Ivory Tower Library of Primitives in Noyo

With the coming of spring, it seems we're going a bit library happy in second life...I've seen several announcements for libraries to come.

I too am building a library in Noyo not so far from the telehub. I call it a library for lack of a better term. At any rate, its working title is "The Ivory Tower Library of Primitives." I might tweak that name until I can get a really good acronym out of it.

It will be an in depth (read exhaustive), self-guided manual on building. At this point, the structure of the first module is complete and now Minyon Monde and I are working to fill it with content.

Each module will focus on one prim type in all its permutations. It will have six modules (and perhaps a seventh on texturing), the first module is the cube. Each module will be constructed entirely of the primitive it treats (floors, walls, ceiling, etc). My feeling is that if people are shown permutations of each prim type, how to make them, and are given some examples on how they these shapes might be used in a structure, it will help to fuel their creativity on their own projects.

The first floor covers primitive types, or the six different prim families; prim positioning, rotating and scaling, selection & linking, copying prims, physical objects and joints (not all of these stations are complete or have even been started. I put this up Sunday).

Up on the second floor Minyon is working to exhibit the variations possible with the cube; cutting, hollowing, twisting, top size, top shear, and how those modifications work in concert with each other.

I built a third floor for the first module because I wasn't sure how much space would be left by the time we got there. But likely we'll cover prim combinations (shapes that can be formed with two or more cubes). It's pretty likely that we'll put in a unit on building sim friendly structures that cause little lag, and detail ways to build using as few prims as possible...ironic in a structure that will probably eat up most of our prim capacity on 10k M2 when finished

I already have the requisite land, and we've gotten a good start. This is very exciting and fun work. We will need beta testers (possibly even Lindens!) to vet all the materials and texts exhibited. We'll also need some newcomers to check it for clarity and to help us exhibit our materials in more meaningful or clearer ways.

I don't mean for this to replace any building 101 classes, but hope it will be used by newcomers on days when there are no classes, or by people who wish to review the basics, and perhaps go on to more intermediate and advanced topics. Since there are currently no classes on advanced building, perhaps this project will find a welcome place in the Second Life community.

I welcome help on working up lessons on building by scripting because I would like that to be one of the topics thoroughly covered in the library when we get around to that stage of things. Script building is something largely unknown to me, but it looks like some really amazing things can be done with the latest additions to LSL for version 1.3.

That's about all I have planned for this project at this time (irony intended). The first module will probably take the rest of this week or more to make. Subsequent modules will be smaller and take less time because the fundamental instruction will have already been given (it is to be hoped!) and they can just deal with prim permutations.

Lumi

Edited to make a long post a bit more long winded and prolix.

Sounds cool! I'd be more than happy to test the new modules for clarity and such when they're ready. I suppose I fit in the intermediate group, as I know how to manipulate prims ,but haven't gotten good at it

Anywho, if you wind up wanting any help, just let me know

--Brian Livingston

Now that I'm home and can check, the building that is currently called The Ivory Tower Library of Primitives is located in Noyo at 182, 181.

Enter by the top or bottom of the museum, there are 'elevators' to take you to the start point of the tutorial.

Please come by and visit sometime to see the current state of the institution to be. Thanks!

Lumi

Edited to provide entry instructions

Brian, I crave your help

I keep looking for you online but I've managed to miss you. I'll leave you email today.

Thanks!

Lumiere

this is one fabulous build. i can't say enough. i really can't.

our library will be posting one prominent landmark to lum's library tower. we're even gonna forego building a shape garden in the city because the resource already exists. yea! we're not exactly collaborating, but we're building a world wide library system all the same. wahoo!

btw, love those dalek avs. they're pretty awesome too.

Thanks so much Khamon! I was concerned about the lack of much feedback, apart from Brian's (which I've hugely thankful for). I'm not sure how many have seen the tower as yet...but at any rate it has a long way to go before it's done.

My hope is to show what is possible in the way of prim making, and how the building interface works in the most immediate ways I can...but either building a fake interface (as seen on the first floor) or by showing the actual prims, and the progression it takes to get to them.

I welcome any feedback, please come visit!


Khamon, I don't mind collaborating at all, I just want to make the most useful structure (institution?) possible.

Thanks for the kind words on the Daleks, too

Lumi

Lumiere:

What an absolutely wonderful project!

Since I started Second Life back in February I have always been facinated at the builds you have done just across the sim border from Rodeo in Noyo.

I appreciate you and your cohorts efforts in presenting the art of building so that others can see the magic behind the builds. I know that it will ignite the creative spark in others when they see not only what can be done... but also how to go about creating it themselves.

Bravo!

I look forward to checking out the Ivory Tower next time I log in.

Salazar Jack

Wow, Lumi, what a great idea! If you need any help with the torus module, let me know.

This is greatly appreciated by the spatially challenged, like me. Thanks

Thank you all for the kind words!

Minyon and I are nearing completion on the first phase of the tower, which covers the following basic building tools and features: prim creation & types; positioning, rotating and scaling; copying; material types (locked, physics, phantom, wood, plastic, metal, flesh, et al); selecting & linking and joints.

The next floor will be an in depth look at cutting, hollowing, shearing and top size adjustments. The final floor will probably treat on building techniques and sim friendly (less lag inducing) structures. Then on to the next module!

We could really use some help by having beta testers come try the first floor of the tower (Noyo: 182, 181), read the texts we have for clairty. And let us know what you think of the project. How can we make it easier to understand? What can be done do improve it? Beta testers will notice that some stations do not yet have texts in their card givers. And not all texts are complete as yet. I have often ended a card with <I've got to go to work now, more soon!>, or <I'm just about to knock off for the night. More on copying prims later!>, but I think the major orginization of the first floor has been pretty well established for now (I just changed the order of the stations again this morning, I don't mean to make it sound as if it's set in stone).

If you see points I've left out of the notes that you think should be covered, please keep a copy of that notecard, and add the informaiton you would like to see in the permanent edition and drop that card onto my profile. I'll credit you for that note in the text (I'd love to collaborate with you on this, it makes the thing more alive. I think it will be wonderful to be able to include the views and experience of other builders in this).

I'm never sure what people think of the method of entry of the building. It's sealed off because for right now I want to direct people to the bottom floor. There are no doors in the library, you have to click a teleporter at the top or bottom of the structure to enter. Is this clear? How could I make this more intuitive? Should I include some more teleporters around the sides of the building?

With your input in mind, we'll work to complete the first module, and then hold a grand opening. Subsequent modules will each treat on a particular prim type and won't need to be as elaborate as this first module has been.

Thank you!

Lumi

Could you add the Ivory Tower to the Places listing? I've tried finding it twice and can't. I'm not good with directions.

Ahh...good point. Just did. It's within drawing distance of the Noyo telehub (but I guess you have to know what it looks like to find it )


Thanks!

Lumi

I went by earlier today and all that I can say is WOW! What a wonderful job...I'll go back an walk through the tutorial...some of the cards were missing today.

This is probably one of the greatest works of public service I have ever seen! ohh and put a donation box out front...I am sure folks would love to stick 5 lindens or more in to use the service...

Thanks again for your hard work!

The goal is noble, from my too short peek the tutorial is excellent. And best of all, upon approach to the build I got the impression that Lumiere was channelling the spirit of Louis Kahn. Do put a donation box somewhere or I'm just gonna have to pay you.

And nobody knows how to torture tori like Fallingwater

I'd love and welcome the help, Falling

Let's get together and wrangle prims sometime, I've long admired your work!

Lumi

Thanks so much Malachi! I've always admired your work and it means a lot to me that you would say this.

Your input was very good, and I'm rethinking the information kiosks.

Thank you thank you thank you!

Lumi

Thanks so much Aliena!!!

Goodness you all are giving me such good fuel to go on to completing this!

Thank you for the suggestion, but I'm a little skittish about putting out a donation box. I don't want even a hint of money expected in return for the use of this structure to keep anyone away for one. For another, I never did this for money in the first place; this is some of the most exciting and fun work I've had a chance to do in Secondlife, or any online community, and I'm thankful to have the help of Minyon Monde, the land resources and my own developing skill set to make it possible.

Besides all that...I'm a teacher in RL. I'm hardwired to do things like this, it's my function in RL, and in Secondlife. The only reason I don't give classes (yet) is that I hold classes all day long. I don't really want to do them here, but the impulse to educate is so strong in me that I'm taking a different tack.

Lumi

ditto the donation box. the public library won't have one either. we don't pay contributors so all we would need money for is land. if we ever need more land, well conduct a short fund drive for it.

wahoo, now the ivory tower, cc public library, and the univeristy all three come up when you search for library. this is fabulous!

Khamon,

please see this thread and let me know if you're interested in joining Erga Obinex.. we would be happy to help in any way we can..

also, Aliena, you seem to be in support of these projects.. Erga Obinex is for both those creating these things AND those who wish to support them.. so, feel free to read and respond to the thread i've linked to..