Category Archives: Second Life

Things about SL

Photoshop 2017: Bump, Normal, and Depth Maps

by

3

How Bump, Normal, and Depth Maps are created in Photoshop changed in 2017 CC. I hadn’t noticed until I needed to make a normal map. Then I stumbled across this video while checking to see if NVIDIA’s normal map tool would work with the newest 2017 CC.

The video uses the 3D mode. When creating mesh from bump map as shown PS isn’t exactly polygon efficient, but for use in PS and texture creation that isn’t an issue. For a 100+ brick wall PS made just under 500,000 vertices and 977,000 faces, which is way too heavy for Second Life(TM).

I’m playing with Photoshop’s 3D and deciding if I can use it for some of the things I want to make. My choices seem to be PS, Blender, and Sculptris… or to spend money… For work I have Adobe’s suite of apps. But, increasing my monthly software rental cost or spending US$800 or more for a 3D painting app isn’t something I want to do.

So, I’m painting in all three and trying to figure out how easily put fine detail into things I want to make for my Slink body.

What app do you use for making finely detailed textures for clothes in SL?

 

Second Life: Finding Photographers

by

0

I keep looking for ways to find great photos of Second Life™ in Flickr. I am slowly learning how to find artists I have no clue exist.

Regrets in a lost world

Regrets in a lost world

I’ve been trying to see how one sees the new images in groups I have joined. I’ve Googled and dug through the Flickr HELP. No joy. People seem to think it is not possible. May be those that know how think it so basic everyone knows. Continue reading →

AvaStar: MakeHuman or Manuel Bastioni?

by

0

I noticed Machinimatrix posting a video on how to integrate Manuel Bastioni with AvaStar. BElow is an image link to the video as it won’t display embedded here. Sheeesh..

So, what is Manuel Bastioni? It is an open source character generator for Blender. Seems it is competition for MakeHuman. The download is here: Manuel Bastioni.  Continue reading →

Second Life News 2017 w13

by

0

Servers

There was no roll to the main channel today. A roll to the RC channels is expected Wednesday. The change is listed as;

All three RC channels are scheduled for 2017-03-29 update; RC Bluesteel, LeTigre, Magnum.

Changes: Added and tweaked asset metrics stats logging

Ed at Black Cat Island 03272017_006

Ed at Black Cat Island 03272017_006

I know the Lindens are working in updates to the render cost figures. They are also changing delivery of more assets to be via Content Delivery Networks (CDN). So, I’m not sure which effort is supported by the tweaks… both? Continue reading →

Second Life: Third-Party Viewer Developers’ UG

by

0

This is the meeting of March 24, 2017. Not many people were there. Not much news. Some update on the RC viewers.

Normally I watch Pantera Północy’s videos of the meeting. But, he missed the last two meetings. So, I decided to video this one. But, Pantera was there and his usual video is here: Second Life: Third Party Viewer meeting (24 March 2017).

This is sort of a playing-in-SL-video for me. Probably a one time thing. I doubt I’ll video future meetings as long as Pantera is posting his videos.

Second Life Bits 2017 w12

by

1

Second Life™ Photo Contest

Inara tells us about Filling the Cauldron, a photo contest open to everyone. See her article for the details.

City corners 3

City corners 3

In ‘cauldron’ related news Prim Dolls provides information of a more personal nature. Elicio Ember’s father is fighting to recover from a stroke. So, there is a benefit event. See: Ember’s Cauldron: Welcome! Stores from all over the grid are involved.  Continue reading →