads just to have a fruitful discussion. O:

Wouldn't be impossible to manage, but the "Don't chitchat" thing is for tidiness sake, so the thread doesn't turn like the mess  it's previous incarnation was.
Also, if there are no conversations going on, it would be easier to find what you are looking for.

I mean, I don't mind a single comment towards whatever link, but due to human nature or something, there is always someone that would have to disagree with it or continue with the comment, and then someone else and so on. So it would be better to cut from the beginning.

[miascugh]

I have made FIRE

[eck]

is it just me, or has all the recent metal just sucked?  the last decent things i heard were serj tankian (although he was a bit softcore), and the ozzy album that came out ages ago (still a bit softcore for my tastes).  i was also a bit fond of the trivium cd, and the most recent slayer album (christ illusion)

You're listening to shit metal, that is all.

took the words right out of my mouth...

... way to make a totally opinionated and stereotypical statement the music i listen to. 

my post was more requesting any decent upcoming bands that any of you had heard recently.
my library has a wide verity of metal in it, not just mainstream bands like slayer and ozzy.  to list a few
-job for a cowboy, skindred, static x, atreyu, devil wears parada, oekep (no idea how that is spelled), lacuna coil, all that remains, anthrax, cradle of filth, blind guardian, candlemass, in flames, fates warning, puddle of mudd, audiovent, mushroomhead, bleed the sky, high high low low, the distillers, dope, drowning pool, flyleaf, mudvayne, nonpoint, scary kids scaring kids, i set my friends on fire, children of bodem, deff leppard, dio, killswich engage, dokken, godsmack, mastadon, megadeath, slipknot, slayer, motly crue, muddy waters, hatebreed, shattersphere, naplam death, obituary, pantera, poisen, rammstein, red jumpsuit apparatus, sepultura, suicide silence, tool, trivium, arthemis, arwen, avantasia, axenstar, black magesty, burning point, casus belli, chinchilla, cryonic temple, crystal ball, cydonia, dark moore, domain, dionysus, dragonland, dragonforce, dreamtalke, duke, dungeon, edenbridge, elegy, firewind, freedom call, freternia, gamma ray, grave digger, gladiator, guardians of time, gunbridge, hammerfall, helloween, highlord, horizon, impellitteri, kamelot, last tribe, lorien, magnatude nine, manigance, masterplan, protest the hero, morifade, mvp, nightmare, nocturnal rites, nostradameus, phantom,, platude, power quest, primal fear, thge prowlers, rage, rawhead rexx, requiem, rhapsody, royal hunt, shining fury,  silendt force, sonata artica, stormwind, the sotryteller, stratovarius, supreme majesty, tad morose, tarot, thunderstone, thy majestie, vhaldemar, virtuocity, voice, warmen, yngwie malmsteen, zonata, zeromancer

etc etc

[The B.O.B.]

@eck: Yes, yes, but we are NOT mind readers, and can go only by what you type. And from the bands that you initially listed...IN MY OPINION, some of those bands didn't quite scream true metal. Don't think I've ever thought of System of a Down as Metal. More Alt. Rock. Ozzy was one of the starter ups of metal back in the day, but even now, his stuff seems more rock than what most consider metal. Also, some of the bands you listed above, (Static X, and Puddle of Mud) still leave me questioning tastes in what Metal really is. And I don't think you have to go into such detail in naming every single metal band to cover your case, man. Remember, there are some opinionated metal heads here, so when you say "all recent metal sucked", you have to know there is going to be a response back. Not everyone is always in agreement.
    However, I leave judgment to the eyes of the beholder, so like what you like, and try not to be offended by other's opinions. We all have different tastes, and opinions so leave it at that. Also, the silly debate over what is and isn't metal is VERY played out, so let's call it square, and laugh it off...ay?

@MiaScuff: (*Slaps Chest* I....Have made FIRE! I love Cast Away) Noice'...Can I have some?

[eck]

thats nice that you have your oppinion and all, but you still haven't recommended to me any artists or given me any ideas as to where to find some new stuff?

[Larwick]

I dunno if Puscifer is metal but if you like Tool they're worth checking out.

[Malor]

I dunno if Puscifer is metal but if you like Tool they're worth checking out.

oh tool. I am big fans of them, and a perfect circle. Quite good to pass the time with I do say.

[Faktablad]

Have you checked out Sepultura or Krisiun?  Both good Brazilian metal bands.

[dtek]

So...
what's the deal with the ripper thread/post getting so much attention(http://www.wayofthepixel.net/pixelation/index.php?topic=5639.0), when some other posts don't even get a reply....
 

we need a good "fad" on the forum to check out like the chibi avatar fad of 2004(?), or the fighter sprite thing a couple years ago,
just a thought..

[Sherman Gill]

Because anger elicits a lot more of a response then neutral feelings.

[dtek]

my point exactly, surely this forum isn't for humilating users

[Sherman Gill]

It takes a pretty big effort not to speak up when you feel your time has been wasted, though, so while it's not a good thing to do, it's not really something you can stop.

Also, I disagree about the need for a fad! Wouldn't you rather represent yourself with your own idea instead of someone else's?

[.TakaM]

some of you guys are probably aware of these neat illusions, and perhaps this exact one:

but make one of them, they're pretty cool

[ndchristie]

i just don't buy the 6.5 heads thing for an adult.  I'm a young, short guy and my head is on the large end (about 9 inches high), still putting my height of 65 inches at just over 7 heads.

[Zolthorg]

hollow face illusion is my god

[Feron]

thats nice that you have your oppinion and all, but you still haven't recommended to me any artists or given me any ideas as to where to find some new stuff?

Machine Head, At the Gates, Arch Enemy, Bring me the horizon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Lamb of God, Nile, Animosity, Nochaa

just download or buy stuff you think you might like... if you do, great... if not, don't buy any more of their CDs.  I would rather go out to HMV and enjoy listening to Cds and forming my own opinions rather than ask a bunch of forum whores 

[eck]

Krisiun

Machine Head, At the Gates, Arch Enemy, Bring me the horizon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Lamb of God, Nile, Animosity, Nochaa

thanks, checking these out now

.. and how the hell could i forget lamb of god in my list? 

[am_pm]

If you seriously check any of those bands out, please be sure to check out At the Gates. Quality music from a quality band.

[Malor]

And.. this is so far from metal but It's one of mah favorites.. Losing My Religion by REM.. ahh and Pet by a Perfect Circle. Kind of stalker-ish, but still very fun to listen to.

[Larwick]

Malor, respect for the taste in music. Tool & APC have been on the top of my fav-bands list for years. Unfortunately recently i haven't been listening to them as much, which is a shame. Although when i do the awesomeness is all the more potent, ey wot.

.Tak, i don't think i've seen that, although i can guess what it does (helped by Zol...), i'm gunna try making it tomorow, if my comp and printer wanna work together.

PS. does anyone else keep accidentally forgetting there's more recently updated topics below all the stickied threads in the General section? I do, cus they're all pushed below the page ): Tis ever so slightly annoying.. I guess i can handle it tho.

[Rydin]

Missed.....secret.....santa 

[Sherman Gill]

Sorry to hear that, Rydin...
Make me a gift anyway, though.

[Rydin]

rofl



what do you want even?

[Sherman Gill]

A naked- or atleast hot -woman, obviously!
Who doesn't?

[The B.O.B.]

A naked- or atleast hot -woman, obviously!
Who doesn't?

Aliens that enjoy watching the mating rituals of Seahorses..that's who.

[Larwick]

A naked- or atleast hot -woman, obviously!
Who doesn't?

Aliens that enjoy watching the mating rituals of Seahorses..that's who.

I'm not an alien. 

[SolidIdea]

A naked- or atleast hot -woman, obviously!
Who doesn't?

Aliens that enjoy watching the mating rituals of Seahorses..that's who.

I'm not an alien. 

And I'm not a seahorse 

[Malor]

A naked- or atleast hot -woman, obviously!
Who doesn't?

Aliens that enjoy watching the mating rituals of Seahorses..that's who.

I'm not an alien. 

And I'm not a seahorse 

BUT that does not stop me from wanting to watch you mate. o.0

EDIT: moved my words into my post...

[Helm]

Most of that list you posted is populated by totally shit metal (in my opinion) or not metal bands (by anyone's standard) and the few good ones thrown in I guess you can't tell them apart yet. Keep listening and patterns will emerge eventually. Learn more about the bands you listen to and place them in their context on what was happening at the time when they were active. There's a world of difference between Job for a Cowboy metalcore shit and say, Candlemass and you're not yet equipped I guess to detect it.

As for something to listen to, I suggest you listen to less 'metal' and pay more attention to the Heavy Metal you listen to. Read the lyrics, think about the concepts, think about how the songs work and what makes them work and then realise this new metal/alternative metal/tasteless metal you listen to fails on many levels regardless of having a cool riff here and there.

[Rydin]

I have to second that.  Really if you just start actually *listening* to music instead of just hearing it, you realize a majority of it is completely worthless and identical.

And, I'm not suggesting them or anything, but as far as newer stuff goes: Cephalic Carnage. Just saying.


EDIT:

Ho, ho, ho.

Don't get too excited though, it's mostly a paintover.

[.TakaM]

music 'scussion!

Lupe Fiasco's new album is out and I'm quite sure it's the second coming of Jesus.
Not much more to say, I can't get enough this guy, love all the references to street fighter, mario, etc
even star trek