Sourcing Textures and meshes

[Deleted49413338User]

I have a question about using free or paid for 3rd party textures or meshes from sites like turbosquid and other similar sites.

 

Is it ok to use them in mods if they are free or you buy them? Or will it be taken down because you didn't design the 3D model and textures yourself?

 

of course, I haven't yet found anything appropriate and most the models are very high poly count. But I wont bother even looking into that if it is not allowed here.

[WastelandAssassin]

technically speaking , if you can get permissions to use and publish these (and can provide proof of permission) , and these assets don't violate the site's terms of service , you should be able to use and upload them as part of your mod

I highly doubt anyone will give such permissions on something you need to buy , as you would be publishing them for free (but you are welcome to try and get such permissions , maybe someone will surprise you)

do note that you'll need to convert the models and textures to something you can use with the game's engine , so this could also be an issue , depending on the assets in question

but in general , as long as you have permissions to use , upload and publish these assets , you should be able to use them here

[DrakeTheDragon]

This isn't a definitive answer, only the CM SirSalami or Dark0ne can give these, but there's a huge difference between obtaining a copy of a model for your own personal use and re-distributing multiple copies of said model for others to use, like as part of your mod.

 

Whether bought or for free, on these hosts there's usually always a usage license going along with your purchase or contract, which will tell you exactly what you are allowed to do with these assets and what you aren't. Sometimes it's the same for all, sometimes it's different from download to download.

But chances are very high, if someone is selling a model for money, they will not be happy with you re-distributing their hard work in hundreds of copies, without them each getting a dime. There are, however, also licenses/contracts specifically allowing such "redistribution" as part of your own works, but especially when it's paid for, it'll be a vastly different contract, and it will cost significantly more.

 

There's been multiple cases of people claiming "But I bought it!", yet the only thing they bought was a "license" for personal use.

 

Just because something's free for you to download and use, it doesn't automatically mean it's also free for you to redistribute further copies of it, be it modified/adapted ones or not.

 

And last but not least, let's not forget, just because something's available for download or purchase on such a model/file sharing host/platform, it also still doesn't mean it's even legally hosted there. Assets ripped out of other games, whether converted to be used in another already or not, are available aplenty, and while on most hosts it will require the owner of the copyright protected materials to file a report, before anything will be removed, if it's from a game staff knows doesn't allow this and it's found on here, it won't matter much where or from whom you got it originally, what licenses were attached or otherwise.

 

If it was illegal to be hosted on the platform you got/bought it from to begin with, even if the platform did not know, care or tell anybody about it, it's still illegal to be hosted on here, too, of course.

 

But like I said, if you want a definitive answer, ask the CM SirSalami or Dark0ne about it instead.

[metaphorset]

This isn't a definitive answer, only the CM SirSalami or Dark0ne can give these,

 

Of course you should read the license of those downloaded/bought models, too. When in doubt, check back with the creator. It actually never hurts to talk to people, before using their stuff.

[Deleted49413338User]

Thanks

[payl0ad]

It might be a good idea to search for things released under a Creative Commons license. They are typically free to remix for non-profit. Perfect for modders.