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Using a Published Artist's Model in a short film or game?

pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7
in New Users

Hello. I need a wolf and a lamb for a project.  I'm looking at model titles "Big Bad Wolf" -- Artists: DAZ Originals and 3D Universe, and "Toonimal Lamb" -- Artist: Daz Originals. My question is, Can I use these as characters in a short CGI film? And what do I need to do to be able to that legally?  Thank you in advance for your time and much needed answer. 

-David 

Comments

  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604

    A video or film is fine.  With a game you are OK as long as you use sprites.  If you actually want to use the model in the game you would need a Game dev license.

    As per the Daz 3D EULA

    Terms of Use. Two Dimensional Works. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, User may (i) access, use, copy and modify the Content in the creation and presentation of two-dimensional animations and renderings, (ii) incorporate two dimensional images (including two dimensional images that simulate motion of three dimensional objects) derived by User from the Content in User’s other works, and (iii) publish, market, distribute, transfer, sell or sublicense User’s two-dimensional animations, renderings and other works; provided that User may not in any case publish, market, distribute, transfer, sell or sublicense any renderings, animations, software applications, data or any other product from which any Content, or any part thereof, or any substantially similar version of the Content can be separately exported, extracted or de-compiled into any re-distributable form or format.

  • pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7

    Thanks a lot Chohole. I am very new. I'm learning in Unreal Engine 4. However, could you please help me understand "as long as I use sprites"? Again, I really appreciate your kindness to help.   

    -David

  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604

    In a game I gather you can make games with 2d sprites, or some games need to have the actual figure mesh in the game.  It is using the actual 3d mesh in a game that needs the Game dev license, which is around $500 for a daz originals one for Indy games. And extra if you use any PA items.

  • pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7

    Thanks again. Though I still don't know what sprites are. Is a sprite where you use the skeleton but use a different original mesh?

     

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,333
    edited March 2016
    Chohole said:

    In a game I gather you can make games with 2d sprites, or some games need to have the actual figure mesh in the game.  It is using the actual 3d mesh in a game that needs the Game dev license, which is around $500 for a daz originals one for Indy games. And extra if you use any PA items.

    If it's a PA only item you will need to negociate each item individually with the PA and of course they can say no if they like. The DAZ Store doesn't actually have a way for you to contact the PAs or buy a game dev license from a PA. You have to figure out how to contact them and if they agree for the items they usually take payment via PayPal. The 'standard' markup for a game item is 5 times the full price of an item in the DAZ Store so it can get expensive very quick.

    If it's a DAZ Original it's the price in the DAZ Store plus a one time game developer license fee so you should try and stick to that.

    There is also the site BlendSwap.com where you probably can find similar models to help you for free if they are shared and licensed as CC0 or other favorable terms.

    Post edited by nonesuch00 on
  • ToborTobor Posts: 2,300
    edited March 2016
    pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 said:

    Thanks again. Though I still don't know what sprites are. Is a sprite where you use the skeleton but use a different original mesh?

    Sprites as used in animation are two-dimensional drawings, played in sequence, like the frames in a movie. You see motion, but it's from these individual frames played back in quick succession. This form of animation is allowed using the standard Daz license.

    Animation where the actual geometry of the model is embedded into the game -- a likely scenario for many types of Unity or Unreal games -- would require the special game license. It can be very expensive to get these game licenses, so you'll want to weigh your choices. Generally is cheaper to go with Unity- or Unreal-specific 3D assets.

    You mention "short CGI film" but also talk about learning Unreal. If you mean you are using Unreal as an animation tool rather than an interactive game platform, that is also allowed in the Daz license. Again, the images are merely 2D, played back to make an animated movie. 

    Post edited by Tobor on
  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604
    nonesuch00 said:
    Chohole said:

    In a game I gather you can make games with 2d sprites, or some games need to have the actual figure mesh in the game.  It is using the actual 3d mesh in a game that needs the Game dev license, which is around $500 for a daz originals one for Indy games. And extra if you use any PA items.

    If it's a PA only item you will need to negociate each item individually with the PA and of course they can say no if they like. The DAZ Store doesn't actually have a way for you to contact the PAs or buy a game dev license from a PA. You have to figure out how to contact them and if they agree for the items they usually take payment via PayPal. The 'standard' markup for a game item is 5 times the full price of an item in the DAZ Store so it can get expensive very quick.

    If it's a DAZ Original it's the price in the DAZ Store plus a one time game developer license fee so you should try and stick to that.

    There is also the site BlendSwap.com where you probably can find similar models to help you for free if they are shared and licensed as CC0 or other favorable terms.

    Those PAs who are happy to have their products used in games have Game Dev licenses available through the Daz 3D store.   http://www.daz3d.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Game+dev+license

  • pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7

    Awesome and tremendously helpful. This gets me set in the right direction from here. Thanks a ton.

    Dave

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,333
    edited March 2016

    Those must be for their entire catalogue. As you see its quite expensive but for someone doing a hobby that wants to publish games without getting into trouble those, DAZ Originals, or Blendswap are you best bets.

    Just because an PA isn't listed doesn't mean they don't sell game licenses and usually you don't need to buy their entire catalogue, you just negociate with what you need and want.

    Post edited by nonesuch00 on
  • pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7

    Thanks nonesuch00. Both of the assets/characters I'm looking to use are by "Daz Originals" so that's good, right. All I would need then is the regular game dev license if I wanted to use them in a game. But for using them in an animated short film, it seems I don't even need that...is that correct??

     

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,333
    pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 said:

    Thanks nonesuch00. Both of the assets/characters I'm looking to use are by "Daz Originals" so that's good, right. All I would need then is the regular game dev license if I wanted to use them in a game. But for using them in an animated short film, it seems I don't even need that...is that correct??

     

    Well be careful here since you mention the Unreal game engine...the short film must be distributed as output of a series of 2 dimensional images played consecutively and not be a non-interactive playback of 3D meshes that is distributed (eg a demo of game action using DAZ Original meshes) even though those two methods can look exactly the same.

  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604
    edited March 2016
    pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 said:

    Thanks nonesuch00. Both of the assets/characters I'm looking to use are by "Daz Originals" so that's good, right. All I would need then is the regular game dev license if I wanted to use them in a game. But for using them in an animated short film, it seems I don't even need that...is that correct??

     

    As I said in my first post,  You don't need a Game Dev License to make a film or video, that usage is covered by the normal DAZ 3D EULA.

    I will admit to not knowing anything about the Unreal game engine. Daz 3D (on their sister site) actually sells assets which can be Used in Unity  https://www.morph3d.com/

    Post edited by Chohole on
  • pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7

    "Helpful" just skyrocketed to superb!! wink Just signed up for MCS Lite

    Thanks 

  • nonesuch00nonesuch00 Posts: 18,333
    edited March 2016

    Oh yeah, I forgot about those. They are as good as a DAZ game dev license without the big price for most purposes. They are a part of DAZ I'm pretty sure.

    Post edited by nonesuch00 on
  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604

    As I said   Daz 3d's Sister site.

    nonesuch00 said:

    Oh yeah, I forgot about those. They are as good as a DAZ game dev license without the big price for most purposes. They are a part of DAZ I'm pretty sure.

     

  • pointoflife14_fd461d9b19pointoflife14_fd461d9b19 Posts: 7

    The MCS Lite looks like it's a stand alone studio interface, separate from DAZ. But anyway, it looks like I may be able to completely morph my own character from the MCS Male base. 

     

  • ChoholeChohole Posts: 33,604

    May be separate from Daz Studio (DS) the program     but the site is part of Daz 3D. (the Company)

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