Morals, rules and GLIntercept

I question very seriously the supposed creator's statement that they don't want to give you the source files "purely because of the size." You can get exactly the same information that they propose you get from this content stealing software directly from them by having them drop the item from their own SL inventory onto your profile. To them there is no "size" issue involved because LL's own servers will deal with transferring the data to you.

This smells very much like somebody who has illegally obtained this content and has no right to give you any permissions whatever regarding copying it, therefore the need for them to have you use software which was created solely for the purpose of stealing other people's content to get it.

My advice to you, tread warily here.

Sounds like sour grapes to me. And how do you mean copied...imitated or outright duplicated without your permission and using the same texture IDs? The programs mentioned in this thread are LL approved for archival purposes by the creators or those they give express permission to. While unethical people can misuse them, this should not deter honest people from discussing their use. While the programs were named, no instructions were given on how to use them, and as far as importing sculpt maps and exporting a model to tweak in another application that's standard chat in the Building Tips subforum where very respected creators and developers try to smooth the work pipeline for content creation. Honestly, I'm more apt to call certain 3rd party viewers as being distributed mostly for dishonest use rather than the methods mentioned here. As Ann Otoole said, Linden Labs has the power to simply put an end to literally all of the misuse that goes on with certain programs, or at least enough to calm people down and going on witch hunts and pointing fingers.

While at first I was suspicious of the OP's claims, I have no doubt she's operating above board and is genuine in her request. That said, the rest is conjecture.

I think it's better to know about things like GLI before one spends a lot of time creating a texture-based SL business, than finding out about it the hard way after investing a lot of time and money into work that is stolen. It helps one make a better decision about whether or not to open such a business in the first place.

And it's really not the same to hear about how easy it is to steal content, compare to the experience of using something like GLI, knowing first hand how easy it is to obtain and use the tools.

I dont think the ligitimacy of the creator can be questioned. Atleast not on an SL level. Im not saying who they are but they are the only person providing this in SL and they talk like they really know what they are doing. Though it is amazingly good quality. Not saying they havnt duped it from some other source, that I dont know. But its currently, most definately unique in SL.

The shapes are very well defined and texture quality quite high, I found the sculpts are slow to load too. And by source files I mean the .max files for 3DS and with the quality of the sculpts I can understand them being large, and if he is on a slow internetconnection then it may easily take a while to upload them.

The point is that he has already uploaded them or else the product would not exist in SL for you to use a texture ripper to take a copy of it. His argument that he doesn't want to send you the originals because "of the size" is pure falsehood, "size" hasn't got a bloody thing to do with it. All he has to do is transfer the textures from his inventory that he has already uploaded, and he's done, he doesn't even have to send you any actual data.

This is what makes his integrity extremely questionable. Either that or he doesn't understand a thing about what he's doing in SL and needs somebody to explain the facts to him.

Real artists do not care about copiers because for them creating is an urge, as irresistible as thirst or sleep.

Real artists are crappy businessmen and are proud of standing for something that is better than money.

obscurity is never a valid way to try and protect things.... especially not when you can just google 'copy secondlife textures' and poof you get the same info... we need SL to fix it, or just tolerate it.

I would help with how to do this.... but I'd need proof you actually paid the multiple thousands of dollars for that software... since it only takes basic knowledge of the program which comes in the user manual to acomplish it.

Don't be so sure... the programs she's using arn't so bad, but the other one people hate with a passion, I use to move things *I* create between my personal sim, and SL.... but oh no, just because I have the software and sign into SL with it, some people think i'm worse then satan himself.

Oh, so you are back huh? Little sabbatical over?

I have a potato sack for you shortie.

I agree with this.

I can agree with this.

Won't stop me from creating, but it still sucks to have your work copied and someone else taking credit. That IS one thing a "real artist" cares about

Errrr...

Well i realised i would never die sooo, you really felt i was gone?

I have had real "conversations" (a euphemism) about this in my real artistic world. As a Real artist (not in 2D format) I can assure you that we DO care about copiers despite the irresistible urge to create (which is quite resistable at 3 in the morning).

Further, most are not "crappy businessmen", but a mixture of both genders who - if they are in the "scene" - have management or representation who provide exposure and business detailing. The idea of management as a scam is a true stereotype in a business that is highly competitive and only attracts the seriously-inclined personality.

While I agree that what I produce is better than money, I must, nevertheless, eat and sleep in comfort, drive several very sweet vehicles and enjoy weeks when I can rest and feel my life has quality and meaning. This all means I must have "lakhs" of money that is a steady income from my "art"

A rich artist is not a diminished artist; a rich artist represents exposure and success in a world that favours the Philistine.

and actually even in the real world artists get stolen from and will complain about it... Robert Bateman and Trisha Romance being two that come to mind immediately... with art shops selling 'prints' that were just cut out of coffee table books and never ment to be distributed as 'prints'. (not that it stopped me from buying... having 4 of the bateman's done that way on my walls).

Who can truely devine a 'Real Artist'
I don't care how driven you are to create... when you are doing all that work, yet someone else makes a fortune over it and, even worse than money, takes all credit for your creation, after putting your sole and energy into it, you surtenly will be mad.

If I stumble upon a stolen piece of work, in any form, I will inform the true creator if I know her/his name.

I strongly believe that credit should go to the true creator.

Example: I do use the ban device on my sim for a sertan viewer. If someone claims to use that viewer for whatever ppurpose, may it be crabbing textures lost in inventory the person made themself, but forgot to back-up. That 'sound' like a legit reason.

My answer to those: then there is nothing to worry about, just don't viisit otheer sims with this viewer. There is no legit reason for them to back-up their stuff on my sim.