Don't you guys think there should be a top row for NT forums?

Intuition · 11-07-2009, 12:15 PM

Hey Lightwavers.

Even though I haven't used LW alot lately, though we did have an old Subaru project come back to DD and it is currently being done in LW by a fellow artist, still I do often visit the NT forums.

I visit a lot of forums weekly so I can keep up with industry developments, software advances, great CG art posts, and chat with like minded CG people.

When I visit the other forums I notice most of the high traffic ones have a thing called "Top Row" where the best of the 3D artwork posted there gets a highlight spot in a picture row at the top of the forums. This serves as a testimonial bed for the site/software and it also provides incentive for the artists to post great work since it may be "showcased" as getting a slot in the top row is considered as an award of recognition.

Top row can also be used to point users to big announcements or plug-in and software releases and updates. As is common on Zbrush central, where GoZ or Zapplink is advertised in the same top row in a slot next to great pictures where the top row itself links to the thread about said announcement, picture, or plug-in thread.

Having recently browsed the gallery, which I do once in a blue moon, and saw some great work there I felt that NT needs a top row.

Here are sites I visit often.

http://www.evermotion.org/

http://forums.cgsociety.org/

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/

http://www.creativecrash.com/

The area actually has like 3 rows. One for announcements, one for tutorials, free textures, and customer stories, and finally a gallery row.

http://area.autodesk.com/

XSI base has like columns instead of rows which include articles, interviews and best of pics that show up in the forums as well as plug-in releases.

http://www.xsibase.com/

Also, each of these sites keep an archive of the rows so you can check older top row posts (that get bumped off weekly by new posts) in case you need to go find that great pic , announcement, or plug in at a later time.

I think it makes a site feel alive with activity.

What do you guys think? Should NT do a top row or similar?

I have seen the Lightwave product page but I don't visit that daily. Forums are visited daily. I mean top row posts could link to the Lightwave 3d product page but the forum, since its visited regularly, should have the links to such content.

Opinions?

Titus · 11-07-2009, 01:14 PM

My vote is for this proposal.

CGI Addict · 11-07-2009, 02:55 PM

Yea, that would be great and well justified as there is so much cool work in the galleries.

JeffrySG · 11-08-2009, 12:02 AM

I'm all for a 'top row' I just wouldn't want it to be too large in pixel height. But I agree that it's a great visual way to get attention to nice artwork, tutorials or announcements.

Cageman · 11-08-2009, 12:46 AM

Yeah... SpinQuad also have this top row which is great. I happen to have been on that top row both at SpinQuad and at Foundation 3D, which is a great feeling, I might add.

So yes, NT, please... make it happen!!!!

Dexter2999 · 11-08-2009, 02:06 AM

If the Newtek board were solely about 3D then I'd be on board. But as they are about editing and hardware as well LW then I don't know how hot I am on the idea. I'd certainly like to see something like that on the product page.

OnlineRender · 11-08-2009, 07:13 AM

I like the way ZB forum constatly updates image threads , its a nice feeling seeing your work on the top row ! but I don't know if NT will be able to do that , It may involve enablin certain aspects of html code . "which is probably another reason why there's no Youtube or Viemo " it can cause vunerabilites .
# you would need to ask Paul Lara I know the Vbulletin team would help in anyway possible ! .

Iain · 11-08-2009, 07:20 AM

I agree-this would really benefit these forums. At the moment it looks more like a tech discussion site than anything to do with art or cgi.

The galleries are sometimes dormant for days and I think this would motivate people to post their work.

IMI · 11-08-2009, 07:20 AM

I've always thought the top row idea is pretty cool too. It's not the same thing, but they have the monthly newsletter, although it's kind of buried and easy to miss unless I'm thinking about it and seeking it out.
Then again, it took six months to get rid of the Ajax picture viewer.