HOW TO ACCESS THE MEET-UPS
Although discord has a mobile app and can also be accessed via a browser, it’s highly recommended that folks use the dedicated discord desktop app for max features/compatibility.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THESE MEET-UPS
We don’t have an agenda. One person usually shows up early (usually me, Zero) and then others tend to trickle in around the start time. We often have some semi-awkward chit-chat (“Hello.”, “Hey.” “What’s going on?” “Not much. Just sitting here.” “Cool.” “Cool.”) until 4 or more people show up, and then conversations tend to be more natural as more people chime in and fill up the semi-awkward silences.
We’ve been doing this long enough that we have a few regulars now, so it’s actually not that awkward. In fact, it’s actually a lot of fun and a great way to get to know fellow members.
WHAT DO WE TALK ABOUT?
Sometimes conversations stick to industry-related topics, but most of the time we talk about just about anything whether it’s related to CGI or the industry or not. You know, WWII boat camouflage, dangerous mushrooms, weird architecture, cool space stuff, documentaries, and more.
IS IT VIDEO ONLY?
Chats are typically video-based (zoom-style), but if you just want to talk (or listen) and not have us stare at your face, audio-only works, too. Alternatively, whether you show your face or not, let’s be honest, we’d all (probably) prefer you just point your camera at a cute animal leave it that way.
THE BEST TIME TO SHOW UP
Try to show up early if you can, but if you can’t, late is better than not at all. So swing by.
Sometimes we have a crowd at the beginning and sometimes it takes 10 to 20 minutes (or longer) for nearly everyone to show up. Sometimes we have people show up after we’ve already been chatting for over an hour.
HOW LONG DO THESE MEET-UPS RUN?
They typically run for between 3 and 5 hours. I’ve never actually made it to the end of one. I usually have to bow out between the 3 or 4 hour mark.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU SHOW UP LATE?
Usually, there’s an active conversation going on. If we can’t just say “hello” because someone is speaking, we often just try to wave at or physically acknowledge the person joining (and then eventually engage you when the conversation allows for it). Don’t be afraid to just say “Hi.” when you pop in. We’re a friendly group and the point is, we want people to feel welcome and comfortable engaging people.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE MID-CONVERSATION?
When you have to go, you have to go. And it can feel weird interrupting people to say you have to leave (but you’re welcome to do so). Sometimes people just wave indicating they have to go. This is often accompanied by typing in the “meetup-text-chat” channel that they have to go.
WHAT IS THE MEETUP TEXT CHAT CHANNEL?
The meetup-text-chat channel is just a chat channel where we often share links based on what’s being talked about during the meet-up or where we make comments (such as, “I have to go, folks!”) when folks are talking.
WHEN IN THE NEXT ONE?
The first Saturday of this or next month (whichever comes first). You can check the 3DPRO calendar in the right sidebar at 3dpro.org to confirm. If you want to receive a reminder of 3DPRO events, you can easily add 3DPRO events to your own calendar by clicking the “+” symbol in the lower right corner of the calendar.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
If you are unfamiliar with it, Discord is a way of chatting in real-time with other list members via a web browser, app (good for portability), or desktop software (provides the most options).
Our Discord server has a number of different channels available for social & informal conversation and it’s a great way to get to know other list members.
TO JOIN (GET VERIFIED)
First, you’ll want to join the server. To do so, visit https://3dpro.org/join-3dpub/ (you’ll need to create a discord account if you don’t have one).
Following that link will put you in the public 3DPRO discord #ReadMe-First channel. From there you can access the other public channels (currently #public-chat), but the private channels will remain hidden until you are verified.
Next, you’ll need to be verified as a 3D-PRO member to access the private discord channels. To do so, fill out this Google form: https://3dpro.org/3dpub-verification/
And finally, once you have accessed the server, please leave a message in the public-chat channel so I see you have entered.
That’s it. I’ll set you up as a verified member as soon as I notice.