Porting Meshes

[Legofingers]

Hello,

 

I have looked through a number of pages in the Mod troubleshooting area but have not been able to find sufficient information regarding the above.

 

I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice on how to go about porting meshes from say.. Mount & Blade into DAO for completely new armor & weapons? Or even if this is possible?

 

I have Gmax & Blender, although I have only just begun experimenting with them and the learning curve appears steep. I also have PS CS5 for the textures and really wanted to try and bring something new into Dragon Age, well I say new I mean borrow from another game.

 

Granted file types may be different, but cant they be converted via 3D modelling software and then imported to DA?

 

 

Apologies if this has already been discussed or if there is already an answer to my question.

 

Thanks

[DarkeWolf]

Please keep in mind that I'm not a 3d modeler, so I don't know all of the things that you would need to copy over in order for them to actually work. Like Bone settings, riggings, stuff like that.

What you'd need is the .msh plugin script for max or blender in order for those two programs to export them in the format that DA uses. You can find those easy enough by searching 3dsmax or blender in the uploads sections here, or on social.bioware. (The 3dsmax script is supposed to work with max too.)

 

Now, just to let you know... about ported content.

1) Its ok to use for personal use, but not for release as a mod. Releasing a mod with content from another game that hasnt consented to allow it, is a ban offense. Don't do that ;)

2) Advertising the mod by uploading images of it to the forums or image share section is also against the rules. So dont do that either ;)

 

Good luck, and I wish that I could be more help than this. Like I said, I'm not a 3d modeler.

If you need some help with these particular programs, you might try out the technical forums for 3d artwork. http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/forum/319-3d-modelling/

[Legofingers]

Thank you very much indeed for your advice, it is greatly appreciated. I had heard rumors that you could not upload mods containing content ported from other games, however I thought they were just that, rumors.

 

I have PM'd myrmaad requesting clarification on this subject around the time I started this topic. I received the response "Absolutely not allowed, and well documented. " I apologize if I missed something in plain sight, but I didn't notice anything specifically pertaining to this subject in the form of a stickied thread or such as you might expect to see.

 

I guess from the nexus's stance on actually banning people from uploading these mods, this thread might be frowned upon for even raising the issue.

 

So I again apologize for asking the question, but I cant for the life of me see a good or legal reason to prohibit these types of mods, as long as they are created as non-profit works to enrich gaming pleasure. I'm guessing there isn't any actual law against this but some sort of communication has been received from a developer to dissuade the Nexus from allowing these types of mods to be allowed.

 

Such a shame as it stands in the way of some potentially very exciting projects.

 

My thanks again for the advice & if this thread is treading into a grey or troublesome area please close if you think it best.

[Thandal]

@Lego; Top Right of every Forum page: "Terms of Service"

 

Good reading for all users. I refresh my familiarity with them every now and again, (like when these questions come up. :thumbsup: )

 

... but I cant for the life of me see a good or legal reason to prohibit these types of mods, as long as they are created as non-profit works to enrich gaming pleasure. I'm guessing there isn't any actual law against this but some sort of communication has been received from a developer to dissuade the Nexus from allowing these types of mods to be allowed.

Well yes, actually, there are some very strict laws against it. One is allowed to make some PERSONAL use of copyrighted materials, but publishing (which is what "posting" is) the results of such use for others to use crosses waaaaay over the line.

 

Such a shame as it stands in the way of some potentially very exciting projects.

Very exciting illegal projects. Not something Nexus wants to be associated with, much less facilitate.

[Legofingers]

Absolutely no copyrighted work is to be used without permission of the original creator. This includes content from other games, from DLCs, music creators or from other file authors. This also includes members from countries that do not recognize copyright laws (such as Russia).

 

All files uploaded must have been created by the up-loader or used with permission from the original author of the content. If you cannot provide proof of consent when asked then your file will be removed and your account is likely to be banned.

 

1st: Content from DLC's and previous versions of games by the same developer (which are still different games) are uploaded and modded quite often, aren't they? I mean wouldn't this constitute adding content such as the Ninja stealth suite into the main game of FO3 as a breaking of this rule? Or adding content from FO3 to New Vegas, or items from awakening to DA and visa verse?

 

2nd: What permission has anyone received from Bethesda or Bio-ware for modding using any of their content in the way its used. This obviously goes for all modding sites/communities. I have an example of a popular mod that ports Mount & Blade meshes into another game, but after reading these and communicating here I don't think I should say which mod. Does this mean that hypothetically someone could actually request permission from a developer to use their content and then it would be ok?

 

@Thandal, thank you I do feel a little embarrassed for asking where now.

 

And to anyone whom reads my posts, on this thread, I am HONESTLY not trying to provoke or cause trouble or even complain, I know my questioning of how things are done here on the Nexus will not change anything, but I see now harm in general discussion, this does divert this topic away from the area it was created in, which I apologize for, but I started this topic innocently and it seems with some naivete.

[Thandal]

1st: Content from DLC's and previous versions of games by the same developer (which are still different games) are uploaded and modded quite often, aren't they? I mean wouldn't this constitute adding content such as the Ninja stealth suite into the main game of FO3 as a breaking of this rule? Or adding content from FO3 to New Vegas, or items from awakening to DA and visa verse?

Not here on Nexus they aren't. Or rather, when discovered, they are removed and the uploader is often banned.

 

2nd: What permission has anyone received from Bethesda or Bio-ware for modding using any of their content in the way its used. This obviously goes for all modding sites/communities. I have an example of a popular mod that ports Mount & Blade meshes into another game, but after reading these and communicating here I don't think I should say which mod.

Yes, the laws (on both sides of the Atlantic) are the same for all publishers. Which sites enforce them... that's another matter. Which sites the publishers decide to send "Cease and Desist" letters, is yet another.

 

Does this mean that hypothetically someone could actually request permission from a developer to use their content and then it would be ok?

Absolutely! And not hypothetically at all. Various authors have been asked for, and granted, their permission to incorporate, modify and republish their works in new forms. (One obvious example here in the DANexus Files Section is "Natural Bodies All-In-One". I think there were at least a half-dozen authors who had to be contacted and permission to use their materials received before that mod could be uploaded!)

 

Others have withheld that permission, and still others have requested that all their content be removed from this (and other sites) because people have used it without permission. ("Dragon Age Redesigned", a truly fantastic mod, falls into that category.)

 

And to anyone whom reads my posts, on this thread, I am HONESTLY not trying to provoke or cause trouble or even complain ... but I started this topic innocently and it seems with some naivete.

Totally understand that you're not trying to start a controversy, but rather just to understand what's allowed and ethical.

 

There seems to be widespread misunderstanding of the difference between commercial publishers (such as Bethesda, or BioWare) releasing toolsets and providing the APIs or other hooks to enable individuals to incorporate NEW content in their products, and the appropriation of someone ELSE'S content (theirs, or other modders') into yours and then re-publishing it without permission.

 

The first is expected, fun, and perfectly legal. It's the second step, the publishing of copyrighted material without authorization that's a problem.

 

So enjoy all the great content that's out there! Just support all the hard-working authors, commercial or not, by treating their material with respect. :thumbsup:

[XTR3M368]

It is possible to do "legal portings"...if you have the correct permissions. Even mods from like Oblivion that are modder's resources have to be looked at to make sure they don't use Bethesda parts before they can be ported. The "porting permissions from other vanilla game manufacturers" are difficult to get, sometimes next to impossible, especially if you have to deal with a big company, but I know of at least one that was authorized by a manufacturer. It took a LOT of hoops to jump through and multiple contacts with their PR dept.

 

I had a bunch of similar questions as you when I look at people's mods and think "Why is that any different". Here is what I learned....It is better to ask a dumb question, then to make a dumb mistake. The staff is always quite helpful and they will answer your questions.....and sometimes you just have to accept what they say and live with it.

[DarkeWolf]

Actually just discussing the legalities and the site rules regarding porting of material isn't against the rules at all ;)

Its just attacking the site, or the staff in regards to those legalities and those rules that gets grey. ;)

The truth of the matter, is that the site is bound by the same laws as anybody else. If the site was to be caught by manufacturers distributing materials which they hold a copyright to, or is considered their intellectual property, they can press charges, or sue.

Which means that we could lose the nexus, in a worst case scenario. And then all of us lose out :(

 

And before getting into anything else... it kinda depends on the manufacturer. VERY recently, a member of the site obtained permission for the use of material from the game The Witcher. The member (he may not want me to say who he is) made the appropriate requests with the company, and they approved it. He showed us the emails, and the site administrators contacted the company for confirmation. Believe it or not, they gave their permission, as long as nobody is making any money off the sale or trade of the modded works! :D

There's a few stipulations, such as having to note where the original content is from, who owns it, etc But, permission was given.

So such things are DEFINITELY a "possibility". It just depends on the manufacturer.

 

1) We dont host any of the actual game material here. We arent authorized distributors by the companies, so we dont mess with it at all. Such as old versions, patches, updates, anything like that. The only stuff that we host here is made by the modding community, not by the big companies.

 

Here's how it has to work, in order for the patch over to be legit. There can be no original game content that is being passed along. Meaning that anybody who uses the mod, MUST purchase that content thru legal channels, in order for it to work. It can't be given to them on here. So for instance somebody making an item for DAA in DAO can only create the .erf, .uti .utc and whatnot files necessary for the items to work. The actual models and textures and whatnot cannot be added to the mod, and needs to be purchased by owning the game, in order for the mod to work.

 

2) My earlier statement addresses this ;) But yeah, IF permission is given, and can be verified, then of course it's cool :D

 

 

There's no harm in asking questions. And you're posting these questions in a completely appropriate manner. Its better to be safe than sorry. And claiming ignorance is no excuse on the site, so most definitely ask for clarifications if needed.

 

As for content made by other authors. Permission has to be asked for, and given. UNLESS the author states otherwise in their mod. Such as "Anybody who wants to make modifications can do so, so long as they credit me for the original work" or whatever. The original author DOES have to be given credit tho. Preferably in the mod description and in the readme file (if one is included) preferably.

 

Keep the questions coming, this is good information for our community to have :D

Edited October 24, 2010 by DarkeWolf
corrected a few words for clarity

[Legofingers]

Thank you both for your answers.

 

When talking about asking for permission to use content, I was strictly referring to that of the permission from Industry Game Devs not people whom create mods, I have done some of my own work for a game the Nexus doesn't cater for and am well aware of requesting permission to use others work and give credit in this sense.

 

As I say I was referring to gaining the permission from a registered company who hold the copyright to the content. I find the fact that a member here successfully obtained permission to use content from the witcher greatly encouraging.

 

Darkewolf, you have clarified every aspect of what I actually "need" to know and have also given me hope of the possibility to obtain permission from a commercial game developer to use content for non-profit means. Also thank you for the encouragement where so many others could have been brusque or offhanded with their reply.

[DarkeWolf]

Lego- I know that you werent asking about stuff from other modders in the community. But I figured that I'd go ahead and throw it in there for anybody else who might be reading the thread ;)

 

I totally agree. I was amazed to see the thread in the staff forums about it. That is absolutely terrific of the folks that made that game to do that. If I had spare cash right now, I'd buy the game just to support them for their generosity :thumbsup:

 

If/when you contact these companies... be very clear about your intent for non-commercial use, and be specific about which parts of the game that you are wanting to use. And ask them if there are any stipulations that they require, in order for you to post the material. Also, it would be helpful to let them know that you're wanting to post it on a well established gaming forum, so that they dont think that you're just wanting to post it up on a personal website. This will help your case ;)

 

Welllllllll...... as XTR3M3 can tell you... I tried that approach once. It didnt exactly go over too well. :whistling:

When he brought up th issue a while back, I tried to be all clinical and business only in how I explained things. And ended up apologizing for some misunderstandings about how I'd put forward the information.

I'm one to learn from my mistakes, so he taught me a good lesson in how to deal with how these things should be explained. ;)

 

BUT... I'm really glad to see you encouraged, and I'm glad that I could help you out. I just wish I could help you out with the actual 3d modeling. :confused:

And GOOD LUCK! Both with getting the programs figured out, and if you decide to contact some of these companies, Definitely GOOD LUCK :thumbsup: