3DAllusions - Just Made the Switch to Vbulletin

[TheAllusionist]

Just made the switch from phpBB to Vbulletin and have it up and running with a theme setup and some MOD's installed. It has been a rush getting ready for a major CG contest I am about to announce. Just have to get a fix so that the gallery is incorporated into the portal, I have those blocks all set up, but there is some sort of permission problem where only the Admin and I think Super Moderator can see the images so I have them disabled at the moment. It is a computer graphics site for the most part with a strong emphasis on architectural visualization and automotive design. I did a year with phpBB and had some hacking problems so I made the move over to Vbulletin. I haven't had to ask many questions just read the threads all the way through and the board MODs have gone rather smoothly, thanks for all those here who answer peoples questions eloquently, it makes it easy for us lurkers to pick things up and work out issues on our own. Architecture is my profession so coding is a little frustrating at times.

Let me know what you think so far:
3DAllusions Forums (http://www.3dallusions.com/forums/)

Created a new site theme since this initial release: I have created a white, light warm greys and orange theme, still a work in progress, but maybe more exciting than the dark theme. CC welcome!

[Blankz]

it looks nice

[Albus]

it looks nice
I'd scrap the current poll. Asking "do you like the new forum" is setting yourself up for having to redo work if people don't like it. Frankly, that's your business what system to run. Other than that, great site. I play with graphics a lot and plan to visit often to see what kind of tiles you have.

[friendly]

I like the site. It would be nice to see the logo in a rounded rectangle BG instead of a regular rectangle.

It looks like it should be an interesting destination for 3D folks and architects.

I wish you the best.

[TheAllusionist]

Thanks for the input everyone, I will consider your suggestions. It was a rush job to get it up for a contest I am holding, so just getting it to hopefully not look amateurish was my first goal, next will be improving the graphics. Once again thanks for the input and suggetions.

[Princeton]

Why have 2 login section (navbar and left column)?

a better contrast is needed to separate the contents

[TheAllusionist]

Login is twice only on the portal, I figure the more obvious login is the better. Subtle colors variation keep it elegant and refined in my opinion, but I will look at it with fresh eyes. Thanks for the input.

[Princeton]

I believe you could utilize the space for important 'stuff' -- get rid of it. It is not needed.

[Rick Sample]

Looks good, but with a name like 3Dallusions and with your sites content, I would consider maybe doing a light grey/light blue theme of some sort with some nice dark blue accents, it would really set it off :)

[TheAllusionist]

Thanks for allowing me to look at it with fresh eyes. It seems that a lot of sites are white or light colors, to buck the trend I have gone dark. I have considered re-doing the site with a light them and perhaps will, but finding the time to redo the forums and my site is problematical. When I have the time and perhaps the expertise I will look into a fresh new look, but will probably get some mileage out of this design. Enjoying others prespective, thanks again!

On the fresh eyes item, I rarely see the site, not logged in so the extra login box you are talking about is actually a mini CP panel with avatar, new post, messages, etc. links, it is only a login box when you are not logged in. I got to remember to view the site logged out more often ;)

[patriotcow]

I like it however the square in the header doesn't suit the style at all. Change that and you have a nice style.

Good job.

[TheAllusionist]

Thanks, I took a stab at making the logo not so rigidly rectangular ;)

[Tony G]

Your scheme is very bland. All black almost, not much variety at all. I think staring at it for a long period of time would hurt mah eyes. Needs less contrast so that it's "pleasent" to view.

[Princeton]

Thanks, I took a stab at making the logo not so rigidly rectangular ;)
why add the background 'noise' on your logo? It looks poor.

I agree ... the site needs some color or at least some contrast between the blocks.

Your site is getting large ... add a site map.

[TheAllusionist]

Thanks guys, I have been working with Rick Sample on a light schemed theme to give the users a choice. I appreciate your input. Interesting, because the a lot of the elite highend CG forums are pretty low keyed in the colors and use low contrasting monotones for the most part, allowing the images to provide the interest. I imagine I will try to offer both options and let the members decide which they prefer.

Quick question, what is a site map? I see Princeton has one in his signature, I will go take a look at it and see what it is.

P.S. Tony, are you the designer for Extreme Pixels? I had looked at them, some of the nicest/professional looking themes I saw around, but I wanted something different from what others have to offer, I think being unique has its strengths, anyway, I wanted to mention I am a fan, if that is your work.

Princeton, checked out your site map MOD, will have to look into it and check out a site that has it installed, thanks for the tip, another item some users are asking for is a screen showing all the recent post, and yes the site is growing, thank goodness, it seems like contest are the only way to get a lot of participation and membership to grow, I have been too busy courting sponsors for the last couple months, now that the latest contest is going I can work on the graphics some more ;) Thanks again everybody, just because I like it doesn't mean the majority of visitors do.

[TheAllusionist]

Well I have created a white, light warm greys and orange theme, still a work in progress, but maybe more exciting than the dark theme. CC welcome!