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The End of Adobe CS. Adobe CC to be monthly subscription.
Posted 12 years agoWith the disbanding of Creative Suite, Adobe is moving completely to "Creative Cloud" after CS6. It will simply be called Adobe CC.
No longer will you be able to purchase the software flat-out, but instead you'll HAVE to purchase a MONTHLY subscription if you want to use the software.
But here's my beef: Somehow, Adobe believes that it's client-base are collaborative, large-scale businesses who can simply wrap a $20/month or $240/year per user subscription into their business costs. Now, if you are someone who buys CS Design Standard upgrades once every 2 or 3 years, this is a savings. BUT, if you're someone who only upgrades Photoshop for $400 every 3-5 years, you're gonna get hosed (UNLESS they are still selling individual programs for less, or at a lesser fee.)
((BTW: According to Photoshop's own site, CC is $50/month if you don't have CS3 or newer* [*who purchase directly from Adobe], $30/month if you have CS3 or newer, $20/month if you're a student, and Photoshop is $20/month on its own. http://www.adobe.com/products/creat.....ing-guide.html , http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html ))
BUT, if you are a sit-at-home artist who only uses Photoshop and have been using the same software for 5+ years, then CS6 is your last opportunity for an updated program as nothing after will be updated/supported by Adobe... but at least you won't ever have to pay a subscription fee as long as you use it... hopefully.
Now, I do get why they'd want to move to this model, and I suspect that someone at some point will come up with some hack to bypass the monthly subscription process somehow. I understand that there are plenty of graphics houses and businesses using Adobe's software because it's basically a business Standard. It should cut down on pirating of software, and anyone who upgrades their software every 2 or more years no longer has to "worry" about upgrades. I'm sure that with the fluidity of having everything more one-stop-shop-based, products could overlap more, which could mean even more complications, or ease depending on how they're melded together.
PLUS, I suppose that there could also be plenty of other benefits to being cloud-based as well (though, I'm curious just HOW cloud-based it'll be... will your computer have the full suite installed still, or just enough to "make it go" and you'll need bandwidth to operate it?)
But, for the artists and casual users, this is a TERRIBLE thing. I won't be paying $20/month JUST to use Photoshop (or $30, or $50/month to use the whole suite) and I suspect that neither will a large quantity of users, who will even MORE quickly migrate to the alternative offerings out there for design and photo/image rendering.
What I really wish they would have done is still offered users the software, but made the connectivity/cloud-based options an add-on, or separate package if it was wanted.
There's NO WAY I'm going to pay $600/year. If I was upgrading every 2 years, it would be comparable... but for me it's not, as I MAYBE upgrade every 4, or 5 years.
For now I have CS5. I'll probably continue to use it for a few more years anyways, so it's not something that necessarily affects me just yet. But one day it might. At that point, hopefully either other software will really step up (I'm looking at YOU, Corel) and offer lower-priced alternatives to the people who just can't afford more subscription fees.
An article about it here: http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/06/rip-cs/
Adobe's page on it: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud.html
Have you, or anyone you know migrated to CC yet?
What are your thoughts?
No longer will you be able to purchase the software flat-out, but instead you'll HAVE to purchase a MONTHLY subscription if you want to use the software.
But here's my beef: Somehow, Adobe believes that it's client-base are collaborative, large-scale businesses who can simply wrap a $20/month or $240/year per user subscription into their business costs. Now, if you are someone who buys CS Design Standard upgrades once every 2 or 3 years, this is a savings. BUT, if you're someone who only upgrades Photoshop for $400 every 3-5 years, you're gonna get hosed (UNLESS they are still selling individual programs for less, or at a lesser fee.)
((BTW: According to Photoshop's own site, CC is $50/month if you don't have CS3 or newer* [*who purchase directly from Adobe], $30/month if you have CS3 or newer, $20/month if you're a student, and Photoshop is $20/month on its own. http://www.adobe.com/products/creat.....ing-guide.html , http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html ))
BUT, if you are a sit-at-home artist who only uses Photoshop and have been using the same software for 5+ years, then CS6 is your last opportunity for an updated program as nothing after will be updated/supported by Adobe... but at least you won't ever have to pay a subscription fee as long as you use it... hopefully.
Now, I do get why they'd want to move to this model, and I suspect that someone at some point will come up with some hack to bypass the monthly subscription process somehow. I understand that there are plenty of graphics houses and businesses using Adobe's software because it's basically a business Standard. It should cut down on pirating of software, and anyone who upgrades their software every 2 or more years no longer has to "worry" about upgrades. I'm sure that with the fluidity of having everything more one-stop-shop-based, products could overlap more, which could mean even more complications, or ease depending on how they're melded together.
PLUS, I suppose that there could also be plenty of other benefits to being cloud-based as well (though, I'm curious just HOW cloud-based it'll be... will your computer have the full suite installed still, or just enough to "make it go" and you'll need bandwidth to operate it?)
But, for the artists and casual users, this is a TERRIBLE thing. I won't be paying $20/month JUST to use Photoshop (or $30, or $50/month to use the whole suite) and I suspect that neither will a large quantity of users, who will even MORE quickly migrate to the alternative offerings out there for design and photo/image rendering.
What I really wish they would have done is still offered users the software, but made the connectivity/cloud-based options an add-on, or separate package if it was wanted.
There's NO WAY I'm going to pay $600/year. If I was upgrading every 2 years, it would be comparable... but for me it's not, as I MAYBE upgrade every 4, or 5 years.
For now I have CS5. I'll probably continue to use it for a few more years anyways, so it's not something that necessarily affects me just yet. But one day it might. At that point, hopefully either other software will really step up (I'm looking at YOU, Corel) and offer lower-priced alternatives to the people who just can't afford more subscription fees.
An article about it here: http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/06/rip-cs/
Adobe's page on it: http://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud.html
Have you, or anyone you know migrated to CC yet?
What are your thoughts?
Going to FCN '13
Posted 12 years agoAlrighty. Tomorrow (Friday) I head off to FCN. I don't know if I'll be doing artwork there this year, or if I'll just sorta veg and people-watch and try to relax and rest among a bunch of strangers. My hope is that maybe a little bit of inspiration will well up from the energy there, and I'll have some interesting pieces to show from my time there. Late-night art-jams are pretty awesome. I do have a few pieces I've offered to do for folks, so maybe that will happen as well. I don't know. Frankly, I really want to just drive there and forget about stress and plans, and just chill and relax around a bunch of creative, emotional, strange folks for a weekend. I think a 3-day furry convention will fit that bill.
My new icon starring me! (Artwork by Ron Spencer)
Posted 12 years agoSome of you may have noticed that I've changed my icon.
"What is that?" you might ask. Well, that's me. But it's not my artwork. ^.^
Anyone who might be a Werewolf: the Apocalypse fan may already know that a 20th Anniversary Edition of the book is coming out. There was a KickStarter for the Deluxe edition of the book, and during that time, some of of the artwork for the book was shown. Among them was the Get of Fenris piece done by the AMAZING Ron Spencer. I was VERY amazingly fortunate to have my likeness used in the piece, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. :D
I would post the image on my FA page, but I did not draw it. And while I basically modeled for it, I really wouldn't call it a "commission" piece either. So, for now, I must be content to use an avatar that uses the piece and post the link to the piece itself as well:
http://www.furnation.com/torakhan/r.....93599-full.jpg
The W20 book will be made available to the public as a downloadable PDF and Print-on-Demand physical copy through http://www.drivethrurpg.com sometime in April (I believe).
By the way... the preview copy has been given to the KickStarter folks (who's pledges included the PDF) and it looks fantastic so far. :D
"What is that?" you might ask. Well, that's me. But it's not my artwork. ^.^
Anyone who might be a Werewolf: the Apocalypse fan may already know that a 20th Anniversary Edition of the book is coming out. There was a KickStarter for the Deluxe edition of the book, and during that time, some of of the artwork for the book was shown. Among them was the Get of Fenris piece done by the AMAZING Ron Spencer. I was VERY amazingly fortunate to have my likeness used in the piece, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. :D
I would post the image on my FA page, but I did not draw it. And while I basically modeled for it, I really wouldn't call it a "commission" piece either. So, for now, I must be content to use an avatar that uses the piece and post the link to the piece itself as well:
http://www.furnation.com/torakhan/r.....93599-full.jpg
The W20 book will be made available to the public as a downloadable PDF and Print-on-Demand physical copy through http://www.drivethrurpg.com sometime in April (I believe).
By the way... the preview copy has been given to the KickStarter folks (who's pledges included the PDF) and it looks fantastic so far. :D
Werewolf 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition KickStarter SUCCESS
Posted 13 years agoSo... Richard Thomas wanted to raise a minimum of $100K, and dropped the minimum funding goal to $85K just to not make it feel so daunting...
Well, after 31 days, the KickStarter raised $380K by 2108 backers!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects.....anniversary-ed
Throughout the funding, we continued to out-pace the stretch goals before they could even be posted.
While you could pledge as little as $1 (for your name to be listed as a contributor) and all the way up to $3000 for a private game run by Ethan Skemp, the minimum level to acquire the Deluxe edition of the book was at $120 (for the US), or $145 (for those outside of the US). In the end... this is what a standard contributor got for $120/$145
• "Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition" Deluxe Editon
• PDF of "Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition"
• JPG of the electronic wallpaper file of the Steve Prescott illustrations for W20
• Listed in the Garou section of the backer credits.
• PDF of "Making of the Art of W20" (about 48 pages!)
• An electronic copy of the Bill Bridges-written novel for W20
• PDF of "The Skinner" Storyteller Adventure System for W20
• An electronic copy of the Mike Lee-written novel for W20
• An electronic copy of "Werewolf the Apocalypse Fiction Anthology" (aka "When Will You Rage 2") when finished
• W20 Onyx Path Dice Rolling App compatible with Apple products
• PDF of W20 "Werewolf the Wild West Expansion Pack"
• PDF of "Werewolf: Wild West" core book
• PDF of "Werewolf Translation Guide"
• PDF of "Tribe Book: White Howlers" (With an 8-page comic intro)
... and potentially more!
(Those who got the "Veteran Wyrmslayer" level for the Heavy Metal edition got even MORE stuff.)
Why potentially more? Richard Thomas (who's controlling the KickStarter) lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and they recently had a small weather incident (Hurricane Sandy) and lost power at about $300k... and had more stretch-goals in mind and we have no idea what they are!
I think it's safe to say they aren't dice, or anything physical (unless it's an upgrade to the Deluxe Edition itself), so it could be copper edges to the paper, or the PDF could be annotated, OR the money could be put into acquiring equipment/contracts to produce posters of World of Darkness artwork Print-on-Demand.
IF you missed out on this, or just didn't want to pay $120 for a leatherette uber-book, DriveThruRPG will have the PDFs and Print-on-Demand versions of the books available as they're completed.
ALSO: ... NOTHING is finished here! Unless it's an old document that's already been available as a PDF, all of the new stuff has to still be written! W20 and the SAS are still being laid-out and other parts still need to be written/edited/laid-out/etc.!) So many of these KS things may not see the light of day until Summer.
Want to learn more about the project? Want to get in on the other Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition books in the upcoming series? Want to make sure you don't miss out on other KickStarters? Keep your eyes on the White Wolf forums, on the White Wolf blogs, on the Onyx Path Publishing site, Twitter and Facebook pages too!
http://forums.white-wolf.com/defaul.....ts&t=66418
Well, after 31 days, the KickStarter raised $380K by 2108 backers!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects.....anniversary-ed
Throughout the funding, we continued to out-pace the stretch goals before they could even be posted.
While you could pledge as little as $1 (for your name to be listed as a contributor) and all the way up to $3000 for a private game run by Ethan Skemp, the minimum level to acquire the Deluxe edition of the book was at $120 (for the US), or $145 (for those outside of the US). In the end... this is what a standard contributor got for $120/$145
• "Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition" Deluxe Editon
• PDF of "Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition"
• JPG of the electronic wallpaper file of the Steve Prescott illustrations for W20
• Listed in the Garou section of the backer credits.
• PDF of "Making of the Art of W20" (about 48 pages!)
• An electronic copy of the Bill Bridges-written novel for W20
• PDF of "The Skinner" Storyteller Adventure System for W20
• An electronic copy of the Mike Lee-written novel for W20
• An electronic copy of "Werewolf the Apocalypse Fiction Anthology" (aka "When Will You Rage 2") when finished
• W20 Onyx Path Dice Rolling App compatible with Apple products
• PDF of W20 "Werewolf the Wild West Expansion Pack"
• PDF of "Werewolf: Wild West" core book
• PDF of "Werewolf Translation Guide"
• PDF of "Tribe Book: White Howlers" (With an 8-page comic intro)
... and potentially more!
(Those who got the "Veteran Wyrmslayer" level for the Heavy Metal edition got even MORE stuff.)
Why potentially more? Richard Thomas (who's controlling the KickStarter) lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and they recently had a small weather incident (Hurricane Sandy) and lost power at about $300k... and had more stretch-goals in mind and we have no idea what they are!
I think it's safe to say they aren't dice, or anything physical (unless it's an upgrade to the Deluxe Edition itself), so it could be copper edges to the paper, or the PDF could be annotated, OR the money could be put into acquiring equipment/contracts to produce posters of World of Darkness artwork Print-on-Demand.
IF you missed out on this, or just didn't want to pay $120 for a leatherette uber-book, DriveThruRPG will have the PDFs and Print-on-Demand versions of the books available as they're completed.
ALSO: ... NOTHING is finished here! Unless it's an old document that's already been available as a PDF, all of the new stuff has to still be written! W20 and the SAS are still being laid-out and other parts still need to be written/edited/laid-out/etc.!) So many of these KS things may not see the light of day until Summer.
Want to learn more about the project? Want to get in on the other Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition books in the upcoming series? Want to make sure you don't miss out on other KickStarters? Keep your eyes on the White Wolf forums, on the White Wolf blogs, on the Onyx Path Publishing site, Twitter and Facebook pages too!
http://forums.white-wolf.com/defaul.....ts&t=66418
W20 KickStarter is now happening!
Posted 13 years agohttp://www.kickstarter.com/projects.....anniversary-ed
$120 US / $145 Non-US for the W20 Deluxe, PDF, Electronic Wallpaper
(this pretty much goes with everything else more costly as well.)
Holy crap... some of these pledges are freaking awesome!
I've cherry-picked a few that I thought were notable, but there's plenty of other ones if you like collecting the novels, tribe books, and more too.
$250 - (sold out in 50 minutes) Your/Your Character Name used within the text of W20 or Changing Breeds
$300 - (sold out in 30 minutes) Your likeness used for a character model in Changing Breeds, or Rage Across the World
$350 - Personalized character sheet with Key Meyer, or Ron Spencer character head drawing on it.
$385 - Heavy Metal Edition of W20: (200 backers necessary) A printed metal plate die-cut with claw marks on the cover
$450 - full color, full-body character illustration by Ron Spencer (No details on dimensions, or the likes.)
$1000 - Participate in the creation of Book of the Wyrm discussions as "Consulting Developer"
$120 US / $145 Non-US for the W20 Deluxe, PDF, Electronic Wallpaper
(this pretty much goes with everything else more costly as well.)
Holy crap... some of these pledges are freaking awesome!
I've cherry-picked a few that I thought were notable, but there's plenty of other ones if you like collecting the novels, tribe books, and more too.
$250 - (sold out in 50 minutes) Your/Your Character Name used within the text of W20 or Changing Breeds
$300 - (sold out in 30 minutes) Your likeness used for a character model in Changing Breeds, or Rage Across the World
$350 - Personalized character sheet with Key Meyer, or Ron Spencer character head drawing on it.
$385 - Heavy Metal Edition of W20: (200 backers necessary) A printed metal plate die-cut with claw marks on the cover
$450 - full color, full-body character illustration by Ron Spencer (No details on dimensions, or the likes.)
$1000 - Participate in the creation of Book of the Wyrm discussions as "Consulting Developer"
W20 KickStarter goes Live Tuesday @ 9am EST!
Posted 13 years agoThe KickStarter for Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Editon, DELUXE edition goes live on Tuesday, October 2nd @ 9am EST.
It will likely run for 30 days.
(I don't have a link yet, but I will post one when I have one.)
This is for the DELUXE edition with (likely) leatherette cover, and other enhancements.
There will also be pledge levels offering other cool things.
If you do not want to be a part of the KickStarter, the book will still come out as a PDF and in its Print-on-Demand versions some time after the KickStarter... but those who are a part of the KS will get access to them first (more than likely.)
It will likely run for 30 days.
(I don't have a link yet, but I will post one when I have one.)
This is for the DELUXE edition with (likely) leatherette cover, and other enhancements.
There will also be pledge levels offering other cool things.
If you do not want to be a part of the KickStarter, the book will still come out as a PDF and in its Print-on-Demand versions some time after the KickStarter... but those who are a part of the KS will get access to them first (more than likely.)
Werewolf Dice SOLD OUT!
Posted 13 years agoHoly crap! With a final 25 set order, I have sold out of my Reproduction Werewolf Dice! www.furnation.com/torakhan/werewolfdice/
That means that I've sold, or given away, 190 sets of these dice.
It has been a REAL learning experience, and to be honest, it pretty much went how I expected with taking just over 7 months to sell them all.
HUGE THANK-YOUs go out to Matt at Drive Thru RPG (www.drivethrurpg.com) for selling about 45 sets for me at Gen Con in their shared booth with White Wolf.
Other shout-outs go to Richard Thomas, Eddy Webb, and to all of the sites who have allowed me to put the banners on my signatures to sell the dice. It has been super amazing that they let me do it, and I'm grateful.
And, finally, a massive thank-you to the folks who purchased sets from me and allowed me to get the money back that I paid into having them made.
At this time, I don't have any plans to have more made. HOWEVER, if interest were to arise, and the funding were to happen, I would be happy to do it again for the fans.
That means that I've sold, or given away, 190 sets of these dice.
It has been a REAL learning experience, and to be honest, it pretty much went how I expected with taking just over 7 months to sell them all.
HUGE THANK-YOUs go out to Matt at Drive Thru RPG (www.drivethrurpg.com) for selling about 45 sets for me at Gen Con in their shared booth with White Wolf.
Other shout-outs go to Richard Thomas, Eddy Webb, and to all of the sites who have allowed me to put the banners on my signatures to sell the dice. It has been super amazing that they let me do it, and I'm grateful.
And, finally, a massive thank-you to the folks who purchased sets from me and allowed me to get the money back that I paid into having them made.
At this time, I don't have any plans to have more made. HOWEVER, if interest were to arise, and the funding were to happen, I would be happy to do it again for the fans.
Looking for W20 (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary)?
Posted 13 years agoI have posted a topic on the White Wolf forums with many sources that can lead you to the most up-to-date information for W20 (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition) information:
http://forums.white-wolf.com/defaul.....ts&t=66418
Re-posted from the White Wolf forums
W20's Deluxe Edition (leatherette-bound, etc.) will have a KickStarter starting as soon as Rich gets some pricing finalized. It will run for apx. 1 month. At the end of that KickStarter, the people who funded at levels to receive the PDF will be given a link to download it. After a short period of time (to catch mistakes that people will inevitably discover), or after the physical copies are delivered to the people who purchased/funded the Deluxe Edition, it will be made available to the public for purchase as a PDF or a Print-on-Demand copy. The Deluxe Edition books will be shipped, along with pledge bonuses too.
According to the Onyx Path schedule (which will likely be moved around a bit, or dates pushed weeks/months back), "W20 Changing Breeds", (a 160 page book*), will be released in December, followed by "W20 Rage Across the World" (120 pages*) which will sort of be a W20 Companion book expanding on some things from W20 that wasn't included for various reasons, and finally "W20 Book of the Wyrm" (160 pages*) which will include and update all things Wyrmish sometime near the end of Spring/Early Summer.
*page numbers are approximate at this point and are subject to change
There is the Gen Con W20 Panel YouTube video (1-hour long discussion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W4diHhJrBw
(check out the rest of the Gen Con panels like "What's Up with White Wolf" and "What's the Onyx Path?" on The Onyx Path's YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOnyxPath)
There is the W20 Development Blog
http://whitewolfblogs.com/w20/
There is the general White Wolf Monday Meetings that include bits and pieces about the development process
http://whitewolfblogs.com/blog/cate.....onday-meeting/
There is the White Wolf forums (Onyx Path forum)
http://forums.white-wolf.com/defaul.....opics&f=30
There is the W20 Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/wta20
And there's the #W20 hash tag for Twitter.
https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23W20
Also, TheOnyxPath
And now that the White Wolf intellectual properties (IPs) are owned by CCP and licensed to Onyx Path Publishing for making tabletop RPGs (The Onyx Path, by the way, is owned by Richard Thomas, Creative Director for White Wolf, and is using many of the same writers/artists as White Wolf Game Studios did.) The Onyx Path will be the publishers of CWoD and NWoD tabletop games for the foreseeable future, so their site will likely soon become the source of most information. They have also been the people putting out all of the White Wolf books since last Fall, but the deal wasn't finalized until now.
http://www.theonyxpath.com
http://forums.white-wolf.com/defaul.....ts&t=66418
Re-posted from the White Wolf forums
W20's Deluxe Edition (leatherette-bound, etc.) will have a KickStarter starting as soon as Rich gets some pricing finalized. It will run for apx. 1 month. At the end of that KickStarter, the people who funded at levels to receive the PDF will be given a link to download it. After a short period of time (to catch mistakes that people will inevitably discover), or after the physical copies are delivered to the people who purchased/funded the Deluxe Edition, it will be made available to the public for purchase as a PDF or a Print-on-Demand copy. The Deluxe Edition books will be shipped, along with pledge bonuses too.
According to the Onyx Path schedule (which will likely be moved around a bit, or dates pushed weeks/months back), "W20 Changing Breeds", (a 160 page book*), will be released in December, followed by "W20 Rage Across the World" (120 pages*) which will sort of be a W20 Companion book expanding on some things from W20 that wasn't included for various reasons, and finally "W20 Book of the Wyrm" (160 pages*) which will include and update all things Wyrmish sometime near the end of Spring/Early Summer.
*page numbers are approximate at this point and are subject to change
There is the Gen Con W20 Panel YouTube video (1-hour long discussion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W4diHhJrBw
(check out the rest of the Gen Con panels like "What's Up with White Wolf" and "What's the Onyx Path?" on The Onyx Path's YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOnyxPath)
There is the W20 Development Blog
http://whitewolfblogs.com/w20/
There is the general White Wolf Monday Meetings that include bits and pieces about the development process
http://whitewolfblogs.com/blog/cate.....onday-meeting/
There is the White Wolf forums (Onyx Path forum)
http://forums.white-wolf.com/defaul.....opics&f=30
There is the W20 Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/wta20
And there's the #W20 hash tag for Twitter.
https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23W20
Also, TheOnyxPath
And now that the White Wolf intellectual properties (IPs) are owned by CCP and licensed to Onyx Path Publishing for making tabletop RPGs (The Onyx Path, by the way, is owned by Richard Thomas, Creative Director for White Wolf, and is using many of the same writers/artists as White Wolf Game Studios did.) The Onyx Path will be the publishers of CWoD and NWoD tabletop games for the foreseeable future, so their site will likely soon become the source of most information. They have also been the people putting out all of the White Wolf books since last Fall, but the deal wasn't finalized until now.
http://www.theonyxpath.com
W20 (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary) video
Posted 13 years ago^--Click Link Above for embedded YouTube Video--^
Gen Con was pretty informative for White Wolf, and Werewolf: the Apocalypse.
Some news?
White Wolf now exists as an intellectual property. The rights to produce and publish White Wolf properties for Tabletop RPGs belongs to a newly formed company called Onyx Path Publishing... made up of all of your old White Wolf favorites and owned by Richard Thomas, the Creative Director of White Wolf Game Studios. :)
W20 Kick Starter will happen SOON (within days from now, supposedly) in order to get the Prestige Edition (and any other pledge bonuses, or if you want the first crack at the PDF), then that will be your time to act. However, if you don't want a leatherette-bound special edition of the W20 book, you will probably be able to order the Print-on-Demand (or "Next In Print" as DriveThruRPG.com likes to call it) and PDF a few weeks, or a month after the KickStarter ends (so as to not only let the KickStarter funding people get the first crack at it, but also to let crowd-sourcing edit the book before physical copies are made.)
You can watch the rest of the panel "videos" (mostly either power point slides in the case of "What's Up with White Wolf" and "What's the Onyx Path", and repeating artwork for "Mummy: the Curse" and "Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition") on the Onyx Path Gen Con You Tube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis.....DB4EA21338B51E
Gen Con was pretty informative for White Wolf, and Werewolf: the Apocalypse.
Some news?
White Wolf now exists as an intellectual property. The rights to produce and publish White Wolf properties for Tabletop RPGs belongs to a newly formed company called Onyx Path Publishing... made up of all of your old White Wolf favorites and owned by Richard Thomas, the Creative Director of White Wolf Game Studios. :)
W20 Kick Starter will happen SOON (within days from now, supposedly) in order to get the Prestige Edition (and any other pledge bonuses, or if you want the first crack at the PDF), then that will be your time to act. However, if you don't want a leatherette-bound special edition of the W20 book, you will probably be able to order the Print-on-Demand (or "Next In Print" as DriveThruRPG.com likes to call it) and PDF a few weeks, or a month after the KickStarter ends (so as to not only let the KickStarter funding people get the first crack at it, but also to let crowd-sourcing edit the book before physical copies are made.)
You can watch the rest of the panel "videos" (mostly either power point slides in the case of "What's Up with White Wolf" and "What's the Onyx Path", and repeating artwork for "Mummy: the Curse" and "Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition") on the Onyx Path Gen Con You Tube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis.....DB4EA21338B51E
August 2012: Gen Con and Commissions Open, Dice Available!
Posted 13 years agoGen Con is next week, and I will be going. Actually, I'll be volunteering at Exhibitor Headquarters for the convention again and putting in 50 hours from Tuesday morning until Sunday evening. That means I will be in Indianapolis from Monday Night until Monday Morning, so if you're at the con, feel free to say hi. :D
This year, however, I'll likely be more financially strapped than at any other time in my 17 years of attendance. So I'm once again pushing for commissions and selling dice.
I think I'm pretty caught up on paid commissions right now, so if you're looking for a drawing, and would like something from me, please let me know. :D When I'm surrounded by people and artists, I tend to work better, so there's hardly a better time for me to get stuff done than the 7 days at Gen Con. :D
If you're interested in the Werewolf Dice, check out my web site. 10 dice for $5+s/h. :D
http://www.furnation.com/torakhan/werewolfdice/
So, if you have any questions about commissions, dice, or Gen Con, feel free to ask. :)
This year, however, I'll likely be more financially strapped than at any other time in my 17 years of attendance. So I'm once again pushing for commissions and selling dice.
I think I'm pretty caught up on paid commissions right now, so if you're looking for a drawing, and would like something from me, please let me know. :D When I'm surrounded by people and artists, I tend to work better, so there's hardly a better time for me to get stuff done than the 7 days at Gen Con. :D
If you're interested in the Werewolf Dice, check out my web site. 10 dice for $5+s/h. :D
http://www.furnation.com/torakhan/werewolfdice/
So, if you have any questions about commissions, dice, or Gen Con, feel free to ask. :)
I'm accepting commissions again
Posted 13 years agoSo... with lack of money finally getting the better of me, it's time to start taking commissions again.
I'll likely only take two or three at a time as I push through them.
My current look at pricing goes something like this:
For a single character piece:
• Pencil Sketchy works = $20
• More finished pencil (some sketchiness/minimal shading) = $40
• Inked lineart pieces = $40
• Full color badges (half-body) = $25
• Additional revisions +$10 if it's still at a stage where reasonable revisions can be made.
• S/H = + Whatever you want to pay for the original
• Addtional Characters = ? (Talk to me about it and we'll see...)
Clients will receive a cleaned 300-600dpi 8.5"x11" scan of their choice of file format (JPG/TIFF/PSD/PDF/PNG/etc.) of their piece, and are responsible for additional shipping/handling if they want the original artwork shipped to them.
My hope is also to have a 1-week turn-around between accepting and finishing the piece, but no guarantees on finishing times right now.
Those prices may go up depending on how much time it takes to do the pieces, but not after I've agreed on the client. (my latest ink piece took over 8 hours from sketch to finished piece, and that's $5/hour of work.)
Right now I'm not officially offering color, though that could change in the future if I find a good medium/style that works (It's fine for badges, but not so great for full-color works.)
I have a couple of long-over-due gift pieces I want to do for folks, and a few other projects in the works, so let's see if my Muse can get wrangled and do some work for me.
I also collaborate work with
dogsoul on several projects including color, so if you like a combination of either of our styles, let us know and we'll see what we can wrangle up.
If you are interested, PM me here, or send me an Email at: Torakhan@Gmail.com with references. I accept PayPal payments.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Feel free to post 'em and I'll respond as quickly and as accurately as I can. Thank you.
I'll likely only take two or three at a time as I push through them.
My current look at pricing goes something like this:
For a single character piece:
• Pencil Sketchy works = $20
• More finished pencil (some sketchiness/minimal shading) = $40
• Inked lineart pieces = $40
• Full color badges (half-body) = $25
• Additional revisions +$10 if it's still at a stage where reasonable revisions can be made.
• S/H = + Whatever you want to pay for the original
• Addtional Characters = ? (Talk to me about it and we'll see...)
Clients will receive a cleaned 300-600dpi 8.5"x11" scan of their choice of file format (JPG/TIFF/PSD/PDF/PNG/etc.) of their piece, and are responsible for additional shipping/handling if they want the original artwork shipped to them.
My hope is also to have a 1-week turn-around between accepting and finishing the piece, but no guarantees on finishing times right now.
Those prices may go up depending on how much time it takes to do the pieces, but not after I've agreed on the client. (my latest ink piece took over 8 hours from sketch to finished piece, and that's $5/hour of work.)
Right now I'm not officially offering color, though that could change in the future if I find a good medium/style that works (It's fine for badges, but not so great for full-color works.)
I have a couple of long-over-due gift pieces I want to do for folks, and a few other projects in the works, so let's see if my Muse can get wrangled and do some work for me.
I also collaborate work with
dogsoul on several projects including color, so if you like a combination of either of our styles, let us know and we'll see what we can wrangle up.If you are interested, PM me here, or send me an Email at: Torakhan@Gmail.com with references. I accept PayPal payments.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Feel free to post 'em and I'll respond as quickly and as accurately as I can. Thank you.
Back from FCN and thank you!
Posted 13 years agoBack to FCN.
Big thanks to
Arikla for the room and being a cool roommate, and to dogsoul for being an awesome roommate and collaborator for artwork.
Shouts out to
Crimsonred77 for offering his help, and to 
Nekochen for hanging with us to draw and being forever changed by the awesome that is "Look Around You" and "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace". And to 
Bast_TW for the gaming books and help over the weekend.
Also, a big thanks to the FCN team, and to the folks of the Novi Sheraton for a great convention.
I still owe a few pieces, and hopefully Dogsoul and I can get that stuff finished up in the next day or so.
So, to my new Watchers, and the folks I met this weekend (or met them again), I hope you all had fun and got home safe and sound.
Big thanks to
Arikla for the room and being a cool roommate, and to dogsoul for being an awesome roommate and collaborator for artwork. Shouts out to
Crimsonred77 for offering his help, and to 
Nekochen for hanging with us to draw and being forever changed by the awesome that is "Look Around You" and "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace". And to 
Bast_TW for the gaming books and help over the weekend.Also, a big thanks to the FCN team, and to the folks of the Novi Sheraton for a great convention.
I still owe a few pieces, and hopefully Dogsoul and I can get that stuff finished up in the next day or so.
So, to my new Watchers, and the folks I met this weekend (or met them again), I hope you all had fun and got home safe and sound.
Going to FCN 2012
Posted 13 years agoSo, in case anyone's interested, I'll be heading to Novi on Thursday for Furry Connection North, and staying until Monday (unless plans change for some reason.)
I don't know if I'll be doing commissions, but iI might for a little extra spending cash.
I'll be rooming with dogsoul, so hopefully we can keep each other motivated to do some artwork together.
Are you interested in having something done to be picked up at the con? Shoot me a line and I'll see what I can do. :)
I will also have my Werewolf: the Apocalypse reproduction dice with me, if anyone is interested. :)
I don't know if I'll be doing commissions, but iI might for a little extra spending cash.
I'll be rooming with
dogsoul, so hopefully we can keep each other motivated to do some artwork together.Are you interested in having something done to be picked up at the con? Shoot me a line and I'll see what I can do. :)
I will also have my Werewolf: the Apocalypse reproduction dice with me, if anyone is interested. :)
Fate is telling me "No" to MFF
Posted 14 years agoI really was planning on going to Midwest Fur Fest this weekend, but I recently developed some medical issues and I'm getting all sorts of red flags and re-thinkings about it (from needing to sit less, needing to soak in a tub often, and being somewhat physically uncomfortable, not to mention some financial struggles), so unless I get some sort of powerful urge to go, I think I'll be staying in West Michigan this weekend. :(
There are people I want to see, there are things I want to investigate and check out. But right now the signs are pointing towards "stay home." I wish it were different, but for health, comfort, and financial reasons, I think I just have to stay home from MFF, again.
There are people I want to see, there are things I want to investigate and check out. But right now the signs are pointing towards "stay home." I wish it were different, but for health, comfort, and financial reasons, I think I just have to stay home from MFF, again.
I'm going to Midwest Fur Fest! Surprise!
Posted 14 years agoWell, it looks like I'll be going to MFF '11.
I've managed a room, and I've tucked away money, so I'll (likely) be there!
I have no idea what I'll do while I'm there... I might just sit in a corner and draw, or I might try to hang with folks, or hide in a room somewhere. The strangest stuff might happen and I might do on-site commissions (as long as I don't over-do it, I'm usually pretty good at finishing those at the convention... as long as I don't take anything home, I'll be good.)
So, yeah... I'll be showing up on Thursday afternoon and leaving Sunday (at least, that's the plan.)
I've managed a room, and I've tucked away money, so I'll (likely) be there!
I have no idea what I'll do while I'm there... I might just sit in a corner and draw, or I might try to hang with folks, or hide in a room somewhere. The strangest stuff might happen and I might do on-site commissions (as long as I don't over-do it, I'm usually pretty good at finishing those at the convention... as long as I don't take anything home, I'll be good.)
So, yeah... I'll be showing up on Thursday afternoon and leaving Sunday (at least, that's the plan.)
Wacom Tablet (non-graphical) for Android, or other Tablets?
Posted 14 years agoSo, it's got me thinking: Has anyone heard of, or tried getting a Wacom (or other touch-sensitive drawing tablet) to work on an iPad/Android/etc. tablet? Especially stuff like the Intuos 1, Intuos 2, Bamboo, etc..
I imagine you'll need a tablet with a USB/Mini USB port. And you'll need some sort drivers/software to run it on the OS, and not just "touch sensitive" but "multi level sensitivity" as well.
Then... you need some simple software to use it on that can handle multi-level sensitivity.
So what have you folks heard?
I imagine you'll need a tablet with a USB/Mini USB port. And you'll need some sort drivers/software to run it on the OS, and not just "touch sensitive" but "multi level sensitivity" as well.
Then... you need some simple software to use it on that can handle multi-level sensitivity.
So what have you folks heard?
Halp! Looking for Amber/Orange fur for a suit.
Posted 14 years agoSo, we're getting to a point where I need to start buying fur for a suit.
Okay, so it's a partial suit. Right now, just legs, partial-mask, and probably arms, if not gloves. And I'd like to replicate/purchase the same color later if I want to finish the suit or make alterations/extra parts, etc.
But we're having a really hard time finding realisticly colored amber/burnt orange fur for a tiger.
Everything is either mascot-orange, or buff/beige, but nothing really workable for a more realistic tiger color.
Add to that, I'd LOVE for it to at least be 2-way, if not 4-way stretch.
I am looking at NFT, but obviously spending $1000 just on fur doesn't sound like a great financial decision IF I can find an alternative source/method, even if that's buying another fur color and dying it the colors I want.
But I'm reaching out to others to find out what has worked for them first.
Any ideas? Any thoughts? Any contacts you know?
Okay, so it's a partial suit. Right now, just legs, partial-mask, and probably arms, if not gloves. And I'd like to replicate/purchase the same color later if I want to finish the suit or make alterations/extra parts, etc.
But we're having a really hard time finding realisticly colored amber/burnt orange fur for a tiger.
Everything is either mascot-orange, or buff/beige, but nothing really workable for a more realistic tiger color.
Add to that, I'd LOVE for it to at least be 2-way, if not 4-way stretch.
I am looking at NFT, but obviously spending $1000 just on fur doesn't sound like a great financial decision IF I can find an alternative source/method, even if that's buying another fur color and dying it the colors I want.
But I'm reaching out to others to find out what has worked for them first.
Any ideas? Any thoughts? Any contacts you know?
Blotch on Penny Arcade? :)
Posted 14 years agoI think 
blotch got some recognition on Penny Arcade.
In reference to getting tons of furry porn given to him at San Diego Comic Con, Tycho says:
"If a Tiger-American wants to chase a fox around a football field with his dick out, it’s like, score."
-Tycho from Penny Arcade
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2011/7/27/
blotch got some recognition on Penny Arcade.In reference to getting tons of furry porn given to him at San Diego Comic Con, Tycho says:
"If a Tiger-American wants to chase a fox around a football field with his dick out, it’s like, score."
-Tycho from Penny Arcade
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2011/7/27/
Still no muse & future plans
Posted 14 years agoSo, still very little drawing on my part that looks like anything, so I haven't been able to upload anything anywhere.
Work is still tearing me down, but I need the money, so... my muse remains strangled for now.
I am going to Gen Con in a few weeks (first week of August.) This year I'm not volunteering, so hopefully I can spend more time wandering, chatting, and having more "fun" than the last few years. I REALLY hope it will jump-start my muse.
I am looking at MFF in November--I don't want to do like last year and run out of time to get a hotel room if I do want to go. *sigh*
Work is still tearing me down, but I need the money, so... my muse remains strangled for now.
I am going to Gen Con in a few weeks (first week of August.) This year I'm not volunteering, so hopefully I can spend more time wandering, chatting, and having more "fun" than the last few years. I REALLY hope it will jump-start my muse.
I am looking at MFF in November--I don't want to do like last year and run out of time to get a hotel room if I do want to go. *sigh*
A chronic loss of Muse?
Posted 14 years agoIs it just me, or does there seem to be a general inability of many artists to do artwork lately?
I know several artisty folks who, just a year ago, were producing many pieces weekly, or monthly at least... but now have a hard time drawing ANYTHING over the last several months.
I've been seriously lacking in drawing over the last couple of years. I used to upload several scans of sketches each week, or at least each month... then.. there were months that I didn't upload anything. Now, it's almost a year since I really uploaded anything.
I know that finances, jobs, and other life-things are able to drag us down, but I was wondering how others are pushing through, or have you just submitted to it and hope that you'll be able to recover soon?
I know several artisty folks who, just a year ago, were producing many pieces weekly, or monthly at least... but now have a hard time drawing ANYTHING over the last several months.
I've been seriously lacking in drawing over the last couple of years. I used to upload several scans of sketches each week, or at least each month... then.. there were months that I didn't upload anything. Now, it's almost a year since I really uploaded anything.
I know that finances, jobs, and other life-things are able to drag us down, but I was wondering how others are pushing through, or have you just submitted to it and hope that you'll be able to recover soon?
What's up with Torakhan?
Posted 14 years agoCurrently working a stressful job assignment that is supposed to be done by the beginning of April. 10-hour work days that are both stressful and overwhelming, and weekends of recovery, I haven't had much mojo for artwork.
I will be attending FCN. I will not take any commissions until I finish Pakesh's TERRIBLY OVER-DUE commission. That means that I won't even be in the Artist's Alley until I've made Pakesh happy.
My attendance of Gen Con is up in the air. My Sr. Volunteering is unlikely, so I'll be footing all of my bill for going, so attendance depends on my finances and job at the time. I truly hope to go. This will be my 16h consecutive Gen Con. For the last several years I have been volunteering during the Exhibit Hall operating hours. If I'm not working, it would be nice to just be able to wander around at my leisure for 4 days. :) We'll just have to see if I can do it.
I still have not completed a single piece of decent artwork in... well, since doing pieces at FCN in '10.
I still have some issues with my computer and monitors, and haven't even scanned a sketch in months either. *sigh*
Work on my tiger mask and legs are still pending. Updates on those as they happen too.
Anything else anyone wants to know?
I will be attending FCN. I will not take any commissions until I finish Pakesh's TERRIBLY OVER-DUE commission. That means that I won't even be in the Artist's Alley until I've made Pakesh happy.
My attendance of Gen Con is up in the air. My Sr. Volunteering is unlikely, so I'll be footing all of my bill for going, so attendance depends on my finances and job at the time. I truly hope to go. This will be my 16h consecutive Gen Con. For the last several years I have been volunteering during the Exhibit Hall operating hours. If I'm not working, it would be nice to just be able to wander around at my leisure for 4 days. :) We'll just have to see if I can do it.
I still have not completed a single piece of decent artwork in... well, since doing pieces at FCN in '10.
I still have some issues with my computer and monitors, and haven't even scanned a sketch in months either. *sigh*
Work on my tiger mask and legs are still pending. Updates on those as they happen too.
Anything else anyone wants to know?
Artwork on the way... and then some.
Posted 15 years agoI have taken a plunge and invested in a new computer.
My current desktop is 8 years old and its PATA/DDR/etc. is no longer worth trying to update.
As I am looking for a new job as a graphic designer-type, I need a system that can handle the programs (Namely Adobe Creative Suite CS5) because many of the places looking for graphic designers are requiring at least 3 years of ACS knowledge. *sigh* Now, I have 3+ years of CorelDraw usage, so if I can learn InDesign and get back into using Illustrator, I'll be in a better position for a job.
I will also be able to use my computer again as my main system instead of my laptop, making it more likely that I will be doing more artwork again (yes, that means doing the artwork I've owed for far too long.)
So, hopefully in the near future I will be submitting new artwork, taking commissions and being far more productive than I have been in the past.
Also, with a new scanner on the new system, I'll probably be uploading more unfinished stuff/sketches too.
My current desktop is 8 years old and its PATA/DDR/etc. is no longer worth trying to update.
As I am looking for a new job as a graphic designer-type, I need a system that can handle the programs (Namely Adobe Creative Suite CS5) because many of the places looking for graphic designers are requiring at least 3 years of ACS knowledge. *sigh* Now, I have 3+ years of CorelDraw usage, so if I can learn InDesign and get back into using Illustrator, I'll be in a better position for a job.
I will also be able to use my computer again as my main system instead of my laptop, making it more likely that I will be doing more artwork again (yes, that means doing the artwork I've owed for far too long.)
So, hopefully in the near future I will be submitting new artwork, taking commissions and being far more productive than I have been in the past.
Also, with a new scanner on the new system, I'll probably be uploading more unfinished stuff/sketches too.
No MFF 2010
Posted 15 years agoHmmmm.. somehow I was under the impression that next weekend was Thanksgiving, which made MFF this weekend in my head. Ooops.
Nonetheless, so far it's still not looking good for me.
Nonetheless, so far it's still not looking good for me.
MFF '10 less and less likely for me...
Posted 15 years agoWell, I was going to go to MFF with dogsoul, but work has nixed his going (his shop has black-out dates for taking time off, and in fact the weekend before Thanksgiving makes EVERYONE work the entire weekend.) There was a chance of 
mechanicalhyena going too, but with no money, even she's unlikely to go right now as well.
Sooo, without roommates, or a room, and still having not signed up for the con... it doesn't look very good that I will be going.
Then again, I didn't know I was going to my first MFF until the week of either.
So if something opens up, maybe I'll still find myself in Chicago for MFF. I'm not counting it out, it just doesn't look likely at the moment.
dogsoul, but work has nixed his going (his shop has black-out dates for taking time off, and in fact the weekend before Thanksgiving makes EVERYONE work the entire weekend.) There was a chance of 
mechanicalhyena going too, but with no money, even she's unlikely to go right now as well.Sooo, without roommates, or a room, and still having not signed up for the con... it doesn't look very good that I will be going.
Then again, I didn't know I was going to my first MFF until the week of either.
So if something opens up, maybe I'll still find myself in Chicago for MFF. I'm not counting it out, it just doesn't look likely at the moment.
Tiger Mask Project Begins
Posted 15 years agoMuah-hah-hah!
Soooo, for a while I've had this idea for a partial tiger mask.
The idea is simple in concept: A tiger face mask that covers my face and forehead, wrapping around my head and leaves the top open to let my natural hair show... as well as letting the heat rise and not over-heat. Add to that the idea that I don't want to adhere the mask to my face with any sort of application and it gets more complicated.
I have suggested this to a few mask makers and they've kinda scratched their head and said "Uh, sounds tough."
However, a friend of mine, mechanicalhyena has been studying make-up and prosthetics for a while and has temporarily moved back into the area to do some work for her portfolio. Soooo, I have given some seed money and soon the life-masking will begin. My hope is that maybe within the next month or so it will be finished, but I doubt it will be done by MFF... not that I'm very sure that I'll be there myself.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what happens. She says that she's created something similar in the past, so I have hopes that it will work out.
Also, there may be some legs made in the near future as well.
Soooo, for a while I've had this idea for a partial tiger mask.
The idea is simple in concept: A tiger face mask that covers my face and forehead, wrapping around my head and leaves the top open to let my natural hair show... as well as letting the heat rise and not over-heat. Add to that the idea that I don't want to adhere the mask to my face with any sort of application and it gets more complicated.
I have suggested this to a few mask makers and they've kinda scratched their head and said "Uh, sounds tough."
However, a friend of mine,
mechanicalhyena has been studying make-up and prosthetics for a while and has temporarily moved back into the area to do some work for her portfolio. Soooo, I have given some seed money and soon the life-masking will begin. My hope is that maybe within the next month or so it will be finished, but I doubt it will be done by MFF... not that I'm very sure that I'll be there myself.Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see what happens. She says that she's created something similar in the past, so I have hopes that it will work out.
Also, there may be some legs made in the near future as well.
