guess its a man thing

It a lot about how much effort someone is willing to put into it. Shapes are one of those items that, in my mind, trigger a "they actually pay for that?" reaction. But people do, and go on with their lives quite peacefully. (^_^)

Animation, on the other hand, is something that's really a creative outlet like no other. That's why there's so few successful makers, and for the ones that do it, they're raking in the L$. (^_^)y

Actually some of the animations I'm the most pleased with cost me 35L and 15L. Got them on Japanese sims.

I use a ZHAO based AO that I populated with individual animations over time. My favorite walk is a hands in pocket walk from Bits and Bobs. (I think.) There's a bit of rolling hip movement that, from behind, does make it look a bit effeminate, but, it's pretty damn close to my normal RL walk.

I also have a couple cross armed stands and "at ease" that I got by being re-educated in Suffugium.

I suspect (though I have no way of confirming) that, as a broad generalization, residents with male avatars spend less time, effort, and money on avatar appearance than residents with female avatars.

My guess would be that many residents with male avatars are simply using the content they could find the easiest, in terms of shapes, skins, clothes, and AOs.

Otherwise, I would commend them to the extent that they ever expressed themselves in ways that break convential gender stereotypes.

The important question is ultimately whether the men are happy with the AOs they choose. It's about self-experession, after all.

I animate as a hobby, and spend a lot of time reviewing what is available in Second Life animations. I'm not sure that men have a lot of obvious choices when it comes to AOs. I don't recall seeing men widely use AOs I'd think to be feminine. I do see a lot of men using AOs with a domineering theme to them (I think maybe tailored to the BSDM "Masters" or somesuch- I'm not too clued in on the BSDM lifestyle). I personally find the domineering poses creepy.

Aside from the domineering-themed AOs, in my experience, I think most men I've seen look just fine using anything besides the default noob waddle.

There are a variety of AOs for men, with a range of different themes, but anyone wanting them would have to spend a bit of time researching it. Again, I suspect that many with male avatars are looking to upgrade their appearance, but not spend a lot of time doing so.

I used Vista animations AO for a long time...

Until I went to Abranimations a while back, they have a brand new series of animations that ROCK, at least to me, they are not so static, you move around, but not too much, kick your feet, scratch your butt, suffle, the stands are what sold me on it. It looks very natural to me.

My best friend hates it though, so I guess its a personal preference.

The ground sits are really good too, again not static, you move around a bit.

The flying animations are very nice, not over done and distracting, just light and easy.

The walks.....that's another story, I think there are 6 in the AO I bought and not one of them is any good so I took them out and put my Vista walk in. It works for me.

But, really, check out Abranimations new animations for stands, fly and ground sits. Very nice stuff, IMNSHO.

FaTeke

(No I don't have any affiliation with Abranimations....)

I don't even bother with an AO at all, I just stick with the LL defaults. I've yet to find a male walk over-ride that I can live with, either free or paid-for. They all either look like I'm strutting down a catwalk, or strutting down the street looking for trouble. As I'm neither a model nor a gangsta... uh, no thanks. Although that gangsta walk looks just right on those avies with the tiny waist and the shoulders slider set to 100. They're the male equivalent of the barbie-girls with the size 100 breasts, and the rest of us just laugh quietly behind their backs.

Heh. Some of us want to set off gaydar.

I love Bits and Bobs. Everything they do is just brilliant I have a ton of furniture-based animations from them. (and thankyou for reminding me to check them out for AOs too)

I know where to get AOs for that too!

QFT!!

Oh just wanted to add: Stopped by Cybernetics to pick up a new stand today, and they have heaps of stands and other animations for just 1L. It's "old" stuff but still a LOT of good stuff.

*shudder*


Sure, because the default spastic duck walk is way better than either of those.

My RL just got a new AO and one of the stands is squatting down,
I guess it's suppose to be cool but .... it's f*ing* funny.
I stop and go "what ya looking at boy what is it whatta ya see?"

Mine made me look bored till I got rid of the bit that made me stretch my arms over my head all the time. Now I just look bored or fidgety.

Gotta love AO's.

Mine are a mixture of dozens - and I usually look like I am high on something (likely), up to trouble (more likely), or running from somene in authority (always).

That, and I change the set often - my poor Huddles has about 12 AO sets and 400 animations in it, but that includes about 70 dances as well.

I hadn't really thought about it. I'll have to ask someone what she thinks of the standing anims my AO uses. I think the walk is pretty good. Better than the LL's duck walk.

I stand like Frankenstein and I walk like a duck. The other options are jutting my chest out or standing with my arms over my head like a ballerina...and I, folks, am no ballerina. (although, I probably would look fancy in a tutu)

I own an AO.. and I never use it. I am not even sure if it is attached. BUT, other than being fond of Frankenstein and not so much ballerina-Jake, I mostly don't bother with them, because I am ALWAYS building and setting animations, and AOs are a huge hassle for me.

I also never dance fast dance in public.. (other than the chicken and thats only because I am an idiot) you *might * be able to get me to tango. I can't stand to see my AV dancing...its just bad.

I still use the default walk and stands. Still have slider skin (with some custom tats). And I am not an overly large AV.

Why? Well when I started we didnt have all the options that are out there today and by the time we did. I had just sort of identified with my AV as it is. Don't think I could live with a change after 4 years.