First, I was wondering if anybody knows (i'm sure someone does) how I can create a simple imgage of a swamp to be used as a backround image for a gallery on a web page? I tried using a terrain with different fractals and mounds and spikes and yadda yadda yadda. To place X number of trees, mangrove or willow type, seems like it would be nuts and a heck of a render just for a backround image. Any suggestions on this, por favor? OK, now for my question/bitch/complaint/whatever. It's regarding 3D models from/for Bryce, Max and so on. I don't know how many people have read the postings in the Poser forum regarding the Sam character and I am not going to start it here, but it is along the same lines. When I first discovered them I could download models, I was like a kid with a new toy, just like everyone else. I have also read AgentSmith's statement to someone else on how to keep track of them (thumbnail) and have done something like that. OK, here it is. In my surfing travels, I began to see the same models on a large number of different sites and it seemed like those people were taking credit for them because there wasn't anything stating otherwise. Yes, in some of the compressed files there was a small read me fromt the artist, but for the most part, there wasn't anything in it. Then it gets me to thinking that some of these models people needed to purchase and then turned around and put them up for others to freely download. Something is wrong with that in my book. I have used a couple of models in my work, but for the most part, I might download a model to see HOW it was made so that I could recreate it myself so that it was MY model. I would like to give credit to those whose models I did use, but how am I supposed to do that if I don't know who originaly made it? Know what I mean? Is it that difficult to just put a separate section on one's site for models that are not theirs? I am working on a site now and am planning to have a small models section of MY models and then one for ones that I downloaded from other sites and will state as such. (something tells me I just stirred up the pot with this posting)

Because I like to blow $%&# up.

Don't fear the night.  Fear what hunts at night.

Why not just use a photo of a real swamp? Back in '2000 I posted a picture called "Bayou" - it's still in my gallery. I found the picture I used as the background on a website with free wallpapers. It took a while but I found several that were usable.

P.S. If you're going to be posting models you have downloaded, be sure you have actually asked each of the artists concerned for permission to re-distribute their stuff. Otherwise you could be in rather deep doo-doo.

Some people ask for permission to redistribute models made by others. They may not give credit on the web page but they do in the read me file. Other people blatantly steal them and say they are theirs. If a model was purchased they may have a right to use it commercially, but I doubt if the bought the entire rights to the model so they could freely redistribute it ( legally ). Depending on what country they live in they could be sued for copyright infraction. People think that nobody will know or see that they are doing any wrong. But most people in the CG community will contact the creator, when they see this sort of thing going on, ( that goes for image stealing to ). I say if you know for sure someone is laying clam to someone else's work ( of any type ) to contact the creator and let them know. They will know if they gave permission or not.

Stephen Ray

I keep all the origional zip files for future reference, so I can check the readme files when it comes to giving credit. There are a few that do not have readme's that I really wish did, so I could give credit (a very cool bronze texture comes to mind). I back them up to cd as nessisary...

Attached Link: http://www.wireframestudio.com/Techniques.html

As to the swamp.... this is dated and only a beginning, which you can build on. manowar BTW: There is a great entangled tree trunk, poser format, in the renderosity store as well as various textures.

Thanks, Allen. I hadn't even thought of that. BTW, I saw the image you did with the swamp, very nice, as were all the others. StephenRay, I wish I knew who the original creator was on some of them, but it seems that they have been passed around so many times that nobody would know. But I will be more alert now. Bladesmith, I also keep the the original zips in a separate in the same folder in which I have the model. Like you said for reference and the read me's and in case I really screw it up somehow. Man O' War, EXCELLENT!! The roots and the swamp surface are what is giving me the most trouble and the link you posted was exactly what I needed. Thank you very much. I am doing all this so I can get a web site up and am trying to make all the images for each page with Bryce and eventually Dreamweaver to assemble it. You guys are great. I don't know how I made it without Renderosity before.

Because I like to blow $%&# up.

Don't fear the night.  Fear what hunts at night.