Hi, all! I have been in communication with Mark Weiger, from 3D Commune. In the interest of peace, serenity, fairness, communal life, whatever, I think that it falls to me to clarify and distill the essentials of what has become a rather nasty and negative situation.
:b4: First, I should say that when I entered the contest, I should have read the rules in full…I would have seen that the rules do clearly state that the image should not be displayed anywhere else previous to the contest.
Do I agree with this type of restriction? I don’t think it’s my decision. In telephone conversation with Jaime, from Pixologic, he explained the reasoning being that judges have to judge the work based on their own evaluation, and not after feedback has been given as a result of previous posting…in retrospect, I would have to say that this does not appear, at least to me, to be invalid as a reason.
:b4: I would like to also say that the majority of my early irritation was the suggestion that I used other software to do this image…as I have said, I view myself as a Z-Fanatic, and went sideways as we say in Canada, at the very suggestion. This was caused by the fact that the initial email I got from Jackie, quoting a whole paragraph of the rules, dealing initially with the ‘Apps’ requirements, and ending with the ‘Previous posting’ rule. I submit that my response to the latter, was conditioned by the former, and regret both my inattention to the point of the email, as well as the unfortunate way the first email was composed, leaving the room for misinterpretation.
:b4: The people at 3D Commune have never been anything but helpful, and as a for-instance, I will refer to the very Mark Weiger helping me post a thumbnail of the ‘Gentleman From Brazil’.
My overall point here is that I have to accept 90% of the responsibility for this overblown, tempest in a teapot, and would hope we can all loosen our hackles, gear down, or as we sailors say, ‘Heave to, and come about!’ After all, we are all artists, egos straining in the wind, yearning for recognition, hope, and a real good cup of coffee…The people at 3D Commune and I both regret this, and as I said…the rule was there. I would ask that my image remain, in spite of my disqualification, (Which I accept with full cognition of my part in it), and appreciate the position my impatient Libran precipitous action has left 3D Commune in. Hell, they support ZBrush folks…what does that say about them?
I’m just happy I was able to enjoy your writing because of the fiasco! You’re quite the cunning linguist. 
Glad you got it all worked out, sad that you couldn’t use your piece. It’s one of my favorites!