Marianne Little

The EVA avatar from PoisonRed is not a rigged mesh avatar. It is really old, and maybe it is named the way it is, is because the clothes are rigged. To find out if you have a mesh avatar, take off the shoes and look at the feet. Do they have individual, pretty toes with real nails, or are they the "paddle" feet? I believe it has paddle feet. The missing body part is because it is wearing an alpha layer that makes that part of the body invisible. If you wear one of these: -PoisonRed-Eva Alpha Pant -PoisonRed-Eva Alpha Shirt -PoisonRed-Eva Alpha Pant+Shirt+Shoes take them off. You should now see the whole body. I have already written 2 really long posts in another thread, so I take a shortcut and ask: Will you pay for a mesh avatar, and what is your budget? Because my posts was about a free avatar. https://community.secondlife.com/forums/topic/456813-how-to-make-avatar-mesh-head-and-body-match-confusion-about-appliers-and-unpacking/ I am talking about BOM in my second post. BOM is a refined version of your avatar. You can wear your Vana outfit if it has clothes symbols, like pants, jackets, shirts and more. You will soon find out that no new clothes (mesh clothes) or footwear is made for classic avatars. They are made for, Slink, Maitreya, Belleza, Legacy and many others, and work only for them. You can visit the monthly event We Love Role-Play to get a feeling of how fantasy is designed now. https://weloveroleplay.weebly.com/june-2020.html I have already linked to the free Kalhene avatar in the other thread, I post direct link here as well. https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Kalhene-ARIADNA-Bodymesh-BoM-Bento/19717725 You can wear other skins and modify the shape. As you see, it fits clothing made for the (not free) Maitreya avatar. You should still always demo clothes first, because they does not have to fit perfect even if it says it is made for this. That depends upon how good the creator is. You should not have to edit your shape to keep skin from clipping through. The modern mesh avatars has clothes that fit like a glove. That is one of the big selling points. Also, demo, demo, demo.

The first huge post from me was mostly about appliers. But the avatar I recommended, "Kalhene" is called a "BOM" avatar. You may ask, why are you doing this, Marianne? You just explained how appliers work, and now you start talking about BOM? Well, you wanted to know how appliers work. And it is good to know the difference between appliers and BOM, and also the development from default avatar, to mesh avatar that uses appliers, to mesh avatar that uses BOM. BOM stands for "Baked on mesh". You remember how I said the default avatar had to be covered of an alpha and be invisible. The mesh avatars on Second Life was becoming more and more complex, with makeup slots, onion layers and huge HUD's to control it all. And Linden Lab decided to change the game again. BOM let your avatar default layers, like the skin, tattoos and cosmetics, show up on the mesh body parts. They are "baked" to a single combined texture. Forget onion layers. Forget makeup slots. Take OFF your alpha layers. In fact, the Kalhene body does not come with an alpha at all. But you must take off the alpha head and body layers, if you wear them from other mesh parts. So with a total spin around, you now "Wear" your skin from the inventory, and it show up on the Kalhene avatar without clicking on appliers. You can then "Add" and "Take off" all layers with a tattoo symbol (Not a box symbol). That can be hairbases, makeup, freckles and other things you put on your skin. You can also add clothes with symbols like, shirt, jacket, pants and more. This is a good way to wear lingerie. You are always covered, because it is baked into your skin. BOM let you have a better looking avatar with real feet, nails and no jagged edges. And it is easy to change its appearance. You switch to a new skin by wearing it, and you add/take off the other layers. This Kalhene avatar has no onion layers. It has a rough set of alpha cuts that let you turn off parts of the avatar. You use it when clothes does not fit perfect, and you have to turn off the part of the body that clip through. It does take alpha layers, that is another way of hiding your body. You wear and take off them just like other layers. Almost all full priced mesh parts are updated to let you choose between BOM and Appliers. This is a service for those who has spent thousands and thousands on their appliers, and does not want to trash them and start over. It is also possible to say: Yes please, I take both. You use a BOM skin as the canvas, take off the alphas, activate BOM on the mesh body part, and use both appliers and layers over it (If the body part let you use both). But for now, you are using a free avatar and should get it set to look close enough to what you want. Go out and get familiar with SL, visit places, dance, make friends. Then you can read blogs like Seraphimsl, look at fashion blogs and youtube videos. You can decide to pay for a body and head to get another look. Or not, and continue to use what you have.

Can I suggest you to try different parts? The following is my personal view on the history that lead up to the Mesh confusion and the huge sea of heads and bodies people try to navigate with just parts of the map. The main reason there are so many mesh body parts, is because Second Life did not update the avatars they started with in 2003. The clumpy bodies, the fingers, the blocky breasts and maybe the worst, the paddle feet. SL would not update their 2003 avatars since it would "break existing content". So creators in SL decided to make better looking bodies, first parts like feet, boobs and hands. This soon became full avatar replacements, and to wear these your default body must be hidden with an alpha layer. It seems you have come so far To your question about appliers: The default bodies used skins you clicked on in your inventory and "wear". All set and done. With the default body totally hidden, how do you wear skins? This is what appliers do. They are made by a creator who put the skin texture and a script in an applier. When you buy this and add it from your inventory, it show up on your screen like a poster with parts you can click. This applier can be made with just one alternative, or it can be detailed and offer many options, like freckles/no freckles, eyebrows different colors/no eyebrows. When you click the applier, the script "talks" to the mesh body parts. If these have the matching script, the mesh body part accept the texture and it is then applied over it. If the script is not recognized by the body mesh, nothing happens. It is specific scripts for each part, this is why you see names like "Maitreya" "Catwa" and such. This was time-consuming for creators, who had to work with a lot of different bodies. It was also expensive for customers, who had to buy different appliers again and again. The Omega appliers came as a way to simplify this. The Omega applier is like a "parent" that can talk to several "children", not just one. The mesh body creator have to include the Omega script, or offer it as an add-on relay. Designers can now offer Omega appliers that work on mesh body parts that are Omega compatible. This is what @Chic Aeondescribes. I have just started to talk about mesh body parts, and this is going to be a book. People said: "What about tattoos?" "I want to wear makeup" and so the solution became onion layers on top of the bodies, commonly three on top of each other. They do not touch, but they are so close that they look like it is just one body. For heads, it is makeup slots. You are trying to learn all that has happened in SL since 2013 at once. I think it is better to wear one of the avatars that comes with both head and body, until you have more experience and want to move on to more challenging stuff, like how to match body and head. You already got a good suggestion, I am adding this: https://ryanschultz.com/2020/06/21/second-life-steals-deals-and-freebies-the-free-bento-bakes-on-mesh-kalhene-ariadna-female-mesh-head-and-body-just-keep-getting-better-and-better/ With this, you can wear most Maitreya clothes and high/flat shoes, so you can read freebie blogs and get stuff made for Maitreya (and that's a lot). The blog is a good source of previous bodies and heads, but many of these was limited to a short time. It still gives you a lot of insight in how this madness of mesh works. Pick the category Second Life Steals, Deals and Freebies

Yes, that is low. Your friend must have trouble loading other avatars than you. He can increase 'Maximum Avatar Complexity' preference setting (Preferences > Graphics). A number of 80 000 is ok for me, and I have an off the shelf laptop without a dedicated graphics card. But if he increase the Maximum Avatar Complexity, he can experience lag, and should reduce it again and only render friends fully.

Oh, thanks. Do you see the red numbers under your name tag, it is your complexity. You're not being seen because your Avatar Rendering Complexity (ARC) is above the threshold your friend has set in his viewer. You can reduce your ARC and take off things. I can not see the numbers, but if they are over 100 000, it should be other things that Belleza Jake. Jewelry and hair can have a very high complexity. Or your friend has a very, very low treshold. I say that 80 000 is a normal treshold that I use. If your friend is on Firestorm, he can go to the top menu bar "World" and select "Always render my friends normally". Problem solved. If he has the SL official viewer, rightclick on you and choose "Always render fully". He has to repeat this every time he logs in.

Can you ask your friend to take a snapshot of you and share it with you? And also, ask what viewer your friend is using, and if he/she has trouble seeing other avatars, or if it is only you. I really don't believe your friend is trolling you and say it to make you upset. But it is helpful to see what they see. Ask your friend to check "show interface" so we can see your name tag.

Second Life is my first and only "game"... I'm old. I know nothing of other worlds.

I need to know where you got the outdoor furniture! ❤️😍🏆

It is a 1 Linden body from them now. TMP rebranded to Meshbody. Yes, it is the name. When a newbie google or search "meshbody" their brand always comes up. I bet it is done on purpose. So the 1 Linden body is named Meshbody Classic. It is a 2500 Linden body also. They look 100% the same, but the 2500 L has some added layer(s) and stuff I haven't bothered check what is. I think you can tint them. It is almost impossible to search with the word Classic on the Marketplace, the results I get back is for classic avatars. Meshbody Classic do not have the same shape as Legacy. You can alpha out parts like elbows, the back and waist, et cetera. Your problem is straps, like bikini tops and summer dresses where alpha layers and cuts will be too big. The hips are so narrow that Belleza Isis fits best, but not good. The feet is 100% compatible with Legacy shoes. The feet comes with "deformers", that is alternative feet and fit Maitreya or Slink... demo, demo. Boots and straps that go over the ankle, and up on the legs, does not fit at all. No matter if I try Legacy, Slink, Maitreya or Belleza. I have also used nails and rings for Legacy on the hands. TMP clothes fit... but demo. The TMP clothes are old and does not look so good. They are often badly rigged and Meshbody does not sell clothes anymore. I do not hate Meshbody Classic, and will recommend it for people on a budget, or if someone want a cheap alt. Maybe a roleplayer, or an upgrade for a "business" avatar who does need lots of boots and bikinis. If you can afford Maitreya, and it is for your main avatar, you get a much easier job to outfit it. It is a male Meshbody Classic too, it is good bc it is so few free bodies for men. The Meshbody Classic is BOM ready, and has a good alpha cut selection, and 5 different feet. (Men have flat feet only) Personally I think their 1 Linden body look much better than other free/cheap bodies. I have it on an alt, and it is good enough for that use.

I have not tried Cool, since I am a hard addicted Firestorm user and will wait for it. But I really appreciate how fast you work, and that you offer EEP as optional. Well done. /me takes another sip of coffee, and waits for Firestorm.

One who has not bought any Slink parts before, like a newbie, can buy the bundle direct. I think that is the best. Slink does not sell the bundle on the Marketplace, and I do not know its price inworld. I know the DeLuxe feet was released for a lower price the first 2 weeks (1350 L) and since then they increased the price a lot. But I don't go there to check the price, since I broke up with Slink. Not getting a bundle was a disappointment, since I had 3 feet, 7-8 hands, plus the body on this avatar. I've been shopping there in over 10 years and have their feet and hands on 5 avatars (more than one type hands and feet) and 4 bodies. Maitreya offer the best loyalty support and update policy. I got the boots I bought in 2010 updated to mesh, can't be better than that. I have big love for Maitreya, and I agree with @Orwarthat Maitreya is a safe buy as a newbie. And if you will change to another body later, you can look at your previous purchases, and find items made for other bodies with them. Most creators sell shoes that fit all feet (Maitreya, Legacy, Slink and Belleza) in the pack. And often, many rigged sizes are included in the same pack, when you buy clothes. So do not delete the original container (box, shopping bag or whatever it was packed in) in case you need another size later.

That is why I wrote the parts under that you do not quote, about Legacy, and also the link to the Seraphim survey. I was not sure if I should recommend Legacy to a newbie because of the price, and the very high render complexity that can lag out people. But for the sake of fairness, I included Legacy plus a link to the massive thread where it is discussed. So they are free to make their opinion, but they should know what they get before they buy.

You only get the bundle if you have purchased minimum 4 sets of feet. I, as many others, had the three most used ones. It made me disappointed, but it is their business, not my way to say how they do it. You only get the feet with a HUD to switch between feet if you have the DeLuxe feet with 5 options, Kitten and Pointe added to the rest. They are expensive, and no refund or reduced price, if you already bought some of the feet as separate. For these reasons, and another reason I keep to myself, I am not buying from Slink anymore. The bundle comes with the 5 feet. So you get a "bonus" if you have 4 feet. If you have 3 feet, you get them updated, but not a bundle and no more types. https://slinkstyle.com/slink-redux-and-bakes-on-mesh-faq/ Can I upgrade my hands, feet and body purchases to a bundle Female: Hands Deluxe Feet or at least Four of the single sets of feet (Flat, Kitten, Mid, High, Pointe) A Physique body (Original or Hourglass) You can request an upgrade to a bundle, by sending a message with your avatar name and a list of the Slink body part items you own in-world to Slink Resident (if you do not have all the pieces listed above you may purchase what is missing before contacting her) . You will receive a bundle that contains the same body that you own. There are advantages to the bundles that weren’t included in the separate packs that are worth converting for! An all in one attachment for body, hands and feet as well as asymmetry harness.

Stray Dog sells separate head skins + separate body skins. I see more and more of this. This is the way the store makes money. Give out a free head skin, and people come to the store and buy the body skin. It benefits the customers from that store, they may have the body skin already. A Happy Weekend sale for 60 L had several of these "only head" skins for sale, Stray Dog was one of those.

I would like more houses in the mailboxes, but I can not believe this is it. Did not Patch say they are in no hurry, and maybe 2021? Plus, they should really use the same windows/doors/trim as the existing ones when/if they put more in the mailboxes.. I think this one would be like a swan with the sparrows if they dress up a new house/houses and put it with the more modest Traditionals. This looks like a new theme. I believe beach/vacation houses. I do not want another 512 theme, but I can't always get what I want. Maybe LL uses "vacation" themes for the 512's.

Maybe the tiny campers and tents are the next Premium gift?

Lovely. Did you build the add-on yourself?

Belleza is also only inworld. 3 different bodies. Slink, 2 different bodies, is in the Marketplace and inworld. It also depends, how hard do you want to work? It is many more bodies, and for the other bodies, you have to search for clothes and hope you find some. It is mainly Maitreya, Belleza Freya and Slink Hourglass you find clothes for now. It can change in the future, of course.... For the sake of fairness, it is a body called Legacy and Legacy perky. It has a history..... Read the thread about TMP Legacy here: https://community.secondlife.com/forums/topic/435825-tmp-legacy-mesh-body/ But Legacy is gaining popularity. Look close at the demo, and decide if it is worth the price. Here is a recent survey about what meshbody most people use: https://www.xxsaltandpepperxx.com/mesh-body-survey/ Edit: Another survey, and this one is from June this year, totally fresh: https://www.seraphimsl.com/2020/06/13/mesh-body-survey-female-body-results/

It is more "variations over a theme" than themes. The best is that the houses get more and more refined. This looks like an open, airy kind of build. All their homes has the same wooden exterior look. Not a single one modern theme with concrete, steel and really large windows. I am going to try one of these homes anyway. It is a fresh theme for the summer. I do not have a Houseboat to abandon, but I will abandon the Log home. I wish it was a mailbox update, but I think this is a new theme, not an update. My guess is that IF there is going to be an update to the Traditionals later, the hypothetical update will have the same windows and exterior details as the first Traditionals.. Patch saying: "Don't give up your homes or sign up for accounts yet, wait until my Meet the Lindens show to find out more next Tuesday" can mean that these houses will not be available in 2-3 months? Even if they show them now.

I believe you have tried an older Linden home? Did you have a home that was named one of the following:Traditional, Houseboat, Camper, Victorian or Log house? I second the suggestion of joining the Bellisseria Citizens group. You can join the group without a home in Bellisseria. It is always chat in the group and it was driving me bonkers. But I believe it is perfect for you. Start to talk in the group chat, ask for advice, ask if there is a party going on. Sometimes they meet to drive or sail around. Ask if someone want to show you their home for inspiration. I am certain you get in contact with people that way.

"No lashes" and "no makeup" lasted long, eh? Do not tell me one or two of the pictures have only lashes drawn on the skin. Looking very much like pale lipstick on one image too. Maybe I should just keep silent, but it annoys me that people start to skirt the rules.

I think it would be best to launch a new body. Instead of updating and breaking all content for Lara. I mean, Belleza has 3 bodies, Legacy three and Slink two. Why not a new Maitreya? Keep the feet and hands as Lara has, and make a line of 2-3 bodies. Could even have a loyal customer system, if you buy a new Maitreya body when you wear the old, you get a refund of 500 or 1000 L. I bet it would sell well.

I have not tried on a demo of Legacy Perky. I am afraid I will like it too much. I have been wearing Maitreya since it was released and it is a great body... Generous free updates when it is something new... I have a deep loyalty to the Maitreya brand, but I feel a bit restless because it has been so many years. I wish Maitreya released another body. I will rather give my money to @Onyx LeShelle

Yeah well... clones is the future? It is interesting to see how my interest in Bellisseria is dropping, but I believe it has more to do with my general low interest in SL. I am more on the forum than in SL. I read that Super Premium is postponed due to the economic situation many suffer from... due to the virus and its effects on the economy. LL does not wish to release an expensive premium model now. It is understandable, but I was looking forward to it. So now I don't have Super Premium to be exited over either.

Me too, I have a total drought of creativity and have not had so low interest in SL several months. I wish for a house theme that will sweep my feet away under me. 😍 And a return to less clone regions... more like the Victorian areas where cloning is used sparsely.