Before coming up with my commission rules, I looked at a lot of other riggers' policies first. Most of the people I checked either don't offer the editable file (.cmo3) at all, or offer it for an additional 50% to 100% of the total project price.
I think this is an interesting topic, so I shall debut my first X Premium article 😂
I assume people who don't include the .cmo3 in their base package have reasons similar to mine:
(these reasons are separate from people who don't offer the file at all)
- It keeps pricing competitive. If I charged 1.5k USD instead of 1k USD because the .cmo3 was included by default, I'd probably filter out a segment of clients.
- Riggers often assume you won't need the editable file. We're doing our best, and we don't usually expect you'll be switching riggers anytime soon.
- We lowkey don't want to hand over the .cmo3 because of the risks associated with it... but y'know... money is money.
Personally, I think it's okay to offer the .cmo3 despite those risks (hence the additional fee).
That said, I also understand where people who don't offer it are coming from. Genuinely valid. Bad experiences, protecting their techniques, and concerns about IP theft...
I can relate to that reasoning because:
- Generally, things can get messy. In crediting, where does my work end and theirs begin?
- I personally don't work on other people's rigs. It's difficult for me to understand someone else's hierarchy. I think this is a weak point to include, but my gut tells me to include it... probably as a glimpse into my psyche...
- With enough effort, it's possible to transplant other model art into an editable file. I think the chances of this happening are low, but the risk exists.
- Building on that point, someone could potentially use or resell the editable file in ways you don't approve of.
Still, I'm an optimist at heart, so I choose to believe that anyone purchasing a .cmo3 from me has good intentions.
Anyway, that's a lot of text. I just see a lot of people bringing out the pitchforks and making comparisons, but model rigging is a pretty unique discipline. I see the vision, but it's hard to compare rigging to cars or houses.
I think that 9 times out of 10, live2d modelers will give you the editable file for a % fee, so don't be afraid to ask if you want it.
Let's play nice!
Riggers if I'm paying you to rig my model that file should also go to me. I PAID FOR IT. it is MY MODEL.
Like what is this industry ? I pay THOUSANDS of dollars to not own the file of my own rigged model ????