I need a different avatar

I had my avatar looking OK, then started fooling around with things in the Library, and before I knew it, I had morphed into something that would scare Lon Chaney.

I searched the Knowledgebase for "change avatars" "get a new avatar" and stuff, but couldn't find how to get a brand new avatar and start over (or leave it alone, more likely).

Any tips would be appreciated, and meanwhile I'm staying out of SL looking like this.

If you are happy with your name, just not your "new looks", go down to the LIBRARY section of your inventory and you can revert back to a default "just stepped off the boat" avatar-look until you find a new acceptable you.

There might even be something on the menubar that lets you revert to a default generic avatar look. I forget.

Buy a different one. Otherwise just edit appearance and mess with the sliders until you get something you like.

And once you like it , Make a Backup Copy. I have 3 copies of my avatar saved.

As said, before you ever make any radical change, under the APPEARANCE page use the MAKE OUTFIT to save every detail of your looks to a backup folder.

MAKE OUTFIT is one of the first things you should get familiar with, BEFORE going around making any changes at all. Then you can experiment around and easily just revert back by right-clicking that folder.

Most of us have many of these folders.

I'm looking in my libray, under "Body Parts" I just have some hair and "Male Shape and OUtfit 3 eyes" which I think is what I am now. Also looked in objects and textures. Found the clothing templates.

Can anyone recommend where to buy an avatar? Do they come with instructions on where to upload, etc.

Default avatars (including skins hair makeup shapes etc) are actually under CLOTHING and not "body parts" so right-click one of those folders and WEAR each of the items in it to revert back to a default avatar.

edit: I sent you an in-world IM if you want some personal help, you weren't logged in at the time though. If you are a "girl" I have some decently nice freebie stuff that is fairly lowkey.

Try the skin and shape in your library. There is a single shape item (with a square icon). Make a few changes with the sliders, make a copy, make a few more changes, make a copy with a different name and keep going like that until you are happy with it. It might be good to get a basic understanding of the sliders before you go shopping.

There are stores that sell shapes, (modestly priced) and skins (generally more expensive). Search on "shape" in the classifieds. The look of your appearance is put together from shape, skin, eyes, hair. Some stores sell shape and skins packaged together. Read the ads and keep asking questions, here or ask the store owners.

You need to understand that an avatar is not a single thing. It is a combination of shape, skin, eyes and hair and you can mix and match those at will. You are not limited to what you start with; you can buy far more detailed components at shops all over the place in-world.

You also can often modify them .. make your shape taller, the head rounder, the skin lighter or darker, etc.

I've been trying all these individual items in the Clothing Library, still not getting close to the default. Can one person give their complete avatar to another? I'm thinking of opening a Basic Account, getting the default avatar, and giving to myself.

Log in and I'll help ya ok?

edit: bah I keep crashing from "mangled network data" (my cable ISP), so I'll keep trying, but I might have problems staying inworld tonight...

Hi there. It's probably not the clothing that you need to look at. You probably need to look at the stuff called "shapes" and "skins"... the shape is how your body looks. You can change this by right clicking on yourself, then choosing "appearance." You can only wear one shape at a time.

A skin goes OVER the shape. It has nothing to do with your big/small nose, long/short arms, etc. It is the "makeup" or shading of your avatar. You can only wear one skin at a time.

I would start by sticking with just one skin, then flipping through all the different shapes to find the one you like. Then save a copy of that shape, and then start flipping through the skins. Save a copy of that one too. I called them "ORYX'S SHAPE" and "ORYX'S SKIN" so I didn't get confused.

"Phantom of the Opera", "London after Midnight", or "Hunchback of Notre Dame"?

You can do a Search under Places (Be sure to check "Search mature sims" as well) for Skins, and/or Shapes. That will give you Tons of Options. If you are going to Tweak your shape any, it's best to make a back-up Copy of it First.

Angel.

Slow down. It is all in your library. You do not need to buy anything. In your library under clothing you see a list of folders called City Chic, Cybergoth and so on. Just drag any of these folders from the inventory onto your avatar. These are all "default" avatars, you pick one from a list of I think 5 when yu get your account. They are all in the library there under clothing.

Lost my internet connection. Lots of good advice here, appreciate it.