Post by MsBig on Jul 3, 2005 12:54:51 GMT -5
Guide for Critiquing Customs
Avoid 3 word compliments, like 'Wow! Love it' or 'That looks great!' etc. If you like the custom, please state what exactly it is about the custom that you like. It doesn't have to be an essay, just be specific.
You are in no way obliged to find fault with a custom. If you see room for improvement, however, please mention it but don't be harsh. Be constructive. The customiser won't necessarily be able to act on your suggestion but might then find it useful in their next piece of work.
If you are a relatively new customiser, try not to get upset by these critiques. They *will* help you improve your skills. All of us experienced customisers have had our feelings hurt by critiques but have learned to appreciate getting them. We are all at the level we are now because of constructive critiques.
Praise and encouragement are also valued.
If a thread is several weeks old, don't resurrect it. Make a comment in a reasonable time frame or not at all. I will lock any threads that are resurrected in this way.
Guide for Selling Customs
In the original thread, where you showcased your custom, you can post once to say that the item is now for sale. If it is on e-bay, you can post once again, 24hrs before the sale ends. You can also alter the title of your first post appropriately.
No making excuses to chat about the sale and thereby subtly bumping your thread. We chat about customs here, not sales.
We also don't want to know when it's sold, because we're not interested in that in this section. You can leap about in the Buy/Sell/Trade section.
Guidelines for Using Recipes
The policy on this forum is to be open about custom recipes. Most of us explain freely what parts we used and describe our tricks.
If you are inspired by another customiser's recipe, the etiquette is to just put a note saying "Thanks to ... for the recipe". If you are inspired by a likeness that another customiser uses and you use the same head but different body, just say "Thanks to ... for the head recipe". There is no need for flowers, chocolates or compliments. Just a simple note.
The key guideline here is just to be honest with yourself. If you are aware of being inspired by another customiser's work, give them credit. If you come up with a similar idea independently, you don't need to. It's an honour code.
You can't really justify using an Anya head (for example) to make an Anya figure as a 'recipe'. It's just common sense. Unusual body recipes are a bit different. Personally, I would acknowledge a head recipe idea for making a character who doesn't have a sculpt.
It's not a competition to come up with recipe ideas. However, customisers do feel a certain amount of satisfaction from having fresh ideas. I personally would never state my ideas in advance of showing at least in-progress photos of a custom.
If you've got a new idea, keep it to yourself until you can display your custom. Then let it go and don't be jealous of it. If you had a great idea, it's bound to be copied. If you're lucky, you'll get a dignified note of credit.
Guideline for Starting Threads in the Customs Section
With so many new customisers on the board, the Customs section is getting so busy that new threads are often pushed quickly to page 2. If you make several customs at the same time, please create a single thread to showcase them. Don't post several separate threads on the same day.
There is no longer any need to put the word *New* in the title of a new custom thread. The system marks it as new.
When a customiser starts a thread to showcase their work, it is bad form to post photos of your own similar work in their thread. Please comment on their work and don't hijack their thread.
Some people have taken to using a single thread to showcase all their work. I don't mind you doing that, if that's what you prefer, but please make it clear in the title of the thread which page to go to. Just a "p.5" at the end is enough.
Also, if the thread gets massive, let it go and start a new one. Maybe once a month. People can always look at your website, if they want to see your older work. Don't let your single thread get so complicated that it's a chore to look at.
Photo Sizes
For both banners and photos of customs, please make sure the photo is no wider than 600 pixels.
Anything wider than that stretches the thread and makes it difficult to read for people who have their PCs set to the lower resolutions.
Sub-boards
The Workshop: Customising Guide
btvsfigs.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=customhelp
This has the 'Customising for Dummies' guide. This is where you can ask questions about customising or start any other type of discussion related to customising.
The main 'Customs' section is now for posting actual customs only. All other threads will be moved to the sub-board.
If you do start a conversational thread, please be specific about its topic in the title. People shouldn't have to open the thread just to find out the subject matter.
Non-Jossverse Customized Figures
btvsfigs.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=customizeother
In this context, 'Jossverse' means Joss Whedon's TV universe. That is anything that is from the 3 shows that we follow closely on this board: BtVS, Angel and Firefly. The movie Serenity counts because it is a spin-off of Firefly. So does the BtVS Movie, as a prequel. The graphic novel Fray also counts, as it is written by Joss and an extension of Buffy. So will the Buffy Season 8 graphic novel, if Joss writes it and/or manages it closely.
I know there are other ways to define the 'Jossverse' but this is the definition here. Splitting the board is just to give more room for all customs, so please don't worry about the semantics.
I have moved any threads that showcase customs which are not from the Joss TV Universe. Please open new threads there.
The board will be for the Jossverse actors, like Sarah Michelle Gellar or David Boreanaz, in photoshoots or other roles, other real people, musicians or characters from any other TV series, film or graphic novel, including:
Charmed, Veronica Mars, Wonder Woman, Aliens, Robot Chicken, and Astonishing X-Men.
Avoid 3 word compliments, like 'Wow! Love it' or 'That looks great!' etc. If you like the custom, please state what exactly it is about the custom that you like. It doesn't have to be an essay, just be specific.
You are in no way obliged to find fault with a custom. If you see room for improvement, however, please mention it but don't be harsh. Be constructive. The customiser won't necessarily be able to act on your suggestion but might then find it useful in their next piece of work.
If you are a relatively new customiser, try not to get upset by these critiques. They *will* help you improve your skills. All of us experienced customisers have had our feelings hurt by critiques but have learned to appreciate getting them. We are all at the level we are now because of constructive critiques.
Praise and encouragement are also valued.
If a thread is several weeks old, don't resurrect it. Make a comment in a reasonable time frame or not at all. I will lock any threads that are resurrected in this way.
Guide for Selling Customs
In the original thread, where you showcased your custom, you can post once to say that the item is now for sale. If it is on e-bay, you can post once again, 24hrs before the sale ends. You can also alter the title of your first post appropriately.
No making excuses to chat about the sale and thereby subtly bumping your thread. We chat about customs here, not sales.
We also don't want to know when it's sold, because we're not interested in that in this section. You can leap about in the Buy/Sell/Trade section.
Guidelines for Using Recipes
The policy on this forum is to be open about custom recipes. Most of us explain freely what parts we used and describe our tricks.
If you are inspired by another customiser's recipe, the etiquette is to just put a note saying "Thanks to ... for the recipe". If you are inspired by a likeness that another customiser uses and you use the same head but different body, just say "Thanks to ... for the head recipe". There is no need for flowers, chocolates or compliments. Just a simple note.
The key guideline here is just to be honest with yourself. If you are aware of being inspired by another customiser's work, give them credit. If you come up with a similar idea independently, you don't need to. It's an honour code.
You can't really justify using an Anya head (for example) to make an Anya figure as a 'recipe'. It's just common sense. Unusual body recipes are a bit different. Personally, I would acknowledge a head recipe idea for making a character who doesn't have a sculpt.
It's not a competition to come up with recipe ideas. However, customisers do feel a certain amount of satisfaction from having fresh ideas. I personally would never state my ideas in advance of showing at least in-progress photos of a custom.
If you've got a new idea, keep it to yourself until you can display your custom. Then let it go and don't be jealous of it. If you had a great idea, it's bound to be copied. If you're lucky, you'll get a dignified note of credit.
Guideline for Starting Threads in the Customs Section
With so many new customisers on the board, the Customs section is getting so busy that new threads are often pushed quickly to page 2. If you make several customs at the same time, please create a single thread to showcase them. Don't post several separate threads on the same day.
There is no longer any need to put the word *New* in the title of a new custom thread. The system marks it as new.
When a customiser starts a thread to showcase their work, it is bad form to post photos of your own similar work in their thread. Please comment on their work and don't hijack their thread.
Some people have taken to using a single thread to showcase all their work. I don't mind you doing that, if that's what you prefer, but please make it clear in the title of the thread which page to go to. Just a "p.5" at the end is enough.
Also, if the thread gets massive, let it go and start a new one. Maybe once a month. People can always look at your website, if they want to see your older work. Don't let your single thread get so complicated that it's a chore to look at.
Photo Sizes
For both banners and photos of customs, please make sure the photo is no wider than 600 pixels.
Anything wider than that stretches the thread and makes it difficult to read for people who have their PCs set to the lower resolutions.
Sub-boards
The Workshop: Customising Guide
btvsfigs.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=customhelp
This has the 'Customising for Dummies' guide. This is where you can ask questions about customising or start any other type of discussion related to customising.
The main 'Customs' section is now for posting actual customs only. All other threads will be moved to the sub-board.
If you do start a conversational thread, please be specific about its topic in the title. People shouldn't have to open the thread just to find out the subject matter.
Non-Jossverse Customized Figures
btvsfigs.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=customizeother
In this context, 'Jossverse' means Joss Whedon's TV universe. That is anything that is from the 3 shows that we follow closely on this board: BtVS, Angel and Firefly. The movie Serenity counts because it is a spin-off of Firefly. So does the BtVS Movie, as a prequel. The graphic novel Fray also counts, as it is written by Joss and an extension of Buffy. So will the Buffy Season 8 graphic novel, if Joss writes it and/or manages it closely.
I know there are other ways to define the 'Jossverse' but this is the definition here. Splitting the board is just to give more room for all customs, so please don't worry about the semantics.
I have moved any threads that showcase customs which are not from the Joss TV Universe. Please open new threads there.
The board will be for the Jossverse actors, like Sarah Michelle Gellar or David Boreanaz, in photoshoots or other roles, other real people, musicians or characters from any other TV series, film or graphic novel, including:
Charmed, Veronica Mars, Wonder Woman, Aliens, Robot Chicken, and Astonishing X-Men.
