Posting Guidelines & Rules - PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING - 2024 Version

[TCSSkin]

Rules

Welcome to the Skinning Hideout - The skinning hideout is the leading place for Football Manager skinning discussion and where most skinners both learn how to Skin as well as discuss and share future prospects.

Moderators: @TCSSkin, @snowofman, @wkdsoul, @michaeltmurrayuk

Skinning Hideout and Rules

The skinning hideout tends to be one of the more chilled and quiet forums on the forum, however there are still rules we need to follow

1. Please post in English

This entire forum is mostly an English speaking forum, and if your post isn't in English it may not be answered. If English isn't your native language please use a translator such as DeepL translator or even ChatGPT which i've been informed is very accurate  

2. Direct Download Links only

The skinning hideout isn't a place to advertise your blog, and any skins that are posted MUST feature a direct download link to a site such as Mediafire/Mega. You are allowed to post a link to your site, however it must be normal size formatting and simply a hyperlink.

Failure to comply with this will result in a 24hr notice to add direct download links, if this isn't followed then the thread will be locked and hidden until compliance.

3. No Graphics Discussion/Links/Requests

Due to copyright issues and this forum being the official Sports Interactive forum, we can't be seen as distributing or hosting copyrighted graphics. You can use them in your screenshots, but any posts that request graphics, discuss graphics packs or host any links will be hidden.

Posts that don't follow this guideline will be hidden with a PM sent.

4. No Paid Content

We are still discussing this with Sports Interactive and SEGA, but for now our stance on Paid Content is that OPTIONAL donations are allowed, any content that is locked behind a paywall isn't. We simply do not believe in locking content behind a paywall and it is strictly against Sports Interactive's terms of use. If your skin features pro versions or early access, all references must be removed prior to posting on this forum.

Failure to comply will result in a 24 hour notice period, before the thread is locked and hidden.

5. Do not share skins without the original creator's permission.

6. Respect Skinmakers wishes

Similar to 5. If the skin maker wishes to not share their skin, not provide a skin that adapts to different resolutions, not provide translations, please respect those wishes. Skinmaking is an incredibly time consuming hobby that people don't get paid for, and constantly pushing for things against peoples wishes will push them away.

Failure to follow this rule will result in a PM Warning, further action may be taking if the issue continues.

[TCSSkin]

Posting Guidelines

When creating a thread for an item you have made or are making please try to follow the below guidelines as it makes it easier for users to find your content and easier to differentiate between different versions of the game.

Thread Titles

Here's an example of what we'd like to see when posting stuff:

[FM24][SKIN/MOD][RELEASED] Name of your skin 

If it's still a work in progress then you'd have

[FM24][SKIN/MOD][WIP] Name of your skin or graphics pack or whatever

Obviously the RELEASED and WIP bits are important but it would be a massive help if the version of FM the content is designed for is included too. When it comes to a new release it'll be far easier to see what's compatible. And if someone sorts the forum by thread title all the released items for one version should be together rather than all over the place.

Use [SKIN] if you are releasing something that is selectable as a skin in game, if its not then use [MOD].

 

WIP to Release/Multiple Versions

If you want to showcase an item you are working on but aren't quite ready to release yet but want feedback on it then you are free to create a Work In Progress Thread.

However it is generally a good idea to only open a WIP thread when you are nearly done or if you are genuinely looking for feedback, suggestions or ideas rather than creating a thread when you only have a mock up or concept art.

When creating your Work in Progress Thread please use the [WIP] designation as noted above.

Once you are ready to release your work please create a separate Release Thread, make a final post in your WIP Thread linking to your Released Thread and PM one of the mods so we can close your WIP thread.

 

Released Opening Post Guidelines

When you create a released thread please include the following information where possible:

Images - Provide a variety to showcase your item, the current forum software should allow you to upload several images to your post so please use the forum function instead of uploading images to third parties where possible, if the images are large (greater than 1024x768) consider posting thumbnails, (double clicking on the image will give you image editing options).

Description - A quick description of what your item does. Also include any special instructions your item might have.

Download link - As per other guidelines please provide either a direct download link. As long as that information is provided you can also provide a link to an active thread on other forum where your item is worked on or to your FM website, provided it isn't abused (i.e. don't provide a link to your site and nothing else).

Please note that paid only downloads, PM only links or links that require you to sign up to download are not allowed and will be removed, also if using a third party file hosting website please use a family friendly host and one that doesn't disguise it's free download link. If end-users have an issue with a download link then please report the post so it can be brought to our attention.

Donations - For the moment we will allow you to request optional donations on the forum, however these need to be 100% optional and no content is to be locked (or delayed) behind a donation. In addition please restrict donation requests to the opening post of your thread and ensure you are only asking for donations on content you have made yourself. Though we reserve the right to remove donation links if we feel you are abusing our trust.

Also note that skins and mods are provided as is, and links to third party sites are out of our control, whilst we will do our best to check the links, you are advised as always to run a virus scan on any file downloaded from the internet. They are nothing to do with Sports Interactive or SEGA and won't be supported by them.

In addition for Content Creators when releasing work to the public please ensure you have obtained all necessary permissions and licenses to distribute the work contained within your Skin or Mod.

Just because something was posted on the internet doesn't mean it is free to use, so if you have included things such as graphics, icons, backgrounds or fonts with your skin please ensure you have checked the licensing requirements for those items.

For game files you are generally free to include these with your item, outside of using the SI or Sega branding or claiming your item is in anyway endorsed or supported by SI or Sega, unless told otherwise by Sports Interactive or Sega.

Also whilst it is fine to take inspiration from other skins (as there is only so much we can change) there is a difference between taking inspiration and stealing - liking a feature from another skin and implementing it yourself is perfectly fine, as is looking at the code to see how something was done and using that as the basis for your work. What isn't acceptable is lifting graphics or codes from other skins if you plan on releasing your work.

If you are planning on releasing your work and have used content from other skins then you need to ensure you have obtained permission to use that content before releasing your skin, outside of situations where the skinner has some standard terms.

 

Tagging Threads

Now we have the tagging system please also tag your threads once your content has been released and use the Item Prefix option this makes released content stand out and it is easier to search for stuff via tags. For WIP threads please don't tag those threads only do it for release threads.

[TCSSkin]

Thread Guidelines for when you have Problems or Questions

If you have a question or need some help then you are free to open up a new thread, however to enable us to better help you it would be helpful if you could follow the below guidelines.

Before Posting

- If your issue is with third party graphics then the best place to obtain help is from the site where you downloaded the content.

- If your issue is with a skin that has a thread here then please post your issue in that thread rather than create a new thread as the skin maker is more likely to see your post if it is in their thread.

- Also for most issues please first look through the pinned threads or do a quick search of the forum as in most cases your query may have already been answered.

 

When Posting

If you haven't found the answer to your issue then when posting;

- When creating a new thread please give your thread a descriptive title and refer to which version of FM you are using.

- Also supply as much information as possible - what you are wanting to do in detail, what you have already tried and in most cases it is also very helpful to provide some screenshots as it makes it a lot easier to narrow down what part of the game you are referring to or what your trouble is.

The more information you provide the better the chance someone will be able to help you, and please don't bump your threads especially not within 24 hours as the forum isn't that busy and it can take time for someone to find the answer to your query.

[TCSSkin]

Useful Posting Resources

Some useful links that might help you when posting on these forums:

 

How To Take A Screenshot

There are several ways to take a screenshot for Football Manager.

You can use the in-game shortcut which is Alt+S by default to take a Screenshot and this will save your screenshot in the Screenshots folder inside your User Data Location. Though if using the game to take screenshots please open them in an imaging program and re-save them as jpgs before uploading them as bmp/png file sizes can be rather large especially if you are supplying several screenshots.

You can also use Steam to take a Screenshot by pressing F12 by default. To find where you screenshot is saved on your Computer, from the games library page in Steam in the Screenshots section select the Manage my screenshot link (or right click on the image) and on the popup window select the Show on Disk option.

Windows 10 users can also use the Gamebar to take screenshots, and there are various other third party programs that can do so also.

 

Picture Hosting - Where possible include screenshots of your new skin or show a problem you're having.

With the forum update the easiest way to upload a picture to your post is to use the attachment option found at the bottom of the posting box, drag the image(s) you want to upload where it says and when the images have uploaded click on the plus sign to add them into your post.

You can also take and host screenshots directly with Steam. To take a screenshot with Steam press F12 by default, then from the Game Library Game for Football Manager right click on your image and click Manage Screenshots, then select Upload in the popup, once uploaded select View Online and on the Steam page for the screenshot you can change the options and click the share option to get a link to it.

 

File Hosting - You may wish to upload an edited file, a skin or something else for others to share (your own work of course).

With the forum update the easiest way to upload your file is to use the attachment option found at the bottom of the posting box. Drag the file(s) you want to upload where it says and when the files have uploaded click on the plus sign to add them into your post.

If the files are bigger than the allowed size then if you have a Google or Microsoft (outlook/live/hotmail) account you can use the free file hosting services they offer to upload your screenshots or files.

You can also upload various items directly to the Steam Workshop. Steam Workshop instructions can vary depending on which version of the game you are using, a current guide to the Workshop should generally be found within the other pinned threads.

There are also plenty of other picture and file hosting websites around for you to pick from, if you use another one please try and pick one that doesn't hide the download links nor contain non-family friendly ads.

When providing a link to a file please ensure at least one of the links you provide is to a free download and one that doesn't require registration and when linking please link directly to the file or to the download page, do not just provide a link to your websites front page or forum. Any links not following these guidelines will be removed.