SaM Thread

The idea is simple:

SaM (Share and Mod) is a way to use the Moddb system to better advantages.
I realize Addons are neat little adds to place into a game, but rather than a little add-in, this is a database of various things that modders/developers would find helpful, like editable models, textures, maps... ect.

More or less, its a collection of things you will allow for other people to use freely.
All the user would need to do it note who made the original file.

I had this idea awhile back but decided to refine it, thanks to a certain thread.

I have bundles of textures in my laptop, not to mention gigs more in my PC. I also was practicing modeling and have a handful of weapons and props and what-not laying around. I also have a bundle of various audio files and code snippets.
I was thinking if I have stuff laying around, maybe others have something useless to them but useful to other modders?

Naturally its midnight so I'm a little groggy but the architecture would be similar to this:

- Models
   > Blender
   > 3Ds max
   > Ect
- Textures
   > Completed Textures
      > Ground
      > Buildings
      > Ect
   > Unrefined photos
      > Ground
      > Buildings
      > Ect
- Sounds
   > Ambiance
      > Rain
      > Footsteps
   > Soundtracks
      > ...Ect
   > Ect
- Maps
   > Hammer
   > Sandbox 2
   > Ect

... And the upload form would be along these lines (Maybe add more?):

*File: {Mymodel.rar}
Texture Size: {1024x1024 diffuse, normal, spec}
Game that file is intended for: {Source}
*[ ] "I ensure this file is entirely original and of my own work... and I allow the community to freely use/edit my art."
*Required
(Main points of the upload form are the checkbox and the 'game that file is intended for', in case the said file is specifically for a certain engine.

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What else goes along with this?

- I'd like to propose that these SaM files should be allowed to have 1-3 photos. I dislike the addon's 1 screenshot only feature, but I also don't think it deserves a 'profile' since that seems to be a lot to manage.

0 I do want to highly recommend some sort of rating/comment system, so that maps that crash on start-up won't frustrate dozens of modders to no end with no means of why its crashing.

---

Aren't these just like Addons?
- Nope! These are editable files and art assets that modders would find useful. Art such as 'Player skins' could be defined as a addon and a SaM file, but most other files would not.
For example, if you wanted to make an addon for Mech Warfare Co-op, a Torque project, you would need to make the addon as a DTS model file, a file that cannot be changed.
A SaM file would be the original model in the original program, possibly already ready for export.

What if the creator uploads something that isn't his?
- The agreement with the upload would uploader responsible. Anything against the terms of use could (and just may) result in a ban or taking down the said upload.

How will this be beneficial?
- This would save hours for modders without having to digging around texture sites and puts more art assets in the same place.

You linked to this thread, are you implying this should be a 'gold member' service?
- Nope, this is sheerly to help out other modders. Assuming the gold member service goes into business, gold members would get better download times and perhaps even a special comment box, so that gold member's comments are more stand-out than the rest.

Whatcha think?

This is sort of the touchy issue.
More than likely it will end up with a lengthy and precise Submission Policy for uploaded art assets. Kind of annoying but pretty much how it would have to be.

Hence the review system.
A very poorly rated gun model, for example, would receive low rates and would be less likely to be downloaded in the future. Not to mention it may have comments on why its poorly rated, which can be very beneficial constructive criticism (If only that would go perfectly to plan).
So, for example:
Jimi's super-awesome laser rifle thats been UV'ed, animated, and shined to perfection will be rated 4-5 stars (out of 5).
Ninjadave's 'found in the model bin' block pistol that crashes on start-up will certainly get 0-1 stars (out of 5).

Jimi's model will be noticed, while my block pistol more than likely won't be seen again.

SinKing wrote:There are a lot of strong points that speak for this idea. I often wondered myself why people would want to create the same set of weapons over and over, unless for practice. Wouldn't it be so much easier to share these models?

Too true. Now mods won't have to suffer by having just unskinned Ak-47 rifles.

That's pretty much what I was trying to get at with the 'relating to addons' part, but I wasn't too clear with it.
Its what I get for typing that up at midnight.

... Which is funny, because its just about midnight right now.

I appreciate it!

Until then I might just put some of my textures onto my profile for downloads and try to get more views than Henley.

I definitely see some potential ...

I just hope that people actually donate to it rather than hoard their models ... I'd probably donate some clutter models ... chairs ... lights ... whatever ...

Although I'd also hate to see a bunch of people who don't know what they're doing when it comes to modding download stuff and post it in their mod profiles like little trophies distinguishing their "progress"

Hey man,I just wanted to say that I never meant to pinch your post earlier on and if the reply that stated
that a similar topic had already been posted had provided a link to this post,I would have proceeded differently.
Like maybe working together for the same result. Sounds stupid now but I'm just sayin.... sorry.

It was a character model with a different set up. I couldn't model then, so we all had to sit around to get a player model with the correct set up.
I should have picked up modeling and did it myself with how long it took.

I still think teams could benefit from a little extra help!