CompuServe Thread

Try placing an add in a local computer-oriented publication, Nathan, and see what kind of response you get. Talking with any MM dealers close by could also help to give you an idea about the amount of 3DS users you may attract. After you get a few people to respond, have a trial meeting and investigate what attendees would like to see in a user group. I've found that a mixture of informal talk/tech support/how-to's and product demonstration from 3D-related vendors covers a good amount of territory. You can also give Laura Kawazoe a call (415/491/8889) and she can help with support from Adesk in the form of raffle give-aways and local mailings.

Where are you located?

Nathan, I started a 3DSUSG in the Baltimore/Washington Area and have constently 30-50 people attending each meeting. I would use the following method to repeat the same. 1) ORGANIZE SPECIFIC TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION – I always have at least 2 planned presentations/topics .. usually 3. This lends some organization to the meeting. Too much organization stiffles the exchange of informaiton and so does too little. The 1st few meetings, it'll be on the originators of the USG to provide the info. As you learn more about who is in your area and what they can offer, solicit members to do the presentations. If you play the USG too loose, everyone will start breaking into clic's and that's where the information sharing will be held. The 1st meetings are very important to plan some good topics. This is the meeting where they will determine if its worth comming. Good topics include: Animation recording (video), 3DSr3 new features, Classic Animation Techniques, Lighting and Camera Work, New Products, etc … 2) ONLY HOLD THEM EVERY OTHER MONTH – To plan presentations and topics takes time and you don't want this to be your job. Also, by spacing it out, it makes the meetings more special. Also, your topic strength won't get deluted. 3) HAVE AN OPEN MIC/SHOW YOUR WORK TIME – Encourage people to bring their animations, FLC's, TGA's to show off for feedback. Have a rule that if you show something, you have to share how you did it .. no trade secrets. 4) GET KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE INVOLVED – I hold the meeting more or less like a semiar … me upfront .. answering quesitons .. orchistrating the presenta tions .. etc. Someone will need to play that role (probably you by your activity on CIS or maybe the most reputabl/knowledgable dealer in the area). If its you, you don't need to worry about having all the answers … but since you are active on CIS, you'll be able to get the answers by the next meeting. If you get a dealer involved, be sure they don't turn it into a sales seminar … that will kill the group faster than anything. When I run our group, the attendee's have to take a crowbar to me to get pricing and stuff out of me and I never solicit sales when infront of them. The key to the success of the USG is making it so that people feel they will get something from every meeting. On the invites, layout the planned topics (you can ask Laura Kawazoe at Adesk for a copy of one of my invites and copy it if you would like). Adesk will do a mailing before each meeting for you.