I'm curious if FH is prepared for the mess that Prefab is likely to create. Is there anything in the works to create a whole new section for prefabs only? There are already probably a dozen things posted that I would list in a prefab section and it hasn't even begun yet. I myself would have uploaded my version of the, covered bunker(?), can't remember the name. Anyways this section will likely get huge. I foresee there being plenty of people that like crafting objects for use in maps, as well as existing maps that people will make requests from map creators for things like, I don't know - say windows **cough @Demption cough** Anyway the map section is about to get messy if this isn't completely separated from it ahead of time. PS. Make sure to include alooot of subcategories, including a couple for maps. Like indoor and out door, for those that want to create modified forge canvases ie, re-imagined landscapes, massive hollow caves, empty indoor arena spaces or windmills on a hillside like @Toastman has created in the background of his map.
Oh and a category for Art would probably be good. Then we can move some of these amazing artsy type creations out of the map section and offer them as Prefabs. I mean who doesn't want a 10 story cat in the background of their map.
Good foresight and initiative. A Prefabs section would not only be nice for organization but possibly help to alleviate some fears of "stealing" other player's Prefab and calling them their own.
Sorta related, I really hope people don't expect to get credit every time one of their prefabs is used. Obviously it would be nice for the map creators to list any prefabs used and where to find them--as they shouldn't be taking credit for stuff they didn't create--but publicly advertising a prefab should be seen like open source distribution. Having a prefab section, like suggested above, would be good for sharing them and visually certifying who made what. If people really want to get protective of them, it could be taken a step further by simply adding a column in every map page that can link to Forgehub posted prefabs used within a map.
Yeah kinda depends how large/unique/intricate the prefab is. If someone uses prefab bases to build their map, that guy better get credit. If they use a light fixture, not as big of a deal.
Exactly. I was thinking the average size of the most popular prefabs are going to be around 10-25 objects and have an aesthetic purpose. Like a detailed door or window. Those are the types of things that will be spread around a lot more than an entire base, and when we see them enough we'll know they're a prefab and who made them. I actually think it would be really cool to have a "Prefab" section in the "Map Information" columns linking to their respective threads.
Yeah I was considering touching on that topic but opted out for all the stress that would have caused me. My feelings are that going to get annoying fast trying to list all of these prefabs in a map. I'm not certain if in the rest of the world where people use prefabs on a regular basis if anyone ever really bothers to a credit the original creator. It's a nice thought and I'm a fan of the concept of a drop down link system but I don't know if I could be bothered to write in 15 or 20 prefabs. Hey man, that light fixture took me 6 hours and 85 objects.
I would look at it as a compliment if someone used a prefab I made in their map. Why would I post one if I didn't want you to use it? But when people figure out they can go into someone's map, prefab whatever they want, and copy it into their own map? Now that's a different story.
lol, there's nothing much preventing it other than forge hub trying to take direct action against it. It really isn't their responsibility to police these kinds of things and I think we as forge creators have to accept that people will be modifying our maps and potentially reposting. A map modification section may be a worthwhile investment. If over a certain percentage of the map is used, maybe we recommend users only post it under another heading. As you see in a couple of my maps listed I have heavily modified a couple other user maps to create something that plays differently than the original map. I would hate to miss out on a fantastic creation purely because the original author was upset by their art being manhandled and reposted.
I also hope that before the prefabs they fix the object grouping! I'm guessing that you'll have to group the object and weld it to make it a prefab, and I'm sick of starting up my map and having every single group grouped together!
@no god anywhere prefab or the like is kind of a staple in the 3d map building world. I'm happy to have it finally come to Halo. I just wish our prefeb wasn't made of prefabs but beggers can't be choosers. I'm unlikely to use much of it but I'm happy to have the option. Maybe if people get addicted to sharing fancy prefabs we will get a build that is capable of creating true meshes. I can understand it can get stale seeing the same thing in every map but then how many maps do you keep? Would you see more than 2 or 3 uses of a prefab in a large collection? Is that any less than seeing something in a stock map collection?
Windmills for everyone! I'd be the Oprah of Windmills! But seriously, I imagine there will be some kind of function in the full-on file browser 343 is concocting. I actually tweeted Tom French the idea before the prefab options were leaked (of course he already was to work, but i didn't know that...I also recommended favoriting objects in the palette that show up on a favorites menu). They add a sub-group in a players file share called Group Variants. So we will be able to trace stuff to a degree. A basic "prefab" category is all forge needs to add.
I think having a side-column on this forum would be a great idea for giving credit where it is due. Obviously posting a prefab is like an open invitation. The purpose is for people to use it. But it would be really nice to give credit where credit is due. I know I personally will give credit to it, and if someone used my prefabs, I would like them to do the same. Plus it would help. If someone sees a cool dome used on a map, they can just click the credits list and find the prefab.
Another thing to consider is what if someone comes up with the same object on their own, never once looking at prefabs or other maps that have it. Objects are not getting created from scratch, they are being created from other objects, which significantly reduces it's permutations. The odds are that people will create quite a few of these on their own. Considering the arguments that may ensue, it may be best to tell forgers that if it is within the prefab section then it is not required to be credited. As for objects in the maps section, people are on their honor, whether they created something on their own or not.