GoW-only tool?

[Metabasalt1]

I agree with Boblishman, I would like to see the blender file for animated door age please. Post it on the forum if you can. I would also like to see the plugin that Cyan released for 3ds Max. I am a registered 3ds Max user, although it seems like blender is a more powerful tool than 3ds Max. 3ds Max is just in my mind initially more intuitive.
Thanks.

[Nadnerb]

If I can, I'll attach both the age and blend file to the animations wiki page. Note that the page is still unreleased because there is STILL no pyprp 1.5 release.

[TomahnaGuy]

So, Cyan have agreed to give the Guild of Writers tools. I'm sure it has been asked, but the GoW [b]will[/b be making these available to it's members once they recieve them - that's what I understood.

Just to clarify.

TG

[TomahnaGuy]

I happen to have cpy of 3DSMax 9 on this PC. When Cyan release the plugin, will this benefit me more than it would someone usin Blender and PyPrp - if so, is that fair?

TG

[Nek'rahm]

Clarification noted

But yes, it will be interesting to see how the program will be given out, though I'm sure Cyan has a plan set (or in the works... *remembers Chacal's post a while ago*)

[belford]

Since I started this thread, I'll follow up. I asked my question at the chat event, and got a simple answer:

belford: You (and the roadmap) mentioned releasing the 3DS Max plugin to the Guild of Writers. Right now, the GoW is literally defined as anybody who drops by the GoW forum and participates. So that means releasing the plugin to everybody. Is that what you want? Or do you see limiting it to a core developer team?
Chogon: Yes, it is to be released to all that want them. The GoW is just the *mechanism* to get it out. (heh)
belford: yay. Thanks

An earlier answer made it clear that they want PyPRP to continue to exist and become a MORE development tool:

Lontahv: Chogon> When Fan-Created-Ages are allowed will you "legalize" pyprp... if you know what I mean. Because I've grown very used to Blender and comfortable with adding features to PyPrp and would like to continue.
Chogon: Yes. PuPrp will be one of the tools. When the source for the plugin get released then the authors of PyPrp can modify it to include more things.

[TomahnaGuy]

Ah, I see. Okay, so things are being clarified. Good good!

TG

[dtierce]

Ok, I'm big on processes, so here is my impression of what the process for fan publications should be.

1) Writer creates a submission.
2) Each Maintainer inspecting that submission provides feedback to the Writer. This provides an avenue for improvement for GoW.
3) The GoMa determines (by their own criteria) whether to forward the submission to Cyan for final approval along with an inspection summary. A copy is also forwarded to the GoC for mapping (unless the author has already done this). An official GoMa summary report is sent to the Writer to signal acceptance.
4) Cyan provides feedback to the GoMa regarding their inspection summary. This provides an avenue for improvement for GoMa.
5) Cyan determines (by their own criteria) whether to publish the submission. An official Cyan summary report is sent to the Writer and to the GoMa inspectors to signal acceptance. Notification of published submissions is sent to GoMe.

EXCEPTIONS:
... Any Writer can contact Cyan directly with a copy of their submission (along with the GoMa feedback) if they feel the GoMa is overly severe or discriminatory in their approvals.
... Cyan can censor or block contact from any particular Writer for abuse of the process exceptions.
... Cyan can request the GoMa to revise inspection criteria that they feel are out of line.

As guild operation smooths out, I would expect a submission to move quickly after getting past step 3. Additional content in the form of Hints and/or Walk-through guides may be created by anyone, but would most likely come from (IMHO) the GoMa.

I hope a process such as this provides enough checks and balances to alleviate the fears expressed in this thread. At the same time, I hope it does not pose any significant obstacle to the publication of fan content.

David Tierce

[Frisky Badger]

First off, dtierce, see the FCAL process that was posted today. It's on the MOUL forum as well as the GoMa forum. We've already got a start on this, with some help from Cyan.

1) Writer creates a submission.

Yes

2) Each Maintainer inspecting that submission provides feedback to the Writer. This provides an avenue for improvement for GoW.

We kind of already do that

3) The GoMa determines (by their own criteria) whether to forward the submission to Cyan for final approval along with an inspection summary. A copy is also forwarded to the GoC for mapping (unless the author has already done this). An official GoMa summary report is sent to the Writer to signal acceptance.

The criteria will be determined by Cyan. Period. Also, it will be a combination of Maintainers and Writers on a rotating FCAL panel that suggest approval to Cyan. The GoC stuff sounds good but you'd have to ask them. I'm not sure who will tell the Age creator if Cyan approved.

4) Cyan provides feedback to the GoMa regarding their inspection summary. This provides an avenue for improvement for GoMa.

Fine with me. The fans criticize and second guess Cyan all the time; seems only fair for the tables to turn.

5) Cyan determines (by their own criteria) whether to publish the submission. An official Cyan summary report is sent to the Writer and to the GoMa inspectors to signal acceptance. Notification of published submissions is sent to GoMe.

I don't know about the summary report and all that. I think we might just get a "yea" or "nay" from Cyan. The GoMe stuff sounds good, but again, you'd have to talk to them.

... Any Writer can contact Cyan directly with a copy of their submission (along with the GoMa feedback) if they feel the GoMa is overly severe or discriminatory in their approvals.

Not sure how we could be overly severe or discriminatory. I'm sure the guidelines for approval will be very well documented and publicized. We aren't inspecting these Ages for how good they look or how "Myst"-ish they are. We're watching out for copyright infringement, contradicting storylines, etc.

... Cyan can censor or block contact from any particular Writer for abuse of the process exceptions.

Obviously. The fans might be helping out, but Cyan is still calling the shots.

... Cyan can request the GoMa to revise inspection criteria that they feel are out of line.

Well, Cyan sets the criteria, so...

I hope a process such as this provides enough checks and balances to alleviate the fears expressed in this thread. At the same time, I hope it does not pose any significant obstacle to the publication of fan content.

Yeah, pretty much someone is going to have a problem, no matter how things are handled.

As always, good feedback David.

[BladeLakem]

We aren't inspecting these Ages for how good they look or how "Myst"-ish they are. We're watching out for copyright infringement, contradicting storylines, etc.

So 'story' is becoming part of the domain of the Maintainers as well?