The doll looks good!! I'm interested in seeing the finished product. It's ironic because the Jamie doll I'm finishing up has an evil plushie of his own, which acts as the interface for his scars and hair...click the doll's arm and scars appear on the doll and the actual character, etc etc. There may be an influx of plushies in dolls ^_^
Posted on Apr 9, 2002, 9:06 AM from IP address 66.67.17.220
Well, perhaps...but after I have the pullstring thing worked out, she's going to tell some rather gored-up fairy tales, etc...and all her wardrobe is either goth or goth lolita stuff in shades of pink...glad you like it, though. ^^
Posted on Apr 9, 2002, 5:13 PM from IP address 64.12.107.24
i agree with tea about it being excited, but a better comparison would be (big grin) to XD. it could also be used to express sarcastic frustration, like >_< or >.<
they actually have books out on emoticons too, i saw one at Iwase books a while back.
Posted on Apr 10, 2002, 3:34 PM from IP address 172.135.140.196
>This is freaking me out a little because in icelandic it means "Vote conservative" (and I don't)
Eek! Another secret political message!!! Oh no!!!
Seriously though, sometimes it's hard to remember or recognize all of the smileys and emoticons that people use. Some of them just look like gibberish to me, even after people explain them. Don't feel embarrassed if you don't always know them. They can be very cryptic sometimes.
#;{
Posted on Apr 10, 2002, 1:35 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
When I first started making my kiss doll, I actually began with my interactive doll from my web-site, about half way through I stopped to do Pin-up. So, I still want to finish the interactive doll, but I have a question for you. I originally got the base doll from a "dollz" site--The site states that the bases are to be used for personal use and they are not to be distributed. Now what I want to know is, if I convert her to a kiss doll and have it posted for downloading, would that be considered distributing? I cannot find an email address at this site, or I would just ask them. Actually, until I can get permission from them I really don't want to foward, but I would like some opinions.Being new to all this, I want to make sure I have a complete understanding about using someone's base doll--and in this case, this was for use for making a "web doll".
Thanx
Wendy
Posted on Apr 9, 2002, 4:30 PM from IP address 67.250.136.24
since we ask most dollz makers to respect OUR wishes when we say "please do not turn this doll into a cartoon doll," i would think the right thing to do is to reciprocate. if someone has a request about their original artwork on a web page, you should respect it. that shouldn't stop you from asking for permission to use it, but if you can't get permission, treat the artists' request the same way you would hope your own requests pertaining to your original art would be treated.
tea
Posted on Apr 9, 2002, 4:54 PM from IP address 64.59.27.162
yeah, for now I am just going to leave her the way she is, an interactive doll on my site. If some time in the future I can get permission, maybe I'll finish it.
I never had planned on putting out there with out permission, I just wasn't clear about what they meant by the distribution rule. I personally think if I have any reservations or am unsure about it, then it is no go.
*Wendy
Posted on Apr 9, 2002, 7:22 PM from IP address 67.250.153.81
I am looking for the kiss artist who formerly used this email....sailorvenus_power@hotmail.com it is no longer in use according to hotmail. I am trying to contact her in regards to a doll template question, if you can either have her contact me at rbennett41@hotmail.com or pass me along to a place where i can contact her it would be greatly appreciated.
thank you,
omegaluke aka robert
Posted on Apr 9, 2002, 10:06 AM from IP address 207.127.242.188
The e-mail addresses I have for Kandle and Rusty-chan seem to both be on servers that no longer exist. Does anyone have alternate addresses for either of these artists?
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 3:24 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
OK, some really rude friends of mine started making psuedo-kiss dolls in Photoshop, and have been very cocky about it...now they throw this site in my face that's a clear rip-off of mine, even leaving my self-portrait, which looks nothing like either of them. Have a look at my site (http://angelfire.com/band2/wink/kisekae/), and then look at this monstrosity: http://www.crosswinds.net/~fuu123/Home.htm
To top it off, have a look at what Kyli had to say:
(me): photoshop dolls are called psuedokiss, since they're not coded by the specifics of the kisekae set system
(Kyli): no, they're KISS dolls.
(Kyli): Trust us, we've been making money off of them.
(Me): oh, I'm sure
(Me): it still says your site isn't there
(Kyli): http://www.crosswinds.net/~fuu123/Home.htm
(Me): this means war
(Kyli): ?
(Me): I will report you to OW, and they will take action.
(Kyli): Oh
(Kyli): but.. we're not connected to it.. we're not linked.. they can do nothing
(Kyli): sorry but our business is outside of otaku world..
(Me): yes they can, hun
(Kyli): we're independent..
(Kyli): and you're not copy-righted.
(Me): we'll see about that
(Kyli): Okay...
(Kyli): I dont really see what the issue is here but okay..
(Kyli): It sucks when we act as stupid as you think we are, doesnt it?
(Kyli):
(Kyli): and just to tell you.. dolls made with photoshop would have the exact same coding..
(Kyli): would you stop being so mean to us?
(Kyli): we didnt do anything wrong.
I am very hurt that such a close friend would do this to me...and as torn as I am about reporting this, I feel it is necessary to bring justice to all artists. I figure if they don't learn now, they never will.
Posted on Apr 7, 2002, 2:52 PM from IP address 64.12.101.159
You're right, their site is of course a rip-off of yours... It seems to me as if the only reason it's there is to intentionally annoy you-- there seems to be no actual content, or am I missing something? All the links are dead, as far as I can see. No dolls. Or did they take them down after you complained?
So, I can certainly understand why you're angry, but what does OW have to do with this? They are very supportive of artists' rights, but there's really nothing they can do about something like this.
Also, what do they mean when they say they've been making money with KiSS?
°__°??
And just out of curiosity, why do you think Photoshop dolls are Pseudokiss? Photoshop is just a paint program and has nothing to do with the coding, right?
Alex.
Posted on Apr 7, 2002, 3:27 PM from IP address 217.234.235.13
I know that Photoshop can be used in the creation of KiSS, but theirs are layer dolls-I've been at the computer where they're making them. As far as OW goes..they did steal my site..and I don't know how far they're going with all this..but I am pretty upset about this situation.
Posted on Apr 7, 2002, 4:23 PM from IP address 64.12.101.154
I know what you mean. Nobody has ever ripped my site off but I work pretty hard on it. Spend hours of my time creating it so if somebody ripped off not just the layout but some of the content (which is all orginal) I would be angry too.
Posted on Apr 8, 2002, 1:35 AM from IP address 64.35.132.220
They're wrong about calling their dolls "KiSS". It would not have the same coding. KiSS is a specific file format. Pretending that a PhotoShop Kisekae picture is a KiSS doll is like pretending that a GIF image is an BMP image. There's nothing immoral about it. It just makes them look ignorant.
They're wrong about the copyright. As you can see from http://www.eff.org/IP/cpyrt_myths.faq on the EFF.org server, all creative works are instantly copyright as of the moment of creation. Their use of your image is a violation of copyright law AND the Terms of Service for Crosswinds.
However, since it is your copyright, not mine, I can't do anything about it. But you can. Since they have refused to remove your copyrighted artwork, you can contact Crosswinds.net and have the site deleted.
I'm not sure who you should contact at Crosswinds since they seem to be currently restructuring their contact info. Try user@crosswinds.net or useraid@crosswinds.net and they should be able to help you or direct you to the correct address.
Posted on Apr 7, 2002, 3:28 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
Thank you, if not on my own behalf. She's been ripping off other artists' graphics for a long time now, although that's the first time she's gone THAT far..it's about time she learned. hugs
Posted on Apr 7, 2002, 4:26 PM from IP address 64.12.101.154
I know absolutely nothing about cnf and all that other stuff, but I used a punky template to make a doll, well, a bitmap of my doll, and I would like to know if anyone would be so kind as to do my coding and stuff? Thanks!!
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 8:10 PM from IP address 64.12.104.44
I will, but only if I can draw some clothes, too. (best bit of the doll! ^^) or I could teach you some coding if you want. e-mail me the bitmap and I'll do it, but it might take a while.
Heavenztearz
Posted on Apr 7, 2002, 9:13 AM from IP address 213.1.131.86
I'm making my first kiss doll (really my second, if any of you remember beta-testing a Rocky Horror Picture Show doll for someone calling herself Odango42). I'm using PlayFKiSS (version .084 or whatever), and it's working just fine, except for one thing: I have no idea how to change the black background 0 color to something else... (the rest of the palette works just fine, except the wrong color is transparent). I remember someone telling me how to fix this when I made the Rocky doll, but it's been a long time and I've forgotten since then.
Thanks for your help,
~amphetamine42
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 9:19 AM from IP address 66.188.57.111
Thanks to beth, I think this is making a lot more sense... (Thanks for a tutorial on WSVC written in plain English!) If i still have trouble I know I'll be back, but I think now I'm gonna be OK.
~amphetamine42
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 10:10 AM from IP address 66.188.57.111
This message is really to beth, but I decided to post it here in case someone had the answer too.
I followed your tutorial instructions expressly (I have a really big 256-color bitmap (1271 X 1604), and everything is all nice and boxed in black... At least, that's what I thought. WSVC gives me a "Please enclose cells with retangles" message and I can't convert anything. I can't find a stray pixel anywhere. Would it help if I sent you a copy of the picture I'm talking about? Has anyone had this problem before?
~_~ First day into a new community and I bet I'm already annoying everyone... sigh
~amphetamine42
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 10:39 AM from IP address 66.188.57.111
I ran into that same problem, I couldn't find a stray pixel, everything looked fine. So I loaded it back into my paint program and used the magic wand on the background, and there I found a stray pixel that was just barely off color from my background! So, I inverted the selection and fixed it! And it worked.
You might try that.
Wendy
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 5:17 PM from IP address 67.227.209.32
It works! Hoo hah, it works! Everybody say yaaaaaay!
Thank you so much Dov for getting all squinty and catching that pixel... I never would have caught it in a million years (well, maybe in a million years...).
Thanks so much.... expect to see the doll on the BKP soon!
Yaaaaaaaay! ^_^
~amphetamine42
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 6:45 PM from IP address 66.188.57.111
I found the pixel by using the Fill tool to fill in the background with a different color temporarily. It makes stray pixels stand out so you can get rid of them and then Fill the background back in afterward.
Posted on Apr 6, 2002, 3:25 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
Okay, so I went through all the tutorials, made almost all of my doll, now I have my CNF file, my palette, everything, all I need to do is change it into a LZH. Well, heres where my problem is, it says to open Tiny LHA and drag my files to that, but my computer won't let me? Can anyone give me some advice, or can I send my files to anyone that knows how to do this? Thanks!
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 12:44 PM from IP address 152.163.204.83
If you're a PC user, doownload LHA.exe from the BKP, then open winzip, specify the location of your lha.exe in the winzip other archive options (or something). Once you've done that, you can use winzip to archive your files into .lzh format.
Posted on Apr 5, 2002, 2:00 PM from IP address 203.134.26.93
Last time I asked for help here, you guys were very generous and easy to understand....so..I have another question. I just finished making my new doll, got it working in playkiss, all is good...but I need to add another cell that I left out, so how do I do this. Everything I have tried just isn't working right, the color looks funny, or it just doesn't show at all. Is it even possible without having to start over and redo all the cell conversion and a cnf rewrite? I keep thinking that the answer is right under my nose, but I'll be darned if I can find it!!!!!
thanx
Wendy
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 3:53 AM from IP address 67.250.105.68
... it into an LHA archive, you can just add the name of the cel to the cel register in the cnf file, and it should appear when you load your doll in your viewer. I don't see how the colours will get screwy...
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 5:18 AM from IP address 203.134.24.180
It sounds like you're having trouble getting your new cel to be palleted correctly. Don't worry, you don't have to redo anything. Just make sure that when you save the bitmap (or whatever you're using) make sure it's got the same pallet as your other stuff before you make a cel out of it. The best way to do that depends on what programs you use, but a good bet is to make sure that the bitmap has all the colors of your pallet, but cut the extra stuff out when making the cel.
Could you tell us what programs your using?
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 10:47 AM from IP address 64.157.21.136
well I have been using my Serif and psp7 to make the pix, then I use the wsvc program to convert to cel. The new cel, I made after realizing I needed it for my title page. When I made it I just used the colors I needed from the originals in the Serif program (still trying to get used to psp7)---anyway when I load it into wsvc I get a different pallet name---I thought I should get the same because I am using the same colors. So when I try to load it into playkiss, I get muted color on that cell. When I tried to rename the pallet on my own and load it, Everything was black in playkiss.I am going to try to make a new one again, but using psp7. I'll let you know if I get anywhere.I have been using wsvc to make the cels, should I be using a different one or another program along with that one. All the progams to choose from and what they do confused me some, so I just picked wsvc and went for it.
Thank you again!!!
Wendy
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 2:49 PM from IP address 67.250.136.63
I am not sure why this didn't work before, but it is now doing what it is suppose to. Thank you again for your help, and always responding so fast!!!!!!
Wendy
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 3:45 PM from IP address 67.250.105.107
I've made a few KiSS dolls in Photoshop, but over the past year I've been working mainly in Illustrator (coz of my job) Now photoshop drawings look so grainy! Is there any way to make a KISS doll using the clean images from Illustrator? I know I'd probably have to rasterize them first. is there any way to get anti-aliased edges to cels? would CKiSS give me the right effect?
I work on a Macintosh, so most transparency probably won't work. but I seem to remember reading somewhere that CKiss for Mac can handle transparency if there are no other effects. is this right?
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 9:30 AM from IP address 64.12.107.49
As I understand it, Illustrator produces vector-based graphics. Since KiSS is a strictly raster-based format, you would definitely have to rasterize your images before converting to KiSS.
To get the anti-aliasing you are looking for, CKiSS would probably be a wise choice but you would need to take extra steps to convert the antialiasing from your image into the alpha channel of your CKiSS CEL. There may be other ways to do it but the one which occurs to me is, in Illustrator, you can save two versions of each source image, one normal but with antialiasing disabled along the outer borders and the second one with antialiasing enabled but drawn on a black backdrop with everything else in pure white. You could then use the second image as the alpha-channel mask for the first image when creating your CKiSS CELs.
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 9:36 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
Are there any other cel making programs besides the kiss cel workshop? I've played around with it, I don't much care for it and it crashes a lot on my computer.
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 1:58 AM from IP address 64.35.129.80
You mean a tool that supports CKiSS? I think there's a PhotoShop plug-in but I don't think any of the other stand-alone utilities currently support CKiSS.
Posted on Apr 4, 2002, 3:16 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
In regard to Mac viewers there are three, if you discount earlier versions of two of them.
Stiles' French Kiss viewer is the most stable program, but crashes for Excessive Palette sets, doesn't allow full color, and the FKiSS options are limited. [Development stopped a few years ago.]
EMK's viewer is newer, but less stable. Developed from Stiles' code it allows full color {but not transparency} and doesn't crash except on the most incompetent of the excessive palette and hybrid sets. Although newer than Stiles' viewer I don't think it allows any more FKiSS code. I think version 6 is current. Mostly it has been getting more stable. [Early versions crashed frequently at random. Now it is rarely at random.]
Cherry Kiss for the Power Mac is a really old Japanese viewer. I believe it predates the development of FKiSS, which is why none is supported. It does have full color and transparency. It has value to Mac KiSS artists for testing out transparency levels, but not much else
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 11:22 AM from IP address 208.129.6.91
I haven't had much time to look at it. On the fast look I saw it did something better than the last version, but don't remember what. It didn't do some of the other stuff I'd like, like change palette group. I suspect that allowing transparency and a little more stability in whatever I noticed are the real changes. But I would be delighted to find I'm wrong and that it supports some more FKiSS.
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 10:02 PM from IP address 12.75.142.236
but practice. lots and lots of practice. and patience. if something doesn't look just right the first time you draw it, erase the part that looks wrong and do it over. sometimes it means totally redoing entire dolls and wardrobes. but that is how you make something look good. just be patient; don't disribute a set until you think it looks as good as it possibly can, or send it to a limited beta group for help if you need it, and if you ask for suggestions take them seriously and re-do things even if it takes time.
tea
Posted on Mar 9, 2002, 2:01 PM from IP address 24.29.109.150
I just redraw and redraw and redraw... I must have redrawn Claire about 5 times. I take forever to draw a base doll, but it pays off because once you're REALLY satisfied with it, the wardrobe will tend to fit very nicely with the doll. If you have weird anatomic disproportions, it makes it harder to draw clothes for.
Posted on Mar 9, 2002, 2:56 PM from IP address 210.50.30.4
I know, i also agree but i needed this info and i have another question for you...What is a good Kiss doll making program that i could use, because i can't find a really good one (that or theres to many to choose from?)
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 3:50 PM from IP address 65.103.216.15
Everybody views perfect a little differently. What I think is satisfactory for a set somebody else would never release. I think it has a lot to do with finding something you like to do and draw. If you like it, and have it beta tested by your friends. If they don't seem to find anything wrong with it the majority wont either.
Posted on Apr 1, 2002, 1:32 AM from IP address 64.35.132.184
...when you think it is. Lets face it: you can't win over all the people in Kissdom, because of all the varying tastes out there. Ultimately what's most important is that you make something true to yourself, so that in your opinion it IS perfect. Kissis a very involved, very personal thing, and you find that you'll enjoy making a set to satisfy yourself more than trying to second guess the what the majority wants and pander to their tastes. When you make something you believe in, the uniqueness of your own style will show, and people will notice. Finally, if you do release your doll on BKP, don't let your self-worth be measured by the popularity (or sometimes as is the case, lack of) your dolls receive - only you can do that. This is getting dense...
... just do it!
Posted on Apr 1, 2002, 7:26 AM from IP address 203.134.26.93
Dac. Also don't ever confuse "popularity" w/ "quality", they're two completely different standards of valuation. If one did a popular Set, (e.g. high marks at OW) yet all of ones own fave artists didn't like it, it would be impossible to call it successful.
Also while we're on the topic (sort of) some people have issues w/ the word "perfection". While I realize that its use here simply means a Set w/out errors (& how the artist defines such), it really is possible to think in terms of perfection. A good working definition is a Set which is satisfying to look at, satisfying to play w/, & satisfying to think about itm.
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 12:46 PM from IP address 4.60.14.223
Sorry for the subj, between yours and your name, I couldn't resist. XD Anyway...as far as 'perfect'...well, I can't quite define that, but I guess there's a reasonable level of quality for everyone, depending on their level of experience and intention. Everyone's skills will improve, some drastically, others more subtly...and what's amazing coming from one artist, could be a big disappointment if it came from another. I say, just go with whatever makes you feel comfortable, and try your best. ^^
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =Þ
Posted on Apr 3, 2002, 6:34 PM from IP address 152.163.197.63
Lots of good answer to this. The one thing I would add is how to know when it is perfect: Decide for yourself.
Everyone has different standards, expectations, and hopes with KiSS dolls so everyone will see each doll differently. You may value the opinions of friends, fans, or other artists but, in the end, it is your opinion which matters the most.
Posted on Apr 3, 2002, 11:51 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
I have tried a million times to draw a decent basedoll, but I cant do pixel-by-pixel art to save my life! I have made a few dolls with templates, but its getting boring, and none of them are really my style. I used to be OK at pixeling, when I had a mouse, but using a tablet is hard for pixeling. help me!
Oh, and also, I have a crisis with hair. I usually end up making it look like the doll has a mop on his/her head.
heavenztearz
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 9:30 AM from IP address 213.1.137.68
Well...I'm really not sure what you're asking for...if it's a different style template, I could make one for you if you describe the character's looks..or if you want style advice...I have no idea what you'd do without a mouse, so I'll just say what I do. I make a general line, and go over it a few times, until I'm satisfied with the shape. I trim it down a little, if it's too thick. Then, I get the colours ready. I use a dark outline, a main colour, and a medium shade for most items. I generally line the outline with the medium colour, and sometimes shade by zooming in to 6x and making a checkboard pattern with the med and either the dark or the light, depending where. Hope that helps...
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi! =Þ
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 10:04 AM from IP address 205.188.192.37
I do have amouse, but now Im used to my wacom tablet pen thingy, I cant really use a mouse, it feels weird. a wacom tablet is easy to use for scetchy drawings, should I do scetchy? or would that look messy? I dont think I want to do a doll with a template, even if it is made especially for me, because it would not be in my style.
heavenztearz
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 11:30 AM from IP address 213.122.190.74
I got a wacom for a Birthday present. I've been reventing to using the mouse though for doing basedolls. For some reason I don't feel like I have the same control with the pen as I do the mouse. I use the pen for clothing and detailing.
Or why not try sketchy, maybe you could sketch one out then refine it afterwards. Or a sketch doll could be your own unique style.
Posted on Mar 31, 2002, 7:58 AM from IP address 64.231.161.223
... maybe you should try drawing everything at 4 times the size with the tablet, then shrinking your image to 25% when you're done. You'll find that lines become crisper and neater after you've shrunk it. You can then edit the shrunken image pixel for pixel using the mouse. Best of both worlds.
Posted on Mar 31, 2002, 8:56 AM from IP address 131.170.6.142
Have you all heard of Tablet PCs? They are like flatpanel monitors with touchscreens so you can draw directly on them with pen stylus. Microsoft is making an OS to run it since it relies mainly on pen input. They seem to be aiming this thing at businesses and are completely ignoring how useful this thing could be w/ artists.
Posted on Mar 31, 2002, 11:02 AM from IP address 207.149.198.130
I've seen them but what I've seen tends to cost many thousands of dollars. Maybe it's because the tablet screen is meant to replace the monitor entirely. It might be cheaper to produce a lower quality screen on a tablet which is a companion to the monitor.
Posted on Mar 31, 2002, 11:12 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
At the Office Supply store yesterday there was a new pad for signing your name after a credit purchase. It was mostly a mono-color screen with enough detail to see your signature and commands.... I immediately wondered why there aren't more tablets with a little mono-color screen instead of a flat blank pad (so it's hard to tell exactly where in the screen you're trying to coordinate to) or a full color monitor (which is WAY too expensive). Yes, the glass over it feels funny to write on (and the pen line is fairly far down under the glass, but that can be changed with the design), but it's still - I would think - a cheap way to have a visual way of inputting with the pen tool. You could look down and see where your pen was, or even the basic shapes of what you're working on.
shrug
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 2:44 PM from IP address 63.231.20.90
When I first started using my computer I automatically got into computer art and then I discovered kiss. After I got a job as a tech support engineer I got a Wacom. I've discovered that it is much easier for me to draw with then the mouse (but then my old mouse was a thumb wheel). Its more like a pencil which is what I have always used to draw with. It's more like drawing on paper. If you don't have a scanner to scan in a base drawing try doing the skeleton outline which is what I sometimes do. You sketch it with the pencil messy and then you zoom in and with a line tool trace it neatly. It takes a while to find a style you like. I still search for new ways of doing art in kiss all the time and I've been at it since 1999.
Posted on Apr 1, 2002, 1:29 AM from IP address 64.35.132.184
What is the best paint program to use with the Wacom? I tried using the one that came with my tablet but I couldn't find a way to control the pallets. I've gone back to using PSP7.
What program do other artists use with their tablet?
Posted on Apr 1, 2002, 6:05 AM from IP address 64.231.79.133
As long as you're comfortable with that program. No point blundering around with an unfamiliar program just because someone recommended it. Personally I use Adobe photoshop, because that's the only program I'm familiar with, and you can adjust the behaviour of your stylus to match your drawing style. Does that make sense? (I've just returned from www.engrish.com and now my grammatical syntax seems to be affected by what I read)
Posted on Apr 1, 2002, 6:57 AM from IP address 203.134.26.93
I myself use PSP7 for the same reason. I did figure out how to control palattes in photoshop 6 but I didn't like it as well. I love the ability to save the palatte in PSP7. Its a life saver. That is how I do some of the patterned effects in my kiss sets. However, you will notice that photoshops spray tool and filters are nicer, so I switch them back and forth.
Posted on Apr 2, 2002, 8:00 PM from IP address 64.35.130.248
This is in response to Heavenstearz earlier question about hair.
I'm not much good at hair either. Before you start drawing hair, you have to consider the structure of that particular hairstyle you want to achieve. Don't think of hair as an unruly mass of ... stuff. Good hair is always layered, parted, or otherwise structured.
When designing your hairstyle, it helps to print out a copy of your bald-headed base doll: you can then trace over various hairstyles using butterpaper or tracing paper. Its good to have some references at this stage: either fashion zine photos or even better, pictures of anime/manga/comics where the hair structure is very well defined (garage kit photos are also particularly great for structure).
Begin drawing your hair in sections, separating the fringe from the back areas. This is useful later on if you plan to separate your hair into different layers. You can then have headbands that go underneath the fringe etc. If possible, try to make the fringe style independent of the styles for the back of the hair. This allows for very effective permutations of hairstyles later on. Look at dolls by Vanessie (Thandie Porter) and Her Mad Hatterness (particularly Blue Chan) for examples where this is used to good effect.
Finally, hair colour and styles can go a long way to give your Kiss doll that much needed personality. Make sure that the hairstyle is in character with your doll. A punk chick will have very different hair from a schoolgirl type vs an alien type... don't be afraid to experiment, the wilder/more unique, the more your doll will stand out from the crowd.
Posted on Apr 3, 2002, 7:37 AM from IP address 203.134.26.2
thankies! but to me, hair IS just a big flop of stuff on your head with no real purpose other than to stop you from looking like an egg. Maybe I should make all my dolls bald. well, it would be different...
::blink:: ::blink:: XD
heavenztearz
Posted on Apr 3, 2002, 8:13 AM from IP address 213.122.202.243
Uh, I can't remember where to post these kind of things. But oh well.
I found a Swedish site (http://medlem.tripodnet.nu/smdolls/) which has some KiSSes that I know aren't to be redistributed (like the dolls by Eph), but the page doesn't have any e-mail address posted. Is there anything you can do at all then?
Posted on Apr 3, 2002, 3:19 AM from IP address 213.66.246.243
Another set in the Hoppie Toad Coloring contest. The second screen/set was inspired by a debate which went on in this BBS [and a couple other places].
And I wouldn't mind a vote while you're there. But if you insist on being ethical and voting honestly please do more than look at the thumbnails. Thumbnails eliminate quite a bit of detail, which helps some art and hurts other art.
This is my second month. I wouldn't mind votes either, but only if you think that mine is the best. It would really suck if this became a silly contest over who has the most friends. Anyway, good luck, KIY.
Posted on Apr 1, 2002, 1:10 PM from IP address 63.125.65.73
First, you gotta be equiped with the right tools and tutorials. The IKL is a great place to search. Calezane does have a very comprehensive tutorial on most (all?) aspects of Kiss making, and the BKP has tons of tools for any system you're using. Download a few dolls and look at the cnf files to see how certain effects were accomplished. Sharpen that pencil and work on your drawing already... and you'll be on your way.
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 5:52 PM from IP address 203.134.26.93
Okay, so i tried downloading D-Pixed again, right?
When i did it asked me "run now" or "cancel", i of course chose Run Now, but it said my file was corrupted O.O, freaky, anyway, if you know what ta do respond ASAP!
~*~Tiffany~*~
Posted on Mar 9, 2002, 9:21 AM from IP address 63.228.179.76
I had the exact same problem, only I opened mine later (not that it matters when you open it). I really want to use D-pixed, so if anyone could help, that would be great!
>^..^<nekogirl
Posted on Mar 14, 2002, 1:33 PM from IP address 168.212.239.2
Onion-skinning! Easy tiling! Automatic line-thinning! _Onion-skinning_! Once you try D-Pixed you'll never go back to MSPaint again. It might take a while to get used to it -- but once you get used to manipulating the palette color slider, and the right mouse button being the color picker, the rest is a breeze ^_^. Have fun experimenting, anyway.
You may also want to stock up on add-ins while you're at it -- http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA009437/dpixed/addin.html has many useful new 'Filters', 'Pens', 'Picture Loaders', 'Picture Savers' and 'Other' stuff to download. (translations courtesy of *babelfish*, http://world.altavista.com )
I suggest grabbing everything in the first four categories; melt 'em all into the same directory as D-Pixed and you're set.
HTH,
.O(TG.)
}<D
Posted on Mar 15, 2002, 4:36 PM from IP address 134.39.75.50
Hey....Long time to do this, but THANK YOU A LOT!!!
by Tiffany (no login)
HEy, i thank you a lot, i needed D-Pixed a lot, sorry it took so long for me to respond, i havn't been on for awhile, and i've been debugging my computer and moving to Virginia, so sorry! but thank you soooooooooooooooo soooo much i really appreciate it
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 3:55 PM from IP address 65.103.216.15
"Ballet" by Soli
"Ballerina" by Chrissy
"Ballerina Deri" by Silent angel
"Alicia and Cherrie: The Dancing Duos" by Amiko-Chan and Lady Estel
"Dancer" by Cutter and Maple Rose
"Moira: The Celtic Dancer" by Minx and Valasia
"Dancing Rogue and Kitty" by topleka
"Vavanna - Moon Dancer" by NeutralZone
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, 6:50 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
With tea away for a week or so, the reviews journal is down to one reviewer; moi. Since there's a decent possibility the BKP will be updated before her return, i'm looking for someone to do a "guest spot" until she's back. If you're interested drop me a line, but please be aware that i'm setting a few guidelines:
1) You need a current Otakuworld subscription, free or paid for. Our current practice is to review sets from each BKP update, obviously to be able to do this you need access to the materials.
2) You need to be able to get the reviews done within a day or so of the BKP being updated. I can allow the deadline to be a little loose, but please don't say you can make it when you really can't. "I broke my arm" is a decent excuse, "i had homework" isn't; you would have known you'd had homework and should've taken it into account.
3) Comments like "I rooly liked this set, I voted yes." do not a review make, you need to write something more in depth than that. Have a read of the work tea and myself have done so far, this is the sort of stuff i'd like to see.
4) A decent command of the english language is preferable; grammer and spelling errors kept to a minimum. Again i'll allow some leeway (gods know my writing's far from perfect), but remember that ppl are going to read this and I won't be fixing your copy.
5) I can't guarantee there will be an update prior to tea returning, the world just doesn't work like that. There is the possibility therefore that i'll ask you to help and there'll be nothing for you to do. Otoh, the two reviewers thing isn't carved in stone, if you wanted to stay on it'd be unlikely to be a problem.
That pretty much covers the major guidelines, there are a few bits and pieces that can be covered with whoever takes the role.
So if yer interested drop me a line and we can talk further.
Posted on Mar 30, 2002, 3:56 AM from IP address 210.84.117.240
Hi --I have been a huge kiss fan for awhile. Now I want to make my own. I have found some tutorials that seem extremely helpful, but I know I need some extra software. Could someone tell me what I need exactly. I already have a few paint programs and have made a psuedo kiss doll (drag n drop). She can be found on my website http://www.geocities.com/willajean1
she is found in the "interactive doll" link. I want to make her a real kiss doll. My daughter also loves kiss dolls and wants me to make this interactive doll into one.
Sorry this is such a long post!
Any help would be Wonderful
thanks
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 12:31 PM from IP address 63.15.181.225
depends on what kind of computer you have. really the only thing you absolutely need is a tool that converts graphics of some kind to .cel format (the format KiSS uses). if you are on a mmac, you don't even need that-- you just need to be able to save your graphics as pict resource files. of course there are easier ways that require certain software...
tell us what kind of computer you have, and what graphics program you use to draw-- telling us if you can save graphics as picts, bmps, and/or gifs is helpful, too, since different utilities work best with different formats.
tea
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 12:45 PM from IP address 64.59.27.162
I mostly use Serif to draw with, but today I got psp7, so I will be using that. I can save pretty much in any format--I usually save them as gif. My computer is pretty new, a pc (hp). How do I save them as cels-is that what they are? or cnf file? This is where it gets fuzzy for me! I think I answered all the questions,lol.
Thanx
Willa
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 4:52 PM from IP address 63.14.212.177
replace "yourpalettename" with the name of your palette (which you will make using whatever .cel utility you choose)
the (800,600) is the size of the playfield and you can pick any size you want. the first number is width, the second one is height.
the [0 is the border color. not all viewers use this though it is fun to play with.
and the #s are the .cels, which you should replace with the names of the .cels you make yourself. all file names need to be 8 characters or less, including the palette i mentioned above.
the items listed at the top of the list of .cels will be on top of the other items.so in this case, you will be able to put "object.cel" on top of "doll.cel"
if you want something to have multiple parts, like a back, make them start with the same number. see the "#0"? let's say you had a back for "object.cel" called "back.cel" you would write your .cnf like this:
Hey thanks again. I did find a site with another tutorial, so between that and yours(by the way, was
well done and easy to understand)---Anyway I think I get that part, so far(hmmhmm I hope) Ok, this may be a real dumb question but what do I do with the code once it is all written out?
And this is aimed at those of you who use a pc, what and where to I get a program to make cell files (I believe that is what they are called.)
Thanx for putting up with a newbie!
Willa, or Wendy--whatever!
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, 12:54 PM from IP address 63.14.211.240
Anyway I think I get that part, so far(hmmhmm I hope) Ok, this may be a real dumb question but what do I do with the code once it is all written out?
The code should be stored in a text file ending with ".CNF". Make sure it's a straight text file, such as could be read by Notepad, and not a document file with fonts and formatting.
The complete KiSS set is a collection of CNF, CEL and KCF files usually distributed in an LZH archive file. LZH is a compression format, similar to ZIP.
And this is aimed at those of you who use a pc, what and where to I get a program to make cell files (I believe that is what they are called.)
"CEL" or "cel" (I like to capitalize it to emphasize the filename extension) as in "animation cel".
There are a number of CEL-making tools available for free download from the "KiSS-Making Tools" section of the Big KiSS Page (http://otakuworld.com/kiss/tools.htm). Some are for Windows, some for DOS. You may wish to find a tutorial with which you are comfortable and use whichever tool the tutorial uses.
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, 4:54 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
If you can convert your GIFs to bitmap format, I strongly recommend WSVC. What I do to create CELs: 1. draw them in Paint (all one on bitmap), with a black rectangle around each one, leaving a pixel's distance between the item and its frame. Make sure the background colour is uniform, and that there are no loose pixels! Also, anything you make the background colour will be invisible...example, I don't recommend white as a background, because you'll have see-through eyes. After everything is on that bitmap, I save it as 24-bit, then load it in KiSS Cel Workshop 2.0 (I think the name it's listed under is Klavdij Voncina...), go under tools, colour conversion, 256 colours. After that's done, save it as a bitmap again (not cel!). Exit KCW, and load WSVC. If you get an error, pay attention to the coordinates, and load it in your image editor. If not, click the small rectangle in each item, and give it a unique name. Be sure that both "offset" and "clip lower and right edges" are checked. When that's done, go to file>make all. An Engrish-y dialogue pops up, but that's normal. Pay attention to the KCF name mentioned, and rename it to something more useful, e.g. palette.kcf . You need to be on PlayFKiSS for the rest, at least with my instructions...(almost every artist has their own way..)...but with this, and your pre-cnf text file, you can load and preview your work!
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, 5:03 PM from IP address 152.163.206.199
First off I want to give a big thanks for all your help-THANX!!! All of you who gave advice and instruction, I couldn't have done it with out ya!
Sooo.. I did do what you told me and now I can preview my doll in PlayKiss---Everything looks great! Now what I want to know is how do I place the doll and the clothing where I want them? Right now it shows everything piled on top of each other in the left hand upper corner. Now that I got her in PlayKiss, I don't have any idea what to do in there, or if I have more to do in the cnf file. I hope that made sense, it is late and I am feeling a bit loopy!
thank you again!
Wendy
Posted on Mar 29, 2002, 2:57 AM from IP address 63.14.211.77
Make sure you're in PlayFKiSS's Editor Mode (default is User Mode.). To change this, go to Tools>Options, then the Editing tab.
I assume your pre-CNF is a .TXT file. If not, change it to one. When loading this TXT file in PlayFKiSS, it will give a message about apparently not being a CNF, just ignore it and hit OK. Place everything where you want it to go. For something to appear in the same place on each slide, right click it and hit "cel properties". Then, just close that dialogue with the X. For an item to be non-moveable, such as the body, right-click it and hit Object Properties. Change the "original fix value" to something high-low ones can be easily tugged,, my usual is 9999.
If you choose to add snap-to, first right-click on the body and define it as the snap-to parent. Then, one by one, stick the clothes on it exactly in the right locations, right click the clothes, and hit "add snap-to code". Make sure you only give each piece of clothing snap-to ONCE! Otherwise, instead of being drawn to the body, it will repel it! After all that, just make sure everything's where you want it to go for the user and given the proper fix values where applicable, then go to File>Save As. Type the name you want this CNF file to be.
Tip: CNF files can be run in Notepad-useful for making multiple versions of a file, such as snap-to/no-snap. Just give the CNF files different names that both end in CNF! If you choose to do this, the snap-to codes begin with ;@in.
To prepare your LZH, first, make sure you have Winzip and the LZH/LHA Utility (available from Otakuworld free of charge in the KiSS tools section.) Run its installer, then load Winzip, go to Optiona>Configuration, then the Program Locations tab. On the line that says "LHA:", put the location of your lha.exe. Save that, then go to create new archive, type the name of your lzh file (make sure you type .lzh at the end, by default it makes a zip..sounds obvious, I know, but we're all tired sometimes ^^;;). Place all your CEL files, the KCF file, any CNFs, and any informative text files.
What doesn't go in here:
1. Your big bitmap.
2. Your pre-CNF .TXT file.
Now, it's done! ^^
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 29, 2002, 7:05 AM from IP address 152.163.207.209
Whenever I load anything already ending in .cnf and try to save it as a real CNF, PlayFKiSS crashes. Chrissy uses the TXT method as well (she taught me...)
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 29, 2002, 10:07 AM from IP address 64.12.104.54
It worked! Thank you all again! I don't have to load it as a txt file--I converted to cnf before, it works just fine. I still am trying to figure the lzh thing out....I'll get back to you on that, I may need help again!
I am so jazzed that it works! Now I am going to make another with one of my own base dolls! This time I'll know what to do and what not to do---this was deffinetly a huge learning experience. Many Thanx!
Wendy
Posted on Mar 29, 2002, 4:30 PM from IP address 63.14.220.39
Hello, everyone. ^_^ My name is E-chan, and I've spent the last... three hours trying to find a nice male FKiSS Template. Wait, wait, there's a point to this post. Does anyone know WHERE I can find male FKiSS Templates? I'd make my own, but I'm just not artistically inclined... I've already tried making one. ^_^;; Please help me! ;___;
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 1:40 PM from IP address 205.188.199.169
I do know of a couple of good male KiSS templates from the past but those ones are no longer available because the artists decided they didn't want to be involved with templates as much anymore. There are probably some out there somewhere if you keep looking but they're hard to find because male dolls are VERY much the minority in KiSS.
Maybe you could try making one yourself. You can either draw your own from scratch or maybe you could copy a picture from a comic book or magazine.
Also, you should call it a "KiSS template". FKiSS is special animation programming that can be added to a KiSS doll so, if you say "FKiSS template", people might misunderstand and think you're looking for help with animation programming.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 2:15 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
Just email me with the specifics (PLEASE put KiSS in the subject line, it's the only way for me to know it's not spam)...as far as approximate height (in pixels), hair/eye colour, or if you want it bald to ease mulitple hairstyles..anatomically correct or underwear drawn on (sorry, I don't do non-AC men ^^;;), and anything else. ^^
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =Þ
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 5:29 PM from IP address 152.163.195.186
there are a couple male templates at my site, or female ones that could easily be turned into male with a little editing. kiss-land
i also do request templates if you promise to make a decent doll.
Posted on Mar 28, 2002, 3:36 PM from IP address 207.136.8.7
I've been working on a new doll for a few days now. I'm trying to make it so that I have 5 buttons and when you run your mouse over them they change colors. I've seen this done in a few kiss sets by Ruthless and i have tried picking out the codes in his CNF file but have been confused by Fkiss variables and other things. Could somebody help me out with it?
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 7:15 PM from IP address 64.35.132.127
hmm, does that work in all viewers? the mac viewer doesn't support FK3 so it's out anyway, but do ALL FK3 viewers trigger in, out commands based on animation? the mac viewer only triggers in,out when the person playing with the doll DROPS the object into place. this caused me no end of problems in creating mixie and capable. i was wondering if any others worked that way?
tea
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 7:52 PM from IP address 66.108.104.40
"Animated" in()/out()'s, i.e. moving the respective cels via fkiss and not "drag n' drop" user interaction, works in Playfkiss but not in KissLD or WKiSS.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 8:45 PM from IP address 210.84.117.220
I've also playtested it in Chad Randalls PlayFKiss2 0518 build. Guess what, it doesn't work. I think the new version of PlayFKiss doesn't interpret some of the in/out commands the same way as PlayFKiss 0.83beta. Boo hoo... that means most of my dolls are not upwards compatible...
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 9:38 PM from IP address 203.134.26.93
maybe i am wrong, but i was under the impression that the trigger-on-drop was what what in the spec & that the way it worked in PFK was not. mixie is not upwards compatible either, so she has another .cnf
tea
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 11:08 PM from IP address 66.108.104.40
I might also add that you should make the invisible cel that follows the mouse around 1 pixel x 1 pixel, and it should be at the lowest cel layer, so that you don't have to ghost it.
FUrther, I set the refresh rate of the mouse timer to 100, which will be more responsive than Alex's 500 milisecond rate. The downside is that it will cause slower computers to experience a slowdown.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 9:34 PM from IP address 203.134.26.2
Perhaps one of the more experienced webmasters out there can help me clear this up:
I just looked at the statistics for my site and noticed that the download numbers for my new collab doll are easily more than twice as high as the times the pages the doll is on have been accessed. I don't think people who access the site would download the doll more than once in one go (why would they?).
Which means, either the statistics are wrong or someone is linking to the doll directly, right? But if that was the case, the page which links to the doll should turn up in the statistics somewhere, too, as referring site... But I didn't find anything out of the ordinary. I'm puzzled.
Does anyone have an idea what could cause this if not a direct link?
I didn't make this doll OW exclusive because 33 other artists have worked on it, too. But it seems I'll soon have to take the doll down again anyway if the download numbers don't drop. It's generating as much bandwidth in a single day as I usually have in a whole week, and I'm approaching my limit fast. That's why I'd rather not have people link directly to the download...
I'd be gratefull for a hint!
Alex.
Posted on Mar 26, 2002, 3:43 AM from IP address 217.234.254.105
If it's not the result of a direct link, it might be the result of "download manager" programs which are having trouble getting the whole file and wind up redownloading it multiple times until it manages to get it. You might want to check the access logs for the IP numbers of the download requests for the doll to see if the same IP numbers show up multiple times.
If it is a direct link, the linking page should show up in the referral logs.
Posted on Mar 26, 2002, 5:41 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
i know this happens to my site sometimes. if you have a stats program that filters out non-unique visitors, you may actually be seeing fewer hits than you are getting. some big ISPs use the same or similar IPs for a whole bunch of users-- aol does this, for example, and some of the cable internet companies do it. so you could be getting several hits from different people who are all on the same ISP that are coming up as a single unique user because your stats program is filtering out duplicate hits from the same IP if they come within a few hours of each other.
now, if the total page requests are lower than the total file requests, that's a different story.
what HTML fragment are you using to link to your file? maybe it is problematic.
tea
Posted on Mar 26, 2002, 11:29 AM from IP address 64.59.27.162
Thanks, Dov and tea! I hadn't thought about these possibilities, but they sound more than plausible.
On another note, I don't think I can keep my site on a free host much longer. But I don't want to give the site up. I'd like to host other collabs, establish a forum for the german KiSS community, expand the templates section... Stuff like that.
So, I need to find myself a good, reliable host that's not too expansive. I've been looking into various deals in the past few weeks because I saw this coming, but most offers I've found were either just too expensive for me, didn't offer a high enough bandwidth limit or had clauses in their terms of service which seemed very suspicous to me. (Especially those with a so-called unlimited traffic...)
I don't need all that much webspace. 20 to 30 MB should be more than enough, but I'd like to have at least 8 GB traffic, though 15 would be nice. I don't need sub-domains and webmail and all that, but I'd like cgi, php and MySQl support, if possible.
Can anyone here recommend a good webhosting deal?
Thanks,
Alex.
Posted on Mar 26, 2002, 10:12 PM from IP address 217.234.251.210
i use http://www.pair.com they are a little on the expensive side but very reliable with great customer service. to get the amount of b/w you are talking about would be a bit expensive-- $18 US.
if you have a little more money, here is yahoo!'s plan. i'm not crazy about their politics, but mikey uses them and they are very dependable if you are a paid customer. he also says they resolve problems w/in one biz day (and these were his fault) http://website.yahoo.com/
tea
Posted on Mar 26, 2002, 10:46 PM from IP address 66.108.104.40
I had a domain for about two weeks and then my bank account got wiped by a creditor for no reason... they got in big trouble of course and that is unrelated but that's why I don't have a domain... also I couldn't register my name either but that's a whole nutha story. While I had the domain I was using as a webhost Prohosters. Fairly inexpensive, and a great deal for what you get. Or at least in my opinion. Anyway here is the link www.getph.com if I was still intersted in it I would still use them. For now I just use the free space my ISP has.
Posted on Mar 26, 2002, 11:01 PM from IP address 64.35.131.52
Hm, ProHosters... Their "49$-a-year-unlimited-bandwith" deal sounds very good, but I've done a search on them and many people complain about lots of downtime and bad customer service. Plus, there really is no such thing as unlimited bandwidth, so the question is how much bandwidth they actually allow. That's why I'd like to have a deal which explicitely states how much bandwidth I can use.
Thanks for the suggestion, though!
If anyone thinks this discussion is getting too OOC, I'll be glad to continue it on the Chat board. ;;^_^
Alex.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 6:19 AM from IP address 217.234.254.137
We've been looking into webhosting on Otaku World but it may be a month or more before we're ready to start offering that service, assuming that we will able to. (We're not sure if we can yet; we're still checking it out.)
I think you're probably wise to be suspicious of any host that offers "unlimited bandwidth" because there's really no such thing. If there were, free webhosting wouldn't be having the trouble that it is. When a company offers "unlimited bandwidth", it could mean a lot of things but mostly it means that they're not telling you what their bandwidth policy is and, since bandwidth is your main concern, that's not good.
For the amount of bandwidth you stated, I would expect to pay roughly between US $10 and $30 a month, depending on the host and the quality of service.
You may want to keep an eye out for a webhost that will let you pay a basic monthly fee and then bill you depending on how much bandwidth you actually use each month. It would be silly to pay for 20 gigabytes every month if, some months, you only use 10.
Just out of curiosity, how many downloads has the Dark Side of Cute been getting through your website?
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 8:37 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
We've been looking into webhosting on Otaku World but it may be a month or more before we're ready to start offering that service, assuming that we will able to. (We're not sure if we can yet; we're still checking it out.)
It would be nice to have affordable webhosting on OtakuWorld... For one thing I think most people like to know who they're dealing with, and with OtakuWorld we wouldn't have to double- and triple-check the terms of service for hidden catches and hidden additional fees.
But I imagine that offering webhosting would result in a lot of additional work for the three of you...
I think you're probably wise to be suspicious of any host that offers "unlimited bandwidth" because there's really no such thing. If there were, free webhosting wouldn't be having the trouble that it is. When a company offers "unlimited bandwidth", it could mean a lot of things but mostly it means that they're not telling you what their bandwidth policy is and, since bandwidth is your main concern, that's not good.
Hm, right.
But, in spite of my suspicions, I'm now considering signing up with One2Host, which does state to allow unlimited bandwidth... Of course they don't, but from what I've heard they do allow up to 30 GB a month, which would be more than enough for me. I'll try to confirm that first, though.
Issei has her site on One2Host and hosts Rick's and Anime Craze's site, apparently without problems.
You may want to keep an eye out for a webhost that will let you pay a basic monthly fee and then bill you depending on how much bandwidth you actually use each month. It would be silly to pay for 20 gigabytes every month if, some months, you only use 10.
I've looked into that, but most of those deals are too expansive for me, all in all.
Just out of curiosity, how many downloads has the Dark Side of Cute been getting through your website?
Let's see... from friday to sunday last week it's been downloaded "only" 246 times. Then, after the doll was up on Otakuworld, the downloads went way up and the doll was downloaded another 618 times between monday morning and tuesday afternoon. Then I've moved the file to another host which doesn't allow me to acess any logfiles, so I don't know how often it's been downloaded since.
This may not seem so much, but it does mean that the doll alone has generated around 430 MB of traffic in 5 days.
On top of that, the downloads numbers for my other dolls seem to be going up as well, lately. Which is strange, considering that only my older dolls are available on my site. For example my Sakura doll gets downloaded more often each week. I have no idea why. Not only is that particular doll available in OtakuWorld's Free KiSS Zone, it's available on a dozen other sites as well. (On 6 of them without my permission, btw.)
I honestly hadn't expected to ever get in trouble with my bandwidth limit with my little KiSS page...
Alex.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 9:27 AM from IP address 217.234.254.137
issei keeps telling people that they allow a lot of bandwidth, but according to their policy, they don't. i imagine she just hasn't used as much as she thinks, or she has just been lucky and they haven't checked her yet. they have excellent customer service but they really don't supply much traffic. i emailed them and asked and here is their reply:
****
Hi
The avarage user on our servers takes up to 3gig a month.Above this amount is considered to be monopolising the server.
****
and here is the unlimband review of their site:
Current Rating: 5 Current Reviews:
Submitted:10/28/01
Submitted by: Sky
Review:
These offer a great deal for those in the UK however they have the same advertising of Unlimited Band Width and then in their Terms of Use says they would contact you and work out a deal with you. At least they try to help.LOL
****
here is a search engine that allows you to search for hosting plans by price and a couple features. there are several hosts that supply over 5 gb of bandwidth for under $7 a month
It would be nice to have affordable webhosting on OtakuWorld... For one thing I think most people like to know who they're dealing with, and with OtakuWorld we wouldn't have to double- and triple-check the terms of service for hidden catches and hidden additional fees.
Thank you! It makes me feel good to know that we are trusted. ^.^
But I imagine that offering webhosting would result in a lot of additional work for the three of you...
Yes but not as much as it might seem. It depends on how we get things set up. To be honest, I don't know very much about the technical side of it. That's Stephen's department.
But, in spite of my suspicions, I'm now considering signing up with One2Host, which does state to allow unlimited bandwidth... Of course they don't, but from what I've heard they do allow up to 30 GB a month, which would be more than enough for me. I'll try to confirm that first, though.
If you decide to go with an "unlimited bandwidth" host, I would suggest going with one that doesn't require you to sign up for a full year all at once. If you can just sign up for a month or two, you'll be able to experience their service firsthand and, if it turns out that they aren't all that they promise to be, you won't have lost a whole year's subscription fee.
Let's see... from friday to sunday last week it's been downloaded "only" 246 times. Then, after the doll was up on Otakuworld, the downloads went way up and the doll was downloaded another 618 times between monday morning and tuesday afternoon.
It still makes me marvel to see how much drive-by traffic we get on OW. On average, get more than 10 times as many daily visitors as we have subscribers.
Sometimes I worry that all these drive-bys will kill the artists' websites by quota overload but I can't think of any simple solutions to that. I want OW to help take the download pressure off of the artist sites and, as far as the subscribers goes, it does. But it's not enough yet. This isn't the first time a popular KiSS artist has been in quota trouble. It's rare to be able to visit Emby Quinn's KiSS page at all.
I know that free hosting doesn't have a very good future but I want to be able to help KiSS artists hold onto free hosting for as long as they can.
This may not seem so much, but it does mean that the doll alone has generated around 430 MB of traffic in 5 days.
For only 5 days, that's a very high download count. While it's true that, back when OW was free-access, top dolls had total download counts in the tens of thousands (I think the top one was around 70,000), that was over a period of many years. Your current daily average would rival even those free-access days.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 11:21 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
dolls on my site get downloaded usually a couple hundred times, and usually just abot a hundred times in the first few days but the last few have gotten many more downloads. the valentine set and the girl i've loved all along both got just shy of 600 downloads from my site.
i have also started getting a lot more hits from OW lately. in the past, each time i posted a new doll, i would get anywhere between 50 and 100 hits extra. but during the last update, i got 200 more hits than usual. i was also credited on two dolls that time, so that might be it...
of course, the IKL has gone from an average of 1000 hits/day to close to 2000 hits/day within the past 2 weeks because it has been linked to from a few porn sites and a few dollz sites, it appears.
my average traffic right now is about 100mb/day. once i get my act together and start the gallery portion i expect it to be at least double.
i wonder what other artists' traffic is like? anyone want to discuss?
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 3:09 PM from IP address 64.59.27.162
I haven't noticed any change in the number of daily visitors to the BKP. It's still about 10,000 per day, just the same as back before subscriptions. However, while new subscriptions stopped growing last fall, they started growing again in January and continue to grow. I don't know what that might mean, though.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 3:29 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
hey, that's great dov, i'm glad to hear you guys are getting more subscriptions. i guess it may be that for the first time you are getting new visitors who aren't s being introduced to OW with the "they *used to be free*" comment people were addending to their statements for a while. maybe you're finding a different audience that is happy to pay.
the funny thing is, getting more downloads on artists' sites would make me assume that fewer people were subscribing-- if more people are subscribing, i wonder why independent artist sites are getting more downloads from visitors who are linking from new sets on the BKP?
maybe the people hitting the BKP are just less stupid than they used to be and know they can download stuff...oh, but i'm still getting "send me ur dollz" mail.
tea
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 3:56 PM from IP address 64.59.27.162
i guess it may be that for the first time you are getting new visitors who aren't s being introduced to OW with the "they *used to be free*" comment people were addending to their statements for a while. maybe you're finding a different audience that is happy to pay.
That may be part of it. I think it's also because free sites are shrinking or being held back by quotas and people are gradually getting more used to the idea of subscriptions now since subscription sites are closer to being the rule than the exception they were this time last year. These days, most complaint letters I get are more along the lines of "please please please" instead of "you greedy pig".
the funny thing is, getting more downloads on artists' sites would make me assume that fewer people were subscribing-- if more people are subscribing, i wonder why independent artist sites are getting more downloads from visitors who are linking from new sets on the BKP?
Well, we haven't had a huge jump in subscriptions. We had about 680 monthly subscribers in December and we have about 780 today. That's a 100 new subscribers, which is good, but, compared to 10,000 daily visitors it still leaves a lot of KiSS fans relying on free sites.
maybe the people hitting the BKP are just less stupid than they used to be and know they can download stuff...oh, but i'm still getting "send me ur dollz" mail.
I get a lot of those letterz too.
You know what really bothers me the most about those letters? It's not that they don't understand the costs because they often do. It's because I really do wish OW could be a free site. Things were just nicer back during the free net days. I wish we could go back to those days and I just hate having to tell people "no". It doesn't make me feel guilty but it does make me sad.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 9:27 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
most "unlimited" services will be up front with you if you dontact them personally prior to signing up. my last one, ICOM was not too bad until the end of my contract, my website was up virtually all the time, though i had a few problems with the email part of their service.
i don't know them but this is what they claim to offer-- 12 gb bw a month for US $7.77
you can also check out some pages like these. these are hosting indexes. they list many hosts with their available services. note though that many of them are simply advertisers, so if they "recommend" one host over others, i wouldn't trust it. all the same, it is a decent way to find a lot of different hosts at once.
this one seems really nice and they have their excessive bandwidth policy posted and it is a fair one-- if you go over, you can upgrade your site to the next higher priced service or you can pay the b/w out of pocket. they also charge by the gb/month which is nice, many places charge by the mb/day.
I've been hosted by http://rydia.net for a long time with no problems. The guy running it is really nice, and I think the only reason there isn't anything about bandwidth restrictions is because he hasn't had a problem keeping up with anybody's bandwidth yet. Mention me (Sharm) and I think I get a discount or something nice.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 11:48 AM from IP address 64.158.67.16
"We ask that you try to keep your usage around 2 gigabytes per month or less. If for a few days you get linked by some very popular news site, we won't hit you with the bandwidth bill or remove your account. If you sustain a high bandwidth usage and want to stick with us, we can try work out something affordable for you."
It's good, huh?
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 11:52 AM from IP address 64.158.67.16
I saw it mentioned someplace, but the URL had expired at the time. Does FK4 already exist, or is it simply in development? If so...is there anywhere we can suggest new commands? I'd like a way to create text entry forms...or boxes where the user can draw their own patterns, etc...hmm...is there already a command that prevents two items from colliding? Or a way to have two objects temporarily move as one(and be detachable)? Thanks...
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =Þ
P.S. Anyone who tried to download Mana between this morning and about 4 PM EST, I have fixed the bad URL, and you can now obtain him. Sorry for the inconvenience. http://angelfire.com/band2/wink/kisekae/
Posted on Mar 18, 2002, 7:45 PM from IP address 152.163.204.191
>I saw it mentioned someplace, but the URL had expired at the time. Does FK4 already exist, or is it simply in development?
It is still in development. We discuss it on the KiSS Mailing List from time to time since Chad subscribes there but I don't think he comes to this messageboard.
>If so...is there anywhere we can suggest new commands? I'd like a way to create text entry forms...or boxes where the user can draw their own patterns, etc...
These probably aren't possible. They would require data types which go too far beyond the scope of KiSS. If you want something that complex, you'd be better off working with Flash or writing your own Windows application.
>hmm...is there already a command that prevents two items from colliding?
In what sense? I can think of ways to do that in FKiSS 2.
>Or a way to have two objects temporarily move as one(and be detachable)?
That would be the glue()/attach() commands which are planned for FKiSS 4.
Posted on Mar 18, 2002, 7:54 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
Now I'm curious about this part of FK2. XD I wasn't sure if there was a way to have two cels incapable of overlapping...at least, their visible parts, I don't care about index 0. Would be neat for a slide puzzle or something, could make a nice prop..
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =Þ
Posted on Mar 19, 2002, 5:12 AM from IP address 64.12.106.48
I'm still not sure what you mean by "incapable of overlapping". Incapable in what way? If #1 is incapable of overlapping #2, what should happen if the user tries to move #1 onto #2?
Posted on Mar 19, 2002, 3:42 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
I mean, if #1 and #2 acted to each other the way they do to the border of the set-cannot cross. The edges of each piece involved could touch, but not cross.
Posted on Mar 19, 2002, 5:49 PM from IP address 64.12.106.37
I've used letinside() for the collision detection in this example. If you want to use letcollide() for more precise collision detection, you'd need to use different CELs for the transparent objects. Just make sure the transparent objects have the exact same shape as the regular ones.
Posted on Mar 19, 2002, 6:02 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
Is there a way to do it without the move command? I don't want it to jump across the screen, just stay at the boundary when someone tries to move it otherwise.
Posted on Mar 20, 2002, 5:01 AM from IP address 205.188.192.162
There's no way to create text entry forms at this point, but as for temporarily moving 2 objects as one and then detaching them, you can do it with @catchfix() which is a FKiss2 command. For a good example of where this is done, see Moonshade's Coryna 3 gold doll: When the scabbard is being moved, the sword moves along with it, but the sword can be detached from the scabbard when you're done moving. I've also used this effect in Vicky's Haunted Mansion, where the clothes move along with the doll as you drag the doll around, but the clothes can be detached from the doll.
Posted on Mar 23, 2002, 6:38 PM from IP address 203.134.26.93
Okay, but how would that make things move? Catch() is the same as press(). The only difference is that catch() only works on objects which are not fixed in place.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 4:19 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
... where sword.cel and sworda.cel are identical looking cels
the #11 sworda is unmapped until #10 sword collides with #11 scabbard.
@catch(10,11)
@ unmap("sword.cel") map("sworda.cel")
Unmap #10 sword and map #11 sword. Now sword and scabbard moves as one.
The moveby command ensures that the removeable sword.cel appears in the same position as the scabbard whereever it had been moved.
Its a workaround solution, and is only feasible if you have only a few "stuck on objects", like the sword and scabbard example, because of the additional cel count (increases filesize). If you tried to perform this on a moveable doll, and made the colthes move along with it, its going to double the size of the wardrobe (You'll have to create duplicate clothes cels with the same object number as the doll).
I'm not sure if I got all the Fkiss code right, but its just a brief explanation of the concept. Look up the cnfs of dolls that do this : the skull in VHM and Countess Claire also do this - when you move the skull the detachable skullcap also move along with it.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 5:28 PM from IP address 203.134.26.93
That's a good suggestion and very useful for most "attachment" effects. Any doll where the second object could be snapped-to could use this effect with trouble and, since it's a very simple piece of code, it should be very stable and reliable.
The only problem would be if you wanted the second item to be "attached" in different places. For example, if you had hair bows that could be stuck anywhere on the doll's hair, you'd have to account for different positions in the hair so the duplicate CEL idea wouldn't work there. There's a way to handle that as well but it would require FKiSS3 and a whole lot of variables (see Galatea 0G3D for an example).
FKiSS4 has proposed glue()/attach() commands which would make this all much simpler. If we ever get a viewer which supports FKiSS4, I'm going to go back and make an FKiSS4 version of Galatea 0G3D which will have a LOT less code.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 7:29 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
That's part of the joy of programming FKiss - to produce a previously unthinkable effect using the same limited code as everyone else.
If there was a one-line FKiss4 code allowing for the magnifying glass effect of Speck, it wouldn't have been so mind-blowing.
The dolls that make me do a double-take were those that seemed to involve complicated routines, but were actually FKiss2 dolls. I'm less impressed now that I can figure out most FKiss2 code when I see the doll, but FKiss3 is a whole different ballgame. I've yet to discover its limitations.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 5:08 AM from IP address 203.134.26.2
I agree! When I first got into KiSS, there was no FKiSS but I enjoyed seeing what kinds of effects could be achieved using this simple CEL-based format. Then FKiSS was introduced and KiSS seemed to evolve into a whole new medium with animation possible for the first time.
FKiSS2 was a huge step up as well since it introduced collision-detection and transparency which made a great many new effects possible that would could never have been done before.
FKiSS3 has been an even greater step-up with the introduction of variables and if-testing, allowing a much greater degree of complexity in interaction.
The proposed FKiSS4 could be yet another quantum leap. The glue()/attach() commands and labels and alarms with text names instead of numbers would be handy but it is the addition of celgroups which would really make a difference.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 9:35 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
What are celgroups? Isn't it already possible to group cels together using object numbers? Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I haven't been following on FKiss4 developments - Chad's development journal seems to have stopped after may 2000 or so.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 6:22 AM from IP address 210.50.30.4
. . .is prolly the best ref for fkiss specs, including fk4 info. Basically groups allow you to apply event/commands to multiple cels, regardless of whether they're one object or not, and without having to list every cel. The new syntax uses an addition to the cel description line, much like the %t for transparency.
Tigger's fkiss4 ref page is linked off his kissfront page, it has more (and better) info.
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 7:16 AM from IP address 63.60.201.207
when preparing extra hairstyle cels, they must be part of the same object as the body! (well, it can be done otherwise, but that's really awkward if someone decides to be strange and move the body...heheh)
Anything else? ^^
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =Þ
Posted on Mar 27, 2002, 5:49 AM from IP address 152.163.195.188
The @set(*) command (where * is the variable denoting the set number from 0-9) is triggered whenever the user switches to that particular set. You can use this command to create unique settings (not just limited to hair) for each set.
For example if your doll has 4 different hairstyles, to make a different hairstyle appear in each set, you can use eg:
I've heard about transparency being disabled on all or most Mac viewers...but is that just standard FKiSS tranparency, or the hole method as well? (I like to use the hole method sometimes, it gives a more realistic texture...just kind of a hassle.)
Thanks...
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 6:55 AM from IP address 64.12.106.49
of course the "holes" work. if something is the color of the background, it always comes out transparent-- otherwise very little would work.
of course, remember that chad has made it so that in playfkiss, the transparent region in a "holey" garment can be picked up. that is not a standard feature of other viewers. but this shouldn't affect you if you are intending for your "holey" stuff to be grabbable-- this is only a problem if you want it to be not grabbable, as it will always be grabbable in playfkiss.
tea
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 8:53 AM from IP address 64.59.27.162
Thanks. Is it just me, or is FK transparency just...wrong for most things besides vinyl? Sometimes I resort to it, if I don't have much time, or if it's a large item, but...^^;;
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 3:38 PM from IP address 205.188.199.39
on the "look" you are going for. i like drawn lace (what you call the "hole" method) for things like petticoats and stockings, but i have seen FK transparency used nicely to make things look like glass or water or clouds. there is some cool transparency in vickie's haunted mansion, by ruthless. and animating transparency looks really neat. i have only used it in the valentine set, to do a dissolve effect from the title screen to the curtain. i'm not crazy about using it for common things, like stockings, because i can't see it working! a couple sets use an @ghost() on a transparency which makes a nice effect but makes the dolls almost totally unplayable on mac if, say, the doll is hidden behind it-- i really wish they would include a fix for the mac versions.
tea
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 4:10 PM from IP address 64.59.27.162
Animating transparency is also a good way to introduce gradual colour change to various clothing items. (Versus map/unmap, which I think is too abrupt) I can't remember if it was Alex ot Tasha who used it to good effect in Silicon Sue. I was inspired to do the same for Countess Claire. You can also deliberately make cels that have a transparent value of 255 (totally transparent). This can be used for various effects. Not all viewers support transparency though, so you might want to keep that in mind.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 8:30 PM from IP address 203.134.26.2
As far as what I like to see in sets...I go for originality, unique styles. I also enjoy a moderate to large amount of clothing and accessories. However, it really depends what genre of doll you're referring to, if you want more specifics. (A few of my personal favourite themes are goth and drag sets...heheh XD)
As far as requiring FKiSS...not necessarily. It can really add to a set, but some dolls, when done well enough, can be amazing even without it (check out Dorothy's works, you'll see what I mean.) I don't recommend adding tasteless FKiSS just to bulk things up..(one thing that always takes away, in my opinion, is flashing glitter clothing...*shudder*) I hope that answers your question...
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 9:05 PM from IP address 205.188.199.39
I like fkiss effects and animation. I prefer originality over pre-established characters. I like backgrounds and clickable objects. I like many varied types of clothing.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 10:52 PM from IP address 207.149.198.85
... anything unusual or quirky, makes me sit up and say, "WOW I've never seen anything like that before". When you've downloaded as many dolls as I have, you then to become a little jaded... like watching too many bullet time movies.
Of course, visible effort put into the artwork counts too - nobody likes a sloppy doll, unless you're going for that rustic naive charm...
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 5:01 AM from IP address 203.134.26.2
I know it sounds odd when I say I must have quantity but it's true. If a doll has one shirt and one skirt and one set of shoes and that's it, it's a complete waste of time to me. (Of course, it might work if the the focus of a KiSS set were on some other aspect than clothing, such as a game-based set, but that wouldn't be a "doll".)
If a doll has twenty shirts and thirty skirts but they're really just one shirt and one skirt in different colors, it's the same as just one shirt and one skirt in my opinion.
>What would you like to see in a doll?
>Must you have FKiSS?
I like to see originality and personality in a doll. It should be more than just another generic, just-like-every-other-doll doll. There's so much copycatting that even Anti-Twinkie has become The Other White Meat these days. I guess I prefer style over fashion. Fashion says "me too". Style says "me only".
As for FKiSS, FKiSS alone cannot save a bad doll but it can greatly enhance a good doll. Think of it as multiplication. If the doll is a zero, ten times zero is still zero.
Many FKiSS effects are overused so, when someone uses them yet again, it's no big deal. So this doll blinks. So what? So do a thousand other dolls. But the first doll to use an entirely new FKiSS effect, that's the doll that impresses me greatly.
I agree with Alcy about glitter clothes but I think the problem is simply that nobody has yet devised a good FKiSS effect for glitter clothing. In order for it to look good, someone will have to come up with a new technique instead of just reusing the same failed flashing on/off effect that has been used in the past.
I can't tell you specifically what to include in a doll because, if it worked before, it won't work again because it's already been done. The best advice I can give you is: Do something new.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 4:57 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
well, you're going to get completely different answers from nearly everyone you ask. but there will be a few things that will always be the same.
1) quality art. if the drawing is really good, people will be more forgiving of other flaws in the doll. a good example of this is aragonite's work. if her artwork weren't so pretty, some of her dolls would be right boring. but it's hard to find fault with any of them because they are so well-drawn. this goes for coding too. if your doll does something absolutely phenomenal, people will be more forgiving of the drawing, though less-so than the other way around.
2) uniqueness. dolls that copy a certain style are popular (like "cyute" dolls) but the MOST popular dolls are the ones that do something new. kimiki and silent angel, who sort of propagated the "cyute" look, are the most popular "cyute" artists because their work is the most original. we are starting to see the same thing with punky's work. people who can imitate these styles are good at drawing, because they can emulate a style so well, but they're not usually very creative and that makes their work boring. why would i keep a doll on my computer if it looks just like another doll that was totally unique when it was made? i would rather play with the first one. the same goes for FKiSS effects, which you can understand from what other people are saying. there is a new artist, lisa, who is doing some very simple fun things with FKiSS which really add to her dolls because they are things that are done very infrequently. some effects are overused because they serve a *purpose,* like snap-to or hair cycling. they create a function that the artist thinks adds more to the doll or makes it easier to play with. other effects are overused just because people are copycatting. blinking doesn't add a function to a doll, so a doll that only blinks is kind of annoying. but if a doll blinks AND does a lot of other stuff, the blinking won't hurt it. this also goes for things like clothing design (does your doll have original clothing or did you just copy clothes from another doll?) and characters (there are LOTS of sailor moon dolls and LOTS of "original character" dolls of teenaged girls-- so unless the doll does something fun and new, a doll that fits into this category can be boring).
there are a lot of other things. interactivity, especially if you are making adult dolls, is a big plus. so is content-- dov talked about this. consistency is something i like to see. if you get lazy or bored and some of your clothes aren't as nice as others, or just look like a totally different style, this can look really bad.
what i can do for you is give you a list of artists whose work you can look at to get an idea of what i think a "good KiSS set" is. some of them i will qualify if a particular thing about their sets stands out. some of these people are phenomenal at ALL the parts of making a KiSS set. some of them are really good at a LOT of things but one or two things stand out. i'm making htis list off the top of my head and there are a lot of good artists so if i leave someone off please excuse me!
cal-callisto
dov sherman
rick cramer
king in yellow
jade gordon (especially her drawing)
genie (especially her coding)
ruthless
alex
ashlleeh (especially her drawing)
aragonite (especially her drawing)
kimiki (especially her clothing designs)
tasha (especially the completeness and accuracy of her character sets and quirky use of code)
silent angel (especially her clothing designs and quirky use of code)
dominatrix (especially his choice of subjects)
rosencrantz (especially his choice of subjects)
megan
glyndon
elaineMC (especially her quirky use of code)
batchix
jessi
light
glyndon
emby quinn
satori
if you are 18 or older, for good "adult" sets also check out:
the owl
glyndon
ruthless
junk pile
gudruk
the mechanix
dominatrix
i hope that is helpful! again, i just made that off the top of my head, it is in no particular order (some of my personal faves are near the bottom), and i probably forgot a couple people.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 9:45 AM from IP address 64.59.27.162
Although that was a very fine, and flattering, list of artists whose work does something to expand KiSS it could not be exhaustive. The writer will get flack for some of the names included, and some omitted. But one artist who has experimented a great deal with styles and effects and whose name should have appeared is tea. She has produced a lot of great stuff which pushes out boundaries, and which is available at her website.
And I think I'll leave it there and see what names are added by other folk.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 10:50 AM from IP address 208.129.6.91
i just felt like it is hard to just tell someone about aspects of a KiSS set that are good or that make a doll popular without giving examples of work. it's great to say "i like well-drawn dolls." but how well drawn is "well-drawn?" getting to see dolls that you know the writer considers good is more helpful, i think. that is a list of people whose work i regularly enjoy or am impressed by, and people whose work i keep on my computer for reference to look at code, art, design, and other ideas while i work on my own sets (i don't "play" with KiSS dolls per se). it is a completely subjective list and doesn't include a lot of people who are totally competent artists but whose work is just not my taste. i also left off a bunch of people whose work i enjoy but forgot, like dorothy, and people whose work i enjoy but whose work doesn't really fit the sorts of examples i was trying to give, like kid or mariye-- it would be hard to explain to a new artist just what i like about them without being misleading or confusing. one other person i left off the list is moonshaede...as much as i know he is very competent, i just don't enjoy his dolls. lots of other people do, though. i also didn't even try to list most of the excellent japanese artists out there.it isn't intended as a list for collectors (like "these are the dolls everyone should see"). it's intended as a "if you take a look at dolls by these artists, you will get a better idea of what sort of dolls i think are good than you would get if i just lectured at you for a few hours" list. or a, "if you're curious about how to do something in your own dolls, looking at these will be a good way of learning." for example, when i am shading hair and need help, i look at jade's dolls.
and thanks for the addition. ^.^
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 11:23 AM from IP address 64.59.27.162
>Like, what pros does Cherry Kiss have over FKiss?
That would be a difficult question to answer. FKiSS is a set of animation extension commands and Cherry KiSS (CKiSS) is an alternate CEL format allowing a higher number of colors. I guess the pros of CKiSS over FKiSS would be that FKiSS isn't an alternate CEL format allowing a higher number of colors. It really depends on what you're trying to do.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 8:38 PM from IP address 207.195.139.200
CKiSS takes up almost twice as much space, if not more, than standard palette format. Also keep in mind the compatibility issues-it crashes most Mac viewers, and presumably others (I only use PlayFKiSS, so I can't speak for other Windows ones...)
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 9:08 PM from IP address 205.188.199.39
Re: Re: Re: Getting the most out of your doll......
by
(no login)
That's still not a question that makes much sense.
It's like asking, which tastes better: oranges or breakfast?
To answer your question, I would have to say that a CKiSS doll would likely take up 4 times as much space as an FKiSS doll only if that FKiSS doll is not a CKiSS doll. It is very common for CKiSS dolls to contain FKiSS.
Posted on Mar 25, 2002, 2:03 AM from IP address 207.195.139.200
First off...FKiSS and Cherry KiSS are not mutually exclusive. FKiSS is a code for effects, Cherry KiSS is a way to create 24-bit cel files. CKiSS only has one real advantage: the ability to use more than 256 colours. Unfortunately, its positive side is strongly outweighed by the accompanying large file size and compatibility issues. In other words, don't use it unless you absolutely have to use that many colours. Unnecessary use of the format has given it a bad reputation-I can't say I haven't contributed to this factor. ^^;; As far as "getting the most out of tools"...it really depends on your set concept and what program(s) you're working with. Hope that helped...
-Alcy, your friendly neighborhood ecchi. =P
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 8:56 PM from IP address 205.188.199.39
Cherrykiss and Fkiss are like apples and oranges. You should be comparing cherrykiss to 256 color or 16 color sets and comparing fkiss to fkiss2 or fkiss3.
Posted on Mar 24, 2002, 11:06 PM from IP address 207.149.198.85
(big grin) to XD. it could also be used to express sarcastic frustration, like >_< or >.<