Licensing Agreement: (Simple and Fair)
When you send your request for a 3D model, I'll attach a copy of this for your reference. By purchasing any 3D model from mikejamesmedia.com, you agree to the following:
General:
All 3D software has it's quirks, and I cannot be responsible for minor issues that result from exporting files to a non-native format. (usually, just flipped normals) However, I will work with you to try different file formats, if required. See below, on this page, for an example.
Digital use:
Since these models produce a part of my income, the most important consideration is that you promise not to ever redistribute this 3D model file in any form. That would jeopardize my income, and ruin the value of your purchase. Otherwise, you are free to use renderings of it in any personal or commercial illustration or animation projects. Crediting Mike James as the creator is appreciated, but not required. To further protect your investment, (but not a requirement) I suggest that you avoid publishing any orthogonal images of the model.
Manufacturing:
You are free to use the 3D model for any other purpose you like, including manufacturing parts for your personal use, (i.e to build a model at a different scale, for display or RC use) except that you are NOT licensed to redistribute, resell it, or use it for any sort of model or "kit" manufacturing. (another form of redistribution) That would fall under a specific manufacturing agreement, and I would expect to be paid a commission on those sales. Contact me before purchasing, if that is your intention.
Thank you.
- Mike James
File formats available:
All models are produced using the latest version of "modo", by Luxology. So, if you're a modo user, you can skip the rest of this page. (You get ".lxo" files.)
I can also provide several other modern file formats, including DXF, .OBJ, Lightwave objects and scenes, and Rhino's .3DM. Just let me know what works best for you. Textures won't normally be a problem, because most of my aircraft have simple materials and colored polygons, rather than complex UV maps.
A simple example, to illustrate a common problem:
If you're an experienced 3D modeler, you already know what I'm about to explain here. If not, please review the information below, so you're not disappointed. Here's a typical example of what can happen when you import or export models from one format to another.
Here's an old version of my F-22 model, in it's native format, in "Carrara Studio". It looks fine.
Here's the same F-22 model, in it's native format, in "modo". It looks fine. (better, actually)
The issue:
Models look as good as you build them, in their native format, as you can see in the images above. But, problems sometimes arise when you import and export them, among various 3D software packages. The problem you see in the images below is the most typical one, and is called "reversed normals". It's mainly caused by two things.
Each polygonal 3D package does things a little differently. Some software tends to use triangular polygons, while others can use polygons of nearly any shape. (polygons with four sides, for example) So when converting one type of polygon to another, each piece of software uses it's own methods.
Second, even if you're not changing the polygon type... Not all software reads the individual points in the polygons in the same order. What happens then (the reversed normals) is that you can import a perfectly-built model into your software, and it may look like the images below.
There isn't any actual "damage", or "deformation".
What you're seeing in the images below is that some polygons are facing the wrong way, and appear "transparent", which can be visually confusing. All experienced 3D modelers know this, and you have to expect that you may have to do some editing of the model, (usually just flipping polygons) to make it look right in your particular 3D package. When I transitioned from "Carrara Studio" to "modo", ALL of my models required editing, to correct these issues. We all go through it.
Because of this issue, which is completely outside my control, I can't guarantee that you won't have to do any editing. And, because of the nature of 3D models, (being easily copied) I must make all sales final. It's up to you to edit these problems as necessary, to make the model fit your software package. The exception to that is that if you use "modo", you can depend on it that the models won't have the problem, since there's no conversion required.
Below: The "Carrara Studio" model, exported as an "obj" file, and imported into "modo". (some flipped polygons)
Below: The "modo" model, exported as an "obj" file, and imported into "Carrara Studio". (flipped polys and missing textures)
