How do I make Avi Smile, Giggle, Speak etc?

[GingerPiper Throgmorton]

I have been inworld for a few weeks now and getting around fairly well. I have found a favorite hangout. I see that the other Avis can "speak using chat.  I notice special characters to emote. How does that work.

Also, I was asked to smile for a snapshot and didn't know how to do this.

Can you also frown? Cry? 

[Fionalein]

Yes, they can all ... now depending on what avatar you got you will need animations for bento mesh ones or facial expressions for the classic avis.

Here's some start for facial expressions (and the other buildt in animations you will get for free by logging into SL only):

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Internal_Animations

You can create yourself a gesture that plays a specific animation... if you pick one of the facial expressions you will make that face upon typing the trigger text, for expample build one to react to typing the trigger "/cry" for playing "express_cry"

Sounds complicated? Nope it isn't but you must get used to SL first... that's the initial shock we all had to suffer, welcome though. A lot of starter places will have people helping you create and explaining how to use those if you ask them.

Edited April 18, 2018 by Fionalein

[Lindal Kidd]

Hi TL!  Welcome to Second Life.

Yes, your avatar has facial expressions.  There are actually TWO ways to do them; which one applies to you depends on what sort of avatar you have.

Most newcomers have a "classic" avatar.  These avatars have a series of "facial morphs" and Fiona's link to the SL Wiki will give you information on them.  There are several ways to actually activate these expressions.  The way I use most often is a HUD called "Auto Emote", available on the Marketplace.  It's a bit pricey though, $L500.  There is a free alternative I found there: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/GIFT-Emote-Hud-Face-Expressions-All-19-standard-SL-Emotes-PLUS-All-Combinations/5056209

Some gestures also activate a facial expression.  For example, try typing /laugh in nearby chat.

The second type of facial expressions just recently became a part of Second Life, when Linden Lab went live with "Project Bento".  This new capability added some bones to the avatar skeleton that allow people to create custom animations for facial expressions.  The new "Bento Mesh head" products make use of this, and come with their own HUDs that can control your expression, or run a series of expressions to create a "mood".  You don't need a mesh body or a mesh head right away, but you may eventually decide to invest in them.  Do a lot of research and try a lot of demos before you do, these products tend to be quite expensive; many sell for about $L5,000 (about $20 USD in real terms).