And suggest you spend your skills on the rest of the stuff which needs to be done anyway, like ice phase images or more elaborate wondermovies.
Which is what I have been doing lately. But at this point of time, there is little info for me to go on. (Not that I can expect things to be fleshed out at this stage either)
I've already worked up base backgrounds for all of the planned 'Ice' videos.
So lately, I've been creating 'people' images. They do not have to be specific leaders either - (though I have been creating them for that possibility...thus they are being introduced that way in the desktops I post.) Since the leaderpics are established in everyone's minds, using my pics in other contexts should not be an issue.
As for the photo-realism approach, that is a minor issue, because creating them in a photo-realisic setup gives me a lot more flexibility to alter the style (through photoshop art filters) once the figure is finalized.
I am also trying to set up these 'people/leader' pics for the primary use of the videos.
However...The one issue I do see has to do with the possible planned usege of our current set of leaders in the videos...and I'm going to try to look at this from the viewpoint of the artist who originally created the art we use.
Remember this...every time every time we remove the current leaderhead pics from the original background, (and cutting it into an 'Ice' or desktop-intended background), or crop it, we may be further bastardizing the intent of the artist. This becomes especially messy
if the figure used is instantly recognizable from it's original context. Please note the italicized bolded type because it is the main issue for me.
This is what I am trying to move away from for the 'Ice' stage.
To be honest, this is something that I did for the ffh2 videos...but in the same vein, using a ten-second clip of a copyrighted music track in ffh2 is the same exact thing. The track is being cut apart and used in a context that may not have been intended by the artist.
...my best friend after seeing the wondermovies for example told me i should do movies where you see thousands of slaves building the wonder and not only an abstract picture of something. well i said, thats not my part
What I provided for the wondermovies was a simple solution to add some atmosphere that the game was lacking at that point in time - with the skillsets I have at my disposal.
I hope you do not misunderstand me on the following statement...I'm not trying to offend with it, but to clarify where I stand.
Unfortunately, I'm not inclined to start learning to create straight animation through 3-d rendering (like the programs you use for your units), or a cell-by-cell rendering technique. I do not have the interest, or the programs themselves, or even the money to invest in those programs.
I provide artwork for the Mod mainly because I enjoy the programs I use (as well as it sharpens my skills for my actual job), as well as the process. For volunteer work of this nature, once it becomes work, then it's time to move on. And if you want to kick some money my way, then perhaps I will decide to explore 3-d rendering.
So it can be your part if you want to do it...and I am not going to stop you either. Or if anyone else has the talent or time, or desire (see if your friend would be willing to learn how to do it...), they can jump in and join the team and create those types of images.
In this case I prefer using the leaderheads everyone is used to (and to be true they are amazing as they are).
I do not have a problem with the continued use of the existing artwork - (but some of the pics are also very pixelated/muddy).
I merely brought up the possibility if the team wanted to move into a different direction as the game continues to evolve. And if so, I would be willing to pursue it in the format that I am using for all the artwork I create for the team.
As games evolve, everything about them usually evolves, including artwork - and there is nothing wrong with that. (Look at the difference between civ3 and civ4.)
ok, but thats not the point
you wanted to replace it with original art, but with yours we would strictly speaking still not be copyright legal.
There still seems to be a lot of concern about copyright and infringement on your part, as you have brought this topic up multiple times (...third time's the charm I'm hoping...).
Again, I hope you do not misunderstand me on the following statements...
Realize this...this issue of copyright legality
crosses into everything I do for the team...So I really need to clarify what is expected from me by the ENTIRE team.
1. Understanding the team's desire to create 'totally' original artwork for the game and...
2. Giving full disclosure about how I create my artwork (see my last post)...
3. which may include images done through an online search...(do an online image search for anything and be amazed how many items come up - it's in the millions for many subjects)
4. and limited to photos that do not have a copyright tagline...
5. which does not include any existing game or fantasy artwork...
6. and if ANY image is used, it is
heavily altered by me, to the point of non-recognition...
I am asking point blank...'Is my approach acceptable for the 'Ice' stage of the game?'
If so, great. I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing for the team.
And if so, I am also going to ask Sez very nicely not to continue bringing this particular issue up...
Today's offering...
Ljosalfar Huntress
or
Thessa
Take your pick
Sept 5 EDIT 1..softened facial features