Frequently Asked Questions

[Randis]

Thanks!

i did upload the image but something went wrong and i have a double post now with the last post not showing image.

[Stormf]

Yes that's mine, thank you for haveing a look at it, just kinda got me worriede when I uploaded the. It Said everything was fine but when i clicked ón the image it was a dead. Link, but thanks once again for taking a look at it :)

[smallone3d]

Not sure if the server is getting hit hard, I am refreshing and using dif browsers and can't c a lot of the images. Can't c mine although the uploader told me it was fine.

[Legacy40k]

My thread's not showing my final image either, but it said upload was ok. So I shouldn't worry from the sounds of things? I want to go to bed now.

[khendar]

Legacy: Yours looks fine.

Smallone: I dont think yours has come through yet. Keep trying.

Unfortunately this happens every time. Everyone is trying to upload their submissions at the last possible second and it overloads the server.

[walrus]

Khendar -

I had no big problem with the CGChallenge Uploader functionally, but as your help page listed the uploader as being in beta, I would like to offer some suggestions for future improvements (after you're all done with this challenge stuff, of course! :) )

* Include a link on the Challenge Uploader to the help file. (http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/Help:CGUploader)

* Include some of the more useful (and brief) info from the help file - such as acceptable file-types) on the challenge uploader itself, either as text, or a roll-over, or a "click for more info" link. For example, instead of saying "Thumbnail Image File:", why not include the text "80x80px jpeg <= 16k"? Ditto with the Video ("FLV only, click here (http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/Help:CGUploader)for accepted encoders.")

* Include a 'cancel' button for uploads in progress.

* Is the uploader only supposed to be used for final submissions? If so, remove the categories in the pull-down like "Image: Concept/Previsualization" so that people don't get confused. (I've seen some people who have already submitted everything via the usual channels now resubmitting everything (i.e. art they've already submitted the other way)through the uploader because they thought it was required. Either they're confused or I am... Removing unnecessary categories could help make that clearer.

* As it seems that some people posting in this thread have had some difficulties with the uploader, a "Help" link, taking you to the correct place to ask questions or troubleshoot (i.e. here?) might also be a good feature.

Cheers!

[smallone3d]

khendar (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=55008) , Apparently mine has gone through. Thanks. I say apparently because the previous try is showing up on my entry page, but tried again and that one did not.

thanks

[TBart]

I don't know if the submission worked. It doesn't seem to be able to attach the thumbnail, and when I submit, it goes to 100% but then a thing pops up and says it's only available for CGS members. How do I know if it works?

[TBart]

Ok, I think it worked. For some reason the pop down menu for the category wasn't working, so I restarted and it worked. I think.

[FalyneVarger]

I uploaded my final image approximately two weeks ago. I had some of the issues with the thumbnail and not being able to open it from the uploader, but I THINK it went through. I guess all of the sudden problems everyone is having has me a bit worried.

[monsitj]

khendar ,
can u check my final please ?
I know you re busy , I'm very sorry , but I don't want my work to disqualify due to upload process,
thank you in advance

[man-to]

Hello, I've uploaded the file and it said everything went fine :) But picture isn't showing in my thread (I suppose it's server error, because many people seems to have the same problem). Or should I worry? :)

Can you check it khendar ? Please :)

[Sauliber]

I just uploaded mine 2 times as well and it's not showing up on my post :(. Is it the server being busy and it'll just take a while, or is my image not going to post at all?

[man-to]

Would be pity to be disqualified after 14 hours of work non-stop :) I hope everything will go fine...We must wait to hear news.

[daRoz]

I have big problem, like mant-raz :( I uploaded pic via CGuploader but it is not visible when I push "refresh image", furthermore in guidelines pic dimensions are higher than 3600(wide/high) I've uploaded in bigger resolution and I got notice about required 1600 px image...

[TBart]

Ok, so it doesn't look like mine went through, and it's past the deadline now. So, now what? Am I just screwed or do we get an extra day?

[dhuang1]

Khendar,

I tried a couple of times to upload via CGPortolio Uploader and I'm not getting the upload complete dialogue... the progress bar says 100% but I'm not getting a complete confirmation. Does this mean the image hasn't uploaded? Is there a way to check?

Thanks,
David

[gregmcquay]

Ive been trying and trying to figure this thing out. Now its not excepting anymore entries.

[Gaenhart]

Hi Guys
Today is the 9th, the last day for the upload of final images. But I seemed to have missed the boat when I try to upload it. So, I have to assume that there's a time zone effect happening which has just blown my work out of the water. Can you please let me know what that timezone is so I'll get it right for the next challenge.

Cheers

[germanager]

and how long will it take to judge image challenge? Or we have to wait until the end of video contest and month after?

[khendar]

Hi Guys
Today is the 9th, the last day for the upload of final images. But I seemed to have missed the boat when I try to upload it. So, I have to assume that there's a time zone effect happening which has just blown my work out of the water. Can you please let me know what that timezone is so I'll get it right for the next challenge.

Cheers

There's a countdown timer on the Submit Entry page which shows the exact days, hours, minutes and seconds to the shut off date. Its been up since the Challenge began.

[Gaenhart]

Thanks - I'll look for it next time. Sorry to be a pain. Couldn't see anything in the rules - but can live with it.

Kenda says There's a countdown timer on the Submit Entry page which shows the exact days, hours, minutes and seconds to the shut off date. Its been up since the Challenge began.

[branqa]

@khendar
I uploaded my final image twice (once using the site - a smaller version of the image, and then using the Challenge Uploader - which said it was ok). I can see the text but I can not see the images.

See these links (my id is "branqa")
http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/view_entries.php?challenger=18713
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=291&t=790541

Please check to see if my final image is ok.
Thank you for your help!

[branqa]

Sorry for all the trouble -- it's working now.

I cleared my browser cache (in Firefox 3.5.2) and all is fine now. I have no idea why it was not working before doing this even if I was constantly refreshing the page(s).
So if any of you still have this problem (your images are not appearing) try to clear your browser cache.

Good luck with the challenge!

[yLAn]

Same problem as many here, apparently, image uploader... tried all day...

quoting myself from the contes tread:

It's still the 9th of July here in Europe, and in the... and in the US as well, as far as I know... and apparently the challenge closes on the 9th.... so, should not be closed...It's the 9th!
Maybe they use the Australian or Balinese local time (?)

I've been trying to upload my hi res image for hours with the image uploader which always tells me invalid challenge....

So..well, I've uploaded an higher definition image on the thread, with a link pointing to my portfolio... I hope it will be enough....

Otherwise..all the work's wasted...

or maybe not if You someone out there liked my work and enjoyed..:)

[khendar]

Same problem as many here, apparently, image uploader... tried all day...

quoting myself from the contes tread:

It's still the 9th of July here in Europe, and in the... and in the US as well, as far as I know... and apparently the challenge closes on the 9th.... so, should not be closed...It's the 9th!
Maybe they use the Australian or Balinese local time (?)

I've been trying to upload my hi res image for hours with the image uploader which always tells me invalid challenge....

So..well, I've uploaded an higher definition image on the thread, with a link pointing to my portfolio... I hope it will be enough....

Otherwise..all the work's wasted...

or maybe not if You someone out there liked my work and enjoyed..:)

Our competition system uses GMT time. There is a timer on Submit Entry page that shows the exact time until the deadline.

[salmonmoose]

I've blown the deadline out by 36 hours because I'm in a good mood - video users keep heed that there's a stonking great timer that tells you how long you've got, there really is no excuse :)

[yLAn]

Our competition system uses GMT time. There is a timer on Submit Entry page that shows the exact time until the deadline.



Dear Khendar, just a silly question, just after uploading my final image in low res with the browser based upload system, I started trying to upload our final image with the image uploader.. It was 1100 GMT Aug 9th 2009 (which was 1200 GMT+1 our local time), but we had problems with the image uploader (really don't know why, we tried from different systems and with internet security switched off).

I've read several times the rules of the challenge, and it's not very clear to me when exactly the challenge was closing, at what exact gmt time on the 9th of july it was supposed to be closed i mean.
The counter was still there when we started uploading as far as i rember, so....

Do you think our work will be considered in the challenge? (there's only a medium to low res version of our work online, but yesterday I've read on a previous support thread about the steampunk challenge where from an user unable to use the image uploader and he got a reply that his image size was enough for evaluation anyway as far as i understand)
If you can, let me know, thanks for your time, cheers, Giulia :deal:

[c780162]

Hi guys, after reading about all these upload problems..I just wanna add my own concern too lol :cool:

I submitted my final image via challengeuploader and the thumbnail appears on the "Upload Final Image" category, but when i click on it it doesn't load anything up. I jus wanna know whether it's been accepted or whether thats a sign of a bad upload.

Since timer now ses 2 hrs left though I thought it was over already, might upload again.

[yLAn]

Hi guys, after reading about all these upload problems..I just wanna add my own concern too lol :cool:

I submitted my final image via challengeuploader and the thumbnail appears on the "Upload Final Image" category, but when i click on it it doesn't load anything up. I jus wanna know whether it's been accepted or whether thats a sign of a bad upload.

Since timer now ses 2 hrs left though I thought it was over already, might upload again.

Yep, same for me, initially i got the "completed" message from the uploader, but when i try to open the final image nothing shows up.
And now of course i get "invalid challenge" msg if i try to re upload.

Well doesn't matter so much after all, we wanted to enter the challenge mainly to "say hallo" in this comunity, which is very new to me...:wavey:

[dhuang1]

hi salmonmoose,

thanks for extending the deadline, seems like many of us were having problems with the cg uploader but were able to resend from another computer with the extra time. from reading the post and from my experience, i'm fairly certain that the cg uploader does not currently work with windows xp 64 bit os... it allows you to go through the entire process, and you think it worked because the upload reads 100%, but then doesn't give you a confirmation at the end. i imagine many of us are using 64 bit machines, especially the video people who are continuing the competition, so it might be good to post some kind of message or warning in the help section of the uploader page... there is currently a little blurb about launching the program in 64 bit vista, but not on any possible problems with 64xp.

thanks again.

[marianof83]

Hi!
I tried to submit a mid resolution image but i could´nt do it.
I already Uploaded The final image with CGUploader and I would like other members to be able to check on a larger version of my work.
How ca I Do it?...

See
marianof83

[khendar]

Hi!
I tried to submit a mid resolution image but i could´nt do it.
I already Uploaded The final image with CGUploader and I would like other members to be able to check on a larger version of my work.
How ca I Do it?...

See
marianof83

The uploader only displays lower resolution images. This is for image security, as many users complained last time that their full resolution images were available for download on the internet. If you wish to upload a higher resolution image than the system can handle you can always put it on an external image host such as photobucket and embed it in your thread. However the uploader will not allow it.

[marianof83]

Thank you very much for the support!:cool:

marianof83

[marianof83]

I tried to upload the mid res image via online and I could´t because of what you talked me. I would like to know if the final image I uploaded via cguploader (High resolution image for print uploaded at 8/9/2009) has been replaced or lost because of this new uploading.

marianof83

[Madail]

I've uploaded a couple of times my final image through CGUploader, both in day 9 and 10, and i'm using xp 64bit. Nothing went wrong, the image went through perfectly, the bar went up to 100%, and the confirmation appeared, as well the larger image on the website. However the "zip" attachment didnt work.

I suppose the final image is indeed well submitted, and perhaps this confusing element makes members thing that they'res isnt.

in your own threads, try to open the final image, which will bring a link into your browser ending in "...medium.jpg", now go on and change it to "...large.jpg".
I tried this on mine, and it worked, i got to see the full res pic. This can lead to memebers not being happy about full res available to the public though.

[khendar]

I've uploaded a couple of times my final image through CGUploader, both in day 9 and 10, and i'm using xp 64bit. Nothing went wrong, the image went through perfectly, the bar went up to 100%, and the confirmation appeared, as well the larger image on the website. However the "zip" attachment didnt work.


What zip attachment ? The Uploader accepts jpegs, not zips.

[Madail]

yep, indeed it doesn't, but in the submit final image page, where the image refreshes after uploading the jpeg, if you click that image it opens a new tab with a zip extension file of that image, but never worked...didnt worry too much though..

[sergiofilho]

Do I still have time to post the final image for the Festival?

Thanks

Sergio

[Madail]

Unfortunately, no... The submissions closed yesterday at 6pm GMT. They were extended 36hours from the original deadline, but no further extensions were made.

bad timing, eh?? :(

[sergiofilho]

My daughter was born last weekend and I didn't have time to work on the image.
Please, one more day. Pleeeeease!

Thanks

Sergio

[marianof83]

I tried to upload a mid res version of my final image via online yesterday (in the ¨final image¨ Submit cathegory ,I done only for other members can visualize a more detailed version in the Page) and I could´t because of what khendar (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=55008) explains to me.
I would like to know if the final image I uploaded via cguploader (the final High resolution image for print uploaded at 8/9/2009) has been replaced or lost because of this new uploading.

...Sorry I quest again but I´m worry...:sad:

marianof83

[C4Dteam]

Hi

some questions: can I put the video on our site or I have to use only cguploader? There is a problem with vista 64bit and cguploader?

Thank you for your attention

[Madail]

Sérgio, thanks for your guestbook entry, but i really dont make any rules here :D i was just passing by and noticed your post, and as i was aware of the dates i was only letting you know how it its, but you should talk to kenthar or salmonmoose (sorry if misspelled) about that ;D out of my jurisdiction eheheh

boa sorte!

[Randis]

I was wondering when we can expect to see the results... sorry if that info was written somewhere, i did not see it...
just curious

[spottyspotty]

Yes, it is a really interesting question - when and where exactly the result will be posted? Will it be posted here, on the challenge's forum, or somewhere else? And will it be after the video challenge is finished, or earlier? I'd like to know it really, really much... :blush:

[CME64]

hi there,
I have some inquiries,
1/ if i have some blood in the scene ,will this be considered as violence, and so it is against the rules ?
2/ can I show the WIP or is it just the final image which is necessary ?
thanks in advance ,,

[walrus]

1) Blood is okay.. or at least several entries feature it. As they say in the spy business, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. (That's a metaphor there...)

2) For any entry, video or image, you are required to post work in progress and post official entries into all of the required categories (which includes WIP.) But if you're interested in the Image side of the competition (as your question implies) the deadline has already passed and you are too late to enter anything, WIP or final. Still time for the video, though! :thumbsup:

[goddamit]

we as a team started the video challenge, posting the

updated story and the progress images in the name of

goddamit on one of our team member profile .

now we are having problem the team member on whose name

the profile is had quit.

is it possible to change the entire previous update in

one of our team member who is having account already and still working in the challenge ?

[khendar]

Yes, it is a really interesting question - when and where exactly the result will be posted? Will it be posted here, on the challenge's forum, or somewhere else? And will it be after the video challenge is finished, or earlier? I'd like to know it really, really much... :blush:

Trust me, when the results are announced you will definitely know about it. There will be plugs, forum posts and articles.

All of the winners for both the Image and Video challenges will be announced at the same time. So you'll have to wait until the video challenge is finished before you will know the winners of the image challenge. Judging usually takes around a month.

[goddamit]

could any one tell as how to upload the scenes from the video in cg talk ?

[walrus]

Read through the FAQ (that's this thread) - there are links to both the uploader and how to use it.

[netsu]

Hey.

I'm having trouble with something. I was invited to a team but I think it went to an old email address if that is in fact where the invite confirmations go. If they do not go to email addresses then I am dumbfounded as to where it went. My team leader said that the invite says "pending" because I have not accepted the invite but I don't know where to find it. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[goddamit]

we have checked in FAQ and could not find any solution to upload the render video through the cg talk and tell us where can i find the video upload page ?

[walrus]

Check out post #153.

[goddamit]

thanks walrus , can we upload the WIP video in this final upload page?

[Louzada]

Hello, I invited the user "ldobbins" to do part of the team and your invitation doesn't arrive.

He modeled a character and to need to be included formally. How do I proceed?

Hugs,

[walrus]

Timothy and Anton -

It's about a week and a half since the Image part of the challenge ended and people are still starting entries! I'm not making this an issue for this challenge, but perhaps for the next challenge, the Challenge Banner that sits atop most of these Challenge pages can be more explicit about the 2 different dates? Right now it just says "11 June to 10 September" (or something like that) but it wouldn't harm anyone (and would likely help alleviate confusion) to add an extra line so that it read
"Image Challenge: 11 June - 11 August
Video Challenge: 11 June - 10 September"
or something like that. I know the dates are in the FAQ - hey, I got my entry in on time! - but I think it would save some people a little confusion (or a lot, as the case may be in some instances!) :)

[khendar]

Timothy and Anton -

It's about a week and a half since the Image part of the challenge ended and people are still starting entries! I'm not making this an issue for this challenge, but perhaps for the next challenge, the Challenge Banner that sits atop most of these Challenge pages can be more explicit about the 2 different dates? Right now it just says "11 June to 10 September" (or something like that) but it wouldn't harm anyone (and would likely help alleviate confusion) to add an extra line so that it read
"Image Challenge: 11 June - 11 August
Video Challenge: 11 June - 10 September"
or something like that. I know the dates are in the FAQ - hey, I got my entry in on time! - but I think it would save some people a little confusion (or a lot, as the case may be in some instances!) :)

Good point. I guess the problem is that we assumed that people would read the Instructions (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/instructions.php) page before entering the Challenge. We'll tweak the instructions a bit for the next one.

[khendar]

Hello, I invited the user "ldobbins" to do part of the team and your invitation doesn't arrive.

He modeled a character and to need to be included formally. How do I proceed?

Hugs,

Have him check his spam box and that his email address is current. If you still have no luck I'll try to rebuild the invitation link.

[Louzada]

Have him check his spam box and that his email address is current. If you still have no luck I'll try to rebuild the invitation link.

Hi Khendar, everything well?

Leo Dobbins updated the address of e-mail of him. The one that I had sent the invitation was old and he doesn't have more access. The current e-mail is leodobbins@gmail.com (user: ldobbins)

You could redo the link?

I thank in advance.

Hugs,

[khendar]

Hi Khendar, everything well?

Leo Dobbins updated the address of e-mail of him. The one that I had sent the invitation was old and he doesn't have more access. The current e-mail is leodobbins@gmail.com (user: ldobbins)

You could redo the link?

I thank in advance.

Hugs,

I have emailed ldobbins his activation link. Let me know if you have any more issues.

[CME64]

Dosen't NVArts have a notification service ?
I want to participate in these challenges but I always discover them late !!

[Louzada]

I have emailed ldobbins his activation link. Let me know if you have any more issues.

Thank you Khendar! Its fine now.
Hugs,

[JsGuillemette]

Hi, I'm having problem for video uploading. I downloaded the CGPortfolio Uploader from this page http://wiki.cgsociety.org/index.php/Help:CGUploader but it keep telling me I need to be a 'CGS member to use this feature' altho I see other participant using it without being a member.

Am I missing something, or is it a problem on my end (Which could be plausible since i'm working from my school network which might be blocking such uploads.)

Anyway, I'd like to know the correct procedure to upload work in progress video in my thread. Thank you in advance.

[khendar]

You have do download the Challenge Uploader (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/challengeuploader.jar) not the Portfolio Uploader. They are two different programs.

[Bittler]

Hi Khendar, I don't see my thread in the forum image , my thread link on my computer
he's ok but i missed the thread in forum image list, is it normal?
thank you for answer
Bernard

[jcgnba]

We have a 3D previz, not a 2D storyboard, and I would like to upload it. The Team Submission page only allows JPG files.

How can I upload the FLV storyboard?

Thanks,


Juan Carlos

[Randis]

after reading the rules and faq i would like to ask for permission to display my entry on other websites.

Cheers
Randis

[khendar]

We'd rather that

after reading the rules and faq i would like to ask for permission to display my entry on other websites.

Cheers
Randis

Sure no problem. Thanks for letting us know.

[khendar]

We have a 3D previz, not a 2D storyboard, and I would like to upload it. The Team Submission page only allows JPG files.

How can I upload the FLV storyboard?

Thanks,


Juan Carlos

You need to use the Challenge Uploader (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/challengeuploader.jar) tool to upload movies.

[Aedilhum]

How is one supposed to submit written releases for actors/voice actors?

[khendar]

How is one supposed to submit written releases for actors/voice actors?

They are not normally required as part of the submission, but they're worth having and keeping on record just in case the work is queried later on (say an actor claims that the work was used without permission etc).

[JsGuillemette]

My team and I would like to know if the making of is obligatory. We are quite short on rendering time, and well..short of time in general. So we were asking ourself if it was really worth it to 'take time' editing a making of.

Thank you in advance.

[jcgnba]

You need to use the Challenge Uploader (http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/challengeuploader.jar) tool to upload movies.

Thank you. We thought that was only for final submissions but now it is clear.


Juan Carlos

[gregmcquay]

One Month extension pleaeeese! He, He, Heee! :)

[CGIsrael]

Maybe 1 month is too much but 7 or 10 days more would be awesome, too much job done for not to be able to finish it, I can't believe we only have 4 days more.

Or maybe to SUNDAY!!!

Israel

[JsGuillemette]

Maybe 1 month is too much but 7 or 10 days more would be awesome, too much job done for not to be able to finish it, I can't believe we only have 4 days more.

Or maybe to SUNDAY!!!

Israel

Just stop sleeping for the next 4days, and that will give you 8days of work all in all. That's what I call an extension ;) That's what we're doing hehe

[CGIsrael]

HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH AHAHHAHAHAHHA HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHH AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA HA HAHAHAH HAHAHHAAH HAHAHA HAHAAHAHAHHAH HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAH

JS GUILLEMETE, that's why you are veteran don't you?

That's what I've been doing LAST 14 DAYS man!!!

[JsGuillemette]

HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAH AHAHHAHAHAHHA HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHH AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA HA HAHAHAH HAHAHHAAH HAHAHA HAHAAHAHAHHAH HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAH

JS GUILLEMETE, that's why you are veteran don't you?

That's what I've been doing LAST 14 DAYS man!!!

Don't get too excited, we joined the challenge on August 6th, and we've been working 16-18hours a day since then. We're all in the same boat... you ain't special :D

[destruct007]

Funny after all this, I wasn't clear. The final deliverable is "30 second version of trailer for initial judging. Followed by a maximum of 90 sec making of material, followed by full length Video."

Is that all in 1 video or is that 3? Is the judging based on the full length or the initial? Is the initial just to weed out the weaker entries?

Just to be clear (for me and anyone else) we need the following
1) 30 second trailer
2) making of <90 seconds
3) full length video

The reason I ask is that mine/ours is only 45/50 seconds total, so editing something down for a trailer seems kind of well spoiling the funniness of the total thing with narration 'n such. I've been told that these aren't hard n fast rules, and do what I think makes the most sense. I'm planning on putting the whole thing down then a making of. Unless PM'ed otherwise (PM'ed in case I miss a reply here)

[jcgnba]

Following up to Dave's question, our team has the same inquiry. What I saw from the winners' videos that are in the Steampunk page, all entries are one single video that follow this sequence:

1. Trailer
2. Making of
3. Full length and Credits

Is that the correct format and sequence, or should we upload three separate videos?

Thanks for the help,


Juan Carlos

[khendar]

Following up to Dave's question, our team has the same inquiry. What I saw from the winners' videos that are in the Steampunk page, all entries are one single video that follow this sequence:

1. Trailer
2. Making of
3. Full length and Credits

Is that the correct format and sequence, or should we upload three separate videos?

Thanks for the help,


Juan Carlos

For the trailer you would do what all directors do with movie trailers. Show snippets, inter-cut with overlays, voiceovers, slow-mo shots, freezeframes etc. It shouldn't be difficult to cut a 45 second piece into a 30 second trailer without revealing too much of the story.

Your three deliverables (Trailer, Making-Of, Full Length Piece) should ideally be a single movie uploaded in one piece. However if you find you are having troubles with the uploader and can't upload it all in one piece, then you are free to split it into three pieces.

[jcgnba]

For the trailer you would do what all directors do with movie trailers. Show snippets, inter-cut with overlays, voiceovers, slow-mo shots, freezeframes etc. It shouldn't be difficult to cut a 45 second piece into a 30 second trailer without revealing too much of the story.

Your three deliverables (Trailer, Making-Of, Full Length Piece) should ideally be a single movie uploaded in one piece. However if you find you are having troubles with the uploader and can't upload it all in one piece, then you are free to split it into three pieces.

Thank you. That is very helpful.


Juan Carlos

[adib]

Can we get one more week PLEASE! I know that was almost 3 months.But a few days will be great thanks!

[jcgnba]

I am having some issues with the CGChallenge Uploader. The application launches, but not before generating the following error message:

"java.net.ConnectException: Connection Timed Out: connect"

I am behind a corporate firewall that I cannot shut off, but I have configured Java to use the proxy server for the firewall. Before finding another connection spot with no firewall, which would require a 30 minute drive from here, I want to ask if this error message is likely to be a result of the firewall or if there is something else I am missing.

Again, thanks for the help.


Juan Carlos

[fgdf]

Bumping jcgnba issue..
My final video weights over 80 mb. Inncluding trailer and making off it's about ~140 mb at the moment. In case I' will find my self troubled to upload this in a single file, who should I contact, not to be disqualified for sending 2-3 seperate final videos? Or should I write some statement in my first post. This issue may be considered in future challenges.
-sc
_BB

[Shliosas]

one more week pls :(

[Animasta]

one more week pls :(

The image contest ended August 9 :p

[jcgnba]

We just uploaded a pre-viz rendered at 640x360, and out video page shows it stretched vertically to 640x480. I saw some other entries that have been posted at 640x3650 but there is no stretching happening.

Is there a way around this issue, or do we need to render the final video at 640x480 and make it letterboxed?


Juan Carlos

[salmonmoose]

Just gone through the videos, and there's some awesome stuff there - I'm in a good mood so I'm tacking on a few days to the deadline; This gives those of you who have finished, a chance to add some tweaks, those of you who aren't done, some extra time, and those of you who've not been sleeping, time for a siesta.

Make SURE you watch the clock on this page:

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/submit_entry.php

If you have trouble uploading a full video with all 3 parts (Trailer, Making-of, Feature) upload them separately.

The most recent video you post will be the one judges are most likely to see - in most cases this will be your feature film.

90% of the time, error messages in the Uploader are due to a firewall - Switch it off, or find another place to upload. I don't condone it, but if you can get the files to someone else to upload for you, that's also an option (passing out your password is bad mmmkay?).

Now stop reading the forum and finish your videos :P

[JsGuillemette]

I guess we'd be thankful over here if it wasn't of our severe lack of sleep of the past few days to make the deadline ! eh

Would have been great to know it a couple days early tho :deal:

Anyway, we're sticking to the original deadline, and you guys shall see our video by the end of the day :)

[salmonmoose]

I DO NOT sit with a stop watch timing your videos :)

The video size should autodetect so long as the video is greater than 200x200px and smaller than 641x481. If your video is not auto detecting, try compressing with another program and seeing if that helps (it defaults to 640x480 if the video does not report it's size).

[salmonmoose]

I guess we'd be thankful over here if it wasn't of our severe lack of sleep of the past few days to make the deadline ! eh

Would have been great to know it a couple days early tho :deal:

Anyway, we're sticking to the original deadline, and you guys shall see our video by the end of the day :)

Yeah, this is more a last minute extension so people don't all try to upload at the same time, like they do every time, leaving me fixing servers at ungodly hours :D

[darrennorthcott]

did the deadline just get extended??

[Aedilhum]

Thanks for the extension. It's really helpful. Especially for my health.

[sknne77]

Hi all, has there been an extension on the challenge? ive just been tot he submit page and it says

Video time left: 3 days, 19 hours, 45 minutes, 4 seconds.

is this true? if so thats amazing! :applause:
if not and its an error :banghead:

could you let me know asap as im cutting the final shots now in speedy time meaning im having to cut corners, but if we got more time i wont have to.

sknne

;EDIT;

just seen other replies. thank you for extra time.

[Staszek]

Big thanks for extention!

[saeDubai]

Hey , i have a question about the putting the video on the youtube, we are essentially planning to put the upload the final video both on the CGTALK (using the uploader) and on youtube, at the EXACT same time~

so we end up having one final post that includes our final video on cgtalk's server as well as a link to youtube version... is that ok? or is there any specific criteria about where we can upload our videos.?


thx
Amir

and oh, yeah, thanks for the extension ..... :)

[adib]

BIG TANKS! Thank you! Thank you!:applause: Sure will be more Great Stuff from us!

[Randis]

awesome and the 2d section is waiting for the results since 1 month now, we could have had some extension as well.

good luck everyone

[jcgnba]

Just gone through the videos, and there's some awesome stuff there - I'm in a good mood so I'm tacking on a few days to the deadline; This gives those of you who have finished, a chance to add some tweaks, those of you who aren't done, some extra time, and those of you who've not been sleeping, time for a siesta.

Anton,

I find this extension troubling. Our team bent over backwards to meet the deadline and we did so successfully. This meant sacrificing many things over the last few days, including time with our families. At this late stage, I don't believe any of us has the energy to do more tweaking, and giving an is likely to only benefit teams that did not plan their resources carefully enough.

Having had advance notice would have been great. After submission, I think it only will negatively affect us.


Juan Carlos

[pierzak]

Juan Carlos, I agree with you.
I took a day of work yesturday to finish the entry and went to bed at 5 am today to wake up at 8 am for work.
I was happy that I have finished on time and now I just feel sad that I sucrified a lot for nothing, while could go to work and have a good sleep at night and not feel so tired today.
:(
I agree that it will help some people who haven't finished on time. They are lucky.

[sknne77]

Juan Carlos, I agree with you.
I took a day of work yesturday to finish the entry and went to bed at 5 am today to wake up at 8 am for work.
I was happy that I have finished on time and now I just feel sad that I sucrified a lot for nothing, while could go to work and have a good sleep at night and not feel so tired today.
:(
I agree that it will help some people who haven't finished on time. They are lucky.

well im actually thankful for the extra time, i think good on you for finishing on time, you should be proud of yourself not feel sad dudes. all in all it just shows that you can work to tight schedules better than others. Brownie points for u all. :)

[pierzak]

You are right sknne77.
Keep it up

[fgdf]

same as below

[apumia]

@khendar (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=55008)
Hi, This is me Shahadat Hossain. I've successfully completed Secret Agent Image challenge and uploaded in time. I read in FAQ that judging will end and announced the winners after a months from now. But I have a question that can I post/upload my finished image in other CG related site now ? and do I also have to keep the "copyright of CGSociety" mention on the image ? Although I have no problem to wait for the result announcement and for the CGSociety mention.
I will be very happy if I have the permission to post that in other CG sites before the announcement of the result.

please reply soon.

[khendar]

@khendar (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=55008)
Hi, This is me Shahadat Hossain. I've successfully completed Secret Agent Image challenge and uploaded in time. I read in FAQ that judging will end and announced the winners after a months from now. But I have a question that can I post/upload my finished image in other CG related site now ? and do I also have to keep the "copyright of CGSociety" mention on the image ? Although I have no problem to wait for the result announcement and for the CGSociety mention.
I will be very happy if I have the permission to post that in other CG sites before the announcement of the result.

please reply soon.

You are free to post your images on any site you wish. We would prefer that you keep the CGSociety copyright on them but we don't explicitly require it.

[salmonmoose]

Having had advance notice would have been great. After submission, I think it only will negatively affect us.

This is mostly an extension because every single challenge people leave things to the last minute, and can not upload, had I announced it before people had finished they'd push their deadline out to compensate - and this thread would quickly fill up with people who didn't manage to get their uploads in on time. Our servers don't have unlimited bandwidth - when everyone uploads at the last minute, things don't always work out.

We're constantly tweaking how things run - this is a trial to see if it reduces the number of last minute entries that don't work out. There won't be any forgiveness for entries not in by the deadline.

[salmonmoose]

You are free to post your images on any site you wish. We would prefer that you keep the CGSociety copyright on them but we don't explicitly require it.

Just to point out - the images are NOT copyright of CGSociety - you maintain copyright of your images - we ask for first call of physical publication. We'd love for you to mention and link to the challenge if you post it anywhere though :)

[saeDubai]

Hey , i have a question about the putting the video on the youtube, we are essentially planning to put the upload the final video both on the CGTALK (using the uploader) and on youtube, at the EXACT same time~

so we end up having one final post that includes our final video on cgtalk's server as well as a link to youtube version... is that ok? or is there any specific criteria about where we can upload our videos.?


thx
Amir

and oh, yeah, thanks for the extension ..... :)


Hey guys...

I really appreciate it if someone can please explain the rules about the use of youtube...!

thx

[khendar]

Hey guys...

I really appreciate it if someone can please explain the rules about the use of youtube...!

thx

As Salmonmoose said above, you are allowed to publish your final images and movies anywhere you want on the internet. You own the copyright for all the work you produce for the challenge. If you want to put them on blogs, sites or Youtube then you are free to. The "please notify before publishing" rule is mainly for print publications.

[fgdf]

In my final video uploads I forgot to mention one source of a footage i used in my movie. I edited sumbission post to paste a massage fix but my entry page seems unchanged. Will it do or should I post a wip image or do I have to reupload whole movie once again?
Thanks!
_BB

[chilombiano]

I can't find my entry trough the image forum as well as other entries. is just not there anymore. I see the status on the my personal entry page as final image delivered ( which i did long time ago ) and from there i can access my thread but then going back to the forum and ..is gone!

Is someone having the same problem I'm having ?

thanks

[FalyneVarger]

I can't find my entry trough the image forum as well as other entries. is just not there anymore. I see the status on the my personal entry page as final image delivered ( which i did long time ago ) and from there i can access my thread but then going back to the forum and ..is gone!

Is someone having the same problem I'm having ?

thanks

I'm having the same issue.

[mcscher]

It's the same with me but...


...I guess since noone posted in my thread for more than 2 months it just disapears from the entry list automatically. I can still access it when searching the forum for my threads. It's there, I delivered in time so I'd say everything is fine. Well at least I hope so.

[gregmcquay]

Thanks for the extra time in the Video category...I'm to far behind to finish up, but I do have time to experiment with the uploader for the next challenge. Good Luck to everyone!

[Vampyrangel]

Hallo,

for this time i want to have a look an my challenge image.
But it isn´t there?

Please can you tell me whats happend?

Greetings
Björn Schmitz

[salmonmoose]

If you can not see your THREAD make sure you're viewing the forum for "all time" not just "30 days". (For speed reasons, we hide threads that have not been modified in more than 30 days).

If you want to see your entry - it should be available from the challenge pages.

[salmonmoose]

.... and this is why I kicked the time out :)

If you've had issues uploading in the past couple of hours, try again, I've kicked the server a bit :)

[chilombiano]

thanks salmonmoose!

[saeDubai]

*Edit: Final video now uploaded* / issue resolved

[fgdf]

Again I had report that my final video http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=6101674&postcount=64 won't work in some browsers.
Please can someone halp me with that? I guess judges will just pass by when they see constantly loading screen
help me good people?!
Anyone?
_BB

[darrennorthcott]

so, my entry no longer shows up in the video forum, or view all entries pages? any reason why? i'm concerned it is not being judged due to this!

[khendar]

so, my entry no longer shows up in the video forum, or view all entries pages? any reason why? i'm concerned it is not being judged due to this!

Here is your Entry: http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/secret_agent/view_entries.php?challenger=18644

And here is your thread: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?threadid=786897
I can see it about 4 from the bottom on the first page of the video forum.

[darrennorthcott]

ahhh yes, my apologies. apparently being at the office still at 1am causes my higher brain functions to shut down... thanks for looking!

[Marat-Ars]

I do not see the final image in the big size... The final size - 1867x2800, current size - 853x1280... Has not noticed.

[divengrabber]

ur question n answers r really helpful.

[Timdigit90210]

I missed the video deadline, arrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh!!! I'll try and put it up on youtube later for everyone to see what I was going for and link it here; hope it's allowed?!

[khendar]

I missed the video deadline, arrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh!!! I'll try and put it up on youtube later for everyone to see what I was going for and link it here; hope it's allowed?!

That is fine.

[khendar]

I do not see the final image in the big size... The final size - 1867x2800, current size - 853x1280... Has not noticed.

We do not display the full size images because the last time around people complained that their full resolution works were visible to the world. So we hid them from public view.

[yakonusuke]

Actually there is a easy way to view the fullsize image ... Would be good if you could care about that too.

[Marat-Ars]

We do not display the full size images because the last time around people complained that their full resolution works were visible to the world. So we hid them from public view.



The problem is that I can see full-size images in other entries but cannot see full-size image in my entry. When I click "Click for full-sized image" in my entry the same 853x1280 image is shown. And no matter if I logged in or not.

[Animasta]

The problem is that I can see full-size images in other entries but cannot see full-size image in my entry. When I click "Click for full-sized image" in my entry the same 853x1280 image is shown. And no matter if I logged in or not.

in the file name in your address bar, it may say "medium", change that to large.

[MrHobby]

Hey gang,
how much longer until the winners are announced?

[sknne77]

Hey gang,
how much longer until the winners are announced?

Bumpy bumper

[sknne77]

Just seen the winners, why wasnt I emailed of the results? Very annoyed at this. :curious:

[sknne77]

It would be nice to know how close we came the ones that didnt win? Like me? lol
What was wrong with mine? :shrug: :argh: :sad: Ill get my coat.

[khendar]

The winners are informed of their place by email. Everyone else finds out when they results are posted on the forums. We can't email every user who entered the competition and tell them why their piece did not win. The judging is an arduous enough task as it is and to do so would mean weeks of delay in getting the results published.

I was not involved in the judging process so I cannot say why your piece did not win. Winners were voted on by a panel of judges from many backgrounds based on technical excellence, creative story telling, style and a bunch of other criteria. There were heaps of outstanding entries but unfortunately not everyone can win a prize. Its understandable to feel frustrated that you were not a winner but its all part of the experience. There's always Challenge 25 :)

[goddamit]

hey khendar
we are the deadline team who contested in the secret agent and we all congratulate the winners. yes there is a 25 challenge as you said ,will meet again .but i just wanted to make sure whether they saw our videos or not?

[Amit_S]

Can someone plz post the results here? I would like to check out the winning entries.
Or if the results have already been posted..then can someone plz direct me to that page?
Thanks.

[jcgnba]

Amit,

The results of the Secret Agent Challenge, which is what I assume you are asking about, were posted some time back. The full article can be found here (http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=5293).


Juan Carlos

[Amit_S]

Got it!
Thanks.

[dzygn]

I Haven't send the Tiff Via FTP Please Help Me Where is cgsociety FTP host name?