TS4 Sims & Modeling Chat Thread

Hi guys, some of you know me and some of you don't. But my name is Angel and I have been modeling in the past for a long time and hosting and judging as well. Before in the past I didn't realize it because I didn't expand beyond this community. But after I left in 2014/15, I started to join the art community, I have experience selling art, trading, critiquing, etc. with other artists and an active user on another forum! I didn't realize how terrible the theft was in the art industry, and now that I have come back to the forums I finally figured out that we have been stealing others art for our props, hair, backgrounds. Believe me there are MANY talented photoshoppers out there that do this for a living, but in this community I've seen people claim assignments, photos, backgrounds, hair, etc. as their own. The professionals and non-professionals that photoshop NON-Copyrighted stock photos, do their job correctly, meaning they ask for permission from the original creator & give credit. Don't get me wrong, everyone here is great but there are times when the theft gets overboard and people claim things they are not actually capable of and belong to someone else. I have personally dealt with art theft and to know someone is out there selling my work for profit, that I worked SO terribly and graciously hard on hurts like hell. This post was about the art theft and copyright of images, it only gets serious if you sell your artwork + claiming that a background you have is yours when it's a copyrighted stock from another creator; they can get into some tough legal work with you if it's serious. But everyone here should be safe, I just want everyone to know about this because I see right through it. Don't claim something that isn't yours, respect the original artists who gave you your model's scene background, give credit and sources.. I can't stand seeing this anymore and as you can tell other art forums take theft seriously; if this forum were to take it into their own hands things would be a lot more different from the modeling community. Anyway, this was a rant I wanted to get off my chest and let everyone know about this, I am not starting any fights, calling anyone out or offending anyone I just want you guys to be aware of the art you are creating.

"Angel_Zarr;15259874" wrote:
Hi guys, some of you know me and some of you don't. But my name is Angel and I have been modeling in the past for a long time and hosting and judging as well. Before in the past I didn't realize it because I didn't expand beyond this community. But after I left in 2014/15, I started to join the art community, I have experience selling art, trading, critiquing, etc. with other artists and an active user on another forum! I didn't realize how terrible the theft was in the art industry, and now that I have come back to the forums I finally figured out that we have been stealing others art for our props, hair, backgrounds. Believe me there are MANY talented photoshoppers out there that do this for a living, but in this community I've seen people claim assignments, photos, backgrounds, hair, etc. as their own. The professionals and non-professionals that photoshop NON-Copyrighted stock photos, do their job correctly, meaning they ask for permission from the original creator & give credit. Don't get me wrong, everyone here is great but there are times when the theft gets overboard and people claim things they are not actually capable of and belong to someone else. I have personally dealt with art theft and to know someone is out there selling my work for profit, that I worked SO terribly and graciously hard on hurts like plum. This post was about the art theft and copyright of images, it only gets serious if you sell your artwork + claiming that a background you have is yours when it's a copyrighted stock from another creator; they can get into some tough legal work with you if it's serious. But everyone here should be safe, I just want everyone to know about this because I see right through it. Don't claim something that isn't yours, respect the original artists who gave you your model's scene background, give credit and sources.. I can't stand seeing this anymore and as you can tell other art forums take theft seriously; if this forum were to take it into their own hands things would be a lot more different from the modeling community. Anyway, this was a rant I wanted to get off my chest and let everyone know about this, I am not starting any fights, calling anyone out or offending anyone I just want you guys to be aware of the art you are creating.

No offense, but this is a bit of an exaggeration. There are literally hundreds of thousands of free to use/ unrestricted stocks and images on the internet that do not demand credit when used. I always check whenever I use a stock to make sure that it doesn't have any stipulations attached, so I really wouldn't be ok with the assumption that I was a thief for using it. Most stocks are shared so that they can be used by other artists in their work. People shouldn't be made to feel bad for using them. Especially in something as minuscule a modeling comp. I'm not saying theft doesn't happen, we all know it does, but you can't make those kinds of accusations without first knowing the source.

Doesn't it only become an issue mainly if you are using others work and then you sell it claiming it is your own or it could be if you publish it in any way, not sure? In these competitions, I don't think too many would be selling the works they create here, however if they do then it can become an issue. It's the same with my writing, even using someone else's lyrics or certain names or quotes something from someone else, in your books requires getting permission from the original author, photographer etc.

I dont think her main point was saying that you couldn't use stock :o? (i could be wrong) - but rather certain people are copy and pasting things/stocks claiming it as there own "hard editing work" etc. ^-^
If you're not doing it then nothing to worry about yeah ? c:
I know who she's talking about in terms of whose claiming things are they're own too cause when I came back and read some threads i saw that too. .

And she even said herself that it only gets *serious* if you start selling it ^-^ Maybe there was just a misunderstanding of her post - it happens .
Professional artist - like Angel said use textures all the time from google - and stocks too. (Of course in consideration of the stocks - since their selling it they need to be wary - but ive seen some artist use textures just randomely snipped from google so i think that part is ohkayy . . see omrikoresh : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHuXbEBIUYedlAdODF4cv7A )

I can understand feeling upset though if you felt like it was a personal attack and you should speak how you feel always ^-^. But yeah I dont think Angel meant it like such is all ^^

@chellemh29 I'm sorry if I upsetted you or anything (wasn't my intentions but I understand if I still did anyways) - I didn't see the post before the edit but don't feel like I'd lash out on you or anything if you speak your mind :) Or message me privately whatever works ;-;

@Eliavah oh no don't worry about it Eli. I was going to say something in regards to interpretation, but to be honest my heart really just isn't up for a debate right now. I really don't spend enough time here to really be able to open my mouth anyways. :). I do use a lot of background props and stocks to enhance my edits sometimes, so I guess it did feel a little personal. Maybe that's just due to me feeling a bit emotional right now. No worries, and I'm sorry if I took anything you said out of context @Angel_Zarr .

@chellemh29 I don't mean any offense or accusation in that rant of mine. So no I didn't make false accusations, because it does happen. Theft does happen in the community and some experienced editors, models, professionals can easily spot out something that was stolen. I understand that there are hundreds of thousands but I was just talking about the integrity and hard work these artists put into their pieces and people (AND I'm talking like, 2012-2016, many different people; NOT JUST people right now) on this site start claiming things they have no credit for. I just wanted our new editors or models or people just starting out to keep in mind what things you are taking from the internet. I know it means nothing to people and my rant was exaggerated or useless but it was something important to me that I wanted people in this community to be aware of. This community, this modeling community is indeed small-scale compared to selling art or blasting it on another site claiming every bit is yours; I wouldn't have addressed it here if this community wasn't important to me. I was EXACTLY the same, I used copyrighted images, artwork, stocks, drawn backgrounds that dont belong to me and I never once credited the artist, I never said "oh yes that background was drawn by ___ she is so talented!" I guess it's just me looking back at how terribly selfish I was when I was here a while ago, I was horribly conceited and unoriginal and I stole from people's ideas rather than generating my own, creating my own background, etc. From one model to another I just wanted to let people know about this, no matter the importance or scale of the situation.

@Jendowoz0612 Yeah it only becomes a legal issue if you start selling/making profit. I doubt anyone does that here but yeah I just wanted people to know the extent to go to with taking backgrounds, stocks, hairs, etc. from the internet and just appreciate the original artist beforehand if that makes any sense.

@Angel_Zarr I understand what you are saying Angel, really I do, but let me ask you this.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5825/30124203516_ecc568e20a_b.jpg

This is one of MY backgrounds. (though a rushed one to use as and example) I made it, and I claim it as mine. I used a stock window, and curtain, both of which were heavily edited by me. I found a pretty pattern that I broke apart and turned into the wall trim. I mad the wallpaper myself. I use a wood texture for the floor that I found on google, and I used brushed belonging to someone on deviant Art for the shading/lighting, webs, dust...exc. In your oppinion, am I entitled to claim ownership of this background, or do I have to give credit to everyone who's items found their way in? Some of them actually came from retail sites! (widow/curtain images) How would I even go about crediting them?

When you zoom in too much...

http://i.imgur.com/WS3AV0h.png

I finished organizing and updating my cc+models on my drive...that was painful

https://i.gyazo.com/a6f79b2efa62f28e69659fe0e89f29ff.gif

Now everything is backed up in case this laptop gives out.I suggest at the very least,put your models tray on a drive (I use google drive) in case something goes wrong.The sims tray importer was super helpful with exporting them and their cc.

Trust me,it saves a lot of time....rather than getting a new laptop and having to download everything,you can just import them in parts.