Streamgroup new policy update - 3D-Palace Community Forums

olblue · #1 01-28-2008, 10:17 AM

As some of you will know, I have been away on a short sabbatical - something I need a couple of times a year in order to clear away the cobwebs. There have been two main things I have been pondering whilst I was away however that relate to 3d-palace - one is for the future and of no bearing here, however the other is Streamgroup - at the moment a mere shadow of what it could be, and in severe need or refinement.

At the present the Streamgroup is working through the Cutty Sark project - my general opinion is that I would like however to shoft focus to shorter and more beneficial projects for our users rather than a massive 25+ hour set that is broadcast slowly via this medium. I have taken soundings from members, administrators and people who are not related directly to 3d-palace and it is in my opinion the best benefit for streamgroup members to have smaller and more focussed content - therefore the Cutty Sark project, which is a great fun and very very detailed project (like a wooden Serenity) will within the next two weeks be prepared as a standardised DVD release and made available free to all members of the streamgroup system as a download for the complete set. (Cutoff point for signing up is the moment this is posted)

New streamgroup content is in development as well as a refined method of delivery - gerneral opinion of the streamgroup current system is positive however it will need some general refining in order to make it work moere efficiently.

For the next two weeks there will be new Cutty Sark streamgroup material released - week three (Week starting the 18th) will see the DVD and Download release of the Cutty Sark Set. Streamgroup members will get access to that immediately on its release as priority downloaders for the first week. (Means you get the nice fast bandwidth).

If you have any queries about this, please do not hesitate to ask me and I will be happy to help in any way I can. I see Streamgroup as a lasting inbuilt classroom system that will in time allow me to broadcast live lessons to the members rather than pre-recorded sections - this will take some time however it is very attainable and will be a part of Streamgroup within the next 6 months.

sandmanninja · #2 01-28-2008, 10:35 AM

Well, I think it's a good idea.

I'm glad you reflected on the situation. The burden on you had to be great - to pump out twice-weekly installments for the streaming media.

I'm sure I'll get the DVD set (as a download, as I don't trust postage over seas to here) - my Jeep Wrangler has been sold to a scrap yard and I have a very nominal compensation. So, I caught up on some bills, got ahead, and have a bit of pocket money left over.

I've gotten some 3D books out of it, and I'll grab the Cutty Sark tutorial - this way the Jeep will sort of always be with me as I continue to learn 3DS.

(It sounds stupid, but I was rather fond of the Jeep - and I almost died, so I guess that's an issue, too)

Like you said, I think the DVD method will be best for a long project like the Cutty Sark.

Looking forward to it, mate.

olblue · #3 01-28-2008, 11:02 AM

Glad to hear some structured comment - thanks SMN. Also glad you managed to sell off that Jeep - you should look at something like a Military sales place that gets rid of old stock - you might find another one going cheap. UK Police do that sort of thing all the time.

supertom44 · #4 01-28-2008, 11:37 AM

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Shorter more compact sets makes sense really, means you dont have to sign up to a long time course and worrie if you will be able to keep up.

sandmanninja · #5 01-28-2008, 11:54 AM

I think you ought to schedule break times/down times between sets, too.
Not very long, but a time to mentally shift gears.
'Right. That's one dead soldier." <tidy up><drink><read something fun>
"Right! On to the next one!" Otherwise, you're ALWAYS working and that's bad for mental health, physical health, outlook on life, work quality, etc.

Thanks also for the suggestions on a replacement vehicle.

I just went out this past weekend and bought a nice whiteboard for my office. I have it divided into sections, with the GOALS section taking up a lot of real estate. I have a timeline (of sorts) and mile posts. If I see that one deadline is looming, I know to get my ass into gear and try to finish that particular goal. Of course, what makes it all work is planning out achievable goals. If you don't plan it, right you'll never be able to achieve the goals and then the whole system falls apart and you start drinking again...

It sounds like 2008 will be an exciting year for 3D-Palace!

contrafibbularities · #6 02-02-2008, 05:01 PM

I also think that releasing the Cutty Sark course as a DVD set is a great idea, I'm really looking forward to that! Like supertom 44 said, this will take a lot of pressure off of the participants, too. It's not easy for me to keep up with two video releases per week, I've also worried about lagging behind...

I hope that future Streamgroup projects will cover topics that can be applied to software packages other than 3D Studio Max as well because despite the fact that I use C4D, I have learned tons of stuff from your lessons. It's a pity that there's nothing for Cinema 4D that would compare to your video courses in terms of motivation, topics, and the "live modeling" concept. I've already bought two of your downloadable DVD sets, and there's at least two more that I'd like to have.

What does the DVD release of the Cutty Sark course mean in terms of subscription to Streamgroup #1? Does it end with the release of the DVD? With regard to future Streamgroup projects/classrooms, will it be necessary to subscribe to Streamgroup on a permanent basis or will it be possible to subscribe to individual lessons for the time of their duration?

olblue · #7 02-02-2008, 05:09 PM

With regards to anyone wanting to stay on the Streamgroup - I will be downshifting into a new topic as of next week in Streamgroup 1 - more news to follow soon I promise

ar2g · #8 02-21-2008, 09:26 PM

Hi Cris,

I'm excited about getting this as a DVD set. We got hit with a bunch of projects so I had to back off on the tutorials. I can't wait to get started again. Any ideas when it will go live for download?

thanks,

Ant

olblue · #9 02-21-2008, 10:55 PM

Well - I'm working on it at the moment - the pump and sails need to be completed and its a massive headache to get out - this has been way more complex than I imagined however it will be out hopefully within the next 21 days.

sbcarshops · #10 04-10-2008, 11:32 PM

Cris,

I was reading the April newsletter and noticed that the Cutty Sark is avaliable to download. When I went to the site I saw the whole plethora of videos. [Thank you Very much! Great job indeed] I was just curious as to if these are downloadable, or just watchable. [at least for the time being]

Gregg