Possible 3D graphics resource

[Bilbo]

And perhaps source code for the programmer itself (hmm ... will complete DNA qualify as the source code? Or will some snapshiot of brain state be also necessary :)

[DaleStan]

I think 3DSMax would qualify as a "System Library" in v3 language. In v2 language, that's "[something] that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components of the operating system".

I wouldn't really call it "normally distributed", but there's no compiler that I'd say is "normally distributed" with Windows systems either, any people use that exception for Windows compilers all the time.

[charlieg]

Quite a number of the artists of the forums, including myself, wouldn't agree to GPL their graphics. If a company wants to include it in a distro like Mandriva or SUSE (as long as a worthy download of their distro is available for free), or if a poor fellow wants to port the game into OS "whoknowswhat" that will be used in 'X' mobile and cover his expences with a few bucks that are donated to him for his effort or given to purchase a CD possibly it is OK. But sorry I don't want Micro...garbage to make a state of the s*** clone (3D) game and make profit from my work and fill the pockets of BILLY. THIS SHOULDN'T BE THE FATE OF OPENTTD. I LOVE OPENTTD AND WANT TO PROTECT IT.

And I don't think that the 3D model be given along with the rest. We don't have a 3D OpenTTD yet and not in the near future. The game engine will not create the 2D sprites from the 3D model automatically, but the artists will. And this includes too much work. (light, texturing, fine tuning of pixels, adding support for company colors...). The 2D sprites are considered the source in this case. Nevertheless I respect your opinion on the latter, so don't consider my reply as an attack against you.

And Raven (one of our most talented artists) has spoken well.

So you are protecting OpenTTD are you? Withholding your models because it's in the interest of the game? So when you disappear (as happens, people don't stick around forever) and something happens that requires a modification of your contributed graphics, OpenTTD is where exactly? In trouble.

Protect the game by providing your models. Don't shackle the project by providing nice graphics with a giant catch.

At the very leasy make the models available under a relevant non-commercial CC license, if you are afraid that a company might make a few $$ by reusing your content.

By not giving out your models you harm the project in the long term, even if it appears you are benefiting the project in the short term.

[charlieg]

As a footnote, OpenTTD going 3D is not the only scenario in which the models are useful. What if lighting conditions want to be changed prior to release and you are no longer contactable? What if some textures want reworking to look more consistent, your model has to be excluded from this process. There are lots of little tweaks that could occur before the vaunted enhanced graphics replacement is ready. By keeping your models back you place OpenTTD in the precarious position of having to rely on a you and nobody can guarrantee they will be around tomorrow. That's the whole point of open source software - providing the guarrantee that the software can be around tomorrow even if the author is not; if you don't want to give out your models then I suspect you do not fully appreciate the principle of Free Software.

Personally, if it were my decision, I would not accept any graphics contributions that were not accompanied by a model - the license of the model does not have to be GPL (I have already provided an alternative license above that covers your $$ usage worries) but the model must be available.

[RMJ]

We are actully people here who make big networks with 1000-2000 trains, and unless you got deep blue or what that super computer is called that has 1 first on the top 500, you cant run the game with that many with youre fancy 3d graphics :/ plus it also ruins the core of the game. Why not just play the other games just like openttd with 3d graphics c",)

[athanasios]

charlieg: I believe you misunderstood me. Your licence is actually what I had in mind. There is no catch in not providing the model in a distro. My thought is: it is not needed to be bundled with the game. Model will be available in the forums. Nobody that posts here keeps his model secret. Other members can take it and process it for non commercial purposes of course.