CompuServe Thread

AW Cover (2/95)

7 messages in this thread
#180482From: daniel wolfJan 2, 1995 2:13 AM
Amiga World didn't say so, but ALL FOUR fractal images on the cover were created by FractalPro (the sphere is done by wrapping a FractalPro image on it in LightWave). Most of the images used in the feature article (February 1995 issue) are also FractalPro images and many were taken from the FractalPro Image Library CDROM they mentioned in the article (and SHOULD have been credited as the source). I thank Amiga World for giving me personal credit for the images but they should have given the credit to FractalPro and the CDROM. When they wanted SUPER fractal images for their cover, they chose FractalPro. Unfortunately Amiga World did not properly credit the source for these most of the images they used as having come from FractalPro and the FractalPro Image Library CDROM. Those interested in spectacular fractal art and animation like you saw on the Amiga World February 1995 cover, please EMail me for more info on FractalPro and the CDROM. Also if you'd like more info on how those specific images were generated in FractalPro, please EMail. Enjoy the eye candy!
#180750From: Dave R. JohnsonJan 4, 1995 9:00 PM
Dan, Congratulations on the AW cover. It looks great and really shows off what FractalPro is capable of. Dave
#181368From: daniel wolfJan 10, 1995 12:32 AM
Thanks, Dave – Just wish AmigaWorld had outright said that ALL the images on the cover came from FractalPro and MOST of the images used in the article came from the FractalPro Image Library CDROM. They gave me personal credit in a couple of places, but I'd have much rather they credited the program – which only got a fairly brief mention. The CDROM was barely mentioned but they used about 20 images from it and FAILED to comply with the copyright agreement to use those images. I have spoken with Tim Walsh and he has agreed to print a more accurate credit, but of course that will be in an issue somewhere down the line and that issue won't have any FractalPro images in it – so the connection between the super fractal images from the CDROM and FractalPro and the program name will be completely lost. I went to substantial lengths to supply AmigaWorld with rapid response to their request for cover images and they did not tell me they were using other images from the CDROM elsewhere in the article and table of contents pages. I do feel they rather abused my cooperation by completely failing to mention any connection between the images they used and where they came from. They needed the cover images in 1536×960 res on a 24-hour emergency basis and I came through – but I feel they REALLY let me down but totally ignoring the copyright agreement for using my images -that is, they MUST credit the program and the CDROM for being the source of those images and they completely ignored that requirement (technically violating the copyright) as if they had the rights to do whatever they wanted. They DID NOT have that right. AmigaWorld has been kind enough to publish press releases, etc. over the years, and have also reviewed my programs and products fairly. This time they wanted special artwork for their own use, though, and they completely failed to abide by the stated conditions for its use. I couldn't care less if people know I personally made the images – all I want them to do is say they came from FractalPro and the FPILV1 CDROM. The CDROM has very specific information on copyright compliance. Why AW would ignore it and use those images without proper credit is completely beyond me. They had that material for many months before they printed it and they only contact I got was a request for emergency supplies of print-res images for the cover and misinformation on what they were using. Boo-hiss.
#181445From: Eduard JosephJan 10, 1995 4:12 PM
Hey, that what media in general does. Hey, look what Connie Chung did when someone said between you and me.
#181658From: daniel wolfJan 12, 1995 2:57 AM
the difference is that conditions for use of FractalPro Image Library CDROM images are SPELLED OUT in the ReadMe text file on the CDROM. And I don't think AW was deliberate, just careless but in a most unfortunate way. A definitely mistaken impression is left in their article. I don't think the impression left by Ms Gingrich was in anyway mistaken and I don't think Ms Chung is the one who needs to watch their manners.
#181487From: Dave R. JohnsonJan 10, 1995 10:10 PM
Dan — Didn't realize there was a "story" behind the piece. Sorry to hear things didn't go as planned. I'm sure Tim had the best of intentions, tho; after all, there is little to be gained from intentionally violating the copyright agreement except an apology and lots of bad feelings all around. Dave
#181659From: daniel wolfJan 12, 1995 3:04 AM
I am not sure I'd say it so strongly again. I don't know if AW 'intended' to violate the agreement or was just careless but they surely didn't give their reader the information that was deserved. The article spends a lot of time on Mand2000 and refers readers back to an old review on FractalPro but MOST of the images used to illustrate their wonderful article on fractal art are from FractalPro, and that fact is somehow conveniently overlooked. I think the reader might get the impression that all those terrific images came from Mand2000 or MathVision. The FractalPro image CDROM has a very clear usage statement in the ReadMe. And it isn't like they hadn't had enough time to find it …. Yes, I personally did the images and they did credit mebut that is completely useless to the reader who MIGHT be reading the article to find out which PROGRAM makes all those cool pictures! And I can't see how some 'oops' printed in some remote corner of a future issue can undo the damage. With so much time to plan and my complete bend-over-backward cooperation available, what's the problem in communicating? It doesn't lie here.