Quick question about Skin / Shapes

Hi guys

I'm thinking about purchasing a realistic looking skin/shape.

But my question is..


What is a skin and shape exactly? Is it a new appearance, or does it technically fit over my existing appearance?


if I don't like it, am I able to revert back to how I look now?



Thanks

The Shape is the way that the avatar mesh is designed using the Sliders in Edit Appearance.

You can wear only one shape at a time, and you MUST wear a shape at all times. You may create your own shape and save it as something recognizeable, so that you can go back to it at any time.

The Skin goes over the avatar mesh. Otherwise, all we'd see of eachother would be a bunch of polygon shapes all stuck together. Think of it as the skin on an orange. The segments make up the shape, but the skin is what makes it orange. You can only wear one skin at a time, and you MUST wear a skin at all times. You may edit a skin given to you in the Second Life Inventory, in your Library, for different makeup effects, etc, and save it with a unique file name, so that you can go back to it at any time.

Different skins look very different on different shapes. Not all skins look good on all shapes. It's a matter of shopping around and finding what's right for you.

Try The Free Dove; I know that there are several free skins and shapes to try out for kicks. Welcome to Second Life!

You likely won't be able to edit a skin you purchase, however, except perhaps in small ways such as subtle changes in skin tone. Many skins allow no editing at all.

If you buy a shape, don't forget you could have made it yourself using the sliders in Appearance mode. It's okay to buy one to save time or to use as a starting point, but try to get one that's modifable and copyable so you can tweak it ever so slightly and make it your own unique shape.

Skins as stated above will likely not be modifiable and if they're not freebies, they are kind of a long term investment. Try demos first. Then try some more demos. Make notes of which ones you like the best. Then try some more demos. I've spent as much as a couple of weeks off and on shopping for skins before I was happy. It's a good thing it's so much fun!

Ah the proverbial skin/shape question.

If you consider those words 'literally'.....you will have your answer. Your question has already been answered here.....but that is how I explain....think of a leopard skin over an alligator shape....and that should sum it up.

Skin is a layer done in photoshop.....that can be worn over any 'shape'. The skin can have a dramatic effect on how the 'shape' will appear....more so the face.

Here's an example.....these pics are the same avatar 'shape' with totally different skin and hair and eyes. If you look carefully....you see the facial features are indeed the same (shape) but the skin has a dramatic affect on how she looks.

Thanks Milla

Wow yes those are completely different looks.

I found out one thing so far by playing with demo skins.. I had custom designed a tattoo that my current avatar wears.

I noticed when I apply a demo skin, the tattoo is gone, and since it's not modifiable I don't think I can put back a tattoo if I purchase a skin, right?

Most tattoos are worn on the undershirt/underpant layers.

Exactly....and actually...a tattoo can be made as any layer.... so it can be worn no matter what other clothes you have on. Example...if you are wearing a tank top that is an 'undershirt' layer and you have a shoulder tattoo....you would be able to wear a tattoo as a 't-shirt' or 'jacket' layer. I have a few tattoos that are done in all 3 layers....making them versatile depending on what other clothing is being worn.

If you're making your own tats....best thing to do is make the same tattoo in multiple layers....a leg tat can be done as pants, underwear, or socks....giving you more options....upper body tats....jacket, shirt or undershirt.

The main question has already been answered, but maybe I can add a couple of asides First, Some skins come with a shape created to show off the skin to its best advantage, ie Skin Within skins, RealSkin skins, Redgrave I believe package shapes with their skins. This, in their cases is a benifit (I think) since you can then have a good solid shape to start with. Make a copy, then tweak the sliders gently to make your look your own. Keep in mind that the sliders in the Edit Appearance window are intended to accomodate shapes from pixies to giants and everything in between. They aren't for human shapes alone, so just do a little bit at a time. Also, if you are feeling brave, you may want to try to make your own skins, try using Eloh Eliott's psd files and then you can make the makeup any way you like. Of course, this for me has only succeeded in giving me a newfound respect for the truely great skin makers