NEW Forum – OPINIONS PLEASE?

[john6512]

Hi Robert

As long as you dont run out of bandwith or reach your bandwidth limit (if you have one) I think it is a good idea. Are you going to limit file formats to vector formats, and are you going to put file spec limits to ensure other people can all download the import the file. If I uploaded a Corel 11 file, previous versions would havea problem – Adobe also would have the same problems. Unless a minimum file spec is agreed.

We are lucking in having most of the software for Mac & PC – but is everybody in the same boat ?

All the best

John

[Lorraine Buchan]

Sounds just like the ask mike forum……

Something we don’t have now but i think made a big contribution to the site. So i’m all in favour of a ‘design help forum’

[Dave Bruce]

I would be all in favour of such a forum, as I am more of a sign maker than a sign designer, although I have an artistic eye it is great to have some ‘old hands’ look over designs.
Looking at the design ideas that have been put forward in the last month, and the help that others have put forward, I think you should run with it.

All have a fantastic year. 😆

Dave

[Robert Lambie]

Yes Lorraine, something like it, but this time it’s for us all to chip in and help with the design. I guess this is why Dewi suggested it.
Being allowed to upload 1 image & 1 file in this format under this type of forum title is a first though. It makes things far more conveniant for us all, as there is none of the “having to have your own webspace” etc to be able to take part.
Good point john, I don’t see us exhausting the new bandwidth, which should be in place very shortly. We also have bags of web space on the new server also.. Even if we manage to fill it within the coming months it will simply be increased when we switch to a dedicated server. That’s the plan at the moment anyway…
Regarding files.. well, at the moment you should be able to upload gifs & jpg type image files and many of the vector formats.. Cdl, eps, ai, Cdr etc. Normally its safest loaded as an ai but even if someone cant use the vector format they can request it in a format of their choice which the original poster can again upload in a reply post.
cheers dave 😉

[Bill Dewison]

It is why I suggested it Robert, I think the concept of a forum that allows someone to constructively comment on peoples designs and sometimes add in a different twist or a completely new idea, is excellent.

Earlier I posted up an idea of a design I’m working on in the ‘Show Your Stuff’ forum and its had positive, constructive responses that help me to progress with it. This happens alot, and its a great resource for every member/visitor here. The fact that you can get the opinion on a design from a whole array of designers/sign writers, who all have different backgrounds, ways of approaching a design and sometimes different methods of using materials is fantastic.

Obviously this is happening anyway, but its spread across different forums, and I’d imagine it takes alot of work to try and centralise stuff like this. Having a forum (granted, similar in concept to a previous forum) thats allows everyone to comment and help each other with designs, I think would be excellent for the boards. Having its own forum distinguishes the design side from the ‘Show Us Your Stuff’, where mostly ppl show work they have already done rather than projects they’re currently working on. Its always got to be better to have a pool of resources, especially in an area as important as the concept/seedlings of an idea for a design, than working in isolation. As always, humble opinions. 🙂

Cheers, Dewi

[Nigel Fraser]

Yep, sounds like a good idea to me too. It should be fairly simple for users to work out which forum to post in and hopefully this shouldn’t cause Rob too much problem as a result.

Re file formats, I normally use Corel10 but almost always send/receive artwork in EPS/AI format which means you can then import and edit in any version of Photoshop/Illustrator/Signlab or Corel etc on Mac or PC.

As Rob says, if somebody want to have a bash at modifying anothers design they can always ask for it to be posted in a different format.

The only trouble I have with EPS files is if they contain a high res image and then the resulting file can be rather large. I exported one a few weeks ago for a 40’x10′ digital banner and it created a file of nearly 2gB (took nearly an hour!) – sent it as a JPG and it came out at 10mb ! I know thats an extreme example but you know what I mean !!

I guess it would be sensible to have an uploadable file size limit to keep things running smoothly, if there isn’t already one in place that is.

Well thats my little bit anyway….

Nigel

[Robert Lambie]

thanks for the feedback folks..

i have now created this new forum, “Graphic Help & Discussion”

i have also created a new listing for it in the forum index as shown, scroll to bottom of forum list. it should appear under “show us your stuff”

http://www.uksignboards.com/index.php?nav_0=1

its is not 100% but what i would like to know is,
is it self explanitory?
does the short demo explain things well?
is there anything else you think i should add?

im open to suggestions.

if the image in the index is prefered, with the links below it explaining this and that. i will proceed to make all forums appear in this fashion.

let me know what you think anyway.. thank you 😉

[Steve Thurlow]

Nice one Rob,
It all makes sense to me,

It will be great to show proposed designs & get feedback & encoragement from fellow uksignboarders.

Cheers, Steve

[AaSk4Stickers]

Great Idea Rob

I haven’t needed to use this type of option yet, but who knows what the future will bring!

Cheers

Alan

[John Singh]

Looks good Rob 🙂

Nice demo as well – simple to follow
Sounds like a great forum 😀

John 😀