A shape file with Mod/Copy-OK permissions can be exported as an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file for editing. This export process does not work with No-Mod shapes.
If you wear a commercial No-Mod shape, export the shape that comes with the head or body you are demoing or bought. Export that shape.
Eventually this makes sense.
Place the export somewhere on your computer, remember where (duh). These files are human and machine readable. You can edit them with any Text Editor… Notepad (included in Windows by default) or Notepad++ (preferred – free third-party app for text and code).
Gotcha Warning
If you use Word or another ‘word processing app’ you will likely have problems. These processors add markup that does not belong in a shape file.
Tech Detail
There are numerous apps for working with XML files. As an example, see: XML Notepad. Which you use depends on how much you plan to work with XML files.
Basic Editing
Shape files are easily understood. You’ll find editing them is simple enough. Take a look inside. See if the style makes sense to you.
Or you can learn about XML files. See:
- How To Edit XML Files | Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
- How to format XML using Notepad++
- What is XML | XML Beginner Tutorial | Learn XML with Demo in 10 min
- ULTIMATE XML Full Course for beginners in 1 Hour
Basically, you want to remove all items that are not related to the head. Save the result as your head shape, name it appropriately.
Repeat the process for the body.
Tech Detail
If you use command line tools, I have a script for you that will split the file into head and body.
Download: Shape-Split.py (in ZIP file)
Run this script in PowerShell or CMD (command line) using: [whatever comes up here]>python “[Drive letter]:\[path]\Shape-Split.py“
Enter drive and path to the location of the ‘Shape-Split.py‘ file.
The script generates two new XML files, one for head and one for body, saving you from manually deleting dozens of lines of XML code and making this process fast if you buy a lot of different heads and bodies.
Combining Shapes the Smart Way
When you buy a new head, you normally wear the included shape, and that is exactly what wrecks your lovingly tuned body shape. And if you wear a No-Mod shape, you are sort of screwed. But, there is a trick.
Wear your shape. This is the shape that has the body or head shape you want to keep. Then right‑click your avatar and choose Appearance → Edit Shape to open the Shape Editor.
In the lower‑right corner of the Shape Editor, click the Import button and select the head or body‑only XML file; Firestorm imports it and merges the head or body only data into the shape you are currently wearing. !!!
The viewer keeps all existing shape values that are not present in the imported file, so your new head or body updates while your preferred head or body keeps your signature settings.
Use “Save As…” to save this merged look as a new full‑perm shape, which you can tweak further or use however.
You can do this for body or head. I suggest you export your signature shape and split it. You then have a back up. And when you try a new head or body you can import the part you want to keep without having to do a new split.
The Low‑Tech Alternative
If you do not want to touch XML at all, your fallback option is to manually record every slider value from the Shape Editor and retype them after trying a new head or body.
That works and does not require any external tools, but it is slow and easy to mess up, especially if you experiment often.
Using XML exports lets you back up your look, restore it with a couple of clicks, and safely experiment with new releases without ever losing your “this is me” avatar identity.
To remove the most tedious part of that workflow, the free splitter script takes care of generating clean head and body files for you in seconds.