Master Skin List-Feasability Study Part II (skinner's please read)

[daglob]

I started a thread about this last year, and what we discussed convinced me that it was possible to make a list of skins and their locations that would be uesful, even it if was not a complete list. If my life were more stable, I'd have already started this list. I'm thinking of starting it anyway, and hope that once it's on it's way, it's usefulness will get others to keep it going.

The format was never actually settled on, and this coud use some more disscuion. My original idea was somewhat like what I have in my skins thread: the name of the group, and below a list of the skins with a short description so as to differentiate characters with the same name (do you have any idea how many characters were called "The Voice" back in the Golden Age?), or even different versions of the same character (some GA characters changed costumes as often as The Wasp). I realize that the best way is probably character, location, note, but this can still be helped with a little discussion. Since most (and I am fully aware that it is my no means all) skins come with information about which mesh they go on, duplicating that information in the list doesn't seem necessary

So, what do we do about Scopes and Hexes? I have several of both at Character Obscura, and the only way to use the skin that comes with it is to use the mesh. Usually, in my case, that's part of the description ("comes with hexed/scoped mesh and kf"). I never actually wanted to do that, but I quckly saw that for some characters, it was the only way to do them. I have also done skins for other people who have turned out dynamite meshes and scopes. Should they be included, or do they belong on an expanded Master Mesh List? For the record, while I feel that there is a vast difference between creating a mesh and creating a scope, for simplicity's sake, I would include scopes in any master mesh list. Hex editied mesh are usually included. I'm thinking that if it comes with a mesh, you don't need the master skin list, now do you?

Then you have a site like Renegade's Toybox, Alex's Freedom Fortress, and FXForce, with skins, meshes, hexed meshes, and everything? You would definetly include a list of all the C6 skins, but would you include the C6 standard skin for Superman REN? Going back to what I just said, you wouldn't; that's a task for the Master Mesh List. If someone wants to compile an Ultimate Skin List that did list the creators for all the standard skins for all the meshes and give their locations, well, more power to you. I'll be glad to send you the short list of the meshes I've done standards for.

I feel that various version of the same character should be on th list. Never can tell which version you might take a liking to. Atomic Robot's various and sundry Supermen (for Superman REN and assorted other caped meshes) should belong on the Master Skin List, as should his rainbow Batmen and the TV Batman and his villains. I used C6's skin for Superman REN when I could play FF1, but I have a fondness for AR's 1940 Superman, and usually use him when I play him in FFv3R.

What about skins that are only available in Mods? I have skins by Mandate and Tommy Troy that were in older mods, and I don't believe that they are available anywhere else. Does anyone really want these old characters besides me? Tommy Troy did a fantastic Rocketeer skin that I use instead of the one I myself did. I don't think anyone else has ever admitted to doing one.

Anyway, as a kind of start, I'd like to ask skiners to start keeping a list of their skins. It was suggested to me to do that in my own skins thread. This is actually pretty easy to keep up once you get it started. Then again, I'm not C6 or AA, or any of the guys with skins posted at Freedom Fortress. They would practically have to quit their jobs and work on the list full time.

Getting a list of stuff at a Yahoo group isn't too hard (select text, copy, paste to text file, edit); maybe a few kind volunteers would do a few of the groups that were started by creators who are no longer part of the community. I'll try to do one myself next time I go looking for something.

The same goes for some of the older sites, like Vigilante's or Liquid Viper's, created by those who are no longer active in the community, but have left us all these wonderful toys...

So, let's have everyone else's thoughts and ideas...

[President Raygun]

I think it's a great idea, it just seems incredibly overwhelming. I 've been compiling a list of yahoo groups  that are not at Freedom University, and it's over 200 grps deep. In doing so i've come across alot of repeat skins by people who just had a group so they could share their FF stuff. So i think that could be an issue. Then you have all the skins from sites that are no longer running and yahoo groups that are gone. I've been able to use the Internet Archive website to backtrack and grab some older skins from Gamma Patrol and NPI, but they're only drops in the bucket compared to the content that was out there before. I guess what I'm saying is that it would be a daunting
task for whomever wants to try it, that being said if you need any help let me know; I was already planning on getting lists off yahoo grps so I could contribute some of those.

P.S. Sorry guys if I come across a little rushed or disjointed I'm trying to work and write a response at the same time without sounding too much like Rorschach

[Courtnall6]

Ambitious idea to say the least.

I use to keep track of the number of skins I made. I stopped counting at over 600...and that was 4+ years ago. If I was smart I would have kept all my PSP files in one place so they would have been easy to count...but I tend to save the PSP file in the actual skin folder of whoever I'm skinning...so they're pretty scattered.

Ya quiting my job to count them all now sounds about right!

[daglob]

I aggree that it is a daunting task, and, as I said, I don't believe that it is possible, at this point, to ever actually include every skin ever done and released. I still think a useful tool can be built regardless.

[The_Baroness]

would be easier if done in the wiki...

doing entries for every character mesh, skope and skin ever made, so we can all contribute with at least the ones we know off

[President Raygun]

I aggree that it is a daunting task, and, as I said, I don't believe that it is possible, at this point, to ever actually include every skin ever done and released. I still think a useful tool can be built regardless.

Sorry must have glossed over that part (Due once again to the fact I was online at work, I'm not a good multi-tasker.), I suppose it's feasible, it'll just take awhile. If you decide to do it and you need any help let me know.

[Podmark]

I keep pretty good track on all my work and I'm willing to help if this gets underway. It would be a useful (if incomplete) resource.

[The Hitman]

I know where my skins are. I'd contribute.

[laughing paradox]

What Hitman said.

[blobula]

What LP said.

[Figure Fan]

I know where all of mine are, so I can help out.

[daglob]

What kind of ideas on the format and the style of the list do we have?

[bearded]

when i program, i have the limitation of always having to start with something functional, and adding to it as i go.  that in mind, i have an idea for you.
why not start with a list of every freedom force skinner that ever was?  from that you can add links to sites that have said skins.  and from there.

[daglob]

I'd like that, but I don't know if it's possible. There are sevral that are not part of the community anymore, and I wouldn't begin to know how to get a list of all thir skins. C6 would be a formidable task by himself.

I'd thought that if we started with the current/recent skinnners, the data might not be too overwhelming, and, as you suggest, add from there.