Hey Everyone!
The impending release of the 3DXchange 5 Pipeline version is approaching, and we'd just like to provide you with a little bit of information regarding this amazing new tool for iClone users. The most important change is that iClone users will now be able to export any iClone content that has been marked as export-ready into industry standard FBX and BVH formats. Reallusion will be progressively releasing more and more iClone content with an Export License purchase option. Users who purchase content with an Export License will be able to convert that content via the 3DXchange5 pipeline into FBX and BVH formats, which allows them to use it freely with other 3D animation software and video game engines. This includes characters, props, and animation files as well!
As a result of this, the market for iClone content is going to expand significantly, with users of other 3D software communities now able to access and utilize the affordable quality content that iClone users have thus far exclusively enjoyed. This translates into a great opportunity for iClone developers to get their content out to a wider audience and benefit from increased sales and exposure. In order to provide developers with more flexible pricing options for their content with this new audience, we are introducing a new content pricing format. Developers will now have the option to add on an “Export License” fee to their content, which will allow users of other 3D software and game engines to export their iClone content into FBX or BVH format and subsequently use it in external projects. Here are a couple of FAQs which will help to clarify how this will work:
What is the Export License and why do we need it?
The new 3DX5 Pipeline version makes all iClone content available to a much wider audience, and as a result makes it much more valuable than content for use on a single platform. Reallusion felt it would be a prudent step to give developers the option to present a separate price for content that is export-ready for use in other software and that which is only available for use in iClone. Therefore, we will introduce the Export License option so that developers can get more for content that now has a widely expanded audience. We hope that this will also encourage new, professional content developers to introduce their content to the iClone marketplace, therefore enriching your content options as an iClone user.
How does the Export License work?
Currently, developers have the sole option of whether or not to add DRM protection to their content. This means that content which is DRM-protected will show a watermark on any copy of iClone it is used within until that user pays the price of the content to remove the watermark. However, despite this initial layer of protection, once normal iClone content is converted into another format, it will lose that DRM protection. Therefore due to the export capability of 3DXchange5, we have built in a secondary protective measure within 3DXchange5 which will prevent the user from exporting any iClone content into industry standard formats unless they first pay the Export License fee for that content. Once the content is purchased along with the Export License fee, the user may freely export that content into any format they so desire.
If the content is purchased without an Export License however, the user will be unable to convert the content into other formats such as FBX and BVH, and the export feature will not be available in 3DXchange5. The option to purchase the content with the Export License will be available on the content page in City Marketplace.
In the Marketplace, we will introduce a new feature to the system that will allow developers to authorize and add an Export License price to their content. For content that has already been uploaded, users can do this via the new content management page. For new content, developers may also add an Export License to their content via the Content Uploader. This content will then subsequently be marked with an Export License icon when displayed in the City Marketplace. That way, users who wish to purchase the content for external use in other software can easily search and access this content separate from the regular iClone content. We will also launch a promotional page exclusively for export-ready content from our developers. Reallusion will have external advertising banners on various sites that will link directly to this page.
In the City Marketplace, you will now see two pricing options available. The pricing options will be a) iContent price and b) Export License price. The iContent price will be the normal pricing for content that can only be used in iClone and is non-exportable with the 3DX5 Pipeline. On the other hand, paying the Export License price will allow you to export the iContent you purchase to FBX or BVH format via 3DXchange5 so it can be used in a wide variety of other 3D software.
What is the implementation schedule for the Export License option?
In the initial launch stage, we will provide a limited selection of Reallusion characters and motions available for purchase with the Export License, which means that this content will be fully exportable to BVH or FBX format if the Export License is purchased. The price that Reallusion has set for its export-ready content (content including an Export License) will be around 5 times the price of normal iContent due to its broader value. After this, we will gradually phase in more characters and motions. Once the 3DXchange5 Pipeline version has launched, developers will have the option to add an Export License purchase price to their content in the Marketplace backend.
We are currently implementing the option for Export License into the City Marketplace framework. In the end of June, we will launch a promotional page featuring Reallusion content along with content from veteran iClone developer Big Boss, who has a wide selection of character model and motion content in his theme stores that provides an eclectic mix of quality game-ready content which will appeal to external users looking to test out the 3DX5 Pipeline. All developers will be able to use the Marketplace backend to prepare and upload their own export-ready content to their own stores and theme stores during this time.
During the second stage of this promotion around late July, we will expand the amount of Reallusion content available for purchase with the Export License, and we will also provide the option to add the Export License pricing option to other iContent such as props. In addition, during this time Reallusion will begin to display and promote export-ready content from all developers on the main promotional page.
Which content will be eligible for export?
During the initial stage of the promotion from late June until mid-July, the Export License will only be available for character and motion content (.iAvatar and .iMotion). Once the testing of the mechanism is complete, all other iContent including iProps will also have the option to include Export License pricing as well.
Export License pricing will not be available for any iMaterial files such as character clothing. Essentially, there is no way to protect this type of iContent from export, as it can be exported with a character once it is purchased and then freely distributed. However, although iMaterial files will not have the Export License option, developers who specialize in this type of content will still benefit due to the promotion of the new open marketplace as their content is available to a wider audience. In addition, the expanded exposure of base content such as the various CloneCloth templates make derivative content such as outfits made from iMaterial files more valuable as well.
We hope you are as excited as we are at this amazing new development in the 3D marketplace and the numerous benefits it will bring to iClone developers and users alike. Reallusion hopes to continue expanding and improving these capabilities in order to bring you the most flexible and practical options for your story-telling and gaming endeavors, and at the same time expand the iClone user community to animators and game developers alike to enrich your iClone experience. We welcome your feedback and useful comments regarding this next stage in Reallusion’s continual growth, and encourage you to expand your potential and utilize this new and powerful pipeline tool!
Best Regards,
Your Reallusion Staff :)