Novice Builder AO Question

[MetalSkye]

im a novice builder. im going to build two simple sci-fi hand held communications units, one the size of a cel phone, and one the size of a tablet. i intend to add several different textures for different apps selectable thru a menu. i am looking for an AO, animation, pose (or whatever) so when you "add" or "wear" it, you will hold it in your left hand, casually looking down at it.

but.. i dont know where to find AOs like that, and i have zero experience making AOs, animations or poses.

any help would be appreciated.

thanks ^_^

[Quarrel Kukulcan]

Playing an animation when attached requires a simple script, plus the animation itself, in the contents of the object. Something like this:
 

// Set these to your custom values.
string cMyAnimName = "whatever your animation is named";

default
{
    attach(key id)
    {
        if (id == NULL_KEY) {    // detached
            llStopAnimation(cMyAnimName);
        } else if (llGetAttached() == ATTACH_LHAND) {
            llRequestPermissions(id, PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION);
        }
    }

    run_time_permissions(integer perm)
    {
        if (perm & PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION) {
            llStartAnimation(cMyAnimName);
        }
    }

}

As for the animation, you'll either have to create and import it yourself or get someone else to do it. That's going to require either a compatible 3D modeling program such as Maya or Blender or a dedicated Second Life animation tool like QAvimator. Making 3D animations is a very broad topic, and I don't know any good entry-level introductions to off the top of my head.

Update: For the very basics on how rig-based animations work in Blender, which is free, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAiTYaiZmY0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlT9rYcIRzU.

The SL base skeleton (Bento version) you need to work from can be downloaded from http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Project_Bento_Testing.

Once you're done, export your animation in BVH format. Then there's the upload process which has its own parameters like easing and looping and doesn't seem to have an official tutorial video less than a decade old. You do want to get an Aditi test server account so you don't waste Lindens uploading to live until you have something you know works.

So, yeah. Complicated.

 

Edited March 2, 2021 by Quarrel Kukulcan