<PIC INSIDE> Apparently NG has a problem with using Valve assets in SFM, but only if it's uploaded to "Art", but it's just fine in "Movies". It's the same damn thing, really.
I suppose the same caveat goes for Daz or Poser. 99.9% of render artists do not make their own models.
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If the purpose of the piece is to showcase the models, I can see the logic. So go to BlenderNation. But if an asset is used to tell a story, what then? It's certainly not about the model.
It's kinda like saying Grumbacher made the oil paint, Royal made the brushes, and Fredrix made the prefab canvas, so I can't claim my painting as an original work. Long story short, it's a pick-and-choose fallacy applied to "solve" some sort of "problem" I suppose. Whatever.
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Anyway, have a Pyro in his natural element. There's apparently no such restrictions on my output if I post it to my Newsfeed, hmm? If Pyro thinks This Is Fine, so do I.
By the way, Pyro character is property of Valve, as is SFM. I do not claim ownership of said assets. And Hewlett-Packard made the computer. And AMD made the chips it runs on. And PP&L generated the electricity. And my landlord owns the space I used. I did not produce any of those assets that made this piece possible.
I just realized... OH GOD I'M A HACK!