machfront
11th level Troll
Stalwart of the Trollbridge
"Let's go dark!"
Posts: 2,147
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Post by machfront on Nov 20, 2009 5:26:00 GMT -5
Same here. I feel sorta bad, too. Part of me always wanted to say something, but I never wanted to come off as a jerk and I didn't want to stir up trouble where there was none and also I had no solid reason to actually think it was thoroughly crooked.
I think I sort of rationalized it thinking that he had some pretty good contacts, and/or had a slick way with acquiring some licensed art. Very talented but non-professional artists are thick on the ground on the web, just on DeviantArt alone, and I thought (and still think) it's highly likely that it would cost peanuts (relatively speaking) to use some pieces from folks like that, especially if they're trying to find work or just do it as a hobby and/or are still in school. Add to that that they'll be getting their stuff out there to a wider audience (even if that audience isn't huge, it's still increases visibility) and I figured it could be done. The truth is, it could have been done... but he didn't.
I just don't get that if there is a crooked art broker, that since James said that he thought it was really unbelievably cheap...that, a man who is a freakin' lawyer didn't think something wasn't quite on the up and up. That's... that's possible, but it sure is hard to believe.
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Post by apeloverage on Nov 20, 2009 5:35:06 GMT -5
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Post by jongjungbu on Nov 20, 2009 9:12:07 GMT -5
I remember thinking that the artwork that "that company" publications used seemed very high standard, considering the likely number of sales. I'm glad this wasn't just me. I was very impressed with all the artwork in the various products I purchased and in HH. I'm interested apeloverage. Got any links to that public domain art? That's all I use in the solos I wrote. Like I have a choice unless I want no art LOL. Or, some kindly artist comes along and makes some nice art for me pro bono, but that's wishful thinking since my solos are free.
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Post by apeloverage on Nov 20, 2009 9:42:52 GMT -5
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Post by mgtremaine on Nov 20, 2009 9:45:09 GMT -5
It would be a good idea to start a resource thread [perhaps with a sticky] to collect the various public domain and more affordable Art sites. From the rpg.net thread I saw this site www.illodeli.com/ which is pay for art but the pricing is not that bad. More like this would be helpful to anyone trying to produce content. Jongjungbu has done a great job with public domain which really show it is possible. -Mike
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Post by hrrrothgarrr on Nov 20, 2009 10:04:04 GMT -5
Dover Publishing offer all sorts of copyright free artwork. Lots of medieval drawings and illustration, Victorian engravings etc.
They sell very nice book and cd collection with themed art. Well worth a look.
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Post by jongjungbu on Nov 20, 2009 10:23:37 GMT -5
Thanks for the links guys. Oh and apeloverage, some of those public domain in the 2nd set you linked to would have been perfect for my Desert solo! In fact, I may have to revise in the future and replace a few. Or maybe I'll just hold off until the next solo, after NRFTWAW.
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danhem
5th Level Troll
Posts: 731
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Post by danhem on Nov 20, 2009 11:38:33 GMT -5
I just checked out the offerings of Dover Publication that Hrrrothgarrr mentioned. Very nice selection of medieval (from multiple cultures) and fantasy images. It's not entirely clear how you can use the images (it mentions using them for personal projects), but since they are listed as 'copyright free' I imagine that they can be used and distributed in published material.
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Post by apeloverage on Nov 20, 2009 13:31:00 GMT -5
IMPORTANT NOTE: I forgot to mention I'm in Australia, and copyright law might be different in the US. So check everything for yourself.
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quoghmyre
7th Level Troll
The Summer Troll
Posts: 1,048
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Post by quoghmyre on Nov 20, 2009 15:52:42 GMT -5
We used to get the Dover catalogues back in the day, they are great. We would buy the occasional book just to keep getting the catalogues.
I've just checked 2 of the books we have, they are definitely copyrighted!!! There is text similar to this: This book belongs to the Dover Pictorial Archive Series. You may use the designs and illustrations for graphics and crafts applications, free and without special permission, provided that you include no more than four in the same publication or project.( For permission ...)
However, republication or reproduction of any illustration by any other graphic service whether it be in a book or in any other design resource is strictly prohibited.
The other book had the same text but the number was ten in the same publication.
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Post by hrrrothgarrr on Nov 20, 2009 16:37:25 GMT -5
Yes, some of Dover's books are copyright free, some are public domain, ome allow some use, some are completely copyrighted. Read the text and conditions carefully before republishing.
The series I am thinking of is intended for re-use and republication.
Likewise copies of paintings may be copyright, even if the painting itself is public domain. Many illustrations (especially of famous paintings) are copyright by the museum that owns the painting.
If you didn't make the picture your self assume it's copyright until showm otherwise.
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Post by apeloverage on Nov 22, 2009 5:09:38 GMT -5
I found this today: opengameart.org/It's intended for video games, but there are a few things that are big enough to be used for web publishing at least (the internet displays things at 72 dots per inch, whereas to get good-quality printing you're supposed to use 300 dpi).
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