Welcome to the ninth issue of Stockilicious

Index
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1 - Thumbnail Feature and Stock Tips - Downloadable Stock Packs
- - - Tutorial included
2 - Stock Clubs
3 - Stock Contests
4 - Forum Activity
5 - Support Stock News
6 - Chatrooms
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FEATURES AND TIPS:
Its a pain to make for some stockers but it is always welcomed by artists. I'm talking about zip packs. They come in handy for artists that are in a hurry and don't want to have to download all the full-size images they like in your gallery.
Some stockers like to prefer to upload a few 'previews' of stock sets they've done to show the quality of what will be in the packs, while others like to upload everything one by one then upload packs off all the images so people can choose. It doesn't matter which way you do it - either way its done they are going to get used or downloaded.

When stockers make packs you are shown a preview image of what the set is like. You can either find a single image with writing about what the pack is down the side, or a large version image with several smaller images with it, or yet again - you could have all small previews in the one image. This is so artists have a better idea of what it is exactly they are downloading and what poses/costumes/etc they can expect to find when they open the pack.

The most common pack format is .zip - and is easily opened with WinZip. The download size ranges from 1-2mb up to 20-30mb. So if you're on dial-up, be wary about the download size before trying to do so.

Stock packs are great for anything. Model stock, objects/backgrounds, renders, brushes, textures... if you can put it in a zip file and pack it up it is a great alternative to downloading individually.



TIPS FOR MAKING STOCK PACKS:
One of the easiest ways I find to make a stock pack is to use WinZip _{But when it comes to computer-related things I'm a masochist...}.
Put a few photos into a folder (I usually put around 6 images so it doesn't take ages to download)
Write a 'readme' style .txt file that has your username in it and a link to your rules page, or a quick run-down of what your rules are and put this in the folder too.
Open WinZip in Classic mode and 'create new zip file'.
Name the file and go to the next step.
Add the folder (or select all the individual files from the folder) and click 'add files/folder'
Zip the file and wa-la. The new 'zip file' should be in your My Documents folder ready to upload
Next step - open your imaging program and make a Preview Image showing what people can find in the pack (just like the ones featured above)
Upload and sit back ready for the praise to roll in

TUTORIALS FOR MAKING DOWNLOADABLE PACKS:



GOING CLUBBING:

Stock Clubs! Where stockers can go to submit their work to gain a bit of publicity and to interact with other stockers in contests and themes!

- Flowing dresses, twirling fairies, running and jumping and more. You love a little action in the stock you use? This club is what its all about. For those of you that love movement and the feeling of an image 'being alive'.

- Fancy playing Doctors and Nurses? Or maybe you're just a sick patient? Fancy a few hospital instruments? Got a fever? Then the only cure is ~The-Stock-Hospital _{or more cowbell}. Drop by, say hi, and leave with a few delicious hospital themed goodies.


STOCKER CONTESTS:

Its not just about the prizes! Stockers get to see all the lovely artwork made with their stock and a set theme in mind. If you have a stock contest you want

promoted, drop me a note with the details

is hosting a Pirates Contest
Details: [link]
Deadline: tba

is hosting a Demonic Promotionals Contest _{Technically a stocker lol}
Details: [link]
Deadline: 20 May, 2007


FOCUS ON THE FORUMS!:

The StockArt forums are located here: [link]

A place for stockers to promote their contests, artists to request specific stock, ask for help finding stock, discuss stockart in general and much more! We go a little silly sometimes but don't let that scare you off! Just remember what we're about - STOCK!!

Cookie's Costume Auctions: Unashamed self-promotion here, folks.

I'm selling off my costumes auction-style! So ladies, if you're interested (or men, if you like dressing up or have a lady that does) drop by this forum thread for more details!

Are stockers doing too much for artists?: A valid question that has to be asked. With all the pre-cut-out stock and transparent backgrounds floating around are we starting to get too creative for the artists that use stockers or are we doing them a service by taking some of the more fiddly work out for them?


SUPPORT STOCK NEWS:
Want some more stocky love in your news section? Loooove seeing new and awesome resources you never would've found without the news?

Support Stock News! Stamps courtesy of =LawrenceDeDark (and muchly needed, I might add )


And if you want to check out the ALWAYS up-to-date list of Stock News being submitted - check out =stocknews and support us by posting the stamp (made by ~pyerflystock) in your journal



CHAT WITH US:

Don't forget that stockers chat too! A few haunts the stockers visit are below:
#StockTalk | #FishnetStockers | #TheHarem
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PREVIOUS ISSUES:
Vol 1: Perspectives (MC) | Vol 2: Lighting (MC) | Vol 3: Characters (MC) | Vol 4: Fight Stock | Vol 5: Requests | Vol 6: Portraits | Vol 7: Backgrounds (Real) | Vol 8: Nuuuuuudes

If anyone asks, it wasn't me, it was the monkey.

-Demonic