[size=2]This is a GREAT FAQ by Megan Smiley
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[li][size=2]Common Acronyms and Abbreviations:[/size][/li][li][size=2]How do I join the DSF? [/size][/li][li][size=2]How do I post an image?[/size][/li][li][size=2]Im new to CGTalk. Why isnt my post showing right away? [/size][/li][li][size=2]Can I use any medium? [/size][/li][li][size=2]Im a complete novice! Is that okay?[/size][/li][li][size=2]Whats up with the time limits? [/size][/li][li][size=2]Im so busy! Can I sketch only once in a while?[/size][/li][li][size=2]How do I know which threads are active? [/size][/li][li][size=2]What kind of threads are in the DSF?[/size][/li][li][size=2]How do I find sketches from the old topics?[/size][/li][li][size=2]How do I vote for my favorite? [/size][/li][li][size=2]Is there a lot of competition?[/li]
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[li][size=2]Common Acronyms and Abbreviations:[/li][/ul]DSF - Daily Sketch Forum
NTL - No Time Limit
SOTW - Sketch of the Week
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[li]How do I join the DSF? [/li][/ul]There isn’t a member list and there isn’t a secret password or handshake. To join, simply login and post your topic sketch. It’s that simple. And, it can be very effective.
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[li] How do I post an image?[/li][/ul]Posting your images is remarkably easy:
First, upload your image to an image-hosting site such as imageshack or photobucket.
Copy the link to that image.
Register and login as a CGTalk Member if you haven’t already.
Click on the DSF thread you wish to post your sketch.
Click POST REPLY. This button is found at the top and bottom of the thread.
Activate the message area by clicking in it (the image will appear where your cursor is flashing).
Click the icon that looks like a little yellow postcard or envelope. That should open a scripted window.
Paste the link to your image into the highlighted section reading “null.” Your image will then appear in your post.
*If the scripted window does not open and you get a warning at the top of your browser about scripted windows, R-Click on the bar and select Temporarily Allow Scripted Windows. Click the yellow postcard again to launch the window.
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[li]Im new to CGTalk. Why isnt my post showing right away? [/li][/ul]Brand new users have a two-post review process to go through. Its painless and if your posts are validated, you shouldnt experience any delay in your later posts. Just remember, courtesy and respect is expected in this forum - just like any other on CGTalk. That does not mean you must pretend to love every piece presented. It merely means that you must behave politely when providing a critique on the strengths and weaknesses of a piece. As the reply rules say, Engage your brain before your mouth.
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[li]Can I use any medium? [/li][/ul]The DSF is unconcerned what you medium you use as long as the sketch doesn’t plagiarize another’s work (unless specified otherwise: e.g. Self-Portrait as a South Park Character). We like to know what was used to sate our curiosity but feel free to use any program or any traditional method.
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[li]Im a complete novice! Is that okay?[/li][/ul]This is forum for all levels of people. Moreover, thats not just inclusive and shallow advertising. It’s the truth. Anyone that has felt nervous about posting because they feel unqualified, your concerns are heard. We’ve been there. For many of us, our first posts had us shaking in our chairs. But, the DSF is unique. Insults, harassment, and rude comments are completely unacceptable and the forum leaders do a fine job of enforcing that policy. That’s not to say everyone will praise your work. There will be critiques and some will be blunter than others will, but no one intends to crush your art - they just want to help you build it. If your new, nervous, and/or want a critique, say so! This forum actually behaves like a polite and helpful community. Have you posted a sketch but didnt get the critique and help you wanted? That’s a shame. Most of us try but we’re busy too. The last thing we want is for you to feel like our silence is social pressure to make you leave. Just remember to be polite and if you keep on drawing, someone will come around soon enough.
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[li]Whats up with the time limits? [/li][/ul]The time limits have confused people for a while now. It is mostly established that the time limit is set for the actual production of the piece. Most people don’t include reference hunting and while thumbnails are bit of a murkier aspect, no one’s really going to begrudge using ten extra minutes to find a decent composition. However, it can be useful as a growing experience to count the thumb nailing as part of your production time. The enforcement of time limits regarding voting is flexible. No one will discount your entry for five or ten minutes. Some are even flexible up to fifteen or twenty minutes. The DSF is undergoing some new changes that may change this, but that will come when our forum leader says so. Finally the present suspicion: who’s being honest about their time? The DSF works on an honor system and sometimes you see a piece and you have to wonder. However, I would like to hope that most of the community makes a concentrated effort to be honest in their behavior. This is how we grow, by being honest with each other about our skills and critiques.
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[li]Im so busy! Can I sketch only once in a while?[/li][/ul]The DSF doesnt require a commitment and is respectful of our busy lives. You can sketch once and not return for a year. You can sketch every topic. It doesn’t matter. Come, go, and grow as you please. Just remember to keep your sketches somehow relevant.
*If you’re looking to post your personal sketches that arent related to the topics, visit CGTalk > General Techniques > Artistic Anatomy and Figurative Art Personal Anatomy & Sketchbook Threads (http://forums.cgsociety.org/forumdisplay.php?f=200). Here you can develop a sketchbook thread to post your sketches. Some sketchbooks are also posted in the WIP/2D section.
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[li]How do I know which threads are active? [/li][/ul]The newest DSF topic is posted at the top of the thread, just below the sticky threads. It is also identifiable by the increasing numbers in the threads title. Topic threads are open and active until the Category Vote Thread for those topics has been posted. The time period between the initial post of the topic until the voting generally lasts 7 days (five to be safe), some even later but that is not very common. Most thread activity stalls by the fifth day unless they are unusually popular threads. Once the Category Vote Thread [Officially known as Sketch of the Week: Tell Us What Your Favorite is for the Week! Cat (#-#)] for a range of topics most activity ceases in those topics. While that does not mean that thread is officially closed, any entry added after that isn’t likely to receive much attention as most people have moved onto the newer threads.
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[li]What kind of threads are in the DSF?[/li][/ul]Variety is the spice of life. To add to that variety, all sketchers are encouraged to post topic ideas to the Topic Suggestions Thread (it’s one of the sticky threads). Our forum leader Roberto Ortiz also jazzes up the DSF by adding special threads. There are a few types of threads:
Topic Threads: These threads make up the bulk of the DSF. They feature a topic, a time limit, and follow the normal guidelines. These guidelines are posted at the top of every sketch thread.
Sketch of the Week: Tell Us… Threads: These threads are where sketchers post their votes for the specified categories.
Concept Art Threads: These threads encourage sketches of a particular style or subject as a way to provide concept art for other challenges such as VFX Challenges and 3D Modeling Challenges.
Experimental Threads: Just as the title says, Mr. Ortiz has placed a unique challenge on the topic. The most recent of these was a thread called “The Hero.” That threads particular challenge involved color restrictions on the entries. This is but one example.
Hyper-Review Threads: These lesser-seen threads were particularly helpful threads. This thread requests that everyone who posts provide a critique a previous poster. The exchange of helpful advice is very useful so don’t shy away from these rarely seen threads.
How do I find sketches from the old topics?
Most of the old sketch threads can be found in the Sketch of the Week Gallery. Here, Mr. Ortiz has composed links to all the Sketch of the Week threads. Inside those threads are links to the mentioned categories. For example:
Sketch of the Week Gallery > THE SKETCH OF THE WEEK: Tell us what is your favorite sketches from Cat (978-984) > CGTalk Daily Sketch 984
You can also search for a category number in the search box at the bottom of the DSF.
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[li]How do I vote for my favorite? [/li][/ul]Participating in the voting process is easy too. Select the thread beginning with "THE SKETCH OF THE WEEK: Tell us what is your favorite sketches from Cat (#-#). The numbers that follow “Cat” indicate the different topics to vote for the week. Then post your reply with your votes. You might notice that some people don’t vote for all the topics but rather leave one or two certain topics with “NO VOTE.” This response hasn’t had much resistance so if you don’t feel comfortable voting for in a topic you’ve participated in or simply didn’t enjoy any of the sketches, this is a viable option provided it is used sparingly. Finally, you don’t need to be a participant to vote for the SOTW.
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[li]Is there a lot of competition?[/li][/ul]If the thought of voting creates too much competition for you, you’re not the only one. Many people were worried about that once. After a few posts, most conclude that were all here for the fun. Is it nice to be nominated? Sure it is. Yet, no one’s really here to win. That’s what the major challenges are for. This forum exists to practice, play, and encourage. Thus, you can use the voting process as a way to push yourself or you can ignore it entirely because no one is going to think less of you regardless.
Thanks again to Megan Smiley for her hard work!
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LEGACY POST:
I am trying to compile a FAQ for the Daily Sketch Group.
I am specially interested in hearing from those interested in participating in
the daily sketch group and have not done so for one reason or another.
And if you have not heard of us just click
>>Here<< and check us out.
Thanks
-Roberto (Daily Sketch Group Mod)
PS I’ll unstick this thread later today.
), I won’t be posting anything for awhile.
You’ll get over it soon enough, you have to. Shame will be replaced by your desire to do better and prove yourself. Ego isn’t a bad thing per se you know!