How to make Avatar Deformers?

[Cuddlebeam]

Hello! I'd like to know how to make Avatar Deformers. There doesn't seem to be information anywhere on how to do it (everything there is seems to be outdated).

Please help me out. I'd appreciate it a bunch.

Thank you!

[OptimoMaximo]

you should expand more about what you are thinking to achieve. There is no such an asset as Avatar Deformer. Would you like to make a shape? Or move the avatar joints so to achieve a different scale and/or proportion? "Deformers" isn't a self explanatory term in SL.

[Cuddlebeam]

I would love to know how to change the joints so that there are different scale and proportion, yes hehe. (Is there a better name for that?)

[OptimoMaximo]

Alright, so there are basically two ways to accomplish this>

1) create a new body shape using the Appearance Editor, outdated interface but still relevant info available here http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Appearance

2) create a joint position animation to reposition each single joint and get shapes impossible to achieve with point #1

for the point #2, you have to use a 3D software that supports SL animation. Blender is a 3D software that comes free, but the required plug in is to be purchased (around 25 USD)

Otherwise, Maya (commercial software) with my plug in  or 3DSMax with Polysail's Marionette plug in.

[Cuddlebeam]

Thank you OptimoMaximo!!

I've got Blender, so... How do I do #2 there lol. And where can I get the plugin?

[OptimoMaximo]

The plug in you need is Avastar. It can be purchased inworld with linden dollars or using paypal through their website.

Inworld location http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Jass/128/128/2

Website https://blog.machinimatrix.org/

They have plenty of tutorials on all the basics you need to get started.

[Cuddlebeam]

 

Why do I get that weird pose? ;A;

I'm importing just the default avatar from the workbench...

[OptimoMaximo]

10 hours ago, OptimoMaximo said:

2) create a joint position animation to reposition each single joint

As i was mentioning in the quote, you'll need to output an animation toreposition the joints as a deformer from the default avatar. For this, you'll need a full Avastar character in your scene, i guess the avatar workbench won't do for this task.

From your picture, i'd say you were importing a default avatar as a rigged mesh, i'll assume to take advantage of the joint positions delivered with such a mesh. However, this would only work actually wearing the avatar mesh as an additional item, it won't somehow "override" your current avatar (except the joint position). An animation on the other hand lets you deform any avatar. 

I would recommend watching Medhue's youtube video tutorials on animation to get started.

[Cuddlebeam]

I, uh... Fixed it without buying anything. I just didn't have Export to SL/OpenSim pressed...

I can now make Giant/Tiny/etc avatar with no problem... Thank you for your help.

[Heavyhauler]

On 2/23/2018 at 8:18 PM, Cuddlebeam said:

I, uh... Fixed it without buying anything. I just didn't have Export to SL/OpenSim pressed...

I can now make Giant/Tiny/etc avatar with no problem... Thank you for your help.

I'll have to give that a try. At one time I used Deformers that I made. SL still supports them, but you can't upload them anymore. Got tons of em for various joints. Still use them in fact for some avatars. At one time I used Blender 2.49b ( I think that was it ) to adjust the SL skeleton and made several in various sizes. I need to look into what you did sometime. I don't do rigged mesh, but I use scults or non-rigged mesh body parts and attach them to the modded skeletons

I can't see paying for Avastar to do just one thing.

Thanks!

Edited February 27, 2018 by Heavyhauler