Second Life: Updated Slink Bodies

Today I got a notice that Slink updated their Physique, Hourglass, and Male Physique bodies. The update is free. Visit the store and click the Re-delivery terminal. You’ll be sent to a web page with a list of the Slink things you have purchased.

You’ll get a new copy of your Slink body. I was using a body labeled v2.8 and a HUD labeled v2.7. They say this new body is compatible will all the stuff I bought for Slink so far.

The biggest visual changes are in the HUD. It is now 4 panels instead of the single panel with everything in one place. There is now a panel for; Alpha, Layers, Skin, and Effects.

Slink Body v3 – New HUD – Alpha

There are several changes and additions. The big change is in alpha layers. How the body areas are divided up for masking is a bit different. I am undecided if it is better. It looks like it may be. I’ve had a number of problems trying to mask the previous body to work well with mesh clothes. Backless and open sided dress were a pain.  Continue reading

Second Life: Do I pop out of this dress?

I am disappointed when I find a dress I like and there is no demo available. My buying habits are simple. If a clothing item costs more than L$50 and has no demo, I won’t buy it. I probably won’t buy any dress or blouse that costs less than L$50. If I violate those limits I find I am disappointed about 9 out of 10 times.

So, what do I do with those demos? Here is a video showing my basic process. Dress makers should consider this process. I use it when I test demos and when I make clothes. I figure stuff I make has to pass these tests. So, stuff I buy should pass them too.

The first dress is tight fitting camisole ‘sheath’ and has a sizable leg slit. It is tight fitting and that makes poke through VERY likely.

The dress works well with the upper body (TM: 0:30). It is possible to peak in and see a nipple. But, one has to work to get a peak. That works for me. I don’t want to be flashing everyone when just standing. But, if he is all that interested… Continue reading

Second Life: Bento Hands – Vista Beta Out

Most animators attending the Bento UG meeting have been working with animating mesh heads and wings. But, the bones in the hands finalized some time ago. So, it is a little odd that we haven’t seen anyone do something with the hands. Now we have:

Vista Animations has a demo of what they have done with the hands.

They say they are going to release a beta version of the hand-animations ‘soon’. Well, that was a week ago. It’s out now. Link below.

It is then we will see the complications of keeping classic, mesh, pre-Bento, and post-Bento animations straight. Continue reading

Second Life: Bento Wings Kit

Everyone is excited by the new Bento heads. They are pretty neat. I am also excited about Bento Wings. I have a collection of prim/sculpty wings in my inventory. Some are way gorgeous. But, they are mostly just there, when worn. Project Bento is going to change that. We will be able to animate the Bento Wings in ways not before possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpGUKowqim8

Damien Fate has a Bento Wings Kit out. See: FATEplay – Animated Wings Template. This is one of those Full Perm with an agreement type things where all the mesh and animation stuff is done. You only need to supply textures.

These show some of what can be done with Bento Wings. I expect some really impressive wings to start appearing.

First Bento Head Released

I’m surprised someone already has a Bento head out. And they are selling it, L$99. You have to join a group to get it. Also, it’s not a final version, at least I suspect it isn’t.

Strawberry Singh has a video showing the head and writes a bit about the project. See: Project Bento Mesh Head Preview from Akeruka. Nice head and looks well done.

Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage , not weakness

Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage , not weakness

Strawberry is guessing we may see Bento merged into the main viewer soon, she is in the 1 to 4 week range. I’m guessing too but, I’m in the 4 to 8 week range. I am pretty sure we will see the project viewer advance to RC Viewer status very soon, 1 to 2 week range. Then it takes some time to get through the RC stage. Also the Lindens want to soak up some feedback from a larger group of users. The more they want the longer it takes. Continue reading

Second Life: Project Bento Update 2016 w/35

There was no Project user group meeting this week. Some of the users showed up and there was some discussion. Not much of substance was related while I was there, about 30 minutes. Also, no one was using voice. Conversations were in local chat.

Since there was no voice used I sped up the video by 100% (x2). I also added some of the Server Scripting user group meeting. It too is in local chat without voice… x2.

It is looking like several people expect Project Bento to go into RC status this month. I expect the project to stay in RC status for longer than most candidates do. We have to wait for AvaStar and MaysStar and possibly MaxStar (?) to stabilize, people to learn to use them, start uploading animations, and reporting bugs.

Once the project has an RC my interest jumps up. I’m not a good enough animator to deal with the mechanics of how it works and be helpful. My ‘why does it…’ questions with ‘because you did or didn’t…’ answers would slow things down.