would anyone else care to take a crack at...

Creating good Zip files for Freebies (or Commercial Products)??

Just a thought, sort of a 'Freebies 101' (I think Freebies is the way to start, at least until you're good enough to actually sell something...;)

Things we should cover-

1. Etiquette - or why preceding your folder with !!! is tedious, and ultimately counterproductive

2. Organization- I hate to say this, but I remember in Dos how to get Pkzip to include the paths,
       but I'm having a brain @#$t trying to remember how to do it in Winzip (there's also RAR, but      that's another platform..;)

3. and while we're on pathways - maybe using some logic about

a) naming them something that calls to mind what it is, or what it does, and
b) maybe including your name so you get proper kudos when someone uses it (or remembers 6 months later they'd downloaded it, but forgot what the zip file was named)

1. Or failing putting your name in the folder name, including a descriptive 'readme' file including
   a) what your handle is, and how to reach you
   b) can it be used for commercial purposes, or not
   c) maybe what the filenames are, and where they go, folderwise

2. maybe a small picture of what it looks like, so that may give people a clue. Remember, a readme is a little advert you put in your zip file that puts you in touch with your customer, so make it work for you instead of against you..;)

Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but I'm almost at the point that I can start sending out simple, uvmapped props that don't look like they've been rendered with a blowtorch. I'd like to get off on the right foot.

I know you're busy (staff meetings, alumni associations, chasing secretaries...uh...never mind..;) And I know establishing a standard for zip or rar files between thousands of artists would be like herding cats, but I just thought maybe....;)

Hi pak,

Good suggestion ....... but I'm not sure I'm qualified to do one on that subject since I have neither freebies nor products here on R'osity.

Thanks anywho.

cheers,
dr geep
;=]

Hi Pakled (and Doc, too!)
(Or should that be Doc Who?)

I totally agree with your desire for a way to create "sensible" zip files.
I cravenly decide not to offer to do tutorial - I'm still at the "Whoops! That was wrong" stage of advancment, myself.
If I have time (tomorrow) I might well suggest things that should NOT be done (although by then I expect all the points I might cover will have been covered by the more serious folks around here).

Good call on missing "How to"!

Cheers,
Diolma

@ diolma*
no one in life is ever truly worthless...they can always serve as a bad example...anonymous..;)
*I feel yer pain, been there, done that...;) if it wasn't so much typing, I'd go back to 'pkzip -r...;)

that's ok, Doc, I understand. The tutorials are fine, and worth as much as a hundred freebies (and probably launched that many..;). I just see the subject come up in bits and pieces here and there. We'll tie the whole thing together somehow...

Definite addition to any list of this kind: if it's not one of the standard licenses like RMP's or some similar site-wide EULA, make sure your license file has a distinctive name, especially if you have unusual restrictions or permissions involved. Similarly, readme files shouldn't just be called 'readme.txt' unless you want them overwritten by the next guy who makes an item. Important info can easily get lost that way.

somebody has done this in the past - guidelines for packaging freebie zip files. personally I don't think one should criticise freestuff providers. looking a gift horse in the mouth and all that.

Oh, great idea you guys...
May I ask for a little favor?
my freebie for V3 Victorian shoes, I tried to make a readme file that will be a prototype for my freebie files. Would someone please have a look at that readme, and give me some feedback?

(not the readme's for Apollo Apron, I failed miserabbly fining time and energy to make that one)

Sorry, I hit post before including a link... here it is :)
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/index.php?user_id=208429

I'm not dissing freestuff providers...I'm actually trying to become one..;) I have downloaded something like 23,000 free items of various types, so I'm hardly down on them..;) I've modeled hundreds of items, and slowly learning, step by step, how to make acceptable props in Poser, Bryce, or whatever...

I just think with a few simple rules, and possibly some good tips, I can make items that people will want to use. I have a very limited number out there (at Traugs.com, and Planit 3d) now, and have even seen them in use, but I'd just like to make more..it's fun..;)

If there's a good tut or thread out there, point me at it.

this was given to me by Wildman2 in this thread where I asked how to make my object a freebie, it has some info that may help. (and no I havent got anywhere near loading it yet, still working on how to make things properly without n-gons etc so it is a better model for people.)
Link to thread
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?message_id=3050432&ebot_calc_page#message_3050432

Here are some very generic instructions for uploading into freestuff

Mouseover the  free stuff tab
goto uploadfree stuff

Scoll dn to choose a category, pick wings3d

Scroll dn to System Requirements, fill in as required.

Scroll dn to Details, fill in the name of the file you are uploading add notes on what is in the file pics,obj,wings3d etc..

Scroll dn to File(s) URL:, this will be the address that I will give you.

scroll to Thumbnail File,  do a screen shot of the object in wings resize to no more than 200x200 pixels,this will be uploaded to Renderosity.

Scroll dn to pick if it (the file)can be used for commercial or non-comercial use.

Scroll to Does this item contain nudity?,  Choose accoringly

Just a thought.....is it worth posting a link in the freestuff forum about this? They may be a better source of info?

Quote - If there's a good tut or thread out there, point me at it.

The best tut I've seen for this kind of stuff is to see how more reputable people do it... and follow suit.  At leat try to...

I have considered that. I want to have the paths (at least at the Runtime level) point to where they actually need to go. My silly version of Winzip (I have others, including Winrar, 7zip and Dr. Pepper..;) just wants to have me move to the actual directory. I haven't looked hard enough...mainly I'm just looking for pointers to how to make an effective freebie..;)

Pakled, I hope you dont mind but this has been a burning question of mine too, I haven't even tried to make up a freebie older as i just find it all too confusing,  so I  just posted a link to the freestuff forum, maybe they can help us with some info....it cant hurt to ask.
Jen

What I do is create a runtime with that one piece in it only... give it a testrun in Poser...
Then I create a zip at the level of runtime, and tell it to include all forlders, and paths. I use winrar to make zip files, and gives you the option to save paths. It saves them in a relative form... from runtime down.

Hi Guys.
These are the answers I got from the freestuff forum:

Miss Nancy

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/tutorial/index.php?tutorial_id=553&page=1

Quote - yeah, there's a sort of tutorial, but it leaves quite a bit to the imagination. my personal pref for freestuff is that they zip the file, whatever it is. along with a read-me giving name, e-mail address, commercial restrictions, application and file description. I absolutely do not wanna see an installer file, an exe file, or anything complicated. getting into the details of a runtime folder tends to exclude and alienate every freestuff provider who is not doing stuff for c6pro or P7 IMVHO. hence my feeling that one shouldn't criticise the freestuff providers if they package things according to their own convenience.

BAR-CODE

Quote - one thing for Poser freestuff is paramount !
ZIP the Runtime MAP and rename it when zipped..
When you maka a MAP "V4-Dress" and put the Runtime map etc etc in it.
Then a fast easy unzip is not possible...
Because in the ZIP the first Map wil be V4-Dress.

But ZIP the runtime map you made and when zipped RENAME it to "V4-Dress" has the runtime map in the first level of maps.

Hope this is clear

Chris

Trekkie Grrrl

Quote - I can tell you how I do it. It may be the same as in that tutorial, I haven't looked L

This method is assuming you're using Winzip on a PC: 1.       On your desktop (or basically anywhere you please) created a folder called whatever you want your product to be named.

2.       in that folder, make another folder called Runtime

3.       In the runtime folder, put whatever folders are needed to contain all the stuff that is in your zip.

4.       Place your things in the correct folders. Don't forget the Geometries folder if you're using anything with external geometry.

5.       PROOFREAD all foldernames! Remember that Props and Materials are plural, all other visible folders are not (visible folders = the palettes you can see from inside Poser)

6.       When done, move out so that you are in the folder with the name of your thing. ie you can see the Runtime folder but you're not inside it.

7.       Rightclick the Runtime folder and from Winzip's rightclick menu, chose "Add to [name of your thing].zip"

8.       You're done. You now have a perfectly path'ed zipfile ready for anyone to extract by simply unzipping it to the Poser folder :o)

Hmm it looks more tricky than it is with all these steps. I hope I haven't confused you more than anything else.

Hope it helps. Jenny

This is a reply from sazzyazzca,

In my freestuff I have a folder template already set up that you can use. :)

I have attached the link to her freestuff below. I downloaded the template and it seems to be really, really good from what I can tell. Go have a look .
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/index.php?user_id=303046

Jen