Newbie..............Copyrights???

from WinCustomize Forums
I'm trying to learn to skin WB's, but am totally graphics handicapped. I have made a skin using parts of other's skins. Is this a copyright infringement? Do I need to e-mail them for permission? I only use it on my computer, but would also like to know if there is a way to have it looked at by a real skinner to tell me if I am on the right track. Any info on what to do or where to go from here(with the skin please....) would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
skinning
2,206 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
using parts from other skins is a little shifty... unless you modify each part so that it no longer resembles the original skin, its best to stay away from that. the best way to go would be to start from scratch and create your own graphics, you may use other skins as examples or inspiration, but at least this way the graphics are yours. if you're only creating the skin for personal use however and not publishing or distributing it anywhere, such as here on wincustomize, this would be ok, and you dont need author's permission for that.

and feel free to email me, ill take a look at it when i get the time. [email protected]



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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Feel free to email the skin to me... (a screenshot in .jpg please) at [email protected]

Using parts of other skins is indeed copyright violation, even if ou completely change the colors by hue/saturation, it still is copyright violations. you got to start from scratch.
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Another silly question.........What program woul I use for a screen capture(never bothered with them)and what should I include in the shot?

BTW..thanks to both forthe replies
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
look down... at your keyboard.

check the arrow keys, look up, you will see:

- - - home - - Page Up

-Delete - - End - - Page down

Look further up, next to F12, you will see

-Prt Scr (Print screen) - Scroll Lock - Pause -

Click the print screen button (the one next to F12)
Open paint, type Ctrl + V

and Voila

Capturing screenshots for dummies
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
to what extent can something be modified to not resemble the original?

for my toolbar icons, I used DogmaX's (it came with WB) icons outline.... but I used my own gradient color and added 3d effects... It's still shaped like the original though....
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You really need to create your own toolbar icons from scratch. The only time you're going to be able to get away with recoloring them, is if you recolor the default XP ones. Modifying someone elses work and submitting it is no different than just submitting their work unmodified. Of course, this only matters if you upload it somewhere. For personal use only on your own computer, you can do whatever you want.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If something is verifiably public domain and free to redistribute, you can use that. Beware though, just because some website has a bunch of clipart on it, it doesn't always mean that they actually have the right to distribute it.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You can use something as simple as the Webdings font (or other symbol fonts) to create your own toolbar icons. You might want to consider that.