Hello, Does anyone know where I could find or buy 3D Files of some of Jim Henson's Muppet Characters? Thanks, Brian

I think that most modelers, and most texture people, tend to stear clear of things like these because of the large copyright that is behind them. Personally speaking I'd avoid them. but that's just me . ---Essie

I don`t think that copyright is the problem (it would be a problem if they were sold), it is strange how there seems to be no free muppets anywhere.

Giving away for free does not exempt one from copyright. No all creators will pursue free content, but many will, and it is within their rights.

Probably be even more problematic now that Disney owns the Muppets.

If the evil empire owns the muppets now, then that will be why there arent any free muppets. FyreSpiryt I know that making something free doesnt exempt you from copyright restrictions but a lot of people copy other things with no problem ie star trek/star wars.

Not all people/companies enforce their copyrights. The big Nasties are Walt Disney, McDonalds and Paramount. Ever wonder why Startrek fansites dissapear so much? Paramount kills them.

I thought that they were okay about startrek. What copyrights do macdonalds have? not the crappy clown? You could make a better clown without copying that. Its a bit bad about the star trek fansites the program and films would be nothing without the fans.

nope every year or so Paramount goes round and kills off fansites. Depends how studio management feels I guess. McDonalds .. the arches of course. back tot he original topic .. muppets are generally soft, flexible and furry. These are difficult qualities to get in many 3d programs which may explain why there aren't many aorund.

Damn, it would be fun to have Muppets that were Mimic-ready.

If what you've got is a Jim Henson kick, many creatures from The Dark Crystal have been Poserized over the years. I've seen a revamped version of the Podlings quite recently, both Garthim and Striders, and I've heard rumors of Gelflings.

So i am going to filter through all of that to come up with an answer of "No"? I remember a few years ago they had 3D Comic Characters like The Marvel & DC Collection.... Thanks for the replies!

" nope every year or so Paramount goes round and kills off fansites. Depends how studio management feels I guess." just a note on that ;) anything created by ILM for Star Trek, or similar, they actually don't mind it being copied in 3D so long as the results are not sold in anyway. you can email them to check ;)

Gonna chime in here and point out the glaring error that's apparent on all of the above. Although there is copyright on specific images with these figures, the issue that limits them from being made (and the Muppets are a zealously guarded property) is not copyright. Copyright does not cover likeness. The issue is trademark, which does cover likeness, and the reason the likeness is so zealously protected is because trademark, unlike copyright, can pass into common parlance and be lost. Trademarks can be licensed, however.

Good observation, Ynsaen, and definitely correct. Also, a bit of digging will show that patent and trademark infringement is much more aggressively pursued than say copyrights, simply because they're usually much more expensive to attain, and can tarnish the reputation/image of an entire company if abused. I'd steer clear from any of that stuff, particularly if you intend to publish the results online (for free or not). ;-)

hehe - sorry not really to do with this thread...

Attached Link: http://rendervisions.com

If you really want something, just make it yourself.:) There are several good free modeling programs out there if you can't afford a commercial package. It might seem intimidating, but it's not really that hard. And muppets aren't particularly hard to model. In fact, I made Elmo myself a while back. I even posted a five-part tutorial on the process in the Amapi forum at Rendervisions. I've never offered him as a freebie because I tend to steer clear of trademarked characters, and mostly because he's not the greatest model. He was created fast and dirty, but that was good enough for my needs. With a little fur postworked on, I think he looks pretty good.;)

Attached Link: http://www.turbosquid.com/FullPreview/Index.cfm/ID/143260/Action/FullPreview

Ask and ye shall find. Here's a mesh of Kermit the Frog for sale at Turbo Squid. While you're at Turbo Squid, be sure to pick up some Star Trek ships (for sale), some Star Wars characters (for sale), and some Disney characters (also for sale). These companies probably won't come after you, the customer. Heck, they don't even seem to be going after TurboSquid!

Thanks... that is one ghetto a$$ Kermit! LOL