Rules of Conduct for RRG's skin modifications?

[okb001]

Hello,

I took the liberty to modify one of the skin that I have in my I-153 folder and I'm wondering what is the accepted conduct for releasing it so that other can enjoy it as well. That particular skin's name is prefixed with "RRG" so I assume it was made from RRG studio. Who shall I contact there to ask for permission? Or can I just release it without prior consent from them, but with a clear statement that the skin is based on work from RRG?

Thanks,

[-HH- Beebop]

I would guess that as long as you leave "RRG" in the skin name there should be no problem with releasing it.

Here are some general rules for modifying and releasing skins and posting screenshots based on others work:

1. Read the ReadMe file included with the skin/template you intend on modifying and see if the author has placed any restrictions to it's use. Most have the "no commercial use" clause attached but some have other restrictions such as posting the skin or modified skin on another website for download.

2. As a general courtesy attempt to contact the author(s) and ask if you can release the skin modification. Many authors already give that permission (for non-commercial use) in the ReadMe. If it's not there, ask.

3. Never remove or modify any "signature"/"signature layer" from the skin. (Feel free to add your own for your work)

4. Clearly state in the ReadMe file that the skin is based on another author's work/template.

5. If you use layers from another skinners template, state that in the ReadMe.

6. Do not release any skin for commercial use without the original author(s) permission. If approached for such use make every reasonable attempt to contact said author(s). If you cannot, do not release the skin to the commercial use party.

7. If the author did not sign the skin/template, (far too many don't), then state that the author is unknown and be willing to modify your ReadMe file once (if) the author(s) are known. (M4T allows you to modify your file w/o re-uploading the whole thing)

Follow these basic rules and there should be no problems.

Skinners work very hard to make the skins we all use and do so without financial reward. It's a labor of love to the community. If you do download a skin, leave a comment on the site you downloaded it from. It's an easy way to repay the artist for his/her craft.

I hope this is helpful to you.

If I've left anything out hopefully someone will come along and let you know.

[okb001]

Thanks for the tips Beebop. I have sent an email earlier to RRG asking them permission.

[sparty7200]

Nicely put Beebop http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

Regards

Sparty

[Enforcer572005]

Beebop has made the small mod of adding soviet insignia to some for my 1947 east west cmpn Im making. I had to so that the soviet planes would have insignia and be blue. He also added Ga ANG markings to one of the P47 skins. RRG is still in the name and they additions look pretty good and are very accurate.

[MaxMhz]

Originally posted by -HH- Beebop:
I would guess that as long as you leave "RRG" in the skin name there should be no problem with releasing it.

Here are some general rules for modifying and releasing skins and posting screenshots based on others work:

1. Read the ReadMe file included with the skin/template you intend on modifying and see if the author has placed any restrictions to it's use. Most have the "no commercial use" clause attached but some have other restrictions such as posting the skin or modified skin on another website for download.

2. As a general courtesy attempt to contact the author(s) and ask if you can release the skin modification. Many authors already give that permission (for non-commercial use) in the ReadMe. If it's not there, ask.

3. Never remove or modify any "signature"/"signature layer" from the skin. (Feel free to add your own for your work)

4. Clearly state in the ReadMe file that the skin is based on another author's work/template.

5. If you use layers from another skinners template, state that in the ReadMe.

6. Do not release any skin for commercial use without the original author(s) permission. If approached for such use make every reasonable attempt to contact said author(s). If you cannot, do not release the skin to the commercial use party.

7. If the author did not sign the skin/template, (far too many don't), then state that the author is unknown and be willing to modify your ReadMe file once (if) the author(s) are known. (M4T allows you to modify your file w/o re-uploading the whole thing)

Follow these basic rules and there should be no problems.

Skinners work very hard to make the skins we all use and do so without financial reward. It's a labor of love to the community. If you do download a skin, leave a comment on the site you downloaded it from. It's an easy way to repay the artist for his/her craft.

I hope this is helpful to you.

If I've left anything out hopefully someone will come along and let you know.

I would not advice using RRG in the name. When I read RRG*.BMP I would assume it's a skin by RRG. IIRC RRG has also used 3rd party skins.

Contact RRG through their website http://www.rrgstudios.com/ or SaQSoN through SimHQ forums and ask.

[-HH- Beebop]

Originally posted by MaxMhz:
...I would not advice using RRG in the name. When I read RRG*.BMP I would assume it's a skin by RRG. IIRC RRG has also used 3rd party skins.

Contact RRG through their website http://www.rrgstudios.com/ or SaQSoN through SimHQ forums and ask.
Hmmm. I hadn't thought of that. My intent was to let others know that I was not the sole author of the skin.
Thanks for pointing that out.

[okb001]

Contact RRG through their website http://www.rrgstudios.com/ or SaQSoN through SimHQ forums and ask.

Done, thanks MaxMhz, that's a good suggestion :-)

[okb001]

So, SaQSoN told be to wait a few days for a response from RRG and that if they don't reply within a couple days to consider that I got permission to release them (granted this is a free release) and to use whatever name I wish.

Now, is there some kind of standard in use within the community for naming skins?

Thanks,

[MaxMhz]

Originally posted by okb001:
So, SaQSoN told be to wait a few days for a response from RRG and that if they don't reply within a couple days to consider that I got permission to release them (granted this is a free release) and to use whatever name I wish.

Now, is there some kind of standard in use within the community for naming skins?

Thanks,

Good news! - I did not expect anything else to tell the truth. Great community and development teams we have http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
I don't think there is a general naming convention in use. Things not to do is give the same name as an existing skin, or one that would show up as the same name in the skin selection. They might cause problems.

Maybe some skinners can help you along further.

[okb001]

As you can see bellow, my contribution to that skin is very minimum .. I simply painted the spinner in red and removed the number 6 from the tail, so that I could put my own number:

http://www.mission4today.com/uploads/downloads/images/2007/07/1497_okb-red-88.jpg

I have put the skins on Mission4Today for anyone that may be interested.

http://mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads&file=details&id=2731

[RSS-Martin]

I was just reading the bit about asking the people who made the original skin...well if they are historical skins, did these people really ask the original makers of the skin?? Guess a lot of them are already dead? As 70+ years since they where made. Not saying making skins is no work, but all this about asking if one may use someones copy of a original skin is a bit amusing. I myself do a lot of skinning and no I have not been able to find out who made the original skins of the planes I have skinned, but I don´t make a fuss about my skins, that they are a unique works of art like a painting...keep it real hmm?

[-HH- Beebop]

obk, those are beautiful planes. I've added them to my collection. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

Martin, keep it real? You must be joking. It's a bit ridiculous to interpret getting permission as going to the person who painted the actual plane. They weren't making an original piece of artwork anyway, just painting a plane according to the rules/regulations/edicts of the country they belonged to.

As for insinuating that the person who spends dozens of hours making an historically accurate skin or just a realistic looking skin, sometimes hundreds of hours on a template from which a skin is drawn that it's not important to get permissions is insulting to the talent of that skinner.
You probably weren't around when several of the best skinners in the communtiy hung up their brushes because people would take their work and claim it as their own.
In the skinning community it's just common courtesy to get permissions and credit authors.

It's time for you to get real!

[okb001]

Originally posted by -HH- Beebop:
obk, those are beautiful planes. I've added them to my collection. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

Thanks Beebop, but don't forget that the real artist here is whoever from RRG Studio made the original skin, not me!

[-HH- Beebop]

Well, yes, but your additions do not detract one bit from the skin, they add to it and look "natural". The work you've done is very good. Don't sell yourself short. Placing markings and making them look right is a very important part of the overall look. There have been several skins that I've discarded because the author didn't pay attention to the little details like skin warping, opacity or authenticity.
Ya' done good mate! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/clap.gif

[RSS-Martin]

yeah what ever, you are right and I have my peace.