Am I allowed to edit the textures for personal use?

[Dax]

So, I was thinking about making one of specimens as my steam profile picture. Since taking a screenshot of them, as well as crop-ing a picture from wikia would be extremely dull, I decided to do more of a "professional way" by finding a texture file of that specimen and editing it (by using paint.net, gimp, photoshop, etc.). The my idea of editing was placing a one of the wall textures as background, placing specimen in front and adding in the lighting shading effect, making it like there's a torch placed on wall behind it, as well as other artifacts such as adding darkish atmosphere to the picture, glowing eyes, etc. Another idea of mine was decorating the profile picture for Christmas and New Year, giving the specimen santa claus hat for example, or wrapping those festive lights around them.

Now the question is: Am I allowed to make these edits, and place them as a profile avatar here on steam? After making the first edit, I was afraid that I might be breaking one those copyrights rules and other legal stuff, and I decided to make this topic first before I do anything with it. I know that youtube videos won't get copyright strike for having this game's music in them, but I also know that remixing is a completely different thing and it usually requires author's permission, so, does same goes for texture files? (since they seem to be drawn/designed by developer/s, and that it is not some royalty free stuff that I'm free to edit).

[pflytrap]

I'm pretty sure the devs are okay with it: I think that's why they put the textures in such an easy-to-access place.

[Mad Ashley]

Well, it's only personal use, so I'd think you could edit some ♥♥♥♥ and get away with it. Just look at some "OC"s people have made, which tend to be edits and recolors.

[Dax]

Originally posted by Faz De Slasher:

Well, it's only personal use, so I'd think you could edit some ♥♥♥♥ and get away with it. Just look at some "OC"s people have made, which tend to be edits and recolors.

Those are just poor and blatant in my opinion. One could request a take down if they find not to be credited. One thing is drawing, other is modifying already existing work.

I'm still quite septic on uploading my piece anywhere. Perhaps as an artwork? Now that is certainty the best solution I got right now, should give it a go.

Originally posted by pflytrap:

I'm pretty sure the devs are okay with it: I think that's why they put the textures in such an easy-to-access place.

Makes sense.



In any way, thanks for replying people. Appreciate it.

[AMGSheena]

Hi there,

We don't have a problem with you using our characters as personal use or some form of art. If you edit and photoshop things on our characters, that's fine, but only personal use.

[Dax]

Originally posted by Psychobilly2422:

Hi there,

We don't have a problem with you using our characters as personal use or some form of art. If you edit and photoshop things on our characters, that's fine, but only personal use.

In a form of a (non-commercial) fan-made artwork, yeah, I understand now. Much thanks for taking your time to reply!

[Fuhrer]

The ♥♥♥♥ are they gonna do? Call the cops on you for using an avatar on the internet?

What a weird question.

[Dax]

Originally posted by Fuhrer:

The ♥♥♥♥ are they gonna do? Call the cops on you for using an avatar on the internet?

What a weird question.

Modifying someones work must require some sort of permission from them. This image is not pure, it is an edit made mainly using someone else's work, therefore, the creator of said work needs to know about the existence of the edit first before it becomes viewable over "public areas" of internet. There are copyright rules, and there are artists who do not wish their work to be edited in any way, used in videos, or even viewed outside the website where work was originally uploaded. See music as example. You cannot use certain music pieces as a part of your own work, as you will get a copyright strike. Same can go for videos of, for example, certain TV shows do not allow to be viewed outside "TV", for example, over Youtube.. Therefore, its not a weird question, I'm just insuring that I'm won't have to face any problems.

And even if there aren't any problems to face, I still feel like it right to ask the original author first before modifying their work for your own, personal purpose.

[Fuhrer]

Originally posted by Dax:

Originally posted by Fuhrer:

The ♥♥♥♥ are they gonna do? Call the cops on you for using an avatar on the internet?

What a weird question.

Modifying someones work must require some sort of permission from them. This image is not pure, it is an edit made mainly using someone else's work, therefore, the creator of said work needs to know about the existence of the edit first before it becomes viewable over "public areas" of internet. There are copyright rules, and there are artists who do not wish their work to be edited in any way, used in videos, or even viewed outside the website where work was originally uploaded. See music as example. You cannot use certain music pieces as a part of your own work, as you will get a copyright strike. Same can go for videos of, for example, certain TV shows do not allow to be viewed outside "TV", for example, over Youtube.. Therefore, its not a weird question, I'm just insuring that I'm won't have to face any problems.

And even if there aren't any problems to face, I still feel like it right to ask the original author first before modifying their work for your own, personal purpose.

You don't have the slightest idea of what you're talking about or what copyright law includes.