Wallpaper feedbacks [Archive] - TBCS Community Forums

DaveW

01-01-2007, 08:52 AM

We've had a huge influx of wallpapers recently, and we now have 25 in our thread, which just ran into it's second page! I've just finished hosting all of the ones that i've been sent, so if you sent me one that isn't there, either i've forgotten about you in error or never got your message-so send me a wee reminder!

Anyway, i thought you guys might like some feedback from me and the boards.

From me, i say well done to everyone, you guys are coming up with great stuff.

A General pointer for all though: remember about icons! Some of the wallpaper's we've received have been pretty rough with desktop icons, rendering them very difficult to see. I've tried to catch these situations and alert the creators before i hosted them, but keep this in mind from the start!

The TBCS logo was provided after multiple requests, and the various photoshops are great, but i'd personally like to see more twists on the theme! Why not use this as a chance to make up your own TBCS logo? I know a lot of people liked Slug Toy's firey Doom-esque version of the logo, and I'm very partial to ESX's dirty version in his double monitor wallpaper.

Ok, now for some personalized feedback on the most recent ones...

Slug Toy
Nice work in both your backgrounds, subtle, low contrasts, they are icon-friendly, and interesting. I like the fact that you got away from the logo photoshops for a sec and did something highly creative too, but the honeycombs, got to say i'm glad you came back for that one!

ESX
Come on, man. Give the other guys a chance! lol. It's all thanks to you that i'm getting all these extra backgrounds-everyone else feels outdone. Seriously though, keep these coming. :banana:

Scotty
I know he's not around much anymore, but these are good. Lacking in a TBCS twist, but that doesn't matter-because the aim of this was to get desktops for people running strange monitor sizes, such as doubles and widescreens. :) So keep it up, i know these have been popular.

jdbnsn
Nice. Your first wallpaper has polish, but it's plain. Your second wallpaper has vibrancy and colours, but it lacks polish. If you can get a middle ground, you're on a home run here. Either way, both your desktops are icon friendly and work well. Why only 1024*768 for the second though?

Aero
Interesting wallpaper, and i keep thinking i see shapes in it. It looks like a photoshop of a snow covered mountain side, with conifer trees on it to me...everyone else will probably see something different. Either way, icon friendly, works well. Perhaps a little lacking in 'impact', as it's all very subtle, but that's opinion anyway. :) Good work dude.

sgtm
Nice wallpaper man, all it needs is a little work in the polish department. The flames look good, but overall, something seems to be missing. My advice would be to experiment with layers and overlays, see where that takes you, but maybe one of the other guys who knows more about photoshop techniques can help you out with that more.

Phew! That's all for now guys, hope you take this as constructive criticism! Make sure to leave feedback for each other too guys. :)

-Dave

Slug Toy

01-01-2007, 09:18 AM

you know what, they're all equally good... in their own ways. heck, from the looks of it, i could stand to learn a couple techniques from those... especially jdbnsn's ground texture. i like it a lot. and aero's smoke type cascade thing going on... almost like small objects falling through fog. but they're all damn good.

just a little bit of interesting info. the electric honeycombs... that is by far the biggest undertaking for me so far in terms of sheer time put in. i think i worked on that for a day straight getting the colours right alone. by the end there were about 50 or 60 layers just for the sparks. not to brag, but id say it was time well spent.

<EDIT> i think ill name all my desktops from now on, and i think everyone else should too. heres what ive just come up with: the doom-esque one is called Quake because i was going for a quake 2 style, the first electric one is called Tesla for obvious reasons, the planet one is called Phobos because it reminds me of a rocky moon and Phobos is associated with moons, and Electric Honeycombs stays because it just works.

ESX

01-01-2007, 02:42 PM

If you guys need help with anything, I'll be happy to try and help you out :)

Sly thats a good idea about naming each wallpaper, I'll do that aswell.

jdbnsn

01-01-2007, 06:06 PM

I of course love all of ESX's, but also really thought those flamin' fonts of sgtm's were cool as hell! Also Slug Toy's moon scene was awesome, well done!

slytherock

01-01-2007, 07:07 PM

Sly thats a good idea about naming each wallpaper, I'll do that aswell.

I said something? :p I was probably too ****ed up last night, I dont remember a damn thing... again...

:D

tybrenis

01-01-2007, 08:30 PM

I said something? :p I was probably too ****ed up last night, I dont remember a damn thing... again...

:D

I think he meant Slug. And I think you like alchohol a bit too much..... =D

Zephik

01-01-2007, 09:32 PM

You know, this is rather difficult. Each one of these wallpapers is so damn good! I think I have changed back and forth between a few like twelve times now. lol

Hmmm... I think for now, I am going to go with Slug Toy's "electric honeycomb" wallpaper. But then again, I really like .Maleficus.'s red and black one too... oooh, and then there is that one! AHHH!

It's times like these I wish I had more than one computer screen.

SgtM

01-01-2007, 10:43 PM

ESX

01-02-2007, 12:14 AM

I think he meant Slug. And I think you like alchohol a bit too much..... =D
O yea lol *_*

slytherock

01-02-2007, 12:18 AM

I think he meant Slug. And I think you like alchohol a bit too much..... =D

I know, I think it was just too easy to make fun of that statement... and I probably like it a little too much...

On a side note, I also think it's a good idea to name them :)

nil8

01-02-2007, 01:01 AM

I really dig slug's simplistic backgrounds. I'm not a fan of backgrounds with multiple focuses.

I can't really give advice on wallpapers. I'm graphically incompetent. I like what I like, that's about as far as it goes.

Aero

01-02-2007, 01:12 AM

I love them. I think its funny, mine looked very much like jdbnsn's second one before a few more layers/filters. I was too lazy to find some brushes, so mine was made entirely with filters and layer properties :P. Nice job guys, I can't wait to see more from everyone. Except maybe ESX, take a break dude :P j/k, keep em coming, the more the better.

DaJe

01-02-2007, 01:18 AM

I need to make myself a new wallpaper that I can fit in with an active desktop with links and everything. Any ideas or sugegstions?

jdbnsn

01-02-2007, 09:34 AM

I don't think I've used active desktop so I'm not sure what particular features you need. What specific things does it need to have/do?

nil8

01-02-2007, 10:20 AM

AD can utilize webpages/html and moving images in a layered setup.
If you play games DaJe, it's a very bad idea, AD is a system hog, even more when you're in a full screen game.

DRece

01-02-2007, 02:13 PM

:?So when you say custom tbcs icon, do you mean something like this or to make something outside of standard?:?

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/DRece/tbcsicon.gif

CanaBalistic

01-02-2007, 04:16 PM

Well... Im afraid im going to have to comment on the wallpapers. You may not like what i say or you may love the compliment. I just gotta say how i feel about them. Computer design is what got me intrested in computers when i was 13. That was 9 years ago, you may remember this period as the time Paint Shop Pro made its mark.

Im cross refrencing the wallpapers in the desktop thread in order of appearance. Of course, ill skip my own. I think they speak for them selfs but feel free to give me some feedback as its allways welcome.

Indybird:
1 & 2) Nice background. The brush of the circuit looks oversized and blury. The bevel you put on the logo takes away from its... appeal?

.Maleficus.:
1.) The background and the boarder brushes look superb. The computer brush is poorly blended and very jaged. The text is so very plain.

2.) Sorry but the only positive thing i can say about this one is the nice text.

dgrmkr:
1.) This one reminds me of a psychedelic acid trip. Nice use of colors. You shouldnt have used that same circuit brush as Indybird.

2.) This is a good one. Nice color, good flow. Maybe you should have finished the text.

Slug Toy:
1.) Nothing wrong with this one. Looks good.

2.) Fallowing a little to close to the first. Still looks sharp.

3.) Very nice. I personally would have made the TBCS logo a bit more apparent(clear)

4.) Im starting to think you've regurgatated this wallpaper to many times. Looks just like the 1st and 2nd... Im not very impressed with this one.

Razors Edge:
1.) I think this was a previous creation not intended for TBCS. The logo looks very odd and separated compared to the rest of the wallpaper. The overall apperance is exceptional!

ESX
1.) This one is very simple and elagent. I think the logo should be on the other side of the text to allow for icons.

2.) The blending and texturing of the text is awsome. The rest looks overly simple if not boring.

3.) This one is a bit better with the logo on the left tying into the design. Background is again, boring.

4.) I see where you were trying to go with this. Sorry but i dont think you pulled it off.

ScottY:
1.) I would like this one better if it was used as a background. I think it looks good but is lacking the most common features like any text or logo.

2.) Again, this one looks unfinished. I do have to compliment you on the gradients on both of thies.

jdbnsn:
1.) I dont think you spent more than 2 minutes on this. Pattern, paste, transparency.

2.) This one speaks to me. It says "brush me". Nice background effect. The transparency of the logo looks good. The text and its placment needs a little work.

Aero:
1.) I think you resized this one and didnt take note of your "scan lines". I like the basic design of this one but think a splash of color would enhance the appeal. Either in the text or logo.

sgtm:
1.) Very nice text, the best so far. Plain backdrop. Logo looks very odd with the burning and color dodges.

Thats all we have for wallapapers. I encourage you to retort.

I allways name my files, i cant imagine why dave thought to rename them.
Im on grafic CBD-118 (cana-balistic design-118 ) and wallpaper WP-48

Slug Toy

01-02-2007, 07:27 PM

4.) Im starting to think you've regurgatated this wallpaper to many times. Looks just like the 1st and 2nd... Im not very impressed with this one.

alright, duely noted. i was planning on switching things up now anyways. i was going to get a flaming sun background done first, but now im going to skip right ahead and do something organic... but probably not the organic you're thinking of.

SgtM

01-02-2007, 09:19 PM

sgtm:
1.) Very nice text, the best so far. Plain backdrop. Logo looks very odd with the burning and color dodges.

Eh first one.. I layered the logo wrong in this one. Thanks for the feedback though. I'm probably gonna work on a couple of other ones just cuz I like playing with photoshop. Now, I don't normally reveal my sources, but I like everyone here. That being said.. if you want to learn the (simple) fire technique here's some linkage. (http://www.bertmonroy.com/tutorials/text/16_fire.htm)

CanaBalistic

01-02-2007, 09:30 PM

I've got plug-ins to do some of the more tedious effects and 2000 fonts doesnt hurt either.

Slug Toy

01-02-2007, 09:41 PM

thats an interesting fire tutorial, sgtm. ive found ones like that, but they dont follow those last few steps. most of my fire is hand brushed, and i do a layer for each colour i want.

CanaBalistic

01-03-2007, 01:30 AM

I desided to get up off my fat arse and post my recent wallpapers. They are all 1024x768 (my native resolution) so dont be harping me on that.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/Cana-Balistic/WP-026-1.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/Cana-Balistic/WP-007.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h258/Cana-Balistic/WP-002.jpg

Dave:
If your going to add thies to the collection, you can save the image from the link. They are all maximum quality.

[edit]
cancel that dave, photo bucket resized the damn things. I'll email em to you tomorrow.

Aero

01-03-2007, 02:25 AM

yeah Canabalistic. I saved it as 1280*1024, I'll make a few more for small er sizes since the scanlines will probably look like crap on lower resolutions.

Thanks for the tips on color. I personally wanted monochrome because of my setup/room/viewing pleasure. I'll think about something more flashy for others.

jdbnsn

01-03-2007, 02:26 AM

I love the new wallpapers Cana-B. You can come up with some really creative stuff!

CanaBalistic

01-03-2007, 02:52 AM

areo, what i do is make a master psd of the biggest resolution i'll allow. I'll remove the scanlines layer while i resize and put em back on after. Then that problem can never happen.

Thanks for the comp jon. you should see some of my earlier websites. unfortunatly, no one will pay for a website coded in html. its all about that new fangeled php or flash now days.

DaveW

01-03-2007, 06:59 AM

I allways name my files, i cant imagine why dave thought to rename them.

I rename them because it helps me to keep track of them. Also, if they all have a similar name, it means i can copy and paste the code that handles the link and just change the numbers.

I'd like to quickly apologize to everyone for the time it takes me to host these for you, i'm just so crazy busy at this end. I will eventually host your images.

Cana, overall, that was some pretty bold feedback. I appreciate your honesty, but damn, you were blunt man. :)

-Dave

SgtM

01-04-2007, 01:12 AM

CanaBalistic

01-04-2007, 02:12 AM

Internet presence is all about image. I just want the best for TBCS. Besides, if somone doesnt tell them why half thier **** blows goats, they'll wind up in the gutter hopped up on heroin, wondering why they've faild as artists.

Well, it might not end up so extreme in most cases but, just for the record, i make some seriously ugly **** on occasion. Thoes ones wind up in the recycle bin. I only keep what i deem as passable as art, and im never satisfied with what i do keep and publish. There is allways room for improvment, granted that you know where that improvment is needed.

ESX

01-04-2007, 02:55 PM

There is allways room for improvment, granted that you know where that improvment is needed.
So true.

Slug Toy

01-04-2007, 06:01 PM

everywhere and always is the answer to that one.

tybrenis

01-04-2007, 06:52 PM

I appreciate your honesty, but damn, you were blunt man. :)

-Dave

A blunt man AHAHAHAHAHAHA ROFL plus rep for that subtle joke no one else got.... ahahaha

Aero

01-04-2007, 07:25 PM

CanaBalistic

01-05-2007, 09:24 PM

A blunt man AHAHAHAHAHAHA ROFL plus rep for that subtle joke no one else got.... ahahaha

No no, i got that one too. I just didnt want to say anything and get banned again :)

DaveW

01-12-2007, 04:09 PM

Next lot are up, go rip em' to shreds guys.

-Dave

Scotty

01-12-2007, 04:32 PM

Sent you two new ones Dave, this time they have TBCS on them, got a nice one file name is rubbish but thats cus i couldn't be bothered to type it all out, but itll keep you in suspense. RSMTBCS.png. i think you know what TBCS stands for but the R...S...M... is interesting hey...

Slug Toy

01-12-2007, 05:43 PM

good to see that some of the new wave actually have modded logos. i was starting to think i was the only one doing that.

DaveW

01-12-2007, 06:50 PM

I'll post Scotty's new backgrounds later, i've been too busy. but they're nice.

-Dave

SgtM

01-12-2007, 07:03 PM

I'll post Scotty's new backgrounds later, i've been too busy. but they're nice.

-Dave

That's cuz ScottY is the Photoshop pwnzr

Scotty

01-12-2007, 07:39 PM

Or is it because i spend too much time making so many little things lol. One is simple, the other took...ages...

DaveW

01-13-2007, 09:25 AM

5 More wallpapers, which puts us up to an excellent total of 35 wallpapers. Well done dudes, didn't ever expect to receive that many!

-Dave

Zephik

01-13-2007, 09:33 AM

OMG! I haven't been this excited since I bought a backstreet boys cd!!!

...who did what now? Shhh! lol

You guys are friggen awesome, kudos to you all!

I guess its time for me to have a go at one... hmmm... HA! Wouldn't that be something to see? :hurt:

slytherock

01-14-2007, 11:46 AM

Sent you two new ones Dave, hope you'll like them

DaveW

01-14-2007, 01:30 PM

Got one, the other is in my inbox and i haven't checked it yet. I'm writing a report and have work to do, but i'll get them done when i can.

-Dave

isunktheship

01-15-2007, 06:40 PM

As many of you may know I mess around with Discreet 3ds Max... so.. I thought I'd mess a little with backgrounds.

Here's 3, but there are more to come ;).

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1668/1vn3.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1vn3.jpg)
UPDATE:
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/6421/1modes1.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1modes1.jpg)

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/5959/2tm2.th.jpg (http://img477.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2tm2.jpg)
UPDATE:
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3672/2modvw2.th.jpg (http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2modvw2.jpg)

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/225/3lv4.th.jpg (http://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3lv4.jpg)

Enjoy, I did the basica outline, and now to ENHANCE it! This is where photoshop comes in handy!

-Andrew