So, for my Argonian Statue model that I have revealed. . .I think I may have jumped into making it without thinking.

Naturally I am VERY impulsive and when I get an idea for something I jump to it without think of the consequences, until I've already begun said project or action. This to be honest is due to a multitude of psychological disorders I have been diagnosed with.

My point is, some questions on my behalf I need to ask.

This Argonian statue which I love the looks of, may not come to be released due to such issues. Yet, I will try my best to do so. The reason behind this is the fact the statue is mostly comprised of Resource meshes for Morrowind, Vanilla Morrowind meshes, and some meshes from other mods. As I will not be using any textures from any of them[I'll be making my own textures from Freeware sources that I am able to use], I'd like to point out, the meshes I used, I chopped up, reshaped much of them to fit the statues poses, and designs and some of the meshes I had to nearly remodel [meaning that I deleted so much that I rebuilt much of the model].

So my questions are: Why is chopping something up like that so bad? What are said consequences? And How exactly will said reactions be?

And I'd like to apologize. I am just starting to realize that a lot of modders don't like their stuff chopped up.

And the biggest question, is there a way to still get this released regardless of said issues. . .

Most modders are very accomodating, just shoot them a PM or email asking permission to use their models in your mod and most will say yes.

From what I understand is "Using" the models of someone and "Chopping" them are different things. That's why I am suddenly worried I might have done all this tedious work for the statue for naught, due to this miscalculation. T_T That would sadden me tremendously!

Just go ahead and release it. Give credit in the readme for work that is done by someone else. Everyone has different philosophies regarding what is and isn't acceptable so if we don't make a decision to do something then nothing would get done especially when the original author is MIA. i do so all the time with my mods ,i respect the wishes of authors who have stated strongly that they don't want their work re-using in any way shape or form , other than that everything is fair game as far as i am concerned, although i prefer to use the works of modders who have stated their work may be adapted however we wish.

I doubt there would be legal consequences for releasing fan art that is made in good faith , but it would be nice for you to remove parts in the unlikely event an original author requests that you do so.

You know, when it comes to permissions (trust me, I deal with this tricky area a lot!) you deal with gray areas quite a bit. It seems to become even trickier once you get into those areas dealing specifically with artwork...modelling, texturing, etc.

From a strictly legal standpoint (and please keep in mind it varies greatly based upon locale) but there's often a standard of a "70% threshold" for copyright. In a nutshell this means that if you change something to the point that it is only 70% original, or rather it is 30% brand new, you can put a new copyright on it.

That's copyrights though....and we don't deal with copyrights around here. We deal with respect. And that's an entirely different ball of yarn.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Did you ask the original artist if you can use their work as a basis for your own? (Excluding vanilla of course, we all use vanilla work as a basis for our mods.) If not, it might be worth making the effort.
2. Did the original artist put anything in their readme about using their work?
3. Have you created this with any ill intention in mind? If so, then don't release it....and if so, don't release anything you create and just go away. Certainly that isn't the case, you undoubtedly were inspired and wanted to create something beautiful, and that's what you've done.

Go ahead and share it! Just make sure to give all credit where credit is due. We all stand on the shoulders of giants.

Mostly that is what I am scared of haha. IF I remove parts. .. like you suggested. . .well. . . There would be almost nothing to it. . It wouldn't be good. Or as cool. Or as detailed. Or as anything. It'll be bland. I am a guy of detail. The textures I plan to make will be detailed, with realistic textures [scales and stuff for the Argonian statue and other designs, like wood and e.c.t., but all of this will be gray and have a stone them]. The point?

Well, clearly details such as such as scales, designs, and artwork and such, can be carved into stone, and hence That is what I am trying to imitate.

I am using these certain mods, and not all the readmes had anything about whether I could use them or not; But I reshaped the Better bodies, and better beasts [to get poses], I used the Sm_Vissed by midgetalien, [which Idk whether to ask him or the one that modeled it before him]. I used Some vanilla models, and the Argonians v.1.0 By Silicon Bros.

Oh and I didn't see anything about the use of the Sonohorian Armor mod for morrowind converted from Oblivion.. . .But have been unable to locate SB and I can't find anything about the usage of Better beasts and better bodies and better heads.

You appear to be worrying unnecessarily. How about me releasing it then, you send me the finished product and i will mention you in the credits Then the consequences will be on me for the release and you will be able to sleep easily and still get the credit that is due for your efforts

Sorry I am new to this all and just trying to set up a name and image for myself before I leave. [Not permanently but near this months end or early next month I am hiking from Washington State to Los Angeles California].

I guess I do worry hhaha, I just fear the idea of setting up a bad name for myself, which tends to be important to me. Besides that, as for your offer, I honestly couldn't do that too you. I mean, what kinda of person would that make me if I did? xD

Washington state? That's my home turf! What part of the state are you from, if you don't mind my asking?

Southern Washington. If you know of Walla Walla, in Washington near the border of Oregon, then you know that's where I live until I leave on the journey.

Right on, that's just a few hours from me, I'm up near Spokane.

On topic though, it might be helpful if you posted a screenshot here of the statue in question. I can't speak for anyone else, but I never saw the screen you referenced in the OP.

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370914-argonian-resources-wip/ This is the thread for it. I think you may have actually seen it already. XD I could be wrong though. hahah

Yeah, that you are even worrying about it shows you have a lot of respect. I would personally just release it, with the proviso that you will take it down/modify it if someone complains.

Everyone deserves respect unless proven otherwise. Besides, It's not only me respecting others wishes. It goes a little further; I also cannot afford to remove any piece of it that is actually using another's model. If I do, then I'll have to scrap the entire Statue in accordance.

At the very least, shoot an email to the address in the Silicon Bros model pack's readme. I've used his models before, he's super cool and I can almost guarantee he'll have no problem with it, but he does explicitly ask in the readme for people to ask permission first.

Wow. . How did I not see that?! xD thank you for pointing that out. and I shall do so. I have already asked Midgetalien for the permission to used the Vissed, but I haven't gotten a reply yet.

Well, New Beast Bodies certainly isn't a problem:

Oh wait, you meant Slof's Better Beasts eh? Forgot about that one. Did you e-mail Slof? She should really put permissions in that readme, rather than having "* Please do not upload this file anywhere else." on her site, since that doesn't really cover using it to make a statue.

I used the New Beast Bodies 3.3 Argonian Male mesh. By Liztail I believe. So I am not using the Slof's better beasts.