New Rank Images...

[GlitchPC]

I'm in the process of finding some new rank images for our members and came across some, I feel, may jazz up the post bit area. (see attached)

Now...I didn't include all the new ranks...just some to give you an idea. I just think the current ones need a little tweaking...don't you?

I was wondering if I could get some opinions, so I've included a poll...and will base my decision based on your responses. However, I would like to update these rank images as soon as possible, so a quick response would be greatly appreciated.

The poll will only be valid for a week...so get in there and vote, my friends...:smile2:

[Calum]

I have to say, the "Member" rank icon does look a little plain.
IMHO, it looks more like a "deactivated" or "banned" image, if you catch my drift.
Not sure what would make it look better to me exactly ... I'm no good at that sort of thing.

[GlitchPC]

Understood...

We can always change the color and associate it with another usergroup. We have a total of 11 usergroups for which we would need to colorize.

Also, the new rank images we use will not just be for the BlueEvolution skin, but all of the skins we have (3). So whatever looks good here, may not look good on the other skins. We need to come up with something eye-catching...yet blends sitewide.

[Juppy]

I don't see that they're that bad, but I do agree with Calum about the plainness of the Member image. The gray looks sorta blah and, to me, says either "offline at the time" or, as mentioned, "banned". Dunno what color would look better though without making it look like a mod or admin position. Maybe yellow? Dunno.

First thing I thought when I saw them was "Hey, mini boomboxes!" LOL.

[Tux2]

I would have to say that those colors kind of jump out of the gray. I think white would be good for the member color though if you go for these.

[BC_Programming]

oh C'mon, mine can go somewhere, like in some obscure theme nobody would use :biglaugh:

Or maybe a door jamb? this could free up aunt mariah's fruitcake for other uses, like keeping the garage door open.

But seriously, what's wrong with them?

[GlitchPC]

LOL! There's nothing wrong with them, BC...

I just think we should have something with a little more "pizzaz"...if you know what I mean...

Let me show you what caught my eye...

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n234/kiddrevz/Skins/Avaters/rank.png

[BC_Programming]

those are great! Just remember if they seem reluctant- offer them cheetos. works every time.

[GlitchPC]

I've been in contact with the guy who designed these images: http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n234/kiddrevz/Skins/Avaters/rank.png

He is currently looking over the site and has requested an image of "Glitch", so it looks like he may well be taking on the task of coming up with some rank images that we may use.

Also...wazza, over at CH has also said he may be working on some, as well. We'll have to see what gets contributed (including yours, BC_Programming) and go from there.

Once I have all of the contributions, I will create a new thread (with poll) and we can all vote on what we'd like to use.

The images I referred to earlier in this thread (as well as the link in this post) really caught my eye...but they look more like avatars then rank images. So, I'll just have to wait and see what gets submitted.

I'd like everyone to realize that I'm just doing this to spice up the site a little...make it more visually appealing. The rank images we have now for the BlueEvolution style...just don't jive. I'd like to see rank images that will blend with all three styles. If this isn't possible, we may need to create rank images for each individual style.

[BC_Programming]

the main issue with mine re: style blending is that I think I made them using the SaviourPC colours, which are bit more pastel then what BlueEvolution uses; but by pure coincidence would be coloured similar to the Smooth fluid theme.

of course I can always open them up and change the colours with a few clicks, which might dramatically improve their look under blue evolution.

An interesting prospect is that we could take the submissions, and assuming none of them fit well with all themes, decide which ones fit best in the current set of themes.

[GlitchPC]

Here's the problem...

I was just going over the rank images for vBulletin...and they are relative to the core install. So, the problem is...we'll have to come up with rank images that will fit the three styles.

We cannot have separate rank images for each style. I just found that out.

[GlitchPC]

Well...

I have the first test rank image from the guy who is trying to style some up for me.

Remember...this is only a first draft...and if anyone has any comments...please feel free to voice your concerns within this thread.


See attached...

[Trip]

Here is a couple more. One without the logo and one without the logo and lighting.

[GlitchPC]

So far...out of the three you've submitted, Trip...I like the one without the logo, but with the lighting.

Trip has offered his services to design some ranks for us. If anyone has any input for him, please let him know in this thread.

Thanks...

[GlitchPC]

Trip...

If you can manage it...the colored line at the bottom of the rank image...can that be changed to match the color code given to each rank?

Here's a list of the ranks, along with their corresponding color codes:

Administrator: red
Global Moderator: purple
Moderator: green
Newbie:
Member:
Junior Member:
Senior Member:
Hero Member:
Super Member:
Elite Member:
Banned: gray/light gray

Those that don't have a color listed by them are open for discussion...or (Trip), just select a color you think appropriate for them and just submit them. We'll all take a look see..okay?

Thanks, Trip...and nice work!

[Juppy]

They all look pretty nice to me, but if I had to pick, I think I like the last one without the logo or the lighting best. Maybe it's just my monitor, but the two with the lighting in them seem to kinda fuzz out the word "admin" (you know, being white letters and all, the light seems to make the letters sorta faded out looking to me). But hey, that's verging on nitpicking though, coz like I said, they all look pretty good.

[GlitchPC]

Keep in mind...that whatever we decide on is for all three styles, as well.

Thanks for the input, Juppster!

[Trip]

They all look pretty nice to me, but if I had to pick, I think I like the last one without the logo or the lighting best. Maybe it's just my monitor, but the two with the lighting in them seem to kinda fuzz out the word "admin" (you know, being white letters and all, the light seems to make the letters sorta faded out looking to me). But hey, that's verging on nitpicking though, coz like I said, they all look pretty good.

That's a fair statement. I removed that particular type of lighting and add a different style of lighting in a different position with a different hue.

[Tux2]

Nice. I loved the first one... But they all look really good... They seem to just "fit".

[GlitchPC]

I have to admit...I like them all, too. Now, if Trip wants to settle on the one he thinks would fit best...I'll go with his opinion, since he's the graphic artist here.

What do ya think, Trip?

Remember...We'll need different colors for all rank titles...some were already mentioned, my friend.

[Trip]

Which one would we like to go with? I have some time this weekend to finish out the package. Or if you would like to go in a different direction. I'm always up for a challenge.

[GlitchPC]

I'm going to make an executive decision and go with your last submission, Trip. Like I said...they all look good.

I haven't received any except for what BC_Programming previously submitted and the ones I found at vBImageworks...so, it's all you.

Just one thing though...they all have a large white birder at the top...is this going to be something you can fix easily? I hope so.

Thanks. again, Trip...

[Juppy]

That's a fair statement. I removed that particular type of lighting and add a different style of lighting in a different position with a different hue.I like that one. Looks good.

The first ones that I mentioned looked a little faded to me, don't get me wrong on that, I wasn't saying they sucked or anything, just the white-ish light didn't seem to jive with the white letters. Might've looked okay if the light was a different color or the letters were; just not both the same color. A little contrast I guess is what I'm getting at. The blue ones might look good like you've done that green one, except with the blueish light behind it (IOW, blue light with white letters.....thought I better elaborate coz I even confused myself with that statement).

But hey, I'll be content with most anything, because its darn sure better than anything I could do. "Mr. Graphic Artist", I'm not. LOL! And my dad always told me if I couldn't do something better than the next guy, don't go complaining about the way HE'S doing it.

[Trip]

That white boarder is actually transparent. No worries, I will trim the final product and it will blend in real nice with any background. I will see if I can come up with a complete package before the end of the weekend.

[Trip]

I like that one. Looks good.

The first ones that I mentioned looked a little faded to me, don't get me wrong on that, I wasn't saying they sucked or anything, just the white-ish light didn't seem to jive with the white letters. Might've looked okay if the light was a different color or the letters were; just not both the same color. A little contrast I guess is what I'm getting at. The blue ones might look good like you've done that green one, except with the blueish light behind it (IOW, blue light with white letters.....thought I better elaborate coz I even confused myself with that statement).

But hey, I'll be content with most anything, because its darn sure better than anything I could do. "Mr. Graphic Artist", I'm not. LOL! And my dad always told me if I couldn't do something better than the next guy, don't go complaining about the way HE'S doing it.

Thank you for your input. When it comes to lighting effects, sometimes I will come up with something at night and think it looks half decent. The next day when the sun is shining it doesn't look so great.

[Trip]

I have to admit...I like them all, too. Now, if Trip wants to settle on the one he thinks would fit best...I'll go with his opinion, since he's the graphic artist here.

What do ya think, Trip?

Remember...We'll need different colors for all rank titles...some were already mentioned, my friend.

If it was me I probably would go with the last one submitted. A graphic artist I am not. Because my graphics skill set isn't very high, I am limited to what I can actually do so, there was a good chance I wouldn't have been able to help. Looks like things have worked out :spinny:

[GlitchPC]

I'd like to personally thank Trip for the work he's done creating the rank images now being used on the site.

I think they blend quite well with this style.

So...my hat's off to you, Trip!

That deserves a beer! LOL!

[BC_Programming]

if you take your hat off, don't put it on the floor, I might trip on it. :twitcy:

they go especially well with the black background headers on each post. Maybe we should change the
"Computer specs" item to something similar, though?

[GlitchPC]

Similar...in what respect?

[BC_Programming]

well, black background- same font as rank image.


One might think that would go away from the theme, but most header sections move towards darker colours, such as the black header cell that contains the post date, for example.

Of course the difference is as currently implemented the specs "button" is not an image.

[GlitchPC]

I changed the background color, only. I don't believe it would be a good idea to use the same font...only because you wouldn't want it to look too similar. You want to distinguish that button from its surroundings. I may have to tweak the length of the image by a pixel or two...seems a little off.

[Trip]

You gents are most welcome. I hope you enjoy the images. If I could throw my 2cents in concerning your computer specs image...I'm just throwing an idea around here but after searching through the community, you guys take a ton of pride in developing your site. So hopefully I'm not out of line here...
There are 2 colours that grab me, a blue w/a gradient and a black w/a gradient. Since the computer specs image is directly related to your forums niche the image probably should be linked directly to the template. IE: either a blue or a black. This would have to match perfectly to be effective though. If it was me, I would probably match the black gradient with the same font in white. 120px/20px w/a 2px radius to tie it in with your new ranks. That's just me though.

[Juppy]

Hey, the rank images look sweet, Trip! Very nice, and I like the color choices you made. Thanks for helping spiffy up the place. I "beered" you too, so that's why you've got two beers over your avatar. On a side thought.....if enough of us do that, Trip's gonna be drunk and the next images he comes up with might look kinda funny. :biglaugh: Oh well, thanks again, Trip....they look great.

[GlitchPC]

You gents are most welcome. I hope you enjoy the images. If I could throw my 2cents in concerning your computer specs image...I'm just throwing an idea around here but after searching through the community, you guys take a ton of pride in developing your site. So hopefully I'm not out of line here...
There are 2 colours that grab me, a blue w/a gradient and a black w/a gradient. Since the computer specs image is directly related to your forums niche the image probably should be linked directly to the template. IE: either a blue or a black. This would have to match perfectly to be effective though. If it was me, I would probably match the black gradient with the same font in white. 120px/20px w/a 2px radius to tie it in with your new ranks. That's just me though.


Trip...

Well let me put ya back to work...:biglaugh:

Why not do us up a couple of images...since I don't have that font. Both in blue and black gradients.

Instead of "Computer Specs" as the text use "PC Specs" or "My PC Specs".

Thanks, in advance...

BTW...I turned the poll back on for this thread...and changed my vote. Let me know if anyone wants to change their vote on the images currently being used as our new rank images.

[Trip]

I'll see what I can come up with.

[GlitchPC]

Well...

I don't know if you've noticed, but I have changed the Computer Specs button to a gradient image...

I don't think I'm going to change the text, due to the fact that the font comes from the mod installed for this dropdown call. If the font is changed to the same font used for the rank images...then not everyone will see the text (if they don't have that font installed)...unless the font is included as part of the image. In any case...this mod may not allow me to remove the text and just place the image in there...

[BC_Programming]

Looks great now! I see many other buttons have changed, too :)

No need for the same font- it was just, to me, the colours were clashing since the two were so close together.

Just one thing though- the "thanks" button has not caption- would that be possible? I was just thinking to make it more obvious to new members receiving assistance, they might not be able to associate smiley face with thanks, since that also appears in the reply boxes.

The other buttons aren't really in need of a caption- the tooltips are sufficient, since they contain "advanced" things, like multi-quotes.

To show you what I mean I whipped open Paint Shop Pro:

EDIT: oops- forgot transparency... (fixed)

[GlitchPC]

What font is that? It's close, but the other buttons' font looks brighter/bolder.

[BC_Programming]

Actually- it's not a font- just me smashing around pixels. I would have simply tried copying existing characters in other buttons, but there aren't a lot of buttons with text to copy from, so the only letter I would be able to copy would be T.

I'll change my "K" to be similar to the R in Post Reply, as that uses the same style that I'm looking for.

Not sure how the fix the brightness- I might have used a shadow that was too dark or too light.


EDIT: not sure if this is even closer or farther...

[GlitchPC]

Thx...dimensions are off, too. Should be 85x30.

[BC_Programming]

ok...

[GlitchPC]

Just added it...but it doesn't look right.

[GlitchPC]

Decided to revert the image and just change the "alt" tag...if people want to know what it's for, they can hover over the button.

[BC_Programming]

OK no worries. :)