NEW rules for sig pics (Updated 5/03/06)

[RaiderDee]

There have been a lot of folks asking for sig pis lately. So, I need to address some issues that I and some other graphics guys may have with these requests:

Above all the other rules/guidelines for sigs and wallpaper, anyone making football/raider related sigs and/or wallpaper need to include the RF.NET logo somewhere in the piece. If you need the logo, CLICK HERE



1. Picture size: - As laid down by the boss man (BK), sig pics are NOT to be any larger that 500 pixels wide and 200 pixels high. If you are not sure what size your sig pic is, simply right-click anywhere on the image in question and click "properties" in that little pop-up window that just "popped" up. Then you will see an number in a format like this; (519 x 278 pixels). This is what is called a "resolution" (size). If you are in violation of the 500 x 200 rule and don't know how to get it resized, PM myself or make a post asking for a resize. Either myself or another graphics savvy individual will help you out.

2. Copyrighted Raider Images - This is another law handed down from BK. By no means are sigs to have ANY Raider "shield logos" in them. Nor, can they have ANY picture or image of a Raider player that has NOT been taken by OUR staff photographers or members of this site! Essentially, if it wasn NOT taken by you or any of the Raiderfans.net staff and it contains a Raider player, logo, or staff member, then it is NOT TO BE USED! If you want to know where to find allowable pictures, you can check out the members Image Gallery here. Just click on the "Staff Photos" link or any of the game date links. There's at least 400 photos in just those links alone to choose from.

3. Custom Sigs - I've noticed many new members with very low posting numbers are asking for sig pics and wallpapers. Remember, this site is NOT about images/pics; it's first and foremost a community for Raider fans to discuss Raiders football and interact with its many writers and staff. Sig pics are a privilige and not a right. So, I am imposing a minimum requirement on asking for custom sigs:
a. A member must have acumulated a minumum of 250 posts before he or she can request a custom piece of art. Once the post minimum has been met, he or she can post a request in the "Request forum." I ask that anyone who "volunteers" to make a sig or wallpaper for someone remember the 'copyright' issue and the minimum post count before actually making one. The object is to not bog down the graphics designer with requests by everyone and their collective mommas who have only been with us a month or so and really haven't posted much at all.
If you are a Premium Member, the minimum post count needed for requesting a custom sig does not apply. Same goes for custom wallpaper. (thank you Guru for bringing this to my attention)

b. Be patient! We have jobs outside of Raiderfans.net and some of have families and other responibilities on top of that. So, finding time to make a sig pic is sometimes a challenge. Plus, any good sig takes time to make. Unlike Nexx(who very wisely has premade skulls and other graphic objects he can plug in at a moments notice and is MUCH more skilled than myself), we others have to come up with an idea and play around with it before a finished product can be delivered.

c. If you want specific players in your sig, YOU must provide them or a link to the images YOURSELF and submit it with your request! It's enough to MAKE a sig pic, but to make the designer sometimes search the Image Gallery or other sources for a specific player to use in the sig pic is out of the question.

d. Try to not be too specific in your request. You can sometimes limit the designers creativity by binding him to set perameters outside of the copyright and resolution restrictions. Also, bare in mind that many of us favor different styles of sig pic artwrok. For example, Nexx leans towards those sick ass skulls and smooth textures with clean line whereas I lean toward the abstract and the slightly rough textured look.

4. Try it yourself - It's not really a rule, but If you have $600 for the Photoshop software(serious user) or $30 for Paint Shop Pro(casual user), I'd recommend YOU try your hand at making your own sig pic. It's very rewarding to be able to generate a work of art that you used with your own mind's eye to create! It's fun, rewarding, and kills all those hours waiting until the regular season begins!