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Question about Designing

Petl Newell
Registered User
Join date: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 4
01-15-2006 08:28
Hi,
I have designed on other 3D programs and I just recently starting playing SL. I was wondering if there is a site that has some downloads, tips, etc... that I can read to furthur my knowledge and get into the groove of SL designing.

I also have some furthur questions.
1. Can you important 3ds files into SL
2. I downloaded the manequin but I have no idea how to test clothes outside world.
3. Custom avi's are prims or were made by a program?!
4. Looking for a website to aide in clothing designing, prim building, etc...
Chip Midnight
ate my baby!
Join date: 1 May 2003
Posts: 10,231
01-16-2006 07:25
Hiya Petl :) Welcome to SL. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions for you...

1. You can't import models created in outside 3d apps. The avatar model can only be changed by using the sliders in appearance mode (right click your avatar, choose appearance, then go to the shape tab in the appearance editor window). All objects in the world are made from SL's primitive objects. For a good head start on familiarizing yourself with the building tools, pay a visit to the Ivory Tower of Primitives located in Noyo. It has some excellent tutorials to help you get started.

2. The downloadable mannequin files are for two uses. One set is for use in the program Poser which can be used to preview clothing textures and is also what's used to create custom animations for use in SL. The .obj files can be used in other 3d programs like 3ds Max, Maya, Lightwave, and so on. They can't be altered and loaded back into SL but you can use them to preview textures or for doing 3d paint if you have appropriate software. There's a freeware 3d paint program called Tattoo that you can use as a previewer and to do simple 3d paint. Google 'tattoo 3d paint' and you'll find it.

3. Custom avatars are combinations of altering the sliders in appearance mode, custom texturing, and prim attachments.

4. Check the sticky post at the top of this forum for some links to tutorials and other helpful resources. For building help and tips try the building forum. :)
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