As a maker of models I did, for some time, refuse to use the work of other model makers in my renders. I did think that using the work of other people  in renders reduced the value of the render and me as an artist. Recently, however, I have beem making models and found that allowing myself to use the work of other people in my renders has significantly improved my picture detail and therfore pictures. Note the irony of my earlier postion, I do.

Remix is a well established artform, and widely supported even when the original content was NOT released for that purpose.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090514/1908214889.shtml

Refusing to use "free stuff", i.e. stuff that was given away just to be "remixed" and for no other reason seems contrarian.

It has often been noted that a perception exists among CG snobs/purists that if you don't model your scene, you're not a CG artist.

Me - I don't care anymore. Whatever. I make something - I don't make something - I render something and a few hundred look - who cares.

My good friend and neighbor is a road manager for Lady Gaga. He gets me free concert tickets. I like to use that kind of free stuff.

indeed  re: free tickets...beiing an old timer in the music scene here in the frozen north I rarely have to pay to listen anymore and am most appreciative...as I am for all the fine freestuff here[I should be as I Moderate the area]. Coming from an Amiga originally I was also a bit 'stuffy' about using other's models in my work but have found over the years that not only does my work benefit, but I most often learn something along the way from the interaction....

Love your red room luckybears...am furnishing it before a final render but I'll link it to you

I appreciate the replies to my [post.

So often a change of mind is seen as a sign of weakness. It is good that at here at rendo that re-evaluating ones position, whether this way or that, is seen as a positive action :)

The way I see it if it is in free stuff section or in the free stuff forum, then it is there to be used by everyone if you give the creator of the free item some credit then I see it as a no brainer (if the picture is going into a commercial product like a comic then that may be different and finding out what the creators stance on commercial use certainly helps).  

The main thing though is that it gives the creator of the free item a sense of "Wow so cool to see someone use my creation in one of their renders."

But in all it is up to the creator of the picture, for me I use a lot of free items where I can but most of my pictures use purchased content.  

*(if the picture is going into a commercial product like a comic then that may be different and finding out what the creators stance on commercial use certainly helps).  *

Uh, that's the info you put in the read me and notes[and there are buttons for commercial/non commercial n the upload dialogue], or should...some uploaders I find don't seem to care about the end user as much as they should as some go pro  and memories of scant info on products does not give incentive to purchace....just sayin'

By using someone else's work in a render, while you are capable of making almost any item yourself, you honour them. That does not diminish your work in any way.

Quote - By using someone else's work in a render, while you are capable of making almost any item yourself, you honour them. That does not diminish your work in any way.

You know... I hadn't thought of it that way.  To be honest, I've been wondering if I should use items and such I've bought and downloaded, as well as Freestuff in my series.  I mean sure, I have over 70 gigs worth of free stuff, and I'd be sore pressed to use all of it, but man... now I feel better about using it.  :D

what do you enjoy more , making pictures , or modelling/texturing stuff ?

I just dont find it worth the time to model something that I can pick up from a free site unless I need something very specific.

I simply read the readme file. Almost all say that it's okay to use in away, commercial or non-commercial.

However, every once in a great while, the modeler says NO. You can't use his items in any commercial way. That clarifies things greatly. I won't. I won't even download it.

However; No credit will be given the modeler because no one will see his work. I DO credit people for their work.

People like Yanelis3D, Carl Culberson are great artists and modelers and give away work they think isn't up to their standards. Work that just blows me away. Or sometimes they just like to give. I always give them credit. If you take the time to contact them, you'll find they are pleasant, gracious, and quite generous.

Quote - I appreciate the replies to my [post.

So often a change of mind is seen as a sign of weakness. It is good that at here at rendo that re-evaluating ones position, whether this way or that, is seen as a positive action :)

 

A change of mind means that you actually continue to think about things instead of refusing to see new facets of a thing.  It does not invalidate your former opinions and thoughts at all to come to a new conclusion later, as situations DO change over time.

hugs  Don't fear, this is a good thing and many will respect you for it.