Ok, I'm just putting the finishing touchs on this thing. A pretty darn good texture for vicky (if I do say so myself) and instead of the standard .jpg I want to distribute the .psd with all the separate layers. The problem is that the file is 50+ mb when zipped. How do I distribute this monster. It's probably going to have to be burned to a CD and mailed (headache) unless I break up the layers into separate files and then have the customers download the files piece meal. A third option is to sell the texture as a .jpg in the marketplace for one price and offer the .psd for commercial use at a higher rate. I intend to allow commercial usage of the layers to modify their own textures, but not allow for free stuff (as always anything goes for a rendered image). The reason for not allowing free stuff distribution is that if this is passed around free stuff to much it will lose it commercial value.

I suggest going with .tif instead, using lzw compression. Tif does layers and looks just as good as psd. And not everyone can look at a .psd file anyway, but .tif yes. Alex

a .psd afaik, has built-in lzw compression, so further zipping won't bring too much. concerning layered tifs - i think that only newer software can handle them correctly, like photoshop 6 and newer... how about distributing single layers as .jpgs? a bit more work for you, but anyone could assemble them as layers.

Instead of layering jpg's then how about png's? they are - or can be of better quality than jpg's AND they support transperancy. Furthermore it's a free format and afaik most paint proggies support it. .psd's are huge files, as you know and I would hate to download such a bugger "just" to get a skin texture :o)

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=5070

PSD layer file is what I bought here and I'm pretty sure it was this one so you might want to see how this person did it.

afaik? I have given the .png method a go and have sepaerated the 9 (5 head & 4 body) layers into 28.4 mb. so far so good.

the problem with the png method is that not every user has a program that can use layers at all. make sure to offer a version with the layers already merged as well so anyone can just stick the unedited texture on a figure

Is this for a whole texture or is this more like a tool for creating textures? (sorry I can't help with the file size, I'm not that familiar with the different file compressions)

It's really more of texture creation tools, but it can also be a finished texure in it's own right. I plan on also selling the texture & Mats separately for a lower price for those who just want the texture.

Why not go with a layered .jpg? save the file as a .jpg at a setting of 12 (100%) and under 'format options' choose > baseline ("standard") <. Then take a look at the quality and file size. It will be a .jpg that is virtually uncompressed in color quality, yet much smaller in file size. .jgp does not support alpha channels however. If I'm wrong then flame me. Also in the rules for selling Poser textures sets there must be a supplied MAT pose or .cr2 "with" the download (here at Renderosity) But from what I saw of your post, I will more than likely buy it! Aleks, please tell me where you read that .psd has "built in lzw compression"? I would really like to read that, I can't find it in PS 7 help. And I bet you, any image opener can read and show a .tif file. Alex

alex, i don't really remember, sorry. i know (or at least "as far as i know") that psds are compressed on save. i think i read somewhere/somewhen that that is a lzw compression. what kind of lzw compression it is or how good is it... sorry, can't remember. but if you compare uncompressed tifs with psds you'll see that psd is smaller. you are right concerning no alpha in jpgs. i also proposed jpgs because older software can't read pngs. you would most likely win your bet, but loose layers :) photoshop 5.5 and lower can read layered tifs but it interprets them as one (flatened) layer. and that isn't a solution for given problem, is it? :)

Problems solved, files submited. Ended up using the .png format because both my paint progams agreed with it. I reduced the resolution to 1500x1500, a reasonable compromise I suppose. Final size of the .zip..... 16mb. preparing the texture only package (much easier!) I don't think .psds are auto compressed, before zipping the 2 files were over 70mb, after zipping they were just over 50mb. A difference of 20mb! Whew, that was messy. And to think now I've got to do Mike..... GROOOAAAAN.

Attached Link: http://www.adobe.com/knowledgebase/327239

I just received this in the current technical E-mail from Adobe systems: "327239 Layered TIFF Files Created in Photoshop 7.0 Save, Print, or Place Slowly" Alex

Personally, I'd rather just get the whole 30 meg PSD file. PSD layers carry all sorts of information that does not transfer to a flat file, such as opacity and blending effects (as well as layer masks and layer effects/styles). This package as a texture creation tool is by its very nature aimed towards veteran texture makers - people who are probably well versed in layering techniques in both photoshop and Paintshop. Perhaps you might want to offer the flat texture separately for people who just want a texture. From the POV of a texture artist my very first question concerns distribution rights. In buying this here file, what rights do I get? Can I modify and distribute flattened textures made with this file? Can I sell them? Lyrra

Unfortunately most of the stores have a file limit. The Marketplace here has a limit of about 24-25 (I forget) and my .psd's were over 50mb so in the interest of compromise I separated the layers into individual .png files and lowered the resolution a little. I tested them out and they funtion just as well. (honestly though, I preferred the .psd too) As for distribution rights, the best way to explain that is it's just the opposite of stalle's policy - this is for commercial use only. Use the layers with your own creations, modify them, & flatten. The flattened textures are yours to sell, but you can't give them away if you used the package. Also you can use this in any other texture package that has layers. And of course commercial renders are always allowed with my stuff. I just finished the flat texture package and uploaded, so that those peeps who just want the texture can get that too. The flat texture set has MATs & brow transarencies that don't come with the texture creation set. All in all I think I made the right choices for now.

Yo shadowcat, if you just uploaded it, where can I get it? You don't have a store here. Somewhere else? Alex

I uploaded it here, but renderosity has to ok it. I don't have a store because these are my first items. In other news I have begun work on the mike set. I think that a few different body hair layers might be of interest.

Oops, just re-read the thread and in post #15 when explaining the distribution rights there is a typo, it should say "Also you CAN'T (CANNOT!) use this in any other texture package that has layers. And of course commercial renders are always allowed with my stuff." that's what I forget for going without sleep!

forget for? that should be "get for". (doh!) Anyway my stores up and my ad images suck, going to redo those. And I now know why very few mike textures have chest hair (it's a pain in the butt!)