And here I thought Dan would go for strip poker. >:3
How did I end up with the first post? The world is at an end! D:
Oh look, this smiley fits something now! :poker
I have to like the blue lady's language there. Though, that WOULD make for a quite long game of Go Fish...
Wonder how well he got to know them in those few hours. They probably already did their introductions, too...also, note convenient placing of the green puppy's head X3
Quote from: Jadian on March 14, 2008, 07:39:57 AM
also, note convenient placing of the green puppy's head X3
Yes, makes me wonder if perhaps it IS a game of strip Fish! >_>
mmm, tasty, tasty fish.. wait, what were we talking about?
Quote from: Tikki on March 14, 2008, 08:10:37 AM
Quote from: Jadian on March 14, 2008, 07:39:57 AM
also, note convenient placing of the green puppy's head X3
Yes, makes me wonder if perhaps it IS a game of strip Fish! >_>
mmm, tasty, tasty fish.. wait, what were we talking about?
The head is not placed too conveniently - Cuddles is still wearing her dress.
What I really like is how Cuddles's face is covered with a shadow, making her eye glow faintly. By the way, where is the light coming from, anyway? I guess there must be some artificial light source, since it would be a bad idea to make windows in a box you use for transportation of kidnapped people.
dan would have the disadvantage of anything with the name "Strip" in it. He's only wearing a robe and pants at a minimum.
I'm more intrested in why the bunnny's eyes are now yellow instead of red.
Quote from: Madmann135 on March 14, 2008, 08:16:28 AM
dan would have the disadvantage of anything with the name "Strip" in it. He's only wearing a robe and pants at a minimum.
I'm more intrested in why the bunnny's eyes are now yellow instead of red.
The girls are not wearing more items of clothes than him. Probably less. :3 And as for Cuddles's eyes, they always had both red and yellow colour in them. I think they change their colour if you look at them from a different angle.
Quote from: Madmann135 on March 14, 2008, 08:16:28 AM
I'm more intrested in why the bunnny's eyes are now yellow instead of red.
Could be her tapetum lucidum ... likely means she has "cat eyes" that improve vision in low light conditions. ;)
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 14, 2008, 08:13:01 AM
where is the light coming from, anyway? I guess there must be some artificial light source, since it would be a bad idea to make windows in a box you use for transportation of kidnapped people.
I was wondering about that too.
I think that's just amber taking some artistic license...
After all, if it were really dark, that wouldn't make for a very interesting comic now would it (http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8180/winkrazzii7.gif)
Quote from: Tikki on March 14, 2008, 08:10:37 AM
Quote from: Jadian on March 14, 2008, 07:39:57 AM
also, note convenient placing of the green puppy's head X3
Yes, makes me wonder if perhaps it IS a game of strip Fish! >_>
mmm, tasty, tasty fish.. wait, what were we talking about?
To be honest, I wasn't thinking accurately when I said that--I was thinking we still hadn't seen a body shot that would have given a hint to her species.
Looking back, I guess I was wrong on that, but still...none of them have enough clothing for a strip game of any kind to last long :P
Quote from: jo-shadow on March 14, 2008, 09:48:21 AM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 14, 2008, 08:13:01 AM
where is the light coming from, anyway? I guess there must be some artificial light source, since it would be a bad idea to make windows in a box you use for transportation of kidnapped people.
I was wondering about that too.
I think that's just amber taking some artistic license...
After all, if it were really dark, that wouldn't make for a very interesting comic now would it (http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8180/winkrazzii7.gif)
Not sure about that. Groping ones way in the dark can lead to interesting predicaments. >:3
Heh, groping in the dark? Always fun, especially when you're the only guy in a group of girls!
Im quite sure its one those moments with Dan...Well probley this is where he starts to have his thirst for Amazons!
Did Shanna put her shirt back on?
Doubtful, she doesn't strike me as the modest type.
On a similar note, with the Pup's head where it is, does it look like magic-chick isn't wearing a shirt, or is it just me?
Quote from: Aleolus on March 14, 2008, 03:41:26 PM
Doubtful, she doesn't strike me as the modest type.
On a similar note, with the Pup's head where it is, does it look like magic-chick isn't wearing a shirt, or is it just me?
I think Shanna did put her top back on. Othervice Dannie would have been permanently distracted. And Cuddles is still wearind her dress (look closely and you'll be able to see it).
Quote from: Aleolus on March 14, 2008, 11:39:53 AM
Heh, groping in the dark? Always fun, especially when you're the only guy in a group of girls!
With Dan involved, he'd somehow end up groping himself unknowingly. X3
Though if you look at the length of Cuddle's dress in the previous strips, I wouldn't be suprised if sitting down criss-cross could cause some problems.
And just how do they play cards in the dark?
Quote from: Darkdragon on March 14, 2008, 08:19:41 PM
And just how do they play cards in the dark?
That's what I'm talking about. The light must be coming from something or somewhere. There is probably some sort of a glowstone or some other artificial source of light in one of the upper corners of the box. While I remember that there is a magic barrier reinforcing the box, it would probably not disable some minor magical device inside of the box.
reminds me of back when i kept a deck of cards on my person at all times, and people frequently had no clue where i produced them from.
its a great habit, people seem hypnotized when you just start shuffling cards when you were previously empty handed. after all, didn't dan say you can hide all kinds of things in a dress?
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 14, 2008, 08:29:11 PM
Quote from: Darkdragon on March 14, 2008, 08:19:41 PM
And just how do they play cards in the dark?
That's what I'm talking about. The light must be coming from something or somewhere. There is probably some sort of a glowstone or some other artificial source of light in one of the upper corners of the box. While I remember that there is a magic barrier reinforcing the box, it would probably not disable some minor magical device inside of the box.
I say your over thinking things a bit.
Quote from: Abel is Irish on March 14, 2008, 09:52:46 PM
That's what I'm talking about. The light must be coming from something or somewhere. There is probably some sort of a glowstone or some other artificial source of light in one of the upper corners of the box. While I remember that there is a magic barrier reinforcing the box, it would probably not disable some minor magical device inside of the box.
I say your over thinking things a bit. Its just a comic.
[/quote]
Yes. I like to do that. For fun. And it is not "just a comic". No good story can be called "just a story". While stuff can be somewhat random here now and then, and with magic anything is possible, it is always fun to speculate and theorize why and how this world works.
Ren's right. There's a light source in a closed box. Which leads to the question of what is creating this light source. It's just a bit of something to discuss while we wait for the next comic. It's a good way to pass the time.
Quote from: Pagan on March 14, 2008, 10:19:46 PM
Ren's right. There's a light source in a closed box. Which leads to the question of what is creating this light source. It's just a bit of something to discuss while we wait for the next comic. It's a good way to pass the time.
Point taken
Random coment, but I looked at this strip again on my dark screen older computer. And all that is left of the corner is an ominous glowing yellow eye...
you learn quickly this is good. as for me i was thinking that the box as it were may have some kind of locking grid top to let in fresh air and light.
Quote from: e_voyager on March 14, 2008, 10:52:32 PM
as for me i was thinking that the box as it were may have some kind of locking grid top to let in fresh air and light.
You may be right there. I looked at the previous strips, and it was darker in the box before. It may have been like that: the box on some kind of a cart was moving through the forest (or in any kind of shadow), so there was little sun light getting in. Then it started to move across some field (got out of the shadow), and the amount of light getting in increased. Yeah, it was probably like that.
Quote from: Lucheek on March 14, 2008, 10:50:44 PM
Random coment, but I looked at this strip again on my dark screen older computer. And all that is left of the corner is an ominous glowing yellow eye...
The eye belongs to Cuddles - apparently, it changed the colour from mostly red to mostly yellow. The reasons for that were listed (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181684.html#msg181684) above (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181686.html#msg181686).
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 14, 2008, 11:09:00 PM
The eye belongs to Cuddles - apparently, it changed the colour from mostly red to mostly yellow. The reasons for that were listed (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181684.html#msg181684) above (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181686.html#msg181686).
You forgot to add the reason of "When there is less space to shade in, the normally small and easily blendable yellow highlights sort of dominated and gave off the appearance she had yellow eyes now."
and here was me thinking it was something complicated
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 14, 2008, 11:09:00 PM
Quote from: e_voyager on March 14, 2008, 10:52:32 PM
as for me i was thinking that the box as it were may have some kind of locking grid top to let in fresh air and light.
You may be right there. I looked at the previous strips, and it was darker in the box before. It may have been like that: the box on some kind of a cart was moving through the forest (or in any kind of shadow), so there was little sun light getting in. Then it started to move across some field (got out of the shadow), and the amount of light getting in increased. Yeah, it was probably like that.
Quote from: Lucheek on March 14, 2008, 10:50:44 PM
Random coment, but I looked at this strip again on my dark screen older computer. And all that is left of the corner is an ominous glowing yellow eye...
The eye belongs to Cuddles - apparently, it changed the colour from mostly red to mostly yellow. The reasons for that were listed (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181684.html#msg181684) above (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181686.html#msg181686).
Yes, I saw it on my good screen too. Its just kind of creepy on a darkscreen. xD
random curiosity- ive seen decks of cards similar to what you see 'the joker' use as weapons, essentially shurikens shaped like cards, would it be possible to actually play with those? if so that may be why they had them on their person.
then again its just as likely they have a throwing knife, throwing fork, and throwing spoon
Man, it doesn't take lamanation or sharp edges to make a card deadly painful. I've got a friend, who with a regular playing card, gave me a welt by throwing it at me from across my bedroom. He's very good at throwing cards like weapons, not so good on the aim though...
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 10:11:01 AM
Yes, I saw it on my good screen too. Its just kind of creepy on a darkscreen. xD
considering that all i have is a dark scree i know what you mean. it's is creepy but that adds to the atmosphere if you ask me.
Quote from: Pagan on March 15, 2008, 12:42:41 PM
Man, it doesn't take lamanation or sharp edges to make a card deadly painful. I've got a friend, who with a regular playing card, gave me a welt by throwing it at me from across my bedroom. He's very good at throwing cards like weapons, not so good on the aim though...
It's tricky, and near-impossible when they're not perfectly flat.
My brother and I learned how to throw cards, and immediately had a large-scale card battle in the back yard. It was pretty cool.
Reminds me - a couple of years ago some of us suggested that Amber come up with a deck of DMFA cards. David Hopkins did three runs of Jack playing cards and despite the fact he kept raising the price on them (ended up at $15 a deck), they sold them out fast.
Amber said she would feel like she was horning in on Dave's idea if she did her own cards (as if playing cards were a new idea). Everyone, including David and Katie Hopkins, told her to do it anyway. What does everyone think? Wouldn't it be nice to have a deck of your favorite characters? Maybe even fifty-four of them (with jokers), if Amber feels like doing it. What would you pay for such a collection? I'd say $10 at least.
Quote from: Rafe on March 15, 2008, 03:21:06 PM
Reminds me - a couple of years ago some of us suggested that Amber come up with a deck of DMFA cards. David Hopkins did three runs of Jack playing cards and despite the fact he kept raising the price on them (ended up at $15 a deck), they sold them out fast.
Amber said she would feel like she was horning in on Dave's idea if she did her own cards (as if playing cards were a new idea). Everyone, including David and Katie Hopkins, told her to do it anyway. What does everyone think? Wouldn't it be nice to have a deck of your favorite characters? Maybe even fifty-four of them (with jokers), if Amber feels like doing it. What would you pay for such a collection? I'd say $10 at least.
That would be pretty cool, actually.
Amber would be the joker, probably.
Quote from: Rafe on March 15, 2008, 03:21:06 PM
Amber said she would feel like she was horning in on Dave's idea if she did her own cards (as if playing cards were a new idea). Everyone, including David and Katie Hopkins, told her to do it anyway. What does everyone think?
I think she should do it anyway >:3
QuoteWhat would you pay for such a collection? I'd say $10 at least.
From a quick google scan for playing cards, they seem to run from £2 ($4) through £20 ($40) for an expensive set. If I was offered a set of DMFA playing cards at $15, I wouldn't even blink.
This talk about cards make me think about Zelazny's "Chronicles of Amber". It would be cool to have a DMFA deck.
Quote from: Rafe on March 15, 2008, 03:21:06 PM
Reminds me - a couple of years ago some of us suggested that Amber come up with a deck of DMFA cards. David Hopkins did three runs of Jack playing cards and despite the fact he kept raising the price on them (ended up at $15 a deck), they sold them out fast.
Amber said she would feel like she was horning in on Dave's idea if she did her own cards (as if playing cards were a new idea). Everyone, including David and Katie Hopkins, told her to do it anyway. What does everyone think? Wouldn't it be nice to have a deck of your favorite characters? Maybe even fifty-four of them (with jokers), if Amber feels like doing it. What would you pay for such a collection? I'd say $10 at least.
I think there's a lot of things Amber should do so she actually can make a little more of a living off the comic... but she seems overly nervous about it. She really should look into these kind of things though. It'd do well, without a doubt.
Playing cards are a great idea. I'd think Amber for one joker, Fluffy for the other.
I was at one point collecting business cards from a company in an attempt to make a deck of playing cards. Then they up and changed their business card design, and made it double-sided.(can't put cards on one side.)
I won't place a bid on the price, as I'm a stingy little monster, and will reliably suggest less than half of what most would consider a "reasonable price." For example, I consider $20 US fair for brand-new video game releases, and $5 good for such titles as original Halo or Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
I would love DMFA playing cards. My father collects cards, and we've baught almost all the sets in the world. (All bicycles, cards from National Parks and any place we visit, ect...) And brightly colored is a win in our family! :3
Speaking of witch...what happened to that calendar?
Volfram, I greatly admire your cheapness. I am glad to know I have a brother out there who is as tight on his money as I am.
A deck of DMFA cards would be nice, and I guess I'd be willing to part $10-15 for it.
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 06:20:33 PM
Speaking of witch...what happened to that calendar?
Well the calendar itself died with the HDD, as you probably know. Although if Amber can find time to recolour it and issue a new run, I'm sure it would go down a treat.
Quote from: Amber Williams on March 14, 2008, 11:42:23 PM
Quote from: Ren Gaulen on March 14, 2008, 11:09:00 PM
The eye belongs to Cuddles - apparently, it changed the colour from mostly red to mostly yellow. The reasons for that were listed (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181684.html#msg181684) above (http://clockworkmansion.com/forum/index.php/topic,4277.msg181686.html#msg181686).
You forgot to add the reason of "When there is less space to shade in, the normally small and easily blendable yellow highlights sort of dominated and gave off the appearance she had yellow eyes now."
Or maaaayyybe it's because her Hollow side is taking control!
Bleach Bleach Bleach... :boogie
Quote from: Alondro on March 15, 2008, 08:44:31 PM
Or maaaayyybe it's because her Hollow side is taking control!
Bleach Bleach Bleach... :boogie
Here. Have some Bleach (http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh121/RentheKnight/A%20Bunch%20of%20Random%20Pictures/nirvana-bleach-001-1_LRG.jpg).
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 15, 2008, 06:36:32 PM
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 06:20:33 PM
Speaking of witch...what happened to that calendar?
Well the calendar itself died with the HDD, as you probably know. Although if Amber can find time to recolour it and issue a new run, I'm sure it would go down a treat.
What is the HDD?
I just remember the picture of the cast dressed up like the Zodiac...
Quote from: Volfram on March 15, 2008, 01:44:02 PM
Quote from: Pagan on March 15, 2008, 12:42:41 PM
Man, it doesn't take lamanation or sharp edges to make a card deadly painful. I've got a friend, who with a regular playing card, gave me a welt by throwing it at me from across my bedroom. He's very good at throwing cards like weapons, not so good on the aim though...
It's tricky, and near-impossible when they're not perfectly flat.
My brother and I learned how to throw cards, and immediately had a large-scale card battle in the back yard. It was pretty cool.
Ricky Jay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Jay) FTW. :eager
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 09:55:16 PM
What is the HDD?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_disk_drive
and here I thought it was an abbreviation of HarD Drive.
Which is technically the same thing, but...
Quote from: Brunhidden on March 15, 2008, 12:04:05 PM
then again its just as likely they have a throwing knife, throwing fork, and throwing spoon
*puts on a cheesy English accent* But it all makes perfect sense if you just know your history!
Quote from: DarkAudit on March 15, 2008, 09:58:03 PM
Quote from: Volfram on March 15, 2008, 01:44:02 PM
Quote from: Pagan on March 15, 2008, 12:42:41 PM
Man, it doesn't take lamanation or sharp edges to make a card deadly painful. I've got a friend, who with a regular playing card, gave me a welt by throwing it at me from across my bedroom. He's very good at throwing cards like weapons, not so good on the aim though...
It's tricky, and near-impossible when they're not perfectly flat.
My brother and I learned how to throw cards, and immediately had a large-scale card battle in the back yard. It was pretty cool.
Ricky Jay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Jay) FTW. :eager
Bwahahah. And relevant to my last post, Ricky Jay was in Mystery Men! >:3
Quote from: Tikki on March 15, 2008, 11:26:20 PM
Quote from: Brunhidden on March 15, 2008, 12:04:05 PM
then again its just as likely they have a throwing knife, throwing fork, and throwing spoon
*puts on a cheesy English accent* But it all makes perfect sense if you just know your history!
Hoffmanite throwing fork and spoon (http://www.airshipentertainment.com/buckcomic.php?date=20080228)
Calender wise, we still have it in low-quality web version(I have a copy I got off missmab.com somewhere, I can't figure out where though). Now, being low quality, it wouldn't look good at full-size calender size, although a calender 5 inches wide or so would probably turn out fine.
Another option would be to get someone who has a copy of the calender to make a high-quality scan of each page, and then reconstruct from there.
Card wise, I have one picture Amber made, with a hand holding one card(Mikelo being the char on the card), but I cannot find it on this computer(I know I have it on my laptop however).
-RobbieThe1st
A throwing spork (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8ace/) would be better. -meh-
-
Playing cards would be a good idea indeed. But it takes a good amount of capital to be able to have decent product runs of anykind. It's no simple silk-screening job thats for sure.
-
Alondro, step away from the Strawberry haired warrior while you still can. :paranoid
If need be I'll find you a twelve step program.
I managed to quit cold turkey though.
My brothers not taking well to rehab, he really really needs to put down the mangas.
*note*My bro's the jock and I'm the nerd. Go figure. :U
Quote from: Alondro on March 15, 2008, 08:44:31 PM
Or maaaayyybe it's because her Hollow side is taking control!
Bleach Bleach Bleach... :boogie
*sighes and facepalms, then grabs Saria, who pulls out the baka mallet as a censored screen soon appears*
Right... now that THAT'S out of my system.... I wonder how long it took them to stop trying to escape, and to start playing cards.... And why Go Fish?... Also.... I think the Lizard might have her brain explode from using too many big words.
Possibility #2? Woah, that Hooked on Phonics really works!!
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 09:55:16 PM
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 15, 2008, 06:36:32 PM
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 06:20:33 PM
Speaking of witch...what happened to that calendar?
Well the calendar itself died with the HDD, as you probably know. Although if Amber can find time to recolour it and issue a new run, I'm sure it would go down a treat.
...I just remember the picture of the cast dressed up like the Zodiac...
I got my copy of the calendar:
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/CALENDARr.jpg)
And by the way Amber, if you'd like high-resolution scans of the artwork so you can skip recoloring it, I'd be glad to get them to you.
Quote from: Tapewolf on March 15, 2008, 03:33:32 PM
From a quick google scan for playing cards, they seem to run from £2 ($4) through £20 ($40) for an expensive set. If I was offered a set of DMFA playing cards at $15, I wouldn't even blink.
Likewise.
random curiosity, who on the calender was cancer?
then again, is there a DMFA version for the Chinese zodiac?
Quote from: Brunhidden on March 16, 2008, 06:59:08 PM
random curiosity, who on the calender was cancer?
These two:
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/Calendar3r.jpg) (http://24.106.113.210/otown/Calendar4r.jpg)
Can't stop laughing...
That's amazing...
Quote from: Rafe on March 16, 2008, 11:29:34 PM
Quote from: Brunhidden on March 16, 2008, 06:59:08 PM
random curiosity, who on the calender was cancer?
These two:
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/Calendar3r.jpg) (http://24.106.113.210/otown/Calendar4r.jpg)
Fluffy: Urge to clip off her feet at the ankles rising... should I? should I not..... grr, so angry....
Quote from: Rafe on March 16, 2008, 02:13:06 PM
Quote from: Lucheek on March 15, 2008, 09:55:16 PM
...I just remember the picture of the cast dressed up like the Zodiac...
I got my copy of the calendar:
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/CALENDARr.jpg)
And by the way Amber, if you'd like high-resolution scans of the artwork so you can skip recoloring it, I'd be glad to get them to you.
The only Calender I knew about was this.
C_January.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_January.jpg)
C_February.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_February.jpg)
C_March.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_March.jpg)
C_April.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_April.jpg)
C_May.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_May.jpg)
C_June.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_June.jpg)
C_July.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_July.jpg)
C_August.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_August.jpg)
C_Septermber.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_Septermber.jpg)
C_October.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_October.jpg)
C_November.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_November.jpg)
C_December.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_December.jpg)
Where did you get that?
Quote from: AndersW on March 17, 2008, 11:42:35 AM
The only Calender I knew about was this. Where did you get that?
Must be an earlier one. I was thinking of the 2006 one as well.
My calendar images were from the 2007 calendar. If I remember right, I got the calendar from Amber when we went to Anthrocon in 2006.
Quote from: Rafe on March 16, 2008, 11:29:34 PM
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/Calendar4r.jpg)
I pinch.
I Pinch?....
Maybe little pinch?............
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/Gamma_x2/craboil.jpg)
No Pinch no pinch!
Quote from: Rafe on March 17, 2008, 05:55:20 PM
My calendar images were from the 2007 calendar. If I remember right, I got the calendar from Amber when we went to Anthrocon in 2006.
May have been. I chickened out of 2006 :rolleyes
However the calendar pictures we're thinking of were unveiled in January 2006, hence the confusion:
http://nice.llearch.net/dmfa_forum2932.htm
Quote from: Rafe on March 17, 2008, 05:55:20 PM
My calendar images were from the 2007 calendar. If I remember right, I got the calendar from Amber when we went to Anthrocon in 2006.
Is it possible to get a copy of the 2007 calendar?
Don't know if there are any left in Amber's posession. I do believe all the finished art was lost in the previously mentioned computer crash. I'm trying to remember who else was involved in producing them. In any case they never got around to printing many of them. I suppose I could sell my rare and valuable copy, but I'd have to get a massive amount of cash for it.
I'm sure they could be reproduced if Amber saw enough interest to make it worth the trouble.
I would just like t see the pictures, but I doubt that would help Amber much...
Quote from: Lucheek on March 17, 2008, 10:16:17 PM
I would just like t see the pictures, but I doubt that would help Amber much...
I second that!
Well, maybe Amber would be willing to post them for some contributions -
If we had a "hostage auction", every time someone contributed, say, $20, another month's picture would appear. You wouldn't even have to come up with 20 whole dollars, multiple people could send in smaller amounts, and as soon as it got up to another $20, the next one would go up, with a note like "November, featuring Matilda as Sagittarius, is brought to you by so-and-so". A nice full page of art and text would then be posted.
That text is also a great part of these zodiacal artworks. It's written by Amber, of course.
So anyway, what does everyone think? Is the price right, or too low? More importantly, will I be attacked by Amber for proposing this without asking first?
I dont even have the original black and whites of the 2006 and 2007 calendar anymore...much less the digital versions.
If anyone who has the desire to scan/post their calendars is about, feel more than free. Its not like I am gonna lose any profits. :U
That's good enough for me. I'm going to set up the auction and finally get the money for Amber out of this she should have had, but for the hard drive crash.
Look for the "DMFA Horriblescopes" Auction thread later today. I'm off to get the artwork looking nice and shiny. Thanks in advance.
Quote from: AndersW on March 17, 2008, 11:42:35 AM
C_May.jpg (http://missmab.xepher.net/graphics/C_May.jpg)
'zit me or have all(both?) of the confirmed DMFA weres so far been redheads?(the May mouse, and Hahwru)
Also. May. Yay for may!
It's probably nothing, but if the were race was only populated by attractive redheads... I'm so on a quest to find them.
*pokes Rafe* I wasnt really implying I wanted an auction for them...that would be kind of...wierd. I dunno. :/
I meant more that if peeps just wanted to post the pages, they were free to. I dont expect any returns because like I said, I lost the hi-rez and I dont have access to the originals. There is nothing really there worth charging for.
one day I would like to go and do another calendar...but sadly I need to work out a better system. Both times I have tried the problem came with the printing in that the person doing the printing couldn't meet the demand and quality. And I am too stubborn to go with the cheap alternative of a "poster size" one pager that he kept trying to suggest.
So its kind of moot point.
Oh, Okay. Sorry.
Its no problem. And dun get me wrong, I appreciate the thought.
If I still had the images, I would probably post them for everyone to see myself. Its just that I dont. :<
the "couldn't meet the demand and quality" thing - is that the demand is too low, and the quality too high, for the price point you're willing to accept as valid?
Just in case anyone else out there is wondering, and stuff. It'd be interesting to know what price point you're limiting yourself to, because it may well be I, and probably others, would be happy to pay more if necessary. I'll admit it'd lower your sales, but one of the reasons we like your work is you go out of your way to keep the quality high...
I dont feel its right to charge more than $20-$25 for a calendar. Which...granted in regards to the prices some peeps set for merchandise...is insanely cheap since I know some peeps who charge $20 for a single image print.
I dont think demand has ever been too low. Its just that unless I seem to charge $40-$50 per calendar, most small printing groups dont want to even consider the behemouth that is a 12 month calendar.
I dunno. I am not the best when it comes to gauging merchandise prices. I felt $20-$25 is a nice range because it still doesnt set it insanely far from a regular calendar price. But then again I guess regular calendars have the advantage of mass printing.
Merchandising and pricing and business is not my strong suit. I am terrible at it and dont have the head for it. I just draw gud gud.
One idea I have been toying around with, although I am not sure how practical it would be:
Just like the early calendar, you use those bind-ring things, and each page is a 8.5X11 standard piece of paper - after its printed, the wholes for the bind-ring is punched in one of the long sides.
It might be a tad smaller than a standard calendar, but could be printed extremely cheaply, on any inkjet/laser/solid ink printer. It would require a bit of work however, punching for the ring and putting it together.
Heck, with this, you could probably have the issue printed on-demand by one of our members, and the cost per printing would be less than a dollar per copy.
You could even just set up the pages, in TIFF or PDF form for download, and people could make their own. I know that double-sided printing can be done on any inkjet or other printer(with a bit of work), and it wouldn't be *too* hard to do.
Another option would be a print-on-demand service, like http://www.lulu.com/en/products/calendars/
For a standard 8.5X11 calendar, overhead for them would be $11.29, so if you sold it at $20, you would make $8.71. And, the advantage of this is no cost to you - you just design it, and get payed when someone buys one. Also, you don't run out of stock - they can always make more when someone buys one.
-RobbieThe1st
lulu does calendars?
Now -there- is a good option. The only limit is quality on the output - and it doesn't hurt to ask someone there how to optimise things for best quality, then look at the output.
Of course, there is also the downside of this: Amber has to spend time doing the calendar, instead of doing strips. On the other hand, starting now would probably be a good move ;-]
For my part, I'd be happy to pay 30 or 40 for the quality of calendar Amber brought out before. The only problem was, she didn't have enough, and/or wasn't able to ship overseas, as I recall. :-/
Lulu's calendars don't look real spectacular. They're still pretty good, but with the way Ambers talking about getting high quality, I don't think they'd be good enough for her. I haven't ever bought a CafePress calendar, but they look like they might be better. Has anyone else bought one recently?
Also, could somebody with one of the old calendars pleeeeez scan it and post the images? Think of all the deprived fans like me, wallowing in misery because of malartrition!
Ah, useful information. Although given lulu's setup, once you've got all the images, you can put them all together into a calendar just to see, fairly easily. I'd think so, anyway.
Of course, that's a lot of setup work for no result, but you'd hope you can re-use most of it for the other options. And if it works...
Anyway. All this is a bit of waffly hand-waving...
Here's Sagittarius featuring Matilda.
(http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11cR.jpg)
This one posts here at 500 x 339, about 1/47 the file size of the high-res scan (about 300 dpi). Take a look at the high-res version here:
http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c.jpg (http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c.jpg)
Anybody think that one, printed at 300 dpi on an 8.5 x 11, isn't high enough quality to sell?
[Edit - I'm not trying to argue here. If it isn't good enough for Amber, that's what matters.]
Quote from: Rafe on March 22, 2008, 09:49:45 PM
http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c.jpg (http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c.jpg)
Ok - a bit of a problem here - I loaded up the full-sized image, and while it looks ok shrunk down, I am worried that that image did not get uploaded fully - At full size, I notice a large amount of artifacts, which look like jpeg-artifacts. It could be because the image did not get uploaded fully, or it could be because of low-quality compression.
As I wrote that last line, I checked the image, and noticed this in the comment:
QuoteFile written by Adobe Photoshop¨ 5.0
It looks to me that while the scanned image may be printable, the version you uploaded may not be printable.
Don't get me wrong - I appreciate your uploading this for us and all, but I am just afraid that this isn't good enough quality to print
in its current form.
If you did it deliberately, to lower the file size, it is ok, but Amber, or llearch, or whoever ends up making the calendar will need full quality scans to work on.
If you are having trouble because you have no place to upload to(File-size limit or w/e), I can set you up with a place.
Edit:
Ok... I am sure that something is wrong with the large-size image - I rescaled the small-sized image up to the size of the full-size image, and the smaller one actually is a bit better quality at that size!
Again, thanks for uploading, but yea...
-RobbieThe1st
I scanned the original as a .PSD. I had to rotate and crop it, and did some cleaning up (some printing on the reverse was showing through). I changed it to a .jpg, full size (3223 x 2455), at the lowest compression, and that's '11c.
I reduced it in size (808 x 614), also used lowest compressionand that's '11cR.
I just downloaded and checked it again, and the full size image was loaded fully, and downloads fine for me, and looks as good or better than the original print (300 dpi at approximately 8.5x11 inches). and looks a lot better than the small version.
Yes you'll see .jpg artifacts, because IT'S A .JPG. Therefore, it's compressed (as little as possible) I didn't expect everyone out there to be able to use a .psd. It's also from a scan of a color half-tone print - a good print, but if you look at it in "actual pixel" size you can see the grain. My point is that, if printed in the original size (which you can't see on a monitor, unless you stand ten feet away) it's as good as the print.
I use Firefox as a browser, and my ISP doesn't have me on any image-downsizing speed-up software. Anyone else having trouble?
Ah, I think I see part of the problem.
The smaller image you've posted is 808x614, as you've said. The forum shrinks that to 500 or so, and the browser attempts to sort that out, resulting in a fairly poor image embedded. If you open the image directly, the browser shows it at near full size. Expanding it out to full size (slightly larger than the space I have on screen) results in an image that is significantly better to look at. *ahem*
I think, as Robbie says, if anyone wants to print it out, the PSD versions would probably be a better idea - if only so they can apply whichever management works best, in the minimal amount possible, to get the effect they're working for.
However, having said that, the image you've provided is probably "good enough" for most purposes... ;-]
it's much larger then the space i have on my screen but still it's nice to see the calendar.
If you want to see it "screen sized", look at the small version posted above.
It's not really that small. Unfortunately, you can't post anything over 500 pixels high or you'd see it here. The forum shrinks it. Assuming you didn't know how to read the image location and look at the actual image instead of the shrunken version, I'll make it easy -
CLICK HERE (http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11cR.jpg)
Looks pretty good, doesn't it. Remember, that one is just 1/16 the size of the original file, The image is about the same size, but more like photo quality,
... I think that's what I said, Rafe. ;-]
It's certainly what I was trying to say. Sorry if it wasn't clear.
Llearch, I was replying to e_voyager, and anyone else who couldn't figure out how to see it "screen size", hence the link
CLICK HERE (http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11cR.jpg)
I'm confused. Are you going to scan all 12 pictures Rafe, or are they going to be sold (in one form or another)?
I'm confused too.
I was under the impression that they were good enough to print, or at least good enough to encourage a few dollars a piece to go to Amber if I posted them (along with links to printable high-res files). Apparently they're not good enough.
Quote from: Rafe on March 23, 2008, 09:25:55 AM
I changed it to a .jpg, full size (3223 x 2455), at the lowest compression, and that's '11c.
Setting .jpg compression can be tricky. Do you mean lowest = least amount of compression, or lowest = smallest file size? Which way round it is depends on which program you're using and I can't remember how Photoshop does it.
I do this at work (and jpg compression is one of the easiest ways to produce a poor-quality-for-print file), and I don't usually see that much compression artifacting — especially not in a first-generation save — unless the jpg compression has been set way too high.
Quote from: Rafe on March 23, 2008, 08:05:05 PM
I'm confused too.
I was under the impression that they were good enough to print, or at least good enough to encourage a few dollars a piece to go to Amber if I posted them (along with links to printable high-res files). Apparently they're not good enough.
Sorry - I think you misunderstand - The "high res" image link you posted isn't really good enough to print at 300dpi, although the origional scanned PSD image most likely *is*.
Tapewolf uses full-quality PNG images for stuff he scans, which gives you absolutely no compression artifacts(PNG is lossless), but the file-sizes are in the ~12MB each.
Some cameras and scanners save their outputs as 100%-quality(lossless) jpg's, which is why I made the comment about photoshop being used.
PSD wise, most everyone can use them - I know that IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com)(freeware) can handle them, and it can convert them to any other normal file-type.
PNG files are good for transferring over the internet, as they are lossless and *everyone* can handle them, just like jpg or gif. The only thing that (may) be a problem is file-size, as you are probably talking at least 100 megs of scanned images - and depending on how you are hosting the files, you may need to watch out bandwidth wise(lots of people X 100 megs bandwidth each = *huge amounts* of bandwidth. If you are worried about that, Llearch would probably be willing to help you host them.
-RobbieThe1st
Quote from: RobbieThe1st on March 24, 2008, 12:55:22 AM
PSD wise, most everyone can use them - I know that IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com)(freeware) can handle them, and it can convert them to any other normal file-type.
Seriously, you don't want to link to raw PSD files. They're on par with BMP in terms of compression. If you must use a PSD, e.g. because it uses a non-RGB colourspace or layers, compress them afterwards with ZIP or RAR or something.
For stuff like this, PNG would be a much better bet, IMHO. You'd have to have something 10 years old or so to not have support for it, and even then you can get conversion software for free.
Well, if you want a .png, I can give you one. As I mentioned up the thread, I scanned the image as a .psd. This was mainly to make any cleaning up in Photoshop simpler. About all I really had to do was some gaussian-blur to get rid of the color half-tone graininess of the print, and removing some lines from the reverse side that were showing through. This is a .png version of that .psd. It's big, about 7.5M.
Here it is: http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c1.png (http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c1.png)
Quote from: Rafe on March 24, 2008, 11:28:40 PM
Well, if you want a .png, I can give you one. As I mentioned up the thread, I scanned the image as a .psd. This was mainly to make any cleaning up in Photoshop simpler. About all I really had to do was some gaussian-blur to get rid of the color half-tone graininess of the print, and removing some lines from the reverse side that were showing through. This is a .png version of that .psd. It's big, about 7.5M.
Here it is: http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c1.png (http://24.106.113.210/otown/horriblescopes11c1.png)
Ah, thats much better. Yes, there is some Chromatic aberration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_aberration), but its not too bad. I think these will print up perfectly.
Depending on the printer used, it *may* be a good idea to resize the scan up to 600dpi, and replace the text - while there will be no noticeable difference in the graphics, with the text you *will* notice a difference(Even replacing the text at 300dpi may help).
I am going to work on this scan and see what I can come up with, for the benefit of anyone else who might be able to use it.
edit: What can I say? I had some time on my hands. This may not be my best work, but it certainly fixes some of the problems with the unmodified origional - namely the text and the boxes.
http://robbiethe1st.ktserv.com/images/horriblescopes11c1_restored.jpg (420kb JPG). If anyone wants it, I can give you the 1.73 meg PNG, or the 17.5 meg XCF.
Also, as a note, the font used is Times New Roman, at 142px[letter spacing +1.0](largest text), 72px[letter spacing 0](medium text) and 56px[line spacing +6.0, letter spacing 0](small text). At least, those were the values I used in Gimp, and it was extremely close to the original.
edit2:
I had a bit of time on my hands and after test printing it(sorry Amber), I figured out that the graininess *is* noticeable, at least with a solid-ink printer. The squares I redrew and the text(with AA off) looked perfect after being printed, although the edges of the artwork were a bit sketchy. I *do* think its more or less printable quality, although its at the lowish end of the spectrum.
http://robbiethe1st.ktserv.com/images/IMG_3040_small.jpg
http://robbiethe1st.ktserv.com/images/IMG_3038_small.jpg
My camera work on the other hand... It really needs work.
-RobbieThe1st
**EDIT** Sorry, wrong thread!
Rafe, are you going to post the other pictures in the calender?
Well, my idea was to reprint the calendar, and posting the whole thing would more or less put a damper on selling them. After some PM discussions between some of us, it looks like the quality could be duplicated just fine. It's not going to happen without Amber's approval, though. One way or another, I want everyone to see it.