Trouble with LWS models

[Gunhand1961]

I have managed to get ahold of lightwave models of Three Anime based ships, as well as the Rodger Young, Yamato and Volcano from Starship Troopers.

I also have the Serenity from firefly.

HOWEVER, the conversion program I am using, Accutrans, seems to lose large chunks of the model when it makes the conversion to .3ds.

I am willing to share these files with anyone that has the ability to convert them to 3ds and will eventually be putting up some addons using them.

[GlobeMaker]

G said, "I am willing to share these files with anyone that has the ability to convert them to 3ds and will eventually be putting up some addons using them."

If you provide a link to the files then there are several people who can
try to help you. A strict logical reading of your sentence above
seems to exclude most people, so I am interpreting it in a more
flexible sense :

You are willing to share these files with anyone who wants to attempt
to convert them to 3ds. You may eventually be putting up some addons
using them.

[Gunhand1961]

no problem, just that you have to register with the Lightwave Group at http://www.lwg3d.org/v3/index.php

The models are at http://www.lwg3d.org/v3/meshes.php?cat=11 the models in question are the John Glen, Andromeda, New York, Olympia as well as the Rodger Young, Yamato, and Volcano.

actually, there are a few decent models at this sight that people may wish to use.

However, Accutrans throws a tantrum with the models, 3Dwin 5 and Quick3d just gives me the infamous windows BSOD. (I will be happy when disability finally goes thru and i can build me a new system)

[GlobeMaker]

Hello G,

I downloaded the John Glen.lwo model. I converted it to JohnGlen.3ds using
Accutrans. No problem. You can copy the file from my ftp page
using the first link on this page :

http://www.reliefglobe.com/video.html

The John Glen.lwo model has a space in its name. You should rename it
without a space to be compatible with more software.

The file is 3 megabytes. Since Accutrans has no problem on my
computer, it may be that your computer has a problem. How much RAM does
your PC have? Which operating system? I have 128 meg RAM on my
crumby little PC. Do you know of a problem with your PC or MAC?

[Gunhand1961]

192 mb ram, win98se

I am not sure what is going on, but soon will be building a new system

[mmarable]

Not to rain on the parade, but did anyone get the original modellers' permissions to convert and release these?

Converting and re-releasing models hits a major chord with the creators of 3D models. Most likely they agree to let you do it, but you really should get thier permission. Also, if you do release these conversions as an add on, you really need to credit the original creators.

[selden]

Just to clarify mmarable's comments, here are the relevant parts from LWG3D's policy page.

?€? Ask permission to use another artists work for the purpose of conversion or map or texture revision or copying, again, this is just common sense and avoids potential problems.
?€? Give credit where credit is due, honoring the hard work of your fellow artists is always a good thing.

...

Model, Map or Concept Theft

While LWG is interested in the rights of the artist we do not feel it is our obligation to mitigate disputes between members and although we believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, in the event, that an LWG member is accused of violating copyright or plagiarizing another?€™s work we will allow the accuser to post directly to the thread in question and attempt to iron out the difficulties in a civil manner. If either party is unable to handle the matter sensibly or civilly we will move the thread in question to a private forum where the two can continue to work out their differences. If the accused is found to be guilty of the allegations the Council will weigh the evidence, materials and all matters in the issue and notify the guilty party of the ramifications of those findings.

The results for this infraction are typically a minimum of two weeks ban from LWG after which the member is allowed to return to the forums. Other factors can increase the penalty accordingly and in some case can result in indefinite or permanent bans.

...

Credits

LWG are concerned that authors get credit for their work and that members are not mis-representing themselves... when you post work here we want to know what is your work so that we can give fair and honest critique of your work and your work only.

If you use a mesh or texture etc.. that was not created by you then you must give credit to the original authors ON THE IMAGE itself clearly and legibly.

If you created ALLthe elements on the image yourself, then it is your choice whether to credit the image or not - but we do insist that you inform us that was all your work somewhere in the post - for all the reasons stated above. This includes crediting the use of a 2D Artists work, if the concept was not yours do not take credit for it as your own and do not post it without permission from the 2D author.

Conversions: These are a special case - we have spotted many conversions where other members seem to be under the misapprehension that the models were made by the converter - and the converter makes no steps to rectify this presumption - this in our minds is mis-representation. Again, you must credit the original author be ?€“ you as the converter must list all the work you undertook - an example of this would be: " Original by ***** LW conversion: sectional rebuilding - lights and textures by ****"

[GlobeMaker]

In honor of the creator of the John Glen model on the Lightwave Group forum,
I have deleted all my copies of those files. The converted .3ds version
is no longer available on my ftp website. I am banning myself from using their
forum for the next forty six years. The creator of that model was Don Gaiser and I
apologize for converting his model. I will never convert his models again.

[selden]

GM,

I think you're beating yourself up just a little too hard.

Just ask him if you can create a Celestia Addon using his model.
I suspect he won't object.

[Oniisan]

And here I was getting all excited to see these new models added to my small "verse", especially the Serenity. I agree we all should get a modeler's permission to use their work since it probably took them days, weeks or months to create. If they say no, fine, move on to something else or create your own version if possible. I really hope to see the above mentioned models as add-ons one day, please? -)

[Gunhand1961]

I have emails out to the people in question and awaiting replies. i should have posted that in the original message.

[Gunhand1961]

I had no idea you even had done anything with them yet or had an FTP site.