I feel like I should do an update on the new TAU topic.
We're still working on it, just having to revise a few things. I was wanting to be able to do something that we legitimately cannot do. We can attempt it, but making guarantees will simply make me a liar.
It should be done or near so within the next week, but it may be a couple days before it's ready.
I feel like I should do an update on the new TAU topic.
We're still working on it, just having to revise a few things. I was wanting to be able to do something that we legitimately cannot do. We can attempt it, but making guarantees will simply make me a liar.
It should be done or near so within the next week, but it may be a couple days before it's ready.
Soooo..... It's going to be set up with multiple people who can edit the thread, as to not have a situation like we have now where if the OP goes missing it becomes possible to update the OP, right?
Also, are all of the active "Admins" going to be joined over? Who is going to be the new leader, or will it be voted on/change periodically, or will it be leaderless (well, more accurate to say "group managed" where everyone has a say, admins make deciding votes)?
What about reviving previous TAU stuff, such as "pack of the week" (more sanely, turn it to "pack of the month") and the TAU server? Pack reviews?
How about a link to the "Indie Pack Central", or sort of the same goal with showing off little-used packs, but also reviews or saying the packs' strong points? I mean, face it, the IPC doesn't get much traffic these days, but the TAU thread rarely leaves the FP. I'm not sure how many non-artists read the OP of it, but I wouldn't doubt that it'd generate a few clicks.
Finally, if a new community is going to be made, I assume this one will be locked? I'd hope you wouldn't bring in all old members, considering how many are gone or don't consider themselves active in the Minecraft art community anymore. (maybe a "previous members" or even just having a link to this topic with the old members list would suffice)
EDIT: Also, not sure if anyone remembers the rant (sort of @ ravand and his site) about how a resource pack website should be if it's actually designed for resource packs, but that's still a project I'd like to see happen, I wouldn't mind helping with the ideas side of it and giving feedback of design.
It'd need to be robust, with tons of options for packs.... not just stuff to categorize it so users can find stuff they like, but also things like integrated different resolutions (16x, 32x, 64x, etc.), versions (light, dark, "barebones", 1.7, etc.), and add-ons. Plus support for "odd-resolution" packs on a tag-level (so they don't need to just choose the closest res).
Also a separate add-ons category so simple shaders (maybe even separate categories for shaders and dedicated sound/model packs) or themed add-ons (that may-or-may-not be good on their own or with same-res packs) so simple things (used because of that) don't get 1000x more downloads and push everything else down.
Plus 1.8 stuff (and 1.9 stuff when it gets here) needs to be integrated as well, currently none of the content distributors are really up-to-date on the resource pack format and the capabilities.
Actually might get pretty complex especially as far as searching stuff goes, unless people know how to do the (server side?) scripting that'd be required.
EDIT2: Found my replies to ravand. I guess they weren't what I remember, unless I replied again to him later:
It's funny that Ravand's site is now only 3 packs (including his). I wonder if he just removed everything after the controversy and just sort of forgot about the site....
Also, didn't realize some of you have been here for so long. Guess I didn't notice some of you until you changed your avatars or actually replied to me.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I'm an outsider by choice, but not truly.
It’s the unpleasantness of the system that keeps me out.
I’d rather be in, in a good system. That’s where my discontent comes from:
being forced to choose to stay outside.
My advice: Just keep movin’ straight ahead.
Every now and then you find yourself in a different place."
-George Carlin
I plan to have 3 people counting myself 'in charge.' I've also already filled those positions.
I was planning on a more 'group managed,' as you called it, sort of workings. We're not really big enough to need more than 3 people, at least not that I can see. We're not what we once were, and even a new topic won't make us bigger than we are.
We're planning on bringing some old and some new stuff to the TAU. Honestly, even a pack of the month might be a bit much, it's really rare that a new pack comes up, so we'd just be going through what already exists. We may do some sort of spotlight, but I don't know about having it be any sort of 'of the ___." I was thinking we may do some sort of textures of the week, though I'm not sure what purpose it would serve, aside from hopefully persuading people post on-topic content more often.* We'd also like to make pack reviews a thing, but it wouldn't be specifically for those in the TAU.
The IPC was good, but I think it's a bit outdated. I've not heard of anything with it for probably a year at this point. We'd probably be better off starting a new one. And if someone wants to, we'll definitely link to it. The old one we may link for posterity, and for the links it does have, but... Kind of dead.
It seems the general consensus is to lock this topic, yes. Preferably with a final post linking to the new topic. We won't be copying old members over. At this point we're still debating on whether or not we should have 'members' or just allow people to join as they wish. We have a system that will work with either choice, but it's not quite been decided yet. If we have everyone apply for membership, any old members that request to join will be added to the list. And that goes for both official and unofficial members.
Also, it should be noted that what I've said here may not necessarily apply to either of the others. What's been said here is purely my view on it.
*As a note, off-topic posts won't be as allowable as in this topic. The forum staff have really been overlooking this topic, allowing it to exist against the rules. That may not apply to the new topic. So make sure you're ready for that change.
I plan to have 3 people counting myself 'in charge.' I've also already filled those positions.
I was planning on a more 'group managed,' as you called it, sort of workings. We're not really big enough to need more than 3 people, at least not that I can see. We're not what we once were, and even a new topic won't make us bigger than we are.
We're planning on bringing some old and some new stuff to the TAU. Honestly, even a pack of the month might be a bit much, it's really rare that a new pack comes up, so we'd just be going through what already exists. We may do some sort of spotlight, but I don't know about having it be any sort of 'of the ___." I was thinking we may do some sort of textures of the week, though I'm not sure what purpose it would serve, aside from hopefully persuading people post on-topic content more often.* We'd also like to make pack reviews a thing, but it wouldn't be specifically for those in the TAU.
The IPC was good, but I think it's a bit outdated. I've not heard of anything with it for probably a year at this point. We'd probably be better off starting a new one. And if someone wants to, we'll definitely link to it. The old one we may link for posterity, and for the links it does have, but... Kind of dead.
It seems the general consensus is to lock this topic, yes. Preferably with a final post linking to the new topic. We won't be copying old members over. At this point we're still debating on whether or not we should have 'members' or just allow people to join as they wish. We have a system that will work with either choice, but it's not quite been decided yet. If we have everyone apply for membership, any old members that request to join will be added to the list. And that goes for both official and unofficial members.
Also, it should be noted that what I've said here may not necessarily apply to either of the others. What's been said here is purely my view on it.
*As a note, off-topic posts won't be as allowable as in this topic. The forum staff have really been overlooking this topic, allowing it to exist against the rules. That may not apply to the new topic. So make sure you're ready for that change.
I'd love it if every so often we have a themed texture week, where we would have a theme and create a texture for any or a specific block
That's not really for me to say. If we move the TAU to a new thread, this thread would be nothing but off-topic. Going by the forum's rules, this thread should have been locked long ago for off-topic talk, because this section is for texture discussion.
@MCza
So have mini-challenges in the TAU? Not a bad idea. We'll definitely think about that.
@Pintom
Off-topic means everything not talking about textures or the TAU itself. The first half of the last page of this thread is a great example.
Perhaps we could start back up the WTC (Weekly Texture Challenge) inside of the TAU? The people who ran it (myself included) have long since given up on it.
They look great! I actually prefer the ender pearl without the border.
Thanks! However, I'm trying to replicate the RPG style in Pokemon or Castlevania, and I've noticed that they always have a heavy outline. Take a look at thisif you don't know what I'm talking about . (I use these sprites as a reference to help me get some shapes.)
Thanks for the critique, guys - you were right about the shadow, Bluberry, looks much better now I think. I'm using Drazile12's 16 colour palette.
Smooth stone, dirt, and better grass, any thoughts?:
I really like the colors on those. That, along with the strange style makes them look really... artificial. In a good way. Smooth stone's pattern seems a bit odd to me.
Thanks, though excuse me if I sound stupid, but what does hue shifts look like?
Hue shifting is a fancy word for changing the saturation and hue (mostly hue, thus the name) of your color when you change it's brightness. (rather than simply raising and lowering the brightness by itself). Usually you shift dark colors towards blue, red, or purple, and light colors towards yellow.
I'd suggest looking on Deviantart if you need tutorials on the subject.
I plan to have 3 people counting myself 'in charge.' I've also already filled those positions.
I was planning on a more 'group managed,' as you called it, sort of workings. We're not really big enough to need more than 3 people, at least not that I can see. We're not what we once were, and even a new topic won't make us bigger than we are.
IMO 3 people isn't enough. For maintenance and voting and such, maybe, but not for longevity. What happened with this thread's OP could easily happen again with just 3. I mean, there was 9 admins before (this was also before multi-thread/changing owners if that is possible now, or before shared accounts were allowed) and I'm pretty sure only 3/9 of the current admins are even active anymore. Most of them have fell off the face of the forum.
I kinda wish the forum software had a "next of kin" sort of thing where (without needing a shared account) multiple people could edit a thread, but if all of those people weren't active for a set period of time (6 months) another pool of people could have editing rights as well. If the previous users logged on later they could regain control, able to roll back the thread if needed.
At this point we're still debating on whether or not we should have 'members' or just allow people to join as they wish. We have a system that will work with either choice, but it's not quite been decided yet. If we have everyone apply for membership, any old members that request to join will be added to the list. And that goes for both official and unofficial members.
We're planning on bringing some old and some new stuff to the TAU.
We'd also like to make pack reviews a thing, but it wouldn't be specifically for those in the TAU.
I still think you should have members, but maybe a more lax system should be used. Tons of people post here (like you, as a good example) with textures or give advice/feedback, even if they don't have a released pack. I mean, once people become regulars on the topic (and seem talented and/or helpful), I don't think an application should really be needed, just have one of the "officials" PM them and ask if they want in.
I still think The Union should strive to provide union-specific services. Like pack reviews, I guess it heavily depends on how it's done..... text-reviews in the OP (or on a site)? Members only. Video reviews? This could be more independent, so maybe any deserving pack from MCF or that is requested.
The problem with video reviews is that all the good reviewers don't do reviews anymore, and even when they did, it took a long time.
Dyz69's computer broke. It's been like 2 years I guess he couldn't fix it or save up $1k for a new one.
TheQmagnet has been focused on Diversity 2 (or maps in general) for the past year.
appleslinky used to do reviews (if you didn't know) but hasn't done so in the past 2 years. Being a texturer, he actually gave detailed feedback.
There was is guy here on the forums (you may know who I mean, but I won't mention it) who has made like 3-4 threads on doing review videos, does like 3-4, makes a new Youtube channel and makes a new thread asking again. Cycle repeats.
Bebopvox didn't make reviews, but small spotlights (like 20 seconds talking about a pack) but he hasn't even been doing that lately, and that's with the show he does every month or so....
Small youtubers? Typically bad maps they made in flatworlds (tons of slimes), not good at reviewing (bad mic, don't know anything about packs, art, or MCpatcher), sometimes kids (non-english, again bad mic, short attention, LOLrandom). Let's review PVP packs and bucketfills.
Big youtubers? Fine in most aspects, but sometimes has previously mentioned traits (like not knowledgable about packs, short attention, etc.). The issue being it's entirely view-based. Let's review ONLY THE MOST POPULAR PACKS EVER. Not enough, let's review them 4-5 times..... because oCd or faithful is likely to change a bunch from 1.7-->1.8, enough to warrant a whole new video covering the same stuff, right? When we're not reviewing that, how about we occasionally review filter packs and minimal effort packs (like a "meme" pack or "vanilla textures remade using a script to use vanilla textures as pixels")
TL;DR actual texturers doing video reviews again would be nice. They can give some really good feedback. Heck, I just like watching reviews and I don't even use any other pack than my own!
The IPC was good, but I think it's a bit outdated. I've not heard of anything with it for probably a year at this point. We'd probably be better off starting a new one. And if someone wants to, we'll definitely link to it. The old one we may link for posterity, and for the links it does have, but... Kind of dead.
The IPC already had 1 revival, just ask Peyton. He still probably has access to the joint account, so it's not really "dead". The problem with the IPC is that, due to the nature of the forum and its rules, there is little to no reason for normal users to post. There's people who post their pack, and people who post "WOW! I really like X pack!" which (dingdingdingding) doesn't happen all too much.
Part of my point is that I really don't think the IPC is good enough. You get name, resolution, links, and image, that's it. Nothing to draw people in, you don't get the whole story. Not even able to say something as simple as "Sets apart from the rest: simple, vanilla-style models, not on building blocks". Even if there was a list in the OP (or dare I say in a "reserved" post, only because the forum software seems to warrant them these days with formatting issues) where members could have their pack listed, but with more info that the IPC allows.
Perhaps we could start back up the WTC (Weekly Texture Challenge) inside of the TAU? The people who ran it (myself included) have long since given up on it.
IMO it should stay in the WTC. That's a whole different discussion which may add chatter to those who aren't usually interested in challenges. Those who are interested in challenges won't know one is going on like they usually do when the challenge threads catch their eye. I don't see why it needs to be here, challenge threads usually get page time, if participation is low it's usually because people aren't interested or are busy and can't make the deadline.
Decided to post some pics of the blocks I've been working on.
Spruce planks. Ctm is done.
Grass side.
Stone bricks
Tell me what you guys think
Grass seems a bit flat compared to the other 2. The shadow you have under it seems too weak like it is pasted on (rather than actually affecting lighting) IMO.
Also, I know that your offset mortar on bricks would drive me crazy. I hate sides being different like that or not centered. I know 2px mortar is probably too much in 16x, and personally I just don't have visible mortar.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"I'm an outsider by choice, but not truly.
It’s the unpleasantness of the system that keeps me out.
I’d rather be in, in a good system. That’s where my discontent comes from:
being forced to choose to stay outside.
My advice: Just keep movin’ straight ahead.
Every now and then you find yourself in a different place."
-George Carlin
Hue shifting is a fancy word for changing the saturation and hue (mostly hue, thus the name) of your color when you change it's brightness. (rather than simply raising and lowering the brightness by itself). Usually you shift dark colors towards blue, red, or purple, and light colors towards yellow.
I'd suggest looking on Deviantart if you need tutorials on the subject.
Did I do it right? One tutorial highly recommended using the color wheel and I made the dark colors shift towards blue. I tried to do it with the lighter colors as well, but I thought it didn't look right.
I've made an ender pearl
EDIT:
I've decided to add an outline to the pearl and redo my dirt
I feel like I should do an update on the new TAU topic.
We're still working on it, just having to revise a few things. I was wanting to be able to do something that we legitimately cannot do. We can attempt it, but making guarantees will simply make me a liar.
It should be done or near so within the next week, but it may be a couple days before it's ready.
They look great! I actually prefer the ender pearl without the border.
Streaming:Soooo..... It's going to be set up with multiple people who can edit the thread, as to not have a situation like we have now where if the OP goes missing it becomes possible to update the OP, right?
Also, are all of the active "Admins" going to be joined over? Who is going to be the new leader, or will it be voted on/change periodically, or will it be leaderless (well, more accurate to say "group managed" where everyone has a say, admins make deciding votes)?
What about reviving previous TAU stuff, such as "pack of the week" (more sanely, turn it to "pack of the month") and the TAU server? Pack reviews?
How about a link to the "Indie Pack Central", or sort of the same goal with showing off little-used packs, but also reviews or saying the packs' strong points? I mean, face it, the IPC doesn't get much traffic these days, but the TAU thread rarely leaves the FP. I'm not sure how many non-artists read the OP of it, but I wouldn't doubt that it'd generate a few clicks.
Finally, if a new community is going to be made, I assume this one will be locked? I'd hope you wouldn't bring in all old members, considering how many are gone or don't consider themselves active in the Minecraft art community anymore. (maybe a "previous members" or even just having a link to this topic with the old members list would suffice)
EDIT: Also, not sure if anyone remembers the rant (sort of @ ravand and his site) about how a resource pack website should be if it's actually designed for resource packs, but that's still a project I'd like to see happen, I wouldn't mind helping with the ideas side of it and giving feedback of design.
It'd need to be robust, with tons of options for packs.... not just stuff to categorize it so users can find stuff they like, but also things like integrated different resolutions (16x, 32x, 64x, etc.), versions (light, dark, "barebones", 1.7, etc.), and add-ons. Plus support for "odd-resolution" packs on a tag-level (so they don't need to just choose the closest res).
Also a separate add-ons category so simple shaders (maybe even separate categories for shaders and dedicated sound/model packs) or themed add-ons (that may-or-may-not be good on their own or with same-res packs) so simple things (used because of that) don't get 1000x more downloads and push everything else down.
Plus 1.8 stuff (and 1.9 stuff when it gets here) needs to be integrated as well, currently none of the content distributors are really up-to-date on the resource pack format and the capabilities.
Actually might get pretty complex especially as far as searching stuff goes, unless people know how to do the (server side?) scripting that'd be required.
EDIT2: Found my replies to ravand. I guess they weren't what I remember, unless I replied again to him later:
http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding/resource-packs/resource-pack-discussion/1256364-texture-artists-union?comment=38261
http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding/resource-packs/resource-pack-discussion/1256364-texture-artists-union?comment=38278
It's funny that Ravand's site is now only 3 packs (including his). I wonder if he just removed everything after the controversy and just sort of forgot about the site....
Also, didn't realize some of you have been here for so long. Guess I didn't notice some of you until you changed your avatars or actually replied to me.
"I'm an outsider by choice, but not truly.
It’s the unpleasantness of the system that keeps me out.
I’d rather be in, in a good system. That’s where my discontent comes from:
being forced to choose to stay outside.
My advice: Just keep movin’ straight ahead.
Every now and then you find yourself in a different place."
-George Carlin
Looks good, my only problem is that everything looks too metalic. Maybe that's what you were looking for, I dunno. But for me, it's kind of odd.
That pearl is quite good, maybe do some hue shifting so it looks more interesting.
Grass looks so much better. Love the smooth stone too!
@Lemon
I plan to have 3 people counting myself 'in charge.' I've also already filled those positions.
I was planning on a more 'group managed,' as you called it, sort of workings. We're not really big enough to need more than 3 people, at least not that I can see. We're not what we once were, and even a new topic won't make us bigger than we are.
We're planning on bringing some old and some new stuff to the TAU. Honestly, even a pack of the month might be a bit much, it's really rare that a new pack comes up, so we'd just be going through what already exists. We may do some sort of spotlight, but I don't know about having it be any sort of 'of the ___." I was thinking we may do some sort of textures of the week, though I'm not sure what purpose it would serve, aside from hopefully persuading people post on-topic content more often.* We'd also like to make pack reviews a thing, but it wouldn't be specifically for those in the TAU.
The IPC was good, but I think it's a bit outdated. I've not heard of anything with it for probably a year at this point. We'd probably be better off starting a new one. And if someone wants to, we'll definitely link to it. The old one we may link for posterity, and for the links it does have, but... Kind of dead.
It seems the general consensus is to lock this topic, yes. Preferably with a final post linking to the new topic. We won't be copying old members over. At this point we're still debating on whether or not we should have 'members' or just allow people to join as they wish. We have a system that will work with either choice, but it's not quite been decided yet. If we have everyone apply for membership, any old members that request to join will be added to the list. And that goes for both official and unofficial members.
Also, it should be noted that what I've said here may not necessarily apply to either of the others. What's been said here is purely my view on it.
*As a note, off-topic posts won't be as allowable as in this topic. The forum staff have really been overlooking this topic, allowing it to exist against the rules. That may not apply to the new topic. So make sure you're ready for that change.
I'd love it if every so often we have a themed texture week, where we would have a theme and create a texture for any or a specific block
Decided to post some pics of the blocks I've been working on.
Spruce planks. Ctm is done.
Grass side.
Stone bricks
Tell me what you guys think
Wait a moment. What does 'off-topic' mean for a TAU thread?
Will we still be able to post our textures to get opinions from other TAU'ers?
Radiant Pixels - Vibrant, Colorful and Eye-Pleasing Resource Pack
@J
That's not really for me to say. If we move the TAU to a new thread, this thread would be nothing but off-topic. Going by the forum's rules, this thread should have been locked long ago for off-topic talk, because this section is for texture discussion.
@MCza
So have mini-challenges in the TAU? Not a bad idea. We'll definitely think about that.
@Pintom
Off-topic means everything not talking about textures or the TAU itself. The first half of the last page of this thread is a great example.
Perhaps we could start back up the WTC (Weekly Texture Challenge) inside of the TAU? The people who ran it (myself included) have long since given up on it.
I'd love the weekly texture challenge to come back!
Thanks! However, I'm trying to replicate the RPG style in Pokemon or Castlevania, and I've noticed that they always have a heavy outline. Take a look at this if you don't know what I'm talking about . (I use these sprites as a reference to help me get some shapes.)
Thanks, though excuse me if I sound stupid, but what does hue shifts look like?
I really like the colors on those. That, along with the strange style makes them look really... artificial. In a good way. Smooth stone's pattern seems a bit odd to me.
Awesome. Looks very inspired by Sheepy's Pixel Perfection textures.
I disagree. They have just enough contrast IMO, the only thing that could use a small boost is the shadow under the grass.
Hue shifting is a fancy word for changing the saturation and hue (mostly hue, thus the name) of your color when you change it's brightness. (rather than simply raising and lowering the brightness by itself). Usually you shift dark colors towards blue, red, or purple, and light colors towards yellow.
I'd suggest looking on Deviantart if you need tutorials on the subject.
If Seradicus doesn't use the idea, then perhaps I'd try and start it up again.
IMO 3 people isn't enough. For maintenance and voting and such, maybe, but not for longevity. What happened with this thread's OP could easily happen again with just 3. I mean, there was 9 admins before (this was also before multi-thread/changing owners if that is possible now, or before shared accounts were allowed) and I'm pretty sure only 3/9 of the current admins are even active anymore. Most of them have fell off the face of the forum.
I kinda wish the forum software had a "next of kin" sort of thing where (without needing a shared account) multiple people could edit a thread, but if all of those people weren't active for a set period of time (6 months) another pool of people could have editing rights as well. If the previous users logged on later they could regain control, able to roll back the thread if needed.
I still think you should have members, but maybe a more lax system should be used. Tons of people post here (like you, as a good example) with textures or give advice/feedback, even if they don't have a released pack. I mean, once people become regulars on the topic (and seem talented and/or helpful), I don't think an application should really be needed, just have one of the "officials" PM them and ask if they want in.
I still think The Union should strive to provide union-specific services. Like pack reviews, I guess it heavily depends on how it's done..... text-reviews in the OP (or on a site)? Members only. Video reviews? This could be more independent, so maybe any deserving pack from MCF or that is requested.
The problem with video reviews is that all the good reviewers don't do reviews anymore, and even when they did, it took a long time.
Dyz69's computer broke. It's been like 2 years I guess he couldn't fix it or save up $1k for a new one.
TheQmagnet has been focused on Diversity 2 (or maps in general) for the past year.
appleslinky used to do reviews (if you didn't know) but hasn't done so in the past 2 years. Being a texturer, he actually gave detailed feedback.
There was is guy here on the forums (you may know who I mean, but I won't mention it) who has made like 3-4 threads on doing review videos, does like 3-4, makes a new Youtube channel and makes a new thread asking again. Cycle repeats.
Bebopvox didn't make reviews, but small spotlights (like 20 seconds talking about a pack) but he hasn't even been doing that lately, and that's with the show he does every month or so....
Small youtubers? Typically bad maps they made in flatworlds (tons of slimes), not good at reviewing (bad mic, don't know anything about packs, art, or MCpatcher), sometimes kids (non-english, again bad mic, short attention, LOLrandom). Let's review PVP packs and bucketfills.
Big youtubers? Fine in most aspects, but sometimes has previously mentioned traits (like not knowledgable about packs, short attention, etc.). The issue being it's entirely view-based. Let's review ONLY THE MOST POPULAR PACKS EVER. Not enough, let's review them 4-5 times..... because oCd or faithful is likely to change a bunch from 1.7-->1.8, enough to warrant a whole new video covering the same stuff, right? When we're not reviewing that, how about we occasionally review filter packs and minimal effort packs (like a "meme" pack or "vanilla textures remade using a script to use vanilla textures as pixels")
TL;DR actual texturers doing video reviews again would be nice. They can give some really good feedback. Heck, I just like watching reviews and I don't even use any other pack than my own!
The IPC already had 1 revival, just ask Peyton. He still probably has access to the joint account, so it's not really "dead". The problem with the IPC is that, due to the nature of the forum and its rules, there is little to no reason for normal users to post. There's people who post their pack, and people who post "WOW! I really like X pack!" which (dingdingdingding) doesn't happen all too much.
Part of my point is that I really don't think the IPC is good enough. You get name, resolution, links, and image, that's it. Nothing to draw people in, you don't get the whole story. Not even able to say something as simple as "Sets apart from the rest: simple, vanilla-style models, not on building blocks". Even if there was a list in the OP (or dare I say in a "reserved" post, only because the forum software seems to warrant them these days with formatting issues) where members could have their pack listed, but with more info that the IPC allows.
IMO it should stay in the WTC. That's a whole different discussion which may add chatter to those who aren't usually interested in challenges. Those who are interested in challenges won't know one is going on like they usually do when the challenge threads catch their eye. I don't see why it needs to be here, challenge threads usually get page time, if participation is low it's usually because people aren't interested or are busy and can't make the deadline.
Grass seems a bit flat compared to the other 2. The shadow you have under it seems too weak like it is pasted on (rather than actually affecting lighting) IMO.
Also, I know that your offset mortar on bricks would drive me crazy. I hate sides being different like that or not centered. I know 2px mortar is probably too much in 16x, and personally I just don't have visible mortar.
"I'm an outsider by choice, but not truly.
It’s the unpleasantness of the system that keeps me out.
I’d rather be in, in a good system. That’s where my discontent comes from:
being forced to choose to stay outside.
My advice: Just keep movin’ straight ahead.
Every now and then you find yourself in a different place."
-George Carlin
Did I do it right? One tutorial highly recommended using the color wheel and I made the dark colors shift towards blue. I tried to do it with the lighter colors as well, but I thought it didn't look right.