How do we add tattoos to MESH avatar bodies?

[Kendra Denimore]

Ok, so now that there are Mesh bodies coming out, with the associated alpha that covers the basic body, how in the heck do we make tattoos that are going to be visible on them? 

The tattoo layer is part of the basic body, and is covered by the alpha for the mesh body, and unfortunately, with the mass of skin/body/shape combos, it's impossible to get all the skin packages in the SL universe and add the tats directly to the skins themselves.  So, here's my question... 

What is the solution that LL is going to provide or propose as an official answer for how to deal with this issue?

[Rolig Loon]

You've answered your own question correctly.  The tattoo layer is a layer on your basic avatar body.  It is matched to the UV map for that avatar.  If you want to apply a tattoo to a custom avatar body, you'll need to have a tattoo texture that has been drawn to match that av's UV map.  The only person who is going to have that map --- unless it was provided when you bought the av --- is the creator.  There's no way that Linden Lab or any other designer is going to be able to recreate it. The only reason that tattoos and system clothes have worked for us since SL began is that we are all based on the same basic avatar (Ruth) and use the same UV map. Now that every designer can create a new, unique avatar, they all have unique UV maps. All bets are off.

[Lindal Kidd]

Rolig is right, and that is exactly why I've been advocating for a new "Avatar 2.0" instead of patchwork solutions, for years now.  But LL never listens to me.