Site Update: Film, Sta.sh Writer Improvements

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In our continuous effort to improve the deviantART experience, we're publishing weekly Site Updates to keep members informed and to gather feedback. Below is a list of recent changes to the site, bug fixes, and feedback that was brought up by members in the last Site Update.

What's New


Film & Animation Improvements

Last week we launched some much-needed improvements to Film & Animation to the Beta Tester program, and the changes were so well-received that we're making them available to everyone. Here's a run-down of what's been changed.

Film Submission Through Sta.sh


Sta.sh is now properly equipped to support film submissions! Sta.sh can now store and submit film files the same way other filetypes can be stored and submitted.


Film Deviation Page Changes


We've upgraded the layout of Film deviation pages to be more consistent with the rest of deviantART's deviation pages!

New Film by ikazon

While a film is playing, the artist's comments and comments left by other deviants will disappear, so that you can focus on the film without distraction or outside interference. As you reach a point in the film where other users have left annotations, these annotations will appear briefly, and then disappear again.

Film Playing by ikazon

When the video is paused, you'll be prompted with a comment box, so that you can leave annotations at specific points within the film, just like you could before this upgrade. This allows for an up-to-date look and feel without compromising functionality. In addition, comments left as annotations will include the time the comment was left, as easy reference for any deviant reading through the comments!

Film Paused by ikazon

Volume, resolution, and fullscreen controls are all present before the video even starts, for easy adjusting without having to search for options. In addition, when hovering over the resolution button, you'll be prompted with the various resolutions the filmmaker has offered for that particular film.

Film Resolution by ikazon

Creator Comments

The last change we have for Film is the inclusion of the Creator notification, which was mentioned in the Discuss section of last week's Site Update. Before, comments left by the creator of a film would be indistinguishable from other comments left on the deviation, which made it easy for the artist's thoughts and opinions to be buried among the rest of feedback left. As of today, comments left by the deviation creator can be distinguished with a lighter color, and a small box next to their username specifying  that they are the creator of that film.

TLeB0 by ikazon

Try it out! To give the new Film layout a try, just head to the Film & Animation gallery and watch some films! 

HTML Improvements to Sta.sh Writer

When Sta.sh Writer was originally launched, it was a "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) writing engine, which allowed you to see a live preview of what your journal, blog, poem or story would look like and edit its appearance by highlighting text and clicking buttons. One of the more common pieces of feedback we got from deviants about Sta.sh Writer was that it wasn't as useful for members who want more control over their layout, or want to be able to use their own HTML to give what they wrote that extra bit of flair.

To make Sta.sh Writer a better experience for anyone who uses it, we have made Sta.sh Writer into a "what you see is what you type" editor, which means that you can seamlessly use both the WYSIWYG editor and your own custom HTML at the same time! Any HTML you type will be retained for easy editing, even after you save your work!

Head over to Sta.sh Writer to give it a try!

Change Log

  • For a small number of users with an extremely high number of Gallery Folders or Collections, the Gallery and/or Favourites pages weren't loading correctly. Fixed by ZombieCoder
  • Group Invitations and Join Requests were available for sets that were not opened for joining for some groups, resulting in error. Fixed by randomduck
  • The URL of downloaded image deviations could be better represented in the location bar of webkit browsers. Fixed by ZombieCoder
  • When editing non-image deviations, it was possible to turn on watermarks, which made no sense. Fixed by KnightAR
  • In the Premium Content modal, the Download & Purchase button was getting cropped off screen in Firefox. Fixed by shahyarg
  • Some modal windows (such as Give Points and +Watch) and Group widget layouts briefly broke. Fixed by drommk
  • The pencil menu on user Galleries was out of place. Fixed by ZombieCoder
  • Pagination was not working in the "Recent Journal Entries" widget. Fixed by shahyarg
  • The Publish Entry button on the Journal page was briefly not working in IE9.

Sta.sh

  • The category selector was broken for a short period.  Fixed by kouiskas
  • When opening small items in sta.sh, they appeared zoomable when they were already displayed at the maximum size.  Fixed by kouiskas
  • Items that were undeletable and dislayed "deleted content" as their title have been cleaned up.  Fixed by kouiskas

Sta.sh Writer

  • Journals submitted through the old Journal Entry page now get the same rules applied to their title as Journals submitted through Sta.sh Writer. Fixed by Alisey

Your Feedback


Thanks very much for the feedback on last week's Site Update! Here's some of what you had to say.
  • Several users liked the Creator Comment feature added to film pages, and some users mentioned that they would like to see it used everywhere on site. However, some users mentioned having issues with the Creator label. Negai-Boshi and a few other users mentioned that the color of the button is a bit too bold, and that a lighter color may be more ideal. 
  • Some users mentioned that the Creator label wasn't necessary, but the brighter comment color was distinguishing enough, while others said that the Creator label was enough, and the color change was unnecessary.
  • Many users liked the suggestion regarding a filter to find works with Creative Commons licenses, and feedback regarding a higher limit for avatar file size was unanimously positive.
  • Deviants would like a notification of how much time is left before they can submit to a Group again. Suggested by AnkaAI3 
  • Members would like a way to add text to deviantART muro. Suggested by SuperRandomTurnip
  • An auto-save feature for Notes would be beneficial. Suggested by Arisu-Ami-Chan
  • Deviants would like for comments to auto-update when new comments are posted. Suggested by DerpyDashHooves1876

Discuss!

The Prints Submission Process
The deviantART Prints program allows artists to sell high-quality Prints of their work. Currently, the process of submitting your work as a Print follows after the process of submitting your art to deviantART, and can also be accessed at a later time by clicking the "Print Not Enabled" link on your own image deviations. What improvements would you like to see made to the Prints submission process?


Lightbulb Have a suggestion, idea, or feedback? Leave a comment on this article!
Lightbulb Want to keep track of known issues? Check out our Status Forum!
:bug: Find a bug? Report it to the Help Desk(Be as detailed as possible!)

© 2012 - 2024 ikazon
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MewtwoStruckBack's avatar
Ugh, who's the damn Petty fan making these updates?