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By KaiD - 13 Years Ago
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Howdy Developers! :)
A couple important notes for you regarding outdated content and Content Store submission changes:
Outdated Content
As you know, often old things must be left behind or cast away to make way for the new… it’s all a part of the vicious circle of life. I’m here to announce that the time has come for all of our G1 and G2 content in the Content Store to be removed to make way for newer and better things. The main reason we are doing this is that due to new technical improvements in character structure and animation capabilities with iClone 5, these types of characters are no longer have the ideal design for the new motion bone structure. Therefore, if you are to use a G1 or G2 character with the new motion tools in iClone 5, you will experience bad performance due to the outdated bone structure.
So, it saddens me to say that all the G1 and G2 content will be removed from the Content Store effective 2011/05/02. It’s been a long time, and we’d like to thank all of our early developers for their ongoing contributions to the Reallusion community. So let’s all say our last goodbyes as all of the venerable characters and content from the past slip into the archives of history. They will not be forgotten. If you want to continue selling your G1 and G2 designs, you may do so in the City Marketplace, but please include a disclaimer about the potential motion issues if you do.
On the bright side, we’re expecting tons of new and interesting stuff to be submitted in the near future thanks to 3DXchange 5 and its ability to open up iClone to the entire world of 3D content! So make sure you check the Content Store regularly for some exciting new characters, props, and more!
Content Store Submission Changes
There are also a few very important changes to the submission process as well:
1) We will no longer be accepting submissions via .zip file upload. We have decided to integrate submission via City Marketplace and the Content Store into the same mechanism. Therefore, as of 2012/05/09, Content Store submissions will all need to be uploaded via the Content Uploader. With this procedure, the process will become quicker and more streamlined, and you will also have the option to apply your own DRM.
2) You will have an option to automatically choose required base content or items on any pack you sell. For example, if you have an outfit you are selling based from Chuck’s G5 Clonecloth, within the Content Uploader, you will have the option to select either the entire Chuck G5 Clonecloth pack, or the individual items (i.e. upper and lower) that you used to make that outfit as a required base. This will then automatically show up on your product page for potential customers.
3) We will temporarily be suspending audio and 2D background submissions. This is due to the technical copyright issues that are present with uploading this particular material via the Content Uploader. We will measure developer response and work on a mechanism that allows the upload of this content in the near future.
4) A few other small changes as well. You will now have the option to select ‘G5 Texture’ as a content category. Also, your display page will now include a G5 Character icon in the page display.
Thanks for your cooperation and continuing contributions to the Reallusion community! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at developer@reallusion.com
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By Bigboss - 13 Years Ago
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This is nice but will we still need to upload twice ? For instance, why can't we simply publish directly in the Content Store as a target store to publish in? :) That would be Real Cool ! :)
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By Apparition - 13 Years Ago
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Well... Not bad! But better news would be... Commission rates going down!
Collaboration production means cutting your earnings between developers, less all the other "discounts" earnings end up being to small. Marketplace is a better place in terms of business... Someone disagrees?
:)
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By duchess110 - 13 Years Ago
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I understand the need to move on and that G1 and G2 will no longer be available in the Main Reallusion Content Store. Sad in some ways but they do seem a bit dated now. With regards the use of the Content Uploader to submit to Market Place and the Main Store I agree with Bigboss can we have the option of a tick box where we can select to submit to both stores at the same time if we wanted to therefore saving a lot of repetative work. Also I see on the Marketplace that the amount of packs sold on an individual pack product has been removed. Now that is a shame as it gave the developer info at a quick glance without having to find out by logging in. I would much prefer to have that than the section at the bottom of each page Customers who bought these items also bought.
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By animagic - 13 Years Ago
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There is a lot of G2 content from Reallusion itself even for which there are no real equivalents. such as hairstyles, various occupational packs, etc, even a variety of body shapes. They also represent quite a monetary investment and new packs are not exactly cheap. I'm sure this is exciting news for developers, but as a content user I'm not so sure...:ermm:
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By shygirl - 13 Years Ago
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I see the need to move on and make way for the newer generation characters, however I do feel sorry for the users who have spent a lot of money building up a library of G1 and G2 content. With regards the G2 content on my own Marketplace, I will retain the content for the timebeing with the required warning and at greatly reduced prices. Also I see on the Marketplace that the amount of packs sold on an individual pack product has been removed. Now that is a shame as it gave the developer info at a quick glance without having to find out by logging in. I would much prefer to have that than the section at the bottom of each page Customers who bought these items also bought I agree with Duchess on this one, the old way was much simpler. Shy
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By Galfridus - 13 Years Ago
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As a non-developer I hope I will be allowed a comment in this thread. Do I detect a more worrying agenda here beyond just the selling of G1 & G2 content ??? When such content is no longer available to buy will RL feel less responsibility to ensure future versions of Iclone remain compatible with older content ? I made a considerable investment in building a library of "core" characters in G2. At the time of release the G2 Natural human bases and various versions of G2 clone cloth came at a hefty premium price. One of the reasons I still continue to regularly buy all kinds of new content is that I have always appreciated the efforts RL make to provide backward compatibility. I have felt secure in making new purchases and find great value having, over the years, built up a comprehensive resource library.
If this backward compatibility is to be gradually eroded, then this customer will, in future, consider much more carefully investing in new content. Lifespan will enter the equation. In addition it will halt my current automatic wish to own the latest version of Iclone as the appeal of new features in future editions will need to be balanced against the possible loss of the use of valuable assets. I sincerely hope my worries are unfounded but this seems an appropriate place to raise them.
Geoff.
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By moviemachine - 13 Years Ago
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As another user heavily invested in G2 packs & add ons, I have been very disappointed in the direction Reallusion seems to be going.
Don't get me wrong I luv IC5 for it's amazing power & easier avatar animation but there seems to be increasing focus (tunnel vision?) on (physics, bone rigging etc)
These things are great but what about basic storytelling... is this going to join the Reallusion archives too? is the future to be replaced by endless special effects posing as story.
Rather than kill off characters we need more! More characters and more content and not at the snails pace Reallusion moves at in putting clothing on the backs of new release characters.
Man if it wasn't for the modders taking up the slack & dressing up Chuck & Gwyn, old Chuck & Gwyn would be in foster care due to neglect.
How long before Trey, Dylan, Violet, and Trinity are given pink slips and bus fare to the Smithsonian?
Oh but they have better bones! Yeah don't we all, but we get old.
Goodbye Jack Goodbye Jane... will we ever meet again.
Where is the wake being held?
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By animagic - 13 Years Ago
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moviemachine (4/27/2012)
Goodbye Jack Goodbye Jane... will we ever meet again.
Where is the wake being held?In lieu of a wake, here is my 64-bit test render of 51 different G1 and G2 characters. I got tired, but the limit hasn't been reached yet.
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By elektron2kim - 13 Years Ago
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One question with this. Will original packs from Reallusion such as the Wedding, WW2 and similar collections be available for some time or not or replaced? Like repackaged with newer clones or at least the props be available still?
I started collecting G2 (amongst everything else and their clonecloth) and their related stuff in great packs on my wishlist and I'm not done yet as I began from scratch in august 2011.
Also Moe and Mae bases are on my list as another example.
I'm pretty much covered, but I really started wondering about the consequences to my wishlist.
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By Apparition - 13 Years Ago
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I would suggest RL, rather than "killing" G1 & 2 content, to create a Marketplace "vintage" store. If the reason for removing so much content is purely space organization, the idea I offer here would be good for lots of users.
Now: Killing music submissions is really inconsiderate for those, as me, who have engaged into producing music and audio scores for iClone. I had a new series to be submitted and I also have convinced several of my students, good in musical production, to enter the market, and now...! This is like a cold shower!
Is it not music and sound effects a vital part of production?
Is it iClone is heading into becoming a "mechanics lab" rather than a virtual studio? Soon we will see "talking tractors, cranes, dancing gears and acting tools"!
Come on guys! Let us recover common movie making sense!:hehe:
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By Paumanok West - 13 Years Ago
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Apparition (4/30/2012)
I would suggest RL, rather than "killing" G1 & 2 content, to create a Marketplace "vintage" store. If the reason for removing so much content is purely space organization, the idea I offer here would be good for lots of users.
My understanding is that G1 and G2 are being deprecated because they are not sufficiently compatible with iClone 5 (and future) animation. This is more about managing customer expectations about the functionality of characters available in the store and preventing unnecessary customer support problems for Reallusion *and* its content developers.
This kind of deprecation is the classic response to significant progress made by any software company. I would actually be disappointed in RL if they did not take such a step. Let's rejoice in the enormous quality improvements since iClone 1!
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By planetstardragon - 13 Years Ago
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The drow in me thinks this is a great opportunity to sell an upgrade plug in that can retarget old character bones and make the new 3DX5 rigs facial animation enabled. It would seem more profitable to upgrade than to discontinue. Discontinuing old stock means you can't make new money on it :p lol :) we can never have too many characters imo!!
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By animagic - 13 Years Ago
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Well we can rejoice for sure, but there was a lot of variety in G2 packs that has not been replicated. Hair styles for one. Now, I have the packs already, but things will be meagre, and more expensive, for future users. I like the idea of modernizing; that should be possible. Just some new bones.
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By Samulis - 13 Years Ago
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As someone who sells quite a bit of music and 2D backgrounds, I am not very pleased that this change in their submission has happened (albeit temporary), although I do fully understand the rationale behind it; I too, like Apparition, have some original cinematic-style music I wish to share.
I think it would be far more effective to make the submission of audio and 2D backgrounds require proof- for instance, it would be very easy and reliable to ask every person who submits audio to submit a picture of the song in their music writing program and/or the score of it with their name on it in .pdf form.
For 2D backgrounds, the metadata of the images can be accessed, and should still be intact when sent through to Reallusion- if they are photographs, that is. That metadata includes the type of camera, the settings, and the exact time it was taken. Photographers who upload 2D backgrounds could be asked to upload a photograph of them with their camera(s), so you know they have that exact camera... that would make copying both extremely difficult and nearly impossible with the variety of cameras. On the other hand, if it is created in Photoshop as a digital matte painting or created in another 3D program, screenshots could once again be used.
To simplify that process, an authorization programme could be put in place- CCDs/VCDs who wish to upload music or 2D backgrounds must send in this information and gain certification to upload that content, all others would get an error if they try to upload it. Authorization for music would require proof that you own the program you use to write music and perhaps 1 or 2 scores and/or screenshots of the song in editing, or even a video of it being played back in the program.
Once again, I understand the risk of copyright infringement, but I feel that with those safeguards, developers with a brain in their heads and proper information will be able to avoid doing that. :hehe:
Anyone have any thoughts on other methods? Maybe something easier?
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By planetstardragon - 13 Years Ago
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i personally would not sell music through the store, as I am in a publishing deal and must report everything i create to them, so I haven't the freedom to give music away royalty free.
I've figured out some reasonable alternatives, but still working out the logistics to creating the label and packaging the product / creating revenue streams....not just the 3D store. The amount of research between learning new animation skills, daily promotion routine, creating new music / ideas , and current trends has been a bit overwhelming ...but it's slowly coming together. :)
won't get into too much detail other than that because it would be hard to explain years of research and experience in one short paragraph.
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By animagic - 13 Years Ago
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Samulis (5/2/2012)
I think it would be far more effective to make the submission of audio and 2D backgrounds require proof- for instance, it would be very easy and reliable to ask every person who submits audio to submit a picture of the song in their music writing program and/or the score of it with their name on it in .pdf form. That wouldn't work for my kind of music, I don't really use scores...:ermm: And it would even be harder with atmospheric/ambiance kind of stuff.
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By Samulis - 13 Years Ago
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animagic (5/2/2012)
Samulis (5/2/2012)
I think it would be far more effective to make the submission of audio and 2D backgrounds require proof- for instance, it would be very easy and reliable to ask every person who submits audio to submit a picture of the song in their music writing program and/or the score of it with their name on it in .pdf form. That wouldn't work for my kind of music, I don't really use scores...:ermm: And it would even be harder withatmospheric/ambiance kind of stuff.
But you have to use some form of DAW or something with a piano roll or even just a multitrack of waveforms that you could take a screenshot of and submit... in that case, I would think an option to upload a private video to youtube and linking it to Reallusion in which you play the audio in the DAW would be much easier.
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By bluemidget666 - 13 Years Ago
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What packs and avatars are effected with this ? is GI vs. Wehrmacht Theme Pack G2 or G3 if its G2 are RL going to replace this pack, I mean what the point in having all the tank and war stuff and no characters to put in it ? If it is not G2 but G3 it wont be long before G3 is out dated but this is one of the best packs on the store along with 100 year War.
Right now most of my characters even G2 work ok .. could it be an idea to make Iclone 6 install next to Iclone 5 or 4 then we could still have a copy of Iclone that works fine with our G2 content ?
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By planetstardragon - 13 Years Ago
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im telling ya, upgrade options are better than making users feel cut off. it matters not to me, because I can always re-rig the g1 and 2's... ..and for facial animation, I'll just do close ups with g3 characters....if I even need to use g1 or g2 at all. I'm very happy being able to rig meshes now with 3DX5
my point is to come up with a solution thats win/win.
I always try to keep a balanced view because we want reallusion to keep their their lights on and cover their overhead expenses while they continue to make revolutionary products.....the time RL spends fixing old product for free is the time they are not spending making cutting edge content. but there also has to be a better solution than having your audience feel cut off and discontinued.
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By moviemachine - 13 Years Ago
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sw00000p (5/3/2012)
Yep! Thats It!.... Cut Em Off RL... Cut Off G3 ToO!
don't forget.... This Water is Cold.... and DEEP Too!. :P
Yeah! and put Jimmy Toon in the orphanage while you're at it :D
For me it's not the G1, G2, or whatever G number character. It's about not having access to tons of clothing anymore. Try flushing 8 letters from the alphabet and try writing your Gran a letter. It can be done but I imagine Gran stops reading them.
In a sense this is what RL has chosen to do by boarding shut the G1, G2 clothing store windows.
I'm sure that most "non riggers" when making their movie don't give a damn if it's Jack or Chuck doing the acting... it's the actor showing up in costume that gets the job.
No matter how much better Chuck is at acting without costume he's just a regular dummy.
Why should people who spent their inheritance buying some of the best creations ever made for iclone have to take the hit because a company chooses a to go with a flashy 18 letter alphabet. An alphphabet that will sparkle your eyes but make it extremely difficult to produce a worthwhile story.
Will or can those classic clothing packs that carried iclone along over the yrs ever be replaced.
Without the modders RL's cupboard would be pretty bare. RL has been in gross neglect in supplying clothing for any of their characters.
All in the name of progress... Success by Six or it's out the door for you Jimmy Toon!
RL... I'd like to buy a vowel
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By animagic - 13 Years Ago
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Samulis (5/2/2012)
animagic (5/2/2012)
Samulis (5/2/2012)
I think it would be far more effective to make the submission of audio and 2D backgrounds require proof- for instance, it would be very easy and reliable to ask every person who submits audio to submit a picture of the song in their music writing program and/or the score of it with their name on it in .pdf form. That wouldn't work for my kind of music, I don't really use scores...:ermm: And it would even be harder withatmospheric/ambiance kind of stuff. But you have to use some form of DAW or something with a piano roll or even just a multitrack of waveforms that you could take a screenshot of and submit... in that case, I would think an option to upload a private video to youtube and linking it to Reallusion in which you play the audio in the DAW would be much easier. I could do that... Anyways, I don't expect RL to have the expertise to distinguish one score from another...:P
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By Samulis - 13 Years Ago
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animagic (5/3/2012)
Samulis (5/2/2012)
animagic (5/2/2012)
Samulis (5/2/2012)
I think it would be far more effective to make the submission of audio and 2D backgrounds require proof- for instance, it would be very easy and reliable to ask every person who submits audio to submit a picture of the song in their music writing program and/or the score of it with their name on it in .pdf form. That wouldn't work for my kind of music, I don't really use scores...:ermm: And it would even be harder withatmospheric/ambiance kind of stuff. But you have to use some form of DAW or something with a piano roll or even just a multitrack of waveforms that you could take a screenshot of and submit... in that case, I would think an option to upload a private video to youtube and linking it to Reallusion in which you play the audio in the DAW would be much easier. I could do that... Anyways, I don't expect RL to have the expertise to distinguish one score from another...:P
On the contrary, I think anyone could realize the differences between a piano roll and the audio in a video... although you are right, it would be difficult. Certainly there is some aspect of a honor system- only select composers/creators/producers will be able to upload their audio.
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By KaiD - 13 Years Ago
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Hey all, just wanted to clear a couple things up.
1) In order to submit to the Content Store, you will still need to follow the regular submission process by going to the submission page in the Developer Center; however now there is an option to select your content from the City Marketplace as opposed to uploading it in .zip format to us along with your submission. This makes the process more convenient for both parties.
2) The ONLY type of content that you will need to submit via .zip file along with regular submission is MUSIC. This is because the Content Uploader doesn't have an option for this. So to reiterate, you may submit music to the Content Store, however you won't be able to publish it in the City Marketplace.
Hope that helps!
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By Cellygon - 13 Years Ago
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KaiD (5/9/2012)
Hey all, just wanted to clear a couple things up.
1) In order to submit to the Content Store, you will still need to follow the regular submission process by going to the submission page in the Developer Center; however now there is an option to select your content from the City Marketplace as opposed to uploading it in .zip format to us along with your submission. This makes the process more convenient for both parties.
2) The ONLY type of content that you will need to submit via .zip file along with regular submission is MUSIC. This is because the Content Uploader doesn't have an option for this. So to reiterate, you may submit music to the Content Store, however you won't be able to publish it in the City Marketplace.
Hope that helps!
Thank you. Been waiting for this update to submit my pack to the content store. I find it a lot more convenient now! :)
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By Samulis - 13 Years Ago
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KaiD (5/9/2012)
Hey all, just wanted to clear a couple things up.
1) In order to submit to the Content Store, you will still need to follow the regular submission process by going to the submission page in the Developer Center; however now there is an option to select your content from the City Marketplace as opposed to uploading it in .zip format to us along with your submission. This makes the process more convenient for both parties.
2) The ONLY type of content that you will need to submit via .zip file along with regular submission is MUSIC. This is because the Content Uploader doesn't have an option for this. So to reiterate, you may submit music to the Content Store, however you won't be able to publish it in the City Marketplace.
Hope that helps!
Thanks, Kai... but hasn't this utility listed in 1) existed for a few months?
Good to hear music is back on the program, if I read your post correctly.
Thanks for the reply!
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By owenssj - 13 Years Ago
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Hi People. Here's the Deal. I'm Calling it Quits with Reallusion. Do Not get me wrong it was alot of fun. Working one Job and then doing IClone is taking to much time, Not to Mention the Cost of Upgrading all the time....this and that. (You Know.) Anyway I did Break even with the sales, so it's time to say Goodbye. I'm Cashing out and will close my Account with Reallusion. have you Noticed the trend with Reallusion, a Little less, That's Progress. But then again they have a Great program. So Please note: All Video's will be Deleted with all my Submissions. And will be Requesting to Delete all Submissions in Iclone. I will be removing the YouTube Account also. I do Wish to thank Tamin, She was alot of Help, and this person went beyond and above the duties of a High Tech Employee of Reallusion. Take Care People. S.R. Owens
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By Peter (RL) - 13 Years Ago
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owenssj (6/15/2012)
Hi People. Here's the Deal. I'm Calling it Quits with Reallusion. Do Not get me wrong it was alot of fun. Working one Job and then doing IClone is taking to much time, Not to Mention the Cost of Upgrading all the time....this and that. (You Know.) Anyway I did Break even with the sales, so it's time to say Goodbye. I'm Cashing out and will close my Account with Reallusion. have you Noticed the trend with Reallusion, a Little less, That's Progress. But then again they have a Great program. So Please note: All Video's will be Deleted with all my Submissions. And will be Requesting to Delete all Submissions in Iclone. I will be removing the YouTube Account also. I do Wish to thank Tamin, She was alot of Help, and this person went beyond and above the duties of a High Tech Employee of Reallusion. Take Care People. S.R. Owens Sorry to hear you are deciding to stop developing. Sometimes though we all just need a break and hopefully you may in fact get the desire to come back after a little rest from it all. :)
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