Ok, here's what's been done so far.

Created a model in Wings 3d. UVMapped, applied texture,  'poserized' it (slight bevel to sharp edges to keep them in Poser).

Imported it into Poser. Scaled it for Don (he was just sitting there...;), and actually parented (my first...;) it to the left hand (nobody's perfect, I'm a lefty). Saved it as a prop.

So I have a Prop, parented, saved to one directory, and textures for another. It looks...uh...well, it's a first effort..;)

Now, having done that;

I created a 'runtime' directory on C:, and Geometries, Textures, and Libraries/Props folders, each with a 'Pakled!!'  folder (my joke about all those !!!Whatever directories...;)

The pp2 and png are in props, obj and mtl in Geometries, and textures in textures. A readme
is in the Runtime Directory itself. Has my handle, where I hang out, and what  (pretty much no) rules to follow.

Zipped the 'Runtime' Directory into  one file. Created a  ShareCG account (boy is that sobering...you'll  never get rich that way...;)  and am ready to upload.

Now all the files are where they 'should' be,  but since the prop was created in other directories, will the thing work? How do you have the prop point to the 'correct' folders? Do I need to hack and create a cr2 file? or is this something I can correct inside Poser?

BTW...I looked in the Freebies forum a bit, but didn't see a sticky on how to make actual freebies...mebbe they should have one...;) And if anyone wants it, I'll post it as soon as I have the answer...;)

just stuck it up in the gallery, if ya wanna look. Scathing criticisms and helfpul advice appreciated...;)

As long as all the texture references in the PP2 are in relative form, that
should be all you need.   The original folders won't matter unless the
PP2 names them specifically.

For instance, here's a material paragraph from the item I was just working on:

        material plate
                {
                KdColor 0.87451 0.996078 0.980392 1
                KaColor 0.376471 0.249412 0.161569 0
                KsColor 0.870588 0.870588 0.870588 1
                TextureColor 1 1 1 1
                NsExponent 30
                tMin 0
                tMax 0
                tExpo 0.6
                bumpStrength 1
                ksIgnoreTexture 0
                reflectThruLights 1
                reflectThruKd 0
                textureMap ":runtime:textures:DreamVillage:1950Kitchen:plate-1950.jpg"
                                0 0
                bumpMap NO_MAP
                reflectionMap NO_MAP
                transparencyMap NO_MAP
                ReflectionColor 1 1 1 1
                reflectionStrength 1
                }

If you left the prop in 'embedded geometry' form, which is how Poser creates it...
then you really don't need to include the OBJ and MTL file unless you want
to make the OBJ available to users of other 3d programs.  Poser doesn't need
them when the PP2 contains the information from the OBJ.

What I do is make a prop folder for it and import the obj to it and save it as a prop file, then, apply the textures to it via material room and save it again with the textures on it.

Save the folders as a runtime of it's own and zip it up and the freebie is ready to go.

I usually open up the PP2 files in a text editor and look through the file paths just to be sure they are relative ones, not absolute.

If I get lazy, I just zip from the prop folder level down.  Which isn't very helpful for Poser newbies re, the runtime hierarchy etc. Otherwise, yes, I get a separate runtime done up the way you have, Pakled. 

so far, so good. I'll have to fire up a text editor and see what I have...thanks  to all so far. Don't stop with helpful suggestions on my account. If I ever master UVMapping, I'll be flooding the freebies section...;)

Looks like you did a great job on the modeling!

Instead of  a texteditor for editing pp2-files, you can also use CR2-editor, which is free and can not only edit cr2-files but also all other poser -files. it has as easy find and replace to change all the references of object and textures files to the right location.

You can find it on english Bob site in utility-section:

www.morphography.uk.vu/

 Bopper.

Great prop, BTW!

yeah..I've got about 5 copies of CR2 editor going back 6 years...never knew what it was for, but thought it might be useful...;) thanks.

Attached Link: http://forum.daz3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=79526&highlight=freebie+providers

This might also help with creating the folders. A bit more detail on the filepaths and what not.** 

cool. Ok, it's been submitted to Freestuff....now the waiting begins...;)

Very cool weapon. How long before they approve it?

Got it tested for you Pakled, check your Sitemail ;)

I gots some fixin' to do, but that's up to the admins...;)

Pakled, that's looking very nice, good job!!!!!

Released

Cool item Pakled

congratulations !!!

Very cool!

Morn'ng Pakled, I just downloaded your Raygun.  You did an excellent job with your model.

I downloaded it to my Poser 5 root directory and everything got to the right places even the textures (sometimes I have to search for textures on some downloads-yours came up just fine).  I simply click on your image in the props section.

Another thing I like is the size of the .zip.  Even with a 56KModem it download quickly.

I believe, if you follow your same format, you can add to your installation instructions-download to Poser 5, 6, 7 root directory.  Again great job.  --  Jan