Regarding 3D submissions/stolen artwork
There's been something bugging me in FA. I've submitted trouble tickets regarding the issue that just gather dust. Perhaps an admin can explain this to me.
Utilizing programs such as DAZ Studio or Poser, a user can download free assets, models, morphs or textures that they did not create themselves, compose it together, and get away with it. I've pointed out to people who have done this before and simply get an 'I talked to a mod about the issue before and they're fine with it'. Well, I'm here to say this is absolutely not fine.
Here is the 3D Modeling and Art portion of FA's AUP:
First and formost, under FOCUS (1a) the AUP states that the submission's focus MUST show only the uploader's work. Meaning, if someone were to download a model and put a morph target on it, the only portion they actually did any work with is rigging and posing. Toss rigging out the window; there are many plug-ins that expedite the rigging process. Just as well, I've yet to see anyone credit the original creator of the assets they use. Often enough, they post what items they used, but never the artist or a link to the artist's page. Whether or not it is open source material, the AUP requires that the uploader provides credit to any assets they did not create.3D Modelling & Texturing
User-created original 3D models are permitted with no limitations.
Re-textured Models
Users may submit re-textured models provided that the base model is not "stock" (packaged with an editing suite or game). These types of uploads must meet the following requirements:
1. Focus:
a. The submission's primary purpose MUST be to showcase the uploader's work. Submissions which focus on work not done by the uploader may be removed.
b. Models which have been customized from the original source are only permitted provided significant work is done to separate them from the original design.
c. In addition, users must link back to the original design to highlight changes.
2. Presentation:
a. If the submission is a screenshot from within a 3D editing suite or program such as Second Life, no part of the program's interface may be visible.
b. Models may not be presented in their default pose (e.g. the "T-pose") unless presented as a character reference/design sheet.
3. Background:
a. The background of the submission MUST be blank/nondescript
b. or an original design of the uploader's own creation.
4. Description:
a. The submission's description MUST include credit to the original creators of all content not made by the uploader,
b. as well as a summary of the work the uploader did to customize the model.
2a and 2b are frequently never a problem and not a part of my grievance. 3a+b, however, states that a user must either have a blank screen or content generated by the uploader. Very often with Poser/DAZ, the uploader will create a scene utilizing many, if not all, assets that are not their own.
Finally, under 4a+b in the AUP, as I stated two paragraphs ago, I never have seen someone post the source of any assets they used in a scene they create in Poser. All of these frequent violations in art uploaded on FA make those, like myself, who make their own assets from scratch upset. It dilutes the quality of the 3D art presented on the site and gives people a misinterpretation of the uploader's ability with 3D works.
Many will argue that Poser/DAZ's composition aspect can be appreciated enough as artwork. If that's the case, may I make the same argument by taking bits and pieces of other's uploads and create a Frankenstein submission and call it my own in the same respect? Is it fair for this kind of blatant unchecked uploading to continue on the site, while other issues are resolved handily by the staff?
If I'm reading into this incorrectly, by all means, explain it to me. Thanks for your time.
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Originally Posted by Devious Bane
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