friscolives

I think somethings are a matter of taste. I started with the LL viewer, got comfortible with it, and always liked the basic layout. I never had problems with it crashing on my computer. I tried Phoenix and firestorm and a few others, so here is my two cents. Always hated phoenix. A lot of the things I could easily do on the older viewer--such as add places to my favorites and LMs--could still be done, but not as easily as on the LL viewer. I couldnt even find my favorites, had to search through all LMs. I didnt like the camera view icons (couldnt move them around on the screen if I wanted) and some boxes were a pain to close (just x out of) on phoenix. Many times I get noticed and like to save them for a while, in phoenix not really an option. One nice thing about phoenix is some functions it offers -- such as hiding my groups from people -- are not available on the LL viewer to my knowlledge. Firestorm isnt much better.Has a very similar interface, but one thing I did notice is that you can save image files as Targa or PNG on firestorm--and you can't on most other viewers including phoenix and the LL one. As someone who used templates to make clothing thats an important feature. Dolphin has a very similar interface to the LL viewer. Found it crashes more often. Just my two cents, and in truth I didnt spend a lot of time tweaking things on any of these, so its likely I could change things around and might be a different experience.

My avatar and user name are always an issue. When I first joined SL, I came up with a somewhat usual user name, then game my avatatar its name. I was using the viewer issued by SL, so there never seemed to be an issue, as the name being displayed was always set to my avatars name not the user name. It looked fine on my screen, but evidently its popping up on other brothers--firestorm, phoenix, etc--as my user name. So rather then being greeted "Hi Bill" by others, its something like "Hi Starwarsfan2012" that sort of thing. Is there some universal setting I can use to be sure it only shows my member name, rather than my users name. I know I can't change it--unless I start a whole new account--but there should be someway of displayer the name I prefer.

I'm using photoshop c4. The files I'm using are PNG files with the transparent backgrounds, though some templates I also have in Photoshop files.

One of the problems i've been having involves working with overlay. For example, I am using a template for a white t shirt, and I want to apply a stripped pattern to it, so I copy the layer, then fill the t shirt part with the stripped pattern, then hit overlay so the fabric creases and wrinkles all show through--but for whatever reason it makes the stripped pattern very light. I often end up duplicating the layer repeatedly just to get it darker, Is there something I'm missing here?

I played with is a bit last night, and was fortunately I got some great information from Trendy Templates that I will be spending a while with on my next day off. One thing I discovered--accidently, as most thing I've learned turn out--is that the patterns/textures I loaded, while not going to the pattern file as I had hoped, wound up in the pattern brush area. I was very easily able to click the paint bucket, select pattern, pick the pattern I wanted, and one click and viola the pattern appears perfectly. I did the overlay--for some reason the pattern is lighter (perhaps because the base of the clothing in the template is white. I duplicated the layer quite a few times and have it to the point it looks good. I'll have to see if I can find a different base color on the template and I think this will be sorted as well. As of yet I havent sent it to SL and tried it on, I will--again on my next day off. Thanks for all the help, and I'm looking forward to spendng a few hours going over some of the information/tutrials I got and really get to understand how this all works.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll dive into this ASAP. Just to clarify what I think might be a misconception. I did not come here right off the bat asking this question. I did some research. I went to Youtube and viewed maybe 10 videos (of many, many available on this subject.) I've actually burned a few to DVD to review over as I think they are really good and imformative. I spent a significant time googling tutorials for further information on the subject. The problem I have encountered appears to be in simply installing and unloading the patterns--and if i'm lucky i've found a good tutorial on that as well--completely accidently stumbling on it while searching for something else ironically. Simply, my favorite tutorial shows the best way to add the pattern is simply select the article of clothing, double click the pattern layer, and select and load the pattern and overlay. I had tried loading jpegs but the patterns (located in the patterns directory--are all PAT.) That is the plain and simple issue. I did find a tutorial and did research it, just--likely due to being new and learning the software--had some questions on something that was tricky to me so I asked. As far as erasing stuff outside the template outline (and for what its worth the stuff I am using are templates purchased from SL vendors, all full permission stuff that I am allowed to use). I did add a few texture layer over it, but when I ported it into SL I had issues. An example being in making a bikini bottom, when it loads it becomes a full pair of pants, and even in adjusting the clothings size it doesnt go to the size of the template--looking more like granny panties then a hot bikini! I had this trouble with Targa, as it doesn't appear to allow for transparency. Less of an issue using PNC, which I have been using almost exclusively. I also have Photoshop templates, but so many layers involved and had trouble selecting the clothes as described in the tutorial I have been relying on. (basically add a layer, click the original template clothing and hit control to select it. Much more difficult in photoshop due to all those layers. Anyway hope that helps explain some of the issues better, but just know that I did a lot of research and also would never use anyone elses creative work without their permission or the item being paid for and designated as something I am allowed to use as I wish. I'm neither a thief nor a hack, just confused over how some things aree done.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I understand there are numerous tutorials and books available. I have watched many, and learned a great deal. I purchased a book of photoshop as well, but as of yet I havent been able to resolve the issue I am asking about. Photoshop c4 houses its patterns at PAT in a folder. If you are adding a pattern to a peice of clothing, you double click the layer, opening a styles menu that shows there patterns--and I'm seeing a limited amount, maybe 20 or so, all as PAT files. I want a different pattern style, but my issue is how to load it into this section so I can use it in the article of clothing I want. I have tried viewing a lot of tutorials, but so far havent been able to do this. I have plenty of patterns--purchased from sites like Renderosity or free web downloads, but most are JPEG. Now there could be a simple way of adding these, but outside of a while new layer and some heavy duty erasing work to keep it all in the template outline I dont see how I can do this. Which is why I'm asking here. I'll check those tutorials you mentioned, perhaps they might have the info I need.

I'm fairly new to working on clothing here is SL, but have managed to make a few decent items using templates. One issue I'm having is adding a texture. I know they are in photoshop (PAT format) but the selection is pretty limited. I found a website and downloaded some PAT textures--supposedly for photoshop--but for whatever reason they didnt get to the proper folder when I loaded them there. Anyone familiar with this that can offer some advice on how to get textures into where they belong? or anyone know of a decent tutorial for this? Thanks in advance.

Hm I tried, but it says someting about not being able to find the sound. Do I have to somehow load maybe an audio file into it as well? I apologize for the stupid question, scripting is new to me and I'm just trying to figure it all out.

I am attempting to make a time keepers bell for a boxing or wrestling ring. I need a script that would play back the sound of a bell being struck when clicked. Not sure if there is a script for this around, but if anyone knows of something it would be helpful.

I'll start by saying I'm not an animator, but as someone trying to figure things out as well I found quite a few tutorials on Youtube. I'd start my search there, as programs like Daz 3D, Poser and Qavinator all will do what you need--and Qavinator and Daz are free!

I know the skin question has popped up frequently. I am looking to upgrade the skin on my avatar, hoping to find a good quality, detailed skin for an Asian female. I'd like something thats not ridiculously expensive, but it needs to be good. Mine is pale--but really too pale--I look like a ghost! Ideally it would also have an option for a oil/sweat look, but maybe I can pick up that elsewhere. Any suggestions would be a big help.

Thanks a lot. That solves the problem.

Before the bashing begins, I realize this is probably a dumb question to ask for people who have a lot of experience in building. I don't, so here goes. I made an item using multiple prims, its a boxing ring,so the base is one big prim, the ropes are seperate, the ring posts, padding, all different objects I created in put together to eventually sell in my store and the marketplace. Now in creating this, obviously, I used multiple objects. In selling it, ideally I would just have one object people could drag out and it would rez and be the complete ring. Is there any tutorials, or any basic explanation, on how I would make it so it all comes out as desired. I know i've purchased other rings, they come in one or two sections--but obviously not in so many as this would be. Any info is appreciated. I'm gradually learning my way to do some of this stuff, but it gets a bit tricky at times.

Very true, the club is intended for small gatherings, maybe 10-15 avatars max. It is definitely not intended for large crowds. I probably should have made that clearer, but certainly something I would make a point to inform anyone interested in going in on this project. The homestead I am renting does allow clubs, but with the limitations of being a homestead it obviously needs to be light usage.

I am currently renting a homestead. The size is a full sim (64 K meters, whatever the normal size is.) It is basically set up as a business area, has a nightclub, an arena, a very large complex (could be retail space) another builiding and a movie theatre. As it stands I have about 2600 prims used, my max is 3500. Looking for someone who is looking to run a club to come in on the project. My main interest is the arena--and to a lesser extent the club--but its something that can be shared very easily. If you have a project that could use these location but maybe don't want to have to pay the full rental for someting like this yourself, perhaps we could work something out and share the location and the expenses. If interested feel free to IM me here and I can show you the location.

One quick thing you might want to try. Right click your avatar, you will see something to take things off, then options to take off clothing, detach an item, etc. Go to the clothing option, and check for an alpha layer. If one is there, click it to remove it. You might be wearing an alpha layer on your arms--making them invisible. Once the layer is removed they might magically reappear. Or not. Good luck.

I am opening a retail store set up in one of the sims, and am looking for a script to put on my prim items that will let me sell them to the public. Basically just looking for something that will allow potential customers to click on the item,then the box shows up offering to "pay" me x amount of lindens, and once they do the items is delivered to them. All the shops seem to have this, but i'm just getting started so figuring out how its done can be a challenge.

Thanks for the information. I should have clarified the writing I'm speaking off also contains many illustrations, in fact comic book is pretty accurate to describe it. It's not all text by any stretch!

I am planning on selling some items I created on SL. I rented a store front at one of the sims, and basically want to sell creative writing--short role play fiction that related to the over all theme of the sim. I know I can sell it in the marketplace, but not quite sure about how to do so in a store front. I have seen many items being sold at the various stores. People simply click them, a menu pops up telling them to pay, and everything is automated. I want to do the same with my products, but a little foggy on how to go about it. Is there any links to point me in the right direction. I've heard about magic boxes and items "migrated to the marketplace" and all, but its a new lingo to me. Any help is appreciated.

Yes, amusing. It's a line of athletic clothing related to professional wrestling. The sim is a wrestling sim, but the clothes are planned group girls with our federations logo on them, No ballerina's sadly.

I have a shop and am looking for some help working on a line of clothes for our group/sim. I think this would be a relatively easy project for someone experienced in this sort of thing. I am learning how to do this, but at this point need some guidance. I am willing to pay a reasonable amount for someone who help me get started. Please IM me in world or send an message to me here so we can talk if interested. The primarily task would be to help design some woman's clothing, a simple tank top and leotard line.

Been a fan for years. I started watching Bob Backlund back in the day, so been watching for a while. I find SL has a lot to offer in that department, the main reason I am here these days.

When I get a group message, many times there will be an attached LM in it, maybe to a store or a sim. I have been clicking these LMs to teleport to the location, but nothing ever happens. Is there a setting or something off? I realize I must be doing something wrong as none of the LMs seem to work.

Hi I just rented a homestead and was looking for someone to help with landscaping the area, making it attractive. I'm starting the sim, but could use someone who is more experienced/talented/smarter than me to help make it attractive. Willing to pay a reasonable fee for someone to come help me out. Feel free to PM me here if interested.