Visual elements to enhance RPs

[Ellri]

Which ones do you use? What do you see as benefits/flaws to them?

Everyone (mostly) know how to use images. But are there others you use or have seen others use?
Or in the case of images, how much work do you put into such?

To give a couple of examples (one someone else's, one ours):

Minecraft

We saw a mention elsewhere of someone using Minecraft as a visual aid for their RP.
Perks:
Collaborative construction - Everyone in the RP can help build it
Interactive - You can literally walk around the map (or whatever it is)

Flaws:
Severely oversized pixels
No option for non-right angles
Few materials to work with
Requires ownership of minecraft to access
Heavy on computer memory due to minecraft's sub-optimal code structure

Sketchup

This is the tool we use ourselves. It too has perks and flaws.
Perks:
You can have virtually any level of precision, all depending on scale. From the nanometer precision to objects countless kilometers in size.
No limit on angles.
Only imagination and time sets the limit on what you make.
New materials can be made at will
Free - you don't have to spend money if you don't want to.

Flaws:
Not interactive. Sure, you can upload model for others to download, but its not too practical.
Cooperative editing not possible. Not without everyone working on it uploading after each change, which is not exactly practical
Somewhat steep learning curve, but not as steep as some programs
No rendering (without extra tools, of course)

[ArenaSnow]

I'll add one bit when it comes to Minecraft as a visual aid.

Technically, and I stress technically, you do not *have* to buy minecraft to use it as a visual aid. If you don't and get it through less than legal means (which many have done), then you would need to keep it a little under the radar. Just a heads up on that.

[Foster]

I usually take the lazy approaches.

Maps: Google Earth
Pros: Fully interactive, can readily designate precise locations, zoom function, street-view, can link to websites of local businesses and buildings to figure out what that place is about well enough to reasonably contact the owners and get permission.

Cons: Bandwidth-hog, it's google, only does RL locations, can get lost (yes, on a map, using a map), and some people don't like the idea of you playing 'pretend' using their property as a basis for anything.
(upside is, at least you aren't LARPing on their property)

Existing images:
Pros: readily available, minimal art skill required, time-saver for common objects in need of extreme detail
-May also work for strict fandoms

Con: Can spend a lot of time cruising for the "perfect" image, generally not interactive.
-When working with strict fandoms, this may happen.

Composite of existing images:
Pros: allows players to use readily available images to mix and match the appearance of things using that thing called imagination, allows for customization.
Con: Time spent looking (although not as bad) and requires imagination, not interactive.

User Modified/annotated images: Includes template-drawings/images.
Pros: allows you to have fun with google-maps and make your own maps with minimal effort
Cons: Not very interactive (interactive being, to tell the editor to re-mod and clarify a subject, which is time-consuming)

Freehand drawings:
Pro: You get it exactly how you want it, only have yourself to blame if it isn't right.
Con: HUGE learning curve.

[ArenaSnow]

The above brings some good points up...

The second about existing images, though, is part of the reason I am horrible with finding images for my characters, just in general. I can't draw or design them myself and I am extremely picky; I tend to have an approximate image in mind that isn't quite represented by what I find...

[Vilageidiotx]

I just use words, yo.

[Ellri]

so, if you just use words, why do you post in a discussion about using more than words, about using visual elements to add to your words, @Vilageidiotx?

@Foster, nice expansion on images. That adds to some of what we wrote nicely.

Finding the "right" image is always a struggle. Sometimes a character concept can end up on the shelf because the images cant be found, or more often, an image is shelved because the character worthy of it doesn't reveal itself.

[ArenaSnow]

so, if you just use words, why do you post in a discussion about using more than words, about using visual elements to add to your words, @Vilageidiotx?

@Foster, nice expansion on images. That adds to some of what we wrote nicely.

Finding the "right" image is always a struggle. Sometimes a character concept can end up on the shelf because the images cant be found, or more often, an image is shelved because the character worthy of it doesn't reveal itself.

@Ellri

It's been more than once that I have omitted images altogether for lack of finding the right one.

[Ellri]

Thats also an option, yes.

We might even have used it ourselves. Not 100% sure.

We do know that we've modified pictures made by greater artists to make them fit our needs. When we do, we prefer to make sure the end result is as different from the original as we can make it so that its not just a slapdash change.

To give an example:
http://master-dust.deviantart.com/art/Mari-Nguyen-Kaydana-504515681
http://katherion.deviantart.com/art/Uniformed-Sith-510511895

Granted, that last one has not yet seen a use as a named character.

[Vilageidiotx]

so, if you just use words, why do you post in a discussion about using more than words, about using visual elements to add to your words, @Vilageidiotx?

@Ellri

You just said visual element. Words are a visual element, in the sense that you can use them to communicate images. So long as the thread is simply about the concept of visuals, words are a valid part of the conversation.

[Ellri]

...

[Ryciera]

I love Minecraft as a visual aid. It's... a bit difficult to work with the right angles, but I love the idea of having actual, physical characters that move about a physical world. Vanilla Minecraft is, admittedly, drab. But using plugins and other things in addition (like combining MC and play-by-post or DnD styled/rolling rp) make it a lot of fun.

Otherwise, my main visual aid is character art, which has been something easily accessible in a lot of rp communities I've participated in.

Character Art

Pros:
- The art looks exactly (or similarly) how your character looks.
- Collecting art is a fun way to see how numerous people interpret your character.

Cons:
- Not easily accessible unless, obviously, you know an artist.
- If you're not comfortable describing a character's specific appearance, it can be hard to portray it to the artist (I know I struggle with things like face shape/body shape/etc.)

Dollmakers are also nice.

Dollmakers

Pros:
- Pre-generated characters where you can customize the clothes, hair, eyes, skin, etc.
- Easy to use (and usually pretty fun :P)

Cons:
- You'll never get a perfect image. You'll get something close to your character, but it's still always a cookie cutter.
- Options are always limited. Your character's hair might be a shade of auburn that the dollmaker doesn't have.

[Ellri]

We personally don't like dollmakers, as the options are far too limited and never really match our "wants". But for people who are less demanding, we can see them being useful. Its certainly better than a lot of photographs.

[Foster]

<Snipped quote by Ellri>

It's been more than once that I have omitted images altogether for lack of finding the right one.

@ArenaSnow

Or simply not bothering to even look at all, because you know you'll likely get distracted and fail the mission.

[ArenaSnow]

<Snipped quote by ArenaSnow>

Or simply not bothering to even look at all, because you know you'll likely get distracted and fail the mission.

@Foster

That, too.

[Ellri]

in our case, its more often that we give up after a while and postpone it for later, in the hopes that a better image will rear its head then.

[Monotonous]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested this yet.

Garry's mod

Pros:
Collaborative- Everyone in the RP can contribute
Interactive- Everything is moveable and you can literally jump, walk, and etc. all around it
Customization- Tons of 3d props to choose from along with the ability to change prop's color and properties. Tools allow props to be given special capabilities and/or functions
Easy to use- A few tutorials or hours of fucking around and you'll be making bases in no time
It is just really fun
Cons:
Cost- Not that Garry's mod is expensive. But it aint free.

[Ellri]

we knew of it, but have never used it, @Monotonous.