OSGrid has been upgrading the backside of the grid. My regions have been offline most of 2011’s weeks 3 & 4 as the database converts to a new format. The latest release of the simulator software has some changes. These are the ones I found interesting.
Terrain Files
The sim software can now handle terrain files made using Terragen. Once the grid is back up I’ll be checking out the new file type as it imports and exports Terragen (.ter) format. Also, this list of supported files types for terrain files was updated. Hopefully it will be easier to work with terrain in Photoshop and L3DT. Thanks Kevin Cozens.
UPDATE: 3/2012 – The site where the HAX files can be downloaded is down. It may come back… or not.
Photoshop CS4 and 5 and Blender will allow one to accomplish the same thing as HAX. Both are easier as you can work directly on the 3D avatar. Look through the Mesh Clothing tutorials to see how to get the avatar model.
UPDATE: claireharford has started hosting the files needed for Multi-Chan Hax.LINK
Multi-Chan Hax - Image 1
I’ve taken some time to play with the multi-chan hax filter. It works, but it is not intuitive. The video tutorial that MistressOfDesign made on faces and socks helps. I think she did an excellent job fitting a lot of information in the time allotted. But, it still leaves things to be figured out.
Multi-Chan Hax Interface - Image 2
When you want to make a pair of pants or a top you’ll find you need to know more. I’ve been sorting my way through Multi-Chan Hax (MCH). Below is what I’ve learned so far from starting a top/blouse. One thing I’ve learned is when it comes to making tops MCH is a tool to help you make things, NOT a tool that does everything for you.
If you want to follow along, look at the first tutorial on Multi-Chan Hax that I published and get MCH installed and tested. Also know this is not a Photoshop (PS) tutorial nor a beginner’s tutorial, it’s about MCH. So, I won’t be explaining how to do PS things. I’ll assume you know the basics of image editing and compositing. You’ll have to Google for PS help.
Linden Lab put out the Q4 stats for 2010 and several have blogged about them. I suppose we probably knew whatever it is they tell us. The numbers just help us get sense of degree. We aren’t deciding if things or good or bad, better or worse, but how much better or worse. So, what do the numbers mean and what will we see in 2011?
This feature is being rolled out to the main grid Tuesday. It has been in testing for the last couple of weeks. The feature failed its first round of testing in the release channel. This week it passed, so now it gets promoted to the main grid.
This is the feature that allows you to return prims located in another parcel that encroach on your parcel. It is the center of the prim that determines which parcel it is on. So, a prim can be located on parcel 1 and extend into parcel 2. As things have been previously the owner of parcel 2 was just screwed. Now the owner of parcel 2 will be able to return an encroaching prim.
If you don’t already know, Zindra is the adult region of Second Life, the red light district. The Art Maze is a novel idea of displaying art in Second Life. The exhibit ends January 31. So, if you are going to see it, see it soon. Be warned, some of the art is XXX.
How Adult is the Art Maze?
The art pieces are displayed in a maze. Part of the fun is finding your way from exhibit to exhibit. You never know what you will find next. I was surprised there was so little explicit adult art. May be 10% to 15% of the exhibits are hard core XXX. The majority are not sexually oriented or I’m missing something.
Shjak Monde Art
Some of the exhibits are abstract art, others are about mental illness, and some are about alternate life styles. There is no rhyme or reason to the arrangement that I can see. But, I was pretty much lost after I started. I wondered through the place curious to find what was next.
The changes in the viewer are minor. The viewer checks whether it is current and lets you know if you need to download an update.
The RLV sections have been upgraded to version 2.4.0. RLV = Restrained Love Viewer – for those into master/slave relationships and the BDSM thing. Essentially it allows another person to have a great deal of control over your avatar.
