Deadweasel

Built, tested and flew yet another AACT variant to the Mün, where it delivered a modified Kurb Burner rover. You know, just to see if it could be done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6mrku-jRw

Yeah, thing is what we're talking about is surrounding Rareden's own interpretive work. Yes, they feature images that are obviously inspired by KSP, but they are his own work based on the visuals alone, meaning he's not replicating game assets and trying to make his own game to compete. If SQUAD were so tight with copyright claims based on visuals alone, YouTube channels that make some decent money like Scott Manley's or Danny2462's wouldn't exist. After all, they're posting content recorded directly from the game, and getting paid from advertising views attached directly to it!

"What? Front and center, come into the church." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu6mrku-jRw AACT-108 "Starseed" Easily carries one of the Kurb Burner rovers to just about anywhere (except maybe Eve, haven't actually tried that particular can of worms yet).

Well, going by that logic, KSP itself is the "Diet Coke of Rocket Design", since everything is so much easier relative to reality. The depth that it adds is that it creates a new consideration for builds and launches. No, you might not run afoul of it very often, but then again it might just instill a conscious thread surrounding launch windows in general while building. (Remember, we're still talking about this in relation to Career Mode, so it kind of makes sense that timing would take a least one step closer to the front row in this regard). Also -and forgive me if this has been called out or addressed already- but what if there were a small window showing the current estimated time to build in the VAB? That way you could see the delay effect your build will have before launching.

The model itself? Yes, most likely there'd be an issue there because you would be profiting personally from something that creates an opportunity for a competing derivative effort, but your "flattened" images could be considered to be covered under "artistic interpretation". Unfortunately that's still a bit of a grey area of copyright, but if your images aren't including the KSP logo, SQUAD might actually be agreeable to your selling them. For example, I would accept a customer's obviously hand-drawn rendition of Mickey Mouse for copies/scans, but I couldn't allow an obvious tracing. That's where the grey area part comes in. I might know for a fact that the customer drew it themselves, but perhaps they replicated the original too faithfully, and Disney would undoubtedly object to us replicating it as well. They would consider it to look too much like their licensed property, and that brings "brand confusion" (which is only fair) into play. That said, the things you've produced aren't really representative of SQUAD's actual content, and (as far as I know) doesn't compete with an existing merchandising effort on their part. Alternative scenario: your contacts with SQUAD get them to notice your work, and next thing you know you're being offered a sweet (paid) gig with them.

I just tried to launch that thing off the screenshot... That's how badly I want to see that stage triggered, apparently.

I took out AACT-102 to shatter windows and cause flight controllers to spill their koffee. We shall not speak of the Javelin-shaped dent on the side of the VAB. No sir, we shan't. We should, however, take particular interest in the winglet that was apparently where Javelin II kept all of that crazy power and maneuverability, for as soon as it was freed from the plane, poof.. ZIIIING! And so begins one winglet's global publicity tour, sparking curiosity, imagination and forest fires everywhere it goes. One winglet, aspiring to heights like none that came before it. One winglet, on a mission to spread the message of science and exploration wherever it goes! One winglet! From half a world away! Bent on just one goal. One place that knows little of such things as Hohmann transfers and launch windows. THIS winglet is bringing its message of freedom, hope, and foolish keyboard fat-fingering to the denizens of.... Antarktika??? One winglet had more air time flitting across the world on its own than I did with a carefully designed, computer-controlled machine.

You know what, I just realized something that hasn't come up yet in FORTY-SEVEN pages.... Is there even such a thing as too much KSP???! I know, mind-blowing, isn't it? I'll give ya a moment or five.

The idea is that you set up a virtual store from which people can buy anything from posters to coffee mugs with your images on them. http://www.cafepress.com is mostly known for t-shirts (in my neck of the woods, at least), but they do the same thing overall, posters included. The way most of the stores work is that you sign an agreement with them that gives them the ability to take a cut of the proceeds based on their materials and production costs, and you get the rest according to the royalty rate you set. When it's ready, a customer goes to your virtual store, and orders a product (poster, t-shirt, whatever) based on one of your images. They pay for it (including shipping costs, if any), the company handles production and delivery, and you get a cut from the sale without having to lift a finger. The downside is that you're getting less in return than if you were creating and shipping them yourself through something like, say, eBay, but the upside is that all you had to do was create the artwork and let the customers decide what kind of products they want, and what size. You don't have to maintain any stock and run the risk of some of it not selling. This is probably the easiest way to ensure your work isn't being ripped and reproduced for sale by others, cheating of you royalties that you as the creator and copyright holder deserve. Copy shops will also do all they can to keep from committing copyright infringement, as long as there's something on the image that identifies the artist in some way. If a customer brought in one of your images, and your name was watermarked on it in some way, they would be refused or at the very least provided with a copyright release form, which an artist or studio can sign to provide documentation that it's acceptable for the business to profit from his work. Photo studios will often do this for their photos if the subject has died, and the photo is being used for a printed memorial, for example.

Wow, that was darned quick! Good work!

Download here! You will need: (edited, PWings unnecessary on this model) B9 Aerospace <del>Procedural wings</del> Aviation lights Fueltastic Hit "i" at launch to see the assigned action groups. If it won't load because I didn't mention a needed part, please let me know and I'll correct the grievous and heinous error (or provide a version that doesn't use that part if you like)!

Began the process of rounding up the Sherpas at Duna so the pilots could get some downtime and prepare for the arrival of their ride home in a few weeks. Sherpas DE-1 and DE-2 met up with IPEV Venture without issues and started putting their birds to sleep. Each rendezvous had gone without a hitch, the dropships approaching and docking quickly and smoothly. ...then it was Jeb's turn, piloting Sherpa-01 (an older out-of date design that had suffered damage, and was slated to be sent to the Breaker after Jeb left for home with Karavel.) The rendezvous once again proceeded smoothly, approaching at a sedate 25m/s. Got into physics range: check, all okay. Got to about 700m out: ummm.. abort? Guys? Anybody? Seems the Breaker had heard of the meal to come, and in its eagerness to partake, broke the wrong ship.

I think maybe that's the aspect that a lot of detractors are missing, right there. The career mode offers a greater opportunity for roleplay/immersion by introducing a kind of linear progression to the game through the challenge of designing working ships, using only the parts you have unlocked so far. Sure, I can see the fans of the sandbox mode wanting to keep this idea far away from it, but it does make a great deal of sense for CAREER mode, the fans of which are not only okay with "artificial limitations"; they have been actively clamoring for it, in the name of increasing the challenge of the game.

You could start your own on-demand printing store! http://www.zazzle.com/sell That way you don't have to mess with shipping, and people can support your work directly with something tangible. Also, it helps ensure your copyright is honored properly. I have to turn away customers looking to copy or print others' artwork all the time, because they simply don't understand that it's not their intended use runs afoul of copyright, but the fact that WE would be making money off of that print. Most are completely understanding once the problem is explained, but having your own outlet for prints of your work would help ensure you're at least compensated for the tangible thing that somebody wants to have of it.

[TABLE=width: 800] <tbody>[TR] [TD]Today, another flight was scheduled for the upcoming crew rotation of the Duna Explorer mission, starting with the six newest members of the expedition itself. Fredely, Kerfred, Sonke, and Nedbin posed for a photo op outside the barracks with the newest additions to the team, Newdon and Jercas. Their transport, a long-term chartered Greenhound "bus", carried the crew to the hangar, where their shuttle up to Karavel awaited. Jercas hesitated at the bus boarding ramp, suddenly overtaken by emotion. He had been hoping for a chance to join the expedition, but his application had only been accepted at the last minute -alongside his fellow pilot and partner in crime Newdon- after completing two critical flights in rapid succession. He and Newdon are assigned as replacement pilots for the Sherpa dropships already on-location at the research site. Though the trip was short in terms of distance, the bus wasn't designed for rapid transit, so the crew had a few more minutes to chatter excitedly with one another about their impending journey Fredely took one last look around the grounds. This would be the last time he and his crew mates would experience the sights and sounds of home for the next three or four years. Newdon, in his eagerness to get started, pushed past Fredely and headed for AACT-105 Slipstream, waiting patiently on the apron for its passengers to board. Newdon and Jercas were the only members of the outbound crew to have flown aboard an AACT shuttle, so they knew where the best seats in the cabin are, (which are of course the front seats closest to the huge screen!) Nedbin was the last to board. He had never seen the AACT shuttles before, and though he found this one quite impressive, he couldn't help the feeling of trepidation at the thought of boarding one. After all, Slipstream had only just passed its flight trials; who knew what kinks might still exist in its design? Their ground transport departed, as most of the crew waved goodbye to Bilster, who volunteered to drive in order to see his friends off. Newdon and Jercas argued over who got to select the channel to watch when the satellite television antenna was enabled for the flight. Chatter amongst the crew tapered off as the large forward screen flickered to life and a small click sounded in their helmet speakers. Slipstream's lights flickered on as the engines began to hum lowly in prestart spool-up. On the screen, a flight safety video began to play for the passengers, and Slipstream eased away from the stopline with its motorized landing gear before the engines could damage the hangar doors. "Welcome aboard the automated atmospheric crew transport model 105," the narrator's voice said to them as images of the shuttle's design faded in and slid smoothly across the screen, "your attention to the following emergency procedures is appreciated." The video came to an end just as Slipstream took up its takeoff position on the runway, and the cabin doors began to close. The forward screen lit up with multiple angles from on-board cameras so the crew could continue to observe the outside world during their flight. The engines roared dully, and everyone felt the craft suddenly lurch forward. In seconds, Slipstream took to the air, and the KSC fell quickly behind. "Definitely more powerful," Newdon noted to Jercas, "but somehow I expected there to be mo- gah!" His lament was cut short by the sudden increase of engine noise and heavy g-forces cramming them all deeper into their seats. Newdon watched the screen wide-eyed as the cameras showed how thoroughly Slipstream was putting his aborted gripe to rest. The passengers spent the next fifteen minutes glued to the screen, watching in amazement as the shuttle rocketed them smoothly and efficiently into orbit. While all aboard were veterans of spaceflight, none had experienced such a luxurious and bump-free flight out of the atmosphere before. Jercas pointed out the real-time statistics displayed near one corner of the screen to Newdon, and both silently wondered just how powerful the shuttle really was if it was capable of achieving orbit entirely at fifty percent of its thrust capability. Soon enough, the growl from the engines died away, and everyone felt the last vestiges of gravity fall away as well. "The shuttle has reached a stable orbit, and is now in the cruise phase of the flight," the narrator's voice helpfully provided, "Please continue to remain in your seats with your restraints securely fastened, for your safety. Estimated flight time remaining is [four] hours, and, [fifteen] minutes. Please enjoy the in-flight entertainment." The screen flickered and switched to showing a movie, which after a moment Newdon realized was Red Planet, starring Kilmer Kerman. "Oh hell no!" he cried, and changed the channel, setting everyone else on a mad scramble for the channel controls on their seats. Bedlam ensued in the cabin for the next hour. Four hours later, Kaddy Shack had just finished, and the credits were cut off by the screen flicking back to the external camera views, accompanied by the now-familiar click of the audio channel, signaling the return of the announcer's voice. "The shuttle is now on final approach to rendezvous with IPEV Karavel. Please secure your personal belongings and ensure your safety restraints are fastened securely for arrival. Estimated time to final docking is [fourteen] minutes, and [twelve] seconds." Everyone aboard watched the video feeds, enraptured by the approach view of the ship that would be their home for the next few months. An awed silence fell over the group, broken only hushed comments. To speak in normal tones just now felt like something akin to blasphemy. Slipstream took her purchase aboard Karavel, announced by a gentle vibration that one would have missed had one not been sitting as still as a rock when it happened. All among the six crew members definitely felt it. A small ping sounded in their helmets, followed by a loud hiss in the cabin, and the announcer's voice in their ears. "The shuttle has docked with its destination. The cabin is now being de-pressurized in preparation for your debarkation. Please stand by." A moment later, the cabin doors slid silently open. Sonke was the first to release his harness and make for the opening. Using short bursts from his MMU, he maneuvered "upward" over Slipstream's cabin to take in the sights. "Holy krap guys, this is amazing!" he called back to his crew mates. Jercas hastily began to release his own restraints. By the time Jercas had followed Sonke out, the other had already proceeded ahead to board Karavel's expedition crew quarters. "Newdon", he called to his friend with a satisfied smile, "this was definitely worth the wait." Soon, the crew had all moved to the Karavel without issue, and Slipstream sent crew records and statistics to Karavel's systems before disconnecting from its dock and maneuvering quickly away from the other ship's controlled space. Once safely away, Slipstream aligned itself for de-orbit and fired its engines. Within minutes, the ship was swathed in the fiery glow of re-entry, guidance systems already locked solidly on the KSC's runway beacon. Emerging from the ballistic phase of its descent, the shuttle's engines rumbled to life once more to maintain strict control of its trajectory, though they were only needed to fire at a small fraction of the total power available. Final approach. Engines are reigned in further, and the nose tilts upward ever so slightly to arrest the sink rate. Moments from touchdown Following a gentle and smooth landing, Slipstream decelerated to steering speed neatly at the turnoff ramp for the hangar, and parked back at the stopline it had left only five hours before. This was probably the smoothest and most rock-solid landing I have ever accomplished with a plane in this game. LOVE this new design!![/TD] [/TR] </tbody>[/TABLE]

Honestly, I would say that it's no big deal to print a copy for yourself, but paying somebody else to produce it for you on their equipment? Yeah, that's what copyright is supposed to specifically address: people other than the original artist getting paid for reproductions of his/her work.

Who in their right mind would ever rely on the browser's printing features for a wall poster? :/ Bleh.

LOL I've caught myself doing that with images in Photoshop too! (of course, doesn't help that I actually *can* rotate 3D models in that thing too >_>)

Honestly I think that instead of some kind of forced wait screen, it should be more like "Okay, it'll be ready to go in XX time." During that time, you can go elsewhere to do whatever mission management you need to, or simply warp yourself to that time if you have nothing else going on (or nothing time-sensitive, at least). Maybe show a little timer in the corner of the screen, and when it expires, your ship is on the pad when you go back to it (the same as you would for a launch that you flipped away from before firing off). In other words, you have to wait for the ship to be "built", but you aren't forced to sit and wait for just that event while it's happening.

Actually.... Kennedy Space Center... >_>

Don't ever get into the GTA series, mmkay?

[TABLE=width: 800] <tbody>[TR] [TD]After AACT-103 Stratus completed its first successful flight to the Island Runway to help two pilots revive and retrieve HSOC-101 Spectre, the time came to start putting together the return flight to the Duna Explorer expedition. As Venture was rendered unable to return with Journeyman due to a design defect that left her without docking capability, plans were developed to send up a new service platform to replace it. IPEV Karavel launched without fuss, and was in orbit within minutes. It took only a couple of orbits to rendezvous with Journeyman, which had been revived and prepped for Karavel's arrival on a previous MACT test flight. With Karavel docked, the Journeyman section will sync to it and assume the IPEV designation for the remainder of this flight. Karavel is a good deal smaller and more maneuverable than the other vessels in the IPEV program. Its vehicle bay carries a new transit capsule to replace the faulty module that arrived at Duna with Venture, and is similarly designed to be carried by the DV-102 Sherpa dropships. The primary component of IPEV Karavel is completely automated, and with systems now fully charged, is now ready to receive the crew and components. Two new Sherpas will also be attached to this flight, to replace the older original model already deployed, as well as another that suffered irreparable damage to its auxiliary seat during crew assembly procedures for the rotation departing Duna. The vessel can accommodate up to ten crew members (including two pilots), and will allow for a complete cycling of the Duna Explorer expedition members. (Jeb and Bob alone have now been on Duna for almost four years). The ship enters standby and awaits the arrival of the next shuttle, which will bring the six expedition members. Four pilots will follow soon afterward, two of which will arrive with the new Sherpas. [/TD] [/TR] </tbody>[/TABLE]

Three major programs can achieve that kind of imagery: 3D Studio Max Maya Blender Each have their unique way of doing things, but each are capable of producing the level of detail and beauty that Rareden is posting here. You can also get pretty close to that level with Sketchup, but only if you're willing to spend a ton of additional time to achieve similar results with lighting and organic curves. (He has also mentioned the tools he uses in previous posts on this thread, fyi)

Today, HSOC-101 Spectre was finally brought home from its temporary exile at the Island Strip by Newdon and Jercas, using the latest airframe to enter validation stage, AACT-103 "Stratus". MISSION: AACT-103 Stratus final validation flight, "Ghost Hunter"

Very cool! You can increase the Field of View to get a wider angle with Camera > Field of View Also, you can do some pretty interesting visuals with your renders by using a third-party renderer. One of my current favorites is Indigo, which gave me some really cool options with little effort. It allowed me to take this: ...and turn it into this!