Do conforming clothing objects need to match the mesh of the character they're fitting? And if so, how does one create a conforming clothing object and distro is for free if distributing any part of a mesh is copyright infringment?

One can create original geometry for new items, without deriving it from the character's mesh. Adjusting the clothing mesh so that it matches the intended character's size and proportions isn't usually a copyright infringement, in and of itself.

ok, so the polygons don't have to match the polygons of the figure? right on.

Does conforming clothing have morphs? Would the morphs be 'derived' from the mesh/morphs of the figure? If the polys were not 'the same' at least at the boundaries of a group, would the clothing work? ::::: Opera :::::

No, the clothing polygons don't have to match the figure (and shouldn't, for the legal reasons that you alluded to originally). In that case, the morphs don't bear any relationship to the original figure's morphs either, except that they approximate the same 3D surface. That's why programs like The Tailor exist, to transfer a 3D surface from one set of polygons to another, different set. Also, the placement of group boundaries can be quite flexible. In some cases (e.g. toes), you don't even need a group in the mesh at all. The joint parameters take care of the bending, and that's all that's needed. The only reason for requiring groups at all is that joint parameters have a limited "range" - i.e. they can only affect a body part and its parents, but no further.

ummm, but what if the joint parameters are identical to the figure (for example, to 3 decimal places...) runs for cover

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?Form.ShowMessage=1712919

missed that. thx

Thanks for clearing that up EnglishBob. So just because the shoe fits doesn't mean it belongs to the foot. ::::: Opera :::::