Making shapes

I hope this is the place to put this, but I'm wondering if someone could help me out. I'm interested in making original shapes to sell and cant see how to go about starting with a shape that I actually own. Even the shape I came in originally was made by someone. Is there a file type I need to save and wear to make them from scratch. Any help on making avatar shapes would be soooo appreciated. Thanks in advance!

IV

Right click in your inventory and create a new shape

Alternatively, go into apperances, use 'save as' and navigate to a folder and give your shape a unique name, then make adjustments, use 'save as' each time and give it a unique name, then if you mess up, or like the stage you are at with a shape, you won't risk loosing all your work. Go the the shape you want to work on from a previous save, r/h click and choose wear, make alterations and use save eachtime, that way you can build up a selection of shapes to use/sell.

If your current shape has someone else's name as the creator, won't "save as" just make a copy with their name still as the creator? It'd have the same permissions too, so if it was mod/copy/no transfer, the new copy would also be no transfer. I could be mistaken but I thought I came across that myself at one point. Creating a new 'default' shape in inventory definately puts your name on it as the creator, which would be important if making them for sale.

-Atashi

Okay I sell shapes - Ill offer some of my thoughts - If anyone doesnt want to see me discuss my shapes Business you should skip this post, its not meant to be an advertizement:


All the shapes Ive ever made wont list any creator.

So im not sure if it matters too much how you do it. Just "Copy" any shape that your working with.

Im my opinion your not going to be able to Copyright your set of numbers. Since anyone else could come up with the same ones in a reasonable way.

I kind of look at Shapes as more of a "Service" than a "Creation" the service is my experience and effort into learning the shape making tools saves my customers from having to learn the same.

Plus I like to think I have a decent sense of body proportions which some people have and some dont.

A lot more people could make their own shape if their freinds didnt tell them "Yeah you look hawt!!!" when they dont. Constructive criticism is always good. I always get others to look at my shapes before sale - people not afraid to tell me what they think.

Anyway my thoughts on it being a service is why I decided to sell my shapes Modify and Copy. As far as I know I was the first person to do so that wasnt part of the Furry Av market. Before I opened my shore shapes available were no mod and quite expensive (800-2000)

Now theres over a 100 competetors out there. Some are very good. Prices have dropped considerably.

Of course that means anyone can copy my numbers - and people have. But I figured the advantage of being able to customize you shape from a new starting point outweighed my worries someone would steal my ideas.

No one should buy a shape until they have decided they dont look the way they want using their own efforts with the sliders. After that they Definitely should shop around. Different shape makers have different styles just like anything else.

To the Original Poster - Good Luck with your new store.

I also have a shape business, and all my shapes list me as the creator.

To ensure that your shape has the proper credit, go in to Inventory and select the "Create New Shape" option. (Exact wording may be slightly different since I can't get in world right now.)

But I do agree with Colette that selling shapes is more of a service rather than a product business. I sell my shapes as characters -- fully developed in terms of skin, wardrobe, accessories and anim poses that suit my vision of the character's personality. Then I document all those attributes with styling notes, numerous reference photos, and landmarks to all the stores.

Anyone buying one of my shapes will know what that shape looks like using at least 3 or 4 different skins, and with the exact eyes and hair I think best suits the character. And the enclosed landmark will get them there with a click of the mouse.

You don't just buy a shape, you buy convenience and time-savings.

Interesting.

Thanks Beebo

wow, I had no idea lol. Thanks so much for the help all. I've been told people like the shapes I've made so far and ask me where to get them most of the time. I never thought of it as a service, but yesss I can see what you mean by that. I'd personally never buy a shape that wasn't mod now, I learned my lesson so of course all mine will be completely adaptable by the customer. Hmmm Create Tab huh> -laughs- how easy is that?


Thanks so much again!

IV

Easy, yes. Intuitive, no. Or so I like to tell myself because I made at least 4 shapes before I figured it out.

And, being the obsessively compulsive person that I am, once I knew that shapes didn't have to be based on "newbie_template", then I *had* to have my name there. Which meant I copied down every single goddamn shape value and entered them all back into a new shape template.

hehe luckily im able to resist that

redoing 117 shapes like that would put in in the SL looney bin.

You're there already, Hon. It's just that you have a Day Pass.

I blame my girl friend

What's her name, maybe I can have her Sheepbotted or something.............

I cant remember, Im the type that screams out my own name