The Drawing Board Archive [Archive]

James

06-13-2003, 02:53 PM

We've talked about this before, but you'll get the vibe I'm pretty thrilled with the thought of making this announcement.

I'm sorry for the delay, but a brand new opportunity arose. While previously we were setting up an Anzwers.org account outside of TZ to host pics and details of some of the work displayed here in the past, Barb came up with a rather obvious suggestion.

Naturally I had thought of it - only I did so 5 seconds after she suggested it, and that was only cos she had said it. But I did think of it too. Just at a relative point in the future. I'm not that stupid. Really. It was an obvious suggestion.

"Why not ask Toonzone to host the archive?"

So I did, and Harley and Brian have kindly offered to host a site with your work here at Toonzone.

It's been a while in the works - hence the wait. The bosses wanted to keep an eye on bandwidth before confirming the offer. That confirmation has come through so soon http://drawingboard.toonzone.net will be on all your favourite lists!

This is all rather exciting. Since this is a community, we want to have your suggestions and input into how we do this. The staff have had a bit of time to mull the idea over, and it's your turn.

I certainly want to have a competition archive. We will, if possible crossreference pics by artists too. That will take time to set up as I'm afraid I can only allow staff FTP access. However any ideas, HTML or otherwise will be of great help.

I want to have two link pages. One like with the workshop, which has some places to go art related, but the more important link page will be the one that links to YOUR websites. So people can go directly to your places of worship and see what you have to offer outside what you submit to the board.

Outlander is looking at putting together a basic Tech FAQ based on workshop comments (We may label a section 'Workshop' which is based on the subforum here).

Any other ideas? Any formats of website you would prefer to see. This won't be image intensive in design, I want to keep the bandwidth down as much as possible.

I look forward to your feedback.

Considering how in a year, this board has grown, this is a acknowledgement of all your hard work, members and staff. The ideas, commitment and CONSISTENT standard of work is what has led to this. You should all be very proud of each other.

Finally a thank you from all goes to FROZEN, who while unavoidably absent, has put so much into this forum for so long. I know the staff miss him dearly and wish him a speedy return when the time arises.

TriSaber

06-14-2003, 10:35 AM

I agree with keeping the overall layout of the site as simple as possible. I've always been a fan of the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method when it comes to designing one-sheets and the like. Here's a great Starman art site that shows you what I'm taking about. Something along this line would be great.

Starman Gallery (http://pmayhem.com/starman/index.html)

James

06-14-2003, 05:04 PM

That's a fantastic design!! Does anyone reckon they could match that? :P I have some ideas on what we need, but if someone has that sound of caliber in layout technique then contact me!

Barb Gordon

06-15-2003, 05:05 PM

ooo, wow, that Starman site has a gorgeous layout. Don't know of anyone incredibly website savvy around here, but if anyone is and wants to lend a hand, then it'd be awesome to do something like that. Something a little simpler would be nice too, that place has a really high tech looking layout. Some of the best looking layouts tend to be the simpler ones, or so I've found. It would help to have views from the fans, like Tri's idea. The more ideas we get, the better an idea we'll have when we start putting the site together...the sooner we can get it up...and the better it'll be! Your input really counts here, a heck of a lot. This board is kept alive because of fans, and the site will be built and thrive the same way.

~Barb

Lucky Bob

06-18-2003, 12:42 AM

I may not be able to match the Starman design, but I have had experience in installing PHP scripts for sites so that you don't have to upload everything with FTP. PLus, you could set up permissions for certain members to be allowed to upload their pics through the script. I could set up a complete site package, including news, faqs, links, and a gallery. And it would probably take about a week or so to set up, since you don't have to create a flat HTML file for each page, or make thumbnails of every image.

TriSaber

06-18-2003, 01:53 PM

And I'd be glad to design a logo for the site and provide a sort of visual layout that the webmasters can turn into a usable site, if you wish.

James

06-18-2003, 03:36 PM

And I'd be glad to design a logo for the site and provide a sort of visual layout that the webmasters can turn into a usable site, if you wish.

Cool, Trisabre, that would be great. LB - your help will be appreciated. Helping out on the more technical side would be an awesome help. I'm reluctant to give out the FTP at present, but I may change my mind on that. See how we go. It's not personal, in fact, being such a long term member I'd be happy to give access to you. Let me think about it - I have a way of working and I must admit not used to working in a group!! :)

I know Outlander has some ideas too. All input is greatly appreciated!

Dee

06-18-2003, 03:45 PM

I cant wait to see what happens!

Outlander00

06-18-2003, 07:23 PM

Well... As an initial idea (I am waiting for a few things in order to proceed), here is a basic sketch for a console.

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/consolesk1.jpg

Comments?

Lucky Bob

06-19-2003, 12:05 AM

Cool design, Outlander! I think that would be quite easy to set up.

James

06-19-2003, 03:20 AM

I know Outlander is trying contact Trisabre. If Outy and Lucky could knock heads I think you two may come up with some great technical ideas!

TriSaber

06-20-2003, 01:01 PM

Actually, I have a request. Would somebody be able to email me a hi-res copy of the Toon Zone logo? I'd like to be able to incorporate it into the archive logo somehow (just so everyone can tell it's affiliated with Toon Zone).

James

06-20-2003, 10:18 PM

Will do. I'll see if Harley has one.. of course if other likely candidates for holding a decent copy of the logo (say Romey who scans the forum frequently) can send me one.. that would save effort!! I'll catch Harley later - need to pass out somewhere soon! :p

Outlander00

06-21-2003, 12:57 PM

While I wait for some info/items from the almighty Brit and the lady in the NYC borough closest to me... Heres the base of the Archive console so far:

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/consolebs-1.jpg

Now, it can change, as how I am still waiting for stuff...

Any comments so far?

Lucky Bob

06-30-2003, 12:52 AM

Cool, Outlander! If you arranged those into tables, I think I'd be able to fit a gallery script in somewheres....

Good job!

James

06-30-2003, 05:29 AM

Outlander's waiting back on Trisabre. He has the fonts from Harley so we're are still on the way to getting this done!

Outlander00

06-30-2003, 07:19 PM

Okay, even though I am awaiting a few things from people... Heres the console at 70% completion:

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/consolebs-2.jpg

I dontknow if I like the font used or not... What do you guys think?

Kylewayne

06-30-2003, 07:30 PM

Looks good killer! Can't wait to see it all put together^^

SilverKnight

06-30-2003, 07:32 PM

Ow. The red hurts my eyes. The font's fine enough, but I think the red's just too bright. Try darkening it a little.

James

06-30-2003, 07:33 PM

I personally find the writing overly harsh for the natural console. Colours are good, any chance of something more rounded?

Outlander00

06-30-2003, 08:05 PM

Ahhh yes, my intuition was right :p

Okay heres a font sample of ones I have... Pick by line number (from top to bottom) which ones you like.

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/fontsample.jpg

Dee

06-30-2003, 08:19 PM

ouch.... that text is hurting my eyes-- maybe a different color combo and a more spaced font.

My only request.... no red and green on/next to each other lol.

I love the dark on light blue!! I also love the way it looks like smeared paint hehe.

Lucky Bob

07-01-2003, 04:10 AM

Either line 6 or line 12 would do nicely.

Outlander00

07-01-2003, 09:15 PM

Cool, guys... Anyone else have a say in the font used?

Spike04

07-01-2003, 09:17 PM

Errm.. I like 11 and 6.

TriSaber

07-02-2003, 09:44 AM

Hi, guys. Sorry I've been away for a few days, but I've been kinda busy. I got the hi-res Toon Zone logo now, and I'll be incorporating it into the first draft of the new drawing archive logo (which should be ready form viewing by the end of the week at the latest).

By the way, as for fonts, I'd go with line #9 for clarity purposes.

James

07-02-2003, 02:33 PM

Rune

07-03-2003, 03:21 PM

*adds her tuppence worth*

I think number 9 too, it manages to be both clear and eye catching

Outlander00

07-03-2003, 05:15 PM

With the suggestions taken, I present to you the new improved console! :p

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/consolebs-3.jpg

TriSaber

07-08-2003, 10:24 AM

One last question before I submit my logo (and it may be a stupid question at that). What will be the official name of the site? I don't wanna design a logo and use the wrong name.

James

07-08-2003, 11:57 AM

One last question before I submit my logo (and it may be a stupid question at that). What will be the official name of the site? I don't wanna design a logo and use the wrong name.

Since the site is http://drawingboard.toonzone.net go for 'The Drawing Board'. I think thats the best name! Most accurate I think too!

TriSaber

07-09-2003, 11:53 AM

Okay. I took a cue from Outlander's layout and came up with this possibility for the Interface (including Drawing Board logo). Please give me your honest opinions as this is gonna be a group effort.

http://images.deviantart.com/large/interfaces/iflat/Toon_Zone_Interface_Verison_1.jpg

James

07-09-2003, 03:19 PM

Nice!!!! I like the Toonzone logo - looks great! My only concern is size and mix of fonts for 'Drawing Board' I love the brush, the logo looks a little squashed into it's space though. The mix of fonts isn't something I'm overly comfortable with. But that's me - I don't know about anyone else!

Great stuff - very professional!!

Outlander00

07-09-2003, 04:31 PM

I like it a lot also, but SJJ is right... The different fonts kill it, especially that heavy serif font. also, the blending on the "Board" Dont go with the rest of the console design.

Outlander00

07-09-2003, 06:50 PM

Well, since the majority of the Mods like theirs... I figured the next step was to post them in here...

A couple weeks now I was thinking of a way to add to the console and stuff... Giving it a more personal touch.

Well, I figured something out...

And here they are... Your Mods for the DB... art-ized (of what I have so far anyway)! :D

SJJ
http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/SJJ.jpg

Barbara Gordon
http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/Barb.jpg

Nightflower
http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/NF.jpg

TimTwoFace
http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/Tim.jpg

And myself
http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/Outlander00.jpg

Comments? :D

Kylewayne

07-09-2003, 06:58 PM

LOL! Awwwwww! They all look so adorable!
SJJ looks like the British Brat he is & that is so Tim.
Outlander you look like a cute crazed killer^^...the alien is very yummy...:-D
the rest look sooooo cute you just want to hug them and sqeeze them.......=P

TimTwoFace

07-09-2003, 10:49 PM

*IS HUGGED AND SQUEEZED BY KYLIE* Whoa, watch where you're puttin' those hands! :D

Anyway Outlander, those all look great! SJJ is dapper, Barb is cute and in costume, NF is cute and full of flower power, I'm damned sexy, and you and your alien buddy look evil but adorable. Great stuff!

I also like Trisaber's layout for the DB archive. :)

-Tim

Lucky Bob

07-10-2003, 12:37 AM

Everything's looking lovely-jubbly! (I can't believe I just used that phrase.) :D

Tri, try making the font for "Drawing" the same as the font for "The", or "Board".

James

07-10-2003, 09:15 AM

Everything's looking lovely-jubbly! (I can't believe I just used that phrase.) :D

Tri, try making the font for "Drawing" the same as the font for "The", or "Board".

I agree - I the 'the' would make a good Font!

TriSaber

07-11-2003, 08:18 AM

Okay, folks. After taking your comments into consideration, I now present you with the Toon Zone Drawing Board Layout Version 3.0! (Outlander's being Version 1.0, and my first one being Version 2.0)

Once again, comment is invited from everyone. :)

http://images.deviantart.com/large/indyart/indymisc/Toon_Zone_Interface_Version_2.jpg

MWilburyJr

07-12-2003, 10:10 PM

that looks quite nice, trisaber. Clean and simple and very much keeping with the overall look of the toonzone pages. Roll with it!

Steve Jester

07-12-2003, 10:49 PM

Nice Layout TriSaber!

Anyway, Outlander, are you doing the personal pics for only the mods, or are you going to put in the regular artists too. (By regular, I mean not the ocasional posters but the ones who post frequently)

Kylewayne

07-12-2003, 11:37 PM

Wow! Nice layout Tri saber...but I thought Outlander was doing the layout and you the logo or something else. Now I'm confused. The two of you did two nice layouts...so...what happens now?

Originally posted by TriSaber!
Hi, guys. Sorry I've been away for a few days, but I've been kinda busy. I got the hi-res Toon Zone logo now, and I'll be incorporating it into the first draft of the new drawing archive logo (which should be ready form viewing by the end of the week at the latest).

and

originally posted by TriSaber
And I'd be glad to design a logo for the site and provide a sort of visual layout that the webmasters can turn into a usable site, if you wish.

Originally posted by SJJ
Outlander is looking at putting together a basic Tech FAQ based on workshop comments (We may label a section 'Workshop' which is based on the subforum here).

I thought that was the deal. It's nice that you two are working together but I feel like I missed something along the way.

James

07-13-2003, 07:07 AM

I think there has been a little confusion, however the two artists are working together at developing something that works on both their styles. I'm just chuffed having two professional artists working so hard on this. Isn't cool? Well, isn't it?

Oh yeah, and Outlander don't forget the FAQ! You can do that after you've done my dishes!

Lucky Bob

07-13-2003, 10:11 AM

I think there has been a little confusion, however the two artists are working together at developing something that works on both their styles. I'm just chuffed having two professional artists working so hard on this. Isn't cool? Well, isn't it?

And for you non-Brits, "chuffed" is a good thing. ;) (I can talk. I've got a British citizenship, as well. Born there.)

I think it's progressing nicely. When you break down the design into tables, I'm here with the code, guys!

James

07-13-2003, 10:37 AM

And for you non-Brits, "chuffed" is a good thing. ;) (I can talk. I've got a British citizenship, as well. Born there.)

I think it's progressing nicely. When you break down the design into tables, I'm here with the code, guys!

hehe, hadn't thought of that! I didn't know you were born in Blighty! That is a genuine surprise!

Yeah, co-ordinate with Luckybob when it comes to sorting out the PHP for the page. Soon we'll be able to look at what is going up. In fact, it maybe worth thinking about that now...

We'll want links to all Drawing Board posters websites/gallerys. That's something I definately want.

Need to work out what seperates Catalogue from Special Events - or whether the two should be cross linked (since items that appeared in comps could be then indexed in the catalogue under either artist or characters..... possibly the latter since we do have, shall we say, frequent characters popping up...

Comments?

Steve Jester

07-13-2003, 10:42 AM

hehe, hadn't thought of that! I didn't know you were born in Blighty! That is a genuine surprise!

Yeah, co-ordinate with Luckybob when it comes to sorting out the PHP for the page. Soon we'll be able to look at what is going up. In fact, it maybe worth thinking about that now...

We'll want links to all Drawing Board posters websites/gallerys. That's something I definately want.

Need to work out what seperates Catalogue from Special Events - or whether the two should be cross linked (since items that appeared in comps could be then indexed in the catalogue under either artist or characters..... possibly the latter since we do have, shall we say, frequent characters popping up...

Comments?
I don't know about the catolugeing by charecter, I have a lot of stuff that's original and I know some people have original stuff here too. I personally think it should be catoluged by artist.

James

07-13-2003, 10:49 AM

I don't know about the catolugeing by charecter, I have a lot of stuff that's original and I know some people have original stuff here too. I personally think it should be catoluged by artist.
I did consider that.

Obviously, we haven't the time or facilities to put all work up. On the whole, it will relate to the competition and Allstar entries. We may try and get some other work up on request, but on the whole, the links page will be the gateway to indivdual artists gallerys.
Any work which wouldn't be of specific characters that was on the site would be under a heading 'Misc' or 'Original Work' - if we adopt the approach I mentioned in my last post.

My concern is that while we want to highlight the artists here, we know many will come to the site to look for pics of their favourite characters. If possible, a cross reference between characters and artists (so you could find pics on the site by artist or by character) would be great. We'd need to maintain it regularly.

Steve Jester

07-13-2003, 10:58 AM

I did consider that.

Obviously, we haven't the time or facilities to put all work up. On the whole, it will relate to the competition and Allstar entries. We may try and get some other work up on request, but on the whole, the links page will be the gateway to indivdual artists gallerys.
Any work which wouldn't be of specific characters that was on the site would be under a heading 'Misc' or 'Original Work' - if we adopt the approach I mentioned in my last post.

My concern is that while we want to highlight the artists here, we know many will come to the site to look for pics of their favourite characters. If possible, a cross reference between characters and artists (so you could find pics on the site by artist or by character) would be great. We'd need to maintain it regularly.

Ok, I see your point. Anyway shape or form just having trhe archive is a great idea in it of itself. Too bad we don't have the resoruses to put up everybody's misc. stuff. Ah well, some of my stuff will go up (DB open stuff, but hey)

Outlander00

07-13-2003, 12:00 PM

Oh yeah, and Outlander don't forget the FAQ! You can do that after you've done my dishes!

Hey, I have my own dishes to worry about before yours, pal! :p

I am getting to them soon, I just wanted to get the final console locked in before working on the content. I'll see if Tim wants to help fast track this so we can input the data quickly.

I'll PM Bob about the situation thus far with the console... Like I said, we cant do much with Lucky Bobs expertise until we have a finished product.

You could always do both by artist or by character as far as catalog. Shouldnt be too hard to input the information based on what Lucky Bob was telling me about. Id just stay away from cataloging any original characters (even though there havent been much). but, that just my own paranoia setting in :p.

James

07-13-2003, 12:09 PM

You could always do both by artist or by character as far as catalog. Shouldnt be too hard to input the information based on what Lucky Bob was telling me about. Id just stay away from cataloging any original characters (even though there havent been much). but, that just my own paranoia setting in :p.

Since my intent at the moment is just to catalogue the All Stars and Comps (for the time being) original characters aren't that much of an issue... there hasn't been many...

Outlander00

07-15-2003, 07:48 AM

Alright everyone.. I finished the last Mod caricature

This one, of course, is our cool pal, Frozen :D

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/Frozen.jpg

Comments for the last one? Ill be assembling these soon to use for the website.

TriSaber

07-15-2003, 10:56 AM

Pretty cool. I think it looks great. Sorry I haven't been around regularly (other stuff just keeps getting in the way). I'll have a re-do of the logo done hopefully soon. I'd like to make it reflect the style of the interface more.

Lucky Bob

07-16-2003, 05:04 AM

Hey, guys!

Looking real good on the caricatures, Outlander! Really solid.

As for the console itself, that can all be done with little effort in the script I have lined up. The phpWebSite group has come out with a great new version of their script, and it is quite awesome. I'm playing around with it over at another site I'm working on: http://chadster.distanthost.com

Basically, the site itself can be edited by the properly privileged people without any need to worry about HTML, FTP, or anything as mundane as that. Once the script is uploaded and initialized, and the logo and colors are put in place using Frontpage, you'll ideally never have to work with "flat files" again.

So, once we have a final logo, and we decide on the "paint splatter" or the gradient for the header/menubar, that's all we really need. The menu images can be easily uploaded through the script. From then on, all images, news, FAQs, help files, and so on can be posted using the script. (Much like the way we post messages on this board, only on a bigger and more powerful scale.)

Oh yeah, and this package includes a gallery script, so you can have as many categories as you want, however you want them. Plus, you can allow multiple people to post the images, so the job doesn't fall to one person all the time.

And finally, a links page to everyone's sites is not a problem.

Outlander00

07-16-2003, 07:58 AM

Lucky Bob

07-16-2003, 03:10 PM

oooo I just love it when you get geeky, Bob! ;)

Seriously... Its a good thing we have you on board with the tech stuff... Otherwise we'd be at a serious loss.

The script sounds pretty utilitarian. The F.A.Q. (Now dubbed "The Workshops") is probably the biggest thing after the console issues are dealt with becuse of what work is needed.

One step ahead of ya, there! The script also comes with a FAQ editor! ;)

I have a question though... When clicking on an image in a gallery, can there be a Java script (or any script for that matter) set up so that the image can be enlarged in a new window and set on a black background?

Unfortunately, no. I have a good knowledge of how to set up PHP scripts, but I'm a relative newbie when it comes to coding. Otherwise, I'd do it.

That said, however, the image gallery script automatically generates thumbnails, and allows you to view a full-size image on the same page. For printing purposes, there is a link at the top of each picture's page that allows the user to print just the image.

James

07-23-2003, 11:34 AM

Update anyone? Where are we at right now?

Outlander00

07-23-2003, 11:53 AM

Update anyone? Where are we at right now?

*salutes*

Sir! Awaiting Tri Sabers logo, SIR!

:D

Thats about it... I am collaging the Mod caricatures and adding color to them also... Thats pretty much it, though.

Tim and I are working out a schedule as to getting together to work on the Workshops and post them in advance (or at least post them easier).

James

07-23-2003, 09:02 PM

I think we should start to look at content. And uploading images to the webspace. The sooner we can get this up, while looking professional the better.

Good work peeps. It's great to see you all working so well together.. and I was going to do this all myself. I'm glad I didn't know. Great stuff.

Wanted

07-28-2003, 12:29 PM

Version 2.0 looked better, but oh well. Is the page finished yet, because I can't get access.

Outlander00

07-28-2003, 06:04 PM

Page isnt ready yet... We are getting there!! :D

which, btw, heres the background for the site!

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/crew-bkgrnd.jpg

James

07-30-2003, 07:59 PM

have you tried it yet? so far as a background to the console?

Outlander00

08-09-2003, 08:10 PM

have you tried it yet? so far as a background to the console?

Well I was awaiting for the final pieces to fall into place.

Which they have now! *does his evil cackle*

The finished console (so far)!
http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/console.jpg

In the middle strip I used a drawing from just about everyone I could find and use.

I am still playing with the font for the logo, so what is they may change.

Here are some of the other choices I was thinking about...

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/logosamp1.jpg

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/logosamp2.jpg

Ill have a final, accurate representation image of the site soon enough!

Any comments?

EDIT - Here is a variant with a different font as the logo header...

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/console3.jpg

comixboy

08-10-2003, 10:33 AM

Hey cool stuff man, I like the collage of pictures up at the top, cant wait till this thing is up, again very nice work
:cool:

James

08-10-2003, 10:38 AM

Outlander00

08-10-2003, 11:50 AM

The main issue we have annoyingly is 'The Drawing Board' logo. Finding something which sits nicely with the console is hard and I still think we are not quite there. My apologies to Outy who is working so hard on sorting a logo out and I'm being so darn picky in what we - or should I say I - want. I think it's important to get it right before we go further..

Hey, its a trial and error process at this point... just like any endevour like this. Hopefully some of our lurkers here can give a us a fresh perspective on the situation at hand :)

Kylewayne

08-10-2003, 02:42 PM

*Stabs Brit* You slave driver :D

I must say I like the first console more than the second.
I know Outlander will do a fantastic job on the logo. :)

James

08-10-2003, 04:10 PM

*Stabs Brit* You slave driver :D
:)

He knows the faster he gets it right, the sooner he can go back to his cell home..

We've both been working on this. I think we've got a balance. In the end we don't need a trademark styled logo as the console Outlander designed IS the logo in it's own way. Just some finishing touches to make....

Wanted

08-10-2003, 05:50 PM

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/console.jpg

I think that this one is better. BTW, who on this board drew Barney?

Outlander00

08-10-2003, 06:09 PM

Well, I have a test site up for the console to see if and what fits (which means, LB, youre talents will be needed very soon :D).

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/dbtest.html

Right now, the only real change we are looking into is the background collage of the ops, and seeing if a disinterested third party could be persuaded to help a little. :D The rest of the parts are into place.

BTW, who on this board drew Barney?

That would be our man Bic, who did a very funny poster for the May Open involving Aliens vs. Barney. :p

The Flash

08-10-2003, 06:51 PM

Right now, the only real change we are looking into is the background collage of the ops, and seeing if a disinterested third party could be persuaded to help a little. :D The rest of the parts are into place.

I'll be willing to help you out with that. Lord knows I've done plenty of those things already, what's one more? :) Send me the pictures you want used and I can ‘collage’ it for ya.

Outlander00

08-10-2003, 07:02 PM

I'll be willing to help you out with that. Lord knows I've done plenty of those things already, what's one more? :) Send me the pictures you want used and I can ‘collage’ it for ya.

*bows to the almighty Flash*

You are the man! :D

Harley

08-11-2003, 02:21 AM

Outlander00

08-11-2003, 07:45 AM

Can I make a suggestion? Take a color from the background you're going to be using for the page and use that as the transparent color for the header/menu, or use the gray equivalent. I see a mess of white jaggies going on there. If you use a color or shade of gray that's close enough, the transition between your header/menu should look smoother.

Nice job, btw.

There is no better praise than from Harley herself :D

Yeah, I noticed that last night (after having to put my eyes back into my head from staring at the screen for hours on end). I dont know why it did that when converting it PS. What you suggested will probably work, though.

Thanks for the advice, Harley! :)

James

08-11-2003, 12:23 PM

Can I make a suggestion? Take a color from the background you're going to be using for the page and use that as the transparent color for the header/menu, or use the gray equivalent. I see a mess of white jaggies going on there. If you use a color or shade of gray that's close enough, the transition between your header/menu should look smoother.

Nice job, btw.

Funny, I was going to comment on that, but having had made Outlander do so many niggly and picky amendments I thought best to leave it for a night! :)

However your solution is far more efficient that what my suggestion would have been - and yours is so simple and logical too... *duh*

Lucky Bob

08-11-2003, 03:15 PM

Wow! You guys sure do know how to make a guy work! :D

I'm gonna have to take a new approach to this project, and do some things I've never done before. However, it should all work out nicely.

What I need, is the template divided like-so:

http://users.skynet.be/chadster/console.jpg

So, arrange the banner graphic along with the menu graphic into two different (fixed size) table cells, and leave one big blank one to the right of the menu cell, underneath the banner. Hopefully, I can integrate the neccesary template tags into the crucial areas of the page so that it works best with phpWebSite. After that's set up, the rest should be a piece of cake!

The Flash

08-11-2003, 06:34 PM

Background is done! Sorry it took me all day to get it finished. Choose whichever you feel will work best. Or complain away if I need to edit anything! :)

http://wf.toonzone.net/wfboards/db/bg.jpg

http://wf.toonzone.net/wfboards/db/bgcolor.jpg

and if anybody wants to mess with the psp file: http://wf.toonzone.net/wfboards/db/bg.psp

James

08-11-2003, 07:59 PM

Flash, Bob - I salute you! :p

I think we'll try the blue since it fits TZ more... but I have no objection to sampling either.

Outlander00

08-11-2003, 10:28 PM

UPDATE:

Well, between Harleys suggestion and Flash's help with the backgrounds... I have two test sites up.

Now its your guys turn!

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/dbtest.html

http://pratt.edu/~jstone/archive/dbtest2.html

Which one do you guys like? This counts, remember... so choose your pill, i mean, your console carefully. :D

Dee

08-11-2003, 10:42 PM

holy cow, ive missed a lot! I like the way it's coming together with the background too... and I died laughing when I saw the collage of everyone's stuff (the barney popped out for me too lol) and it's awesome!

im drooling over how amazing it's looking!:elle:

...i like both backgrounds but the blue ties in more with a 'falling back' effect. Doesnt distract that much.

I like the color but the blue lets me see the background without screaming "LOOOKKKK AT MEEE!!! IM THE BAAAAACKGROUND!"

whatever works will be fine with me but my preference right now is the blue tone. it's purty!

James

08-12-2003, 03:21 AM

I agree with Del. I like the white background, but it leaps out maybe a little too much. The more muted blues sits better with the console. IMO. Good job on the mocks ups Outy.

Outlander00

08-12-2003, 08:16 AM

I agree with Del. I like the white background, but it leaps out maybe a little too much. The more muted blues sits better with the console. IMO. Good job on the mocks ups Outy.

Sheesh, you are so picky SJJ! :p

I like the blue too, especially now that I have figured out how to work with web ready gif's (and got rid of the white).

Thats 2 people... What does everyone else think?

Kylewayne

08-12-2003, 01:33 PM

http://wf.toonzone.net/wfboards/db/bg.jpg

I like that background more . Makes the site less gloomy and more alive with a dab of color. Well that is my opinion. You may impale the "Cat" now if you disagree. :D

James

08-12-2003, 01:48 PM

*impales kitty as requested*

Doesn't my vote count as two? :D

Joking!!

I can see both sides, I think each could be equally as good.. well almost equally as clearly I have a preference.. :p

RKillian

08-12-2003, 02:04 PM

They're both a little hard on the eyes for some reason but I assume it'll be covered up for the most part right? I've been reading about this archive project all summer though. Is it already up without a front end or is the whole thing still being designed?

James

08-12-2003, 05:12 PM

Oh RK, if only it was... yeah we've been majorly slow. All with commitments. Once we've got this sorted it will be up pretty fast. The site will be simple enough in itself and design is always the slowest part. We have enough hands to transfer the pics to the TZ server, Luckybob seems to be on the ball with the HTML construction.. I think we'll get something up very soon and expand from there.

The Flash

08-12-2003, 11:15 PM

Outlander00

08-15-2003, 02:58 PM

When I posted them, I hadn't tested them out with anything to see how they woud look. Now that I have seen it, I must say, scrap the one with color and use the blue! Much easier on the eyes. Forget I even posted the other one. ;)

Multiple colors are nice, but when it distracts you from the rest, that's not good.

Well, The background designer has even thought that the blue one is the one to go with... So who am i to argue? :p

I guess we are agreed then to go with the console on the blue background?

Sorry about the temp site being down, folks... Apparently when the power went out yesterday, my alma maters servers were not rebooted properly. If anyone can help as a temporary dump for this (as well as the Workshop images) I'd greatly appreciate it.

James

08-17-2003, 11:22 AM

Lucky Bob

08-19-2003, 12:35 AM

Okay, it's time to look at doing some uploading.

First off, thumbnails. How are we to approach this? The old fashioned way, and create seperate images of a certain size (what size)? If so, shall we generate before or after uploading the main comp images to the server?

I won't start uploading images until we discuss this. :)

As I've said, the thumbnails will be handled by the site software itself. There's no need to upload anything until it's all in place. Once it is, you'll be able to upload all images through the Gallery script, much like you would here on the forum. (The mods, anyway.)

Hope that helps! ;)

Dee

08-19-2003, 12:50 AM

Outlander00

08-19-2003, 08:17 AM

lol i JUST realized what happened to the pic of mine thats in the layout... it looks like a Harley Quinn pom pom (or something---) is over the left eye... LOL

It just hit me. Im was like--- "Why does that eye look so funky now??"

HAHAHAHAH.... oh man, I am so slow. :p time to go to sleep.

*pats Del's head*

Its okay, Del :p

Okay... I am going to ship the console to LB while we figure out what to do with content (which wont take long). I know the Workshops have stuff ready to go... I just had a question though. Are we going to upload the examples to the server as well?

Are there any other touches we should do to this site that anyone can think of (banners, headers, etc.)?

James

08-19-2003, 12:26 PM

As I've said, the thumbnails will be handled by the site software itself. There's no need to upload anything until it's all in place. Once it is, you'll be able to upload all images through the Gallery script, much like you would here on the forum. (The mods, anyway.)

Hope that helps! ;)

Thank you - I recall you saying previously - hence I PM'd you. My memory can be dizzy at the best of times to the specifics. If the thumbnails are handled by the site software, how does it work? Does it create an individual image, or compress the original to a thumbnail size - my concern is bandwidth. With so many images I want to make sure we don't eat up any more than necessary.

I know the Workshops have stuff ready to go... I just had a question though. Are we going to upload the examples to the server as well?

I suppose it might be worth having something up while we construct and upload.. *shrug* I don't think it's essential - unless you can give me a reason I've not thought of... and I'm tired so that could be an easier task than I expect.. :p

Outlander00

08-19-2003, 12:45 PM

I suppose it might be worth having something up while we construct and upload.. *shrug* I don't think it's essential - unless you can give me a reason I've not thought of... and I'm tired so that could be an easier task than I expect.. :p

Ugh... Get some sleep, you twit! :p

The reason why I asked is all of the workshops to date have used examples to make their points... It would just be easier to upload everything as is than rewrite them all.

James

08-19-2003, 06:44 PM

ah I thought you meant the archive examples!!! Yeah sure any workshop examples which will pertain to any detail you add to the tech area should be uploaded. Definately. Sorry. Told you I was tired!

Dee

08-19-2003, 10:22 PM

*pats Del's head*

Its okay, Del :p

Okay... I am going to ship the console to LB while we figure out what to do with content (which wont take long). I know the Workshops have stuff ready to go... I just had a question though. Are we going to upload the examples to the server as well?

Are there any other touches we should do to this site that anyone can think of (banners, headers, etc.)?

maybe we can take some examples of art monthly and make a banner for advertising around TZ. Sort of a blend of everything from pencil work to crayon to color pencil, to inking to photoshop. I love seeing an array of different styles and media. Like a random grab bag of monthly stuff.