I’ve tried my best to not double-up on anything mentioned constantly here. But I can’t help linking to the “must know” threads. I’m not after a sticky, but Blazes post needed updating. So rather than have you wade through the pages (my list is LONG), I’ve just started a new thread.
I adore the people who make their knowledge and skills available to the rest of the world. I know for certain I’d still be flailing about if it hadn’t have been for people willing to lend a hand (/me smiles at Chip, Chosen, Robin, Abu... the list goes on).
While it would be impossible for me to credit each person individually, I guess this page of links is my “thank you” to them, for providing us with something to learn from.
ENOUGH WAFFLING!!!! Let’s get to the links!!
** If you are sick of copy/pasting links in to your browser, check out The Resdient Answers forum for BBCode Emulation in Greasemonkey.**
/327/b2/188445/1.html **
__________
MUST READ TEXTURING TIPS
Transparency and Alpha Channels: The Definitive Guide
/109/32/80851/1.html
Get this MASTERED!!! Learn it, live it, breathe it. Until you can DO this with your eyes closed- keep going back! This is the hardest concept to grasp for those who are new to digital design. Chosen Few is very clear and concise with his explanations, even if it is a little bit textbook at times.
SL Clothes Previewer-
/109/47/141938/1.html
This is an awesome offline clothing previewer by Johan Durant. It is a standalone application for both Windows and Mac OS. It saves a lot of “hair-pull” moments and multiple uploads when fine-tuning your creations.
__________
AVATAR TEMPLATES
Official Second Life Templates
http://secondlife.com/community/templates.php
Seldom used, but it’s good for the “boobage” area- lol.
Multi-layered PSD Templates by Chip Midnight
http://goodies.onrez.com/shop/chipmidnight/
Probably the most comprehensive set available.
Robin Wood’s Avatar UV Templates
http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/SL-Tuts/SLTutSet.html
The larger files support Photoshop “smart objects” for people using PS CS3 (?). For those of you lucky enough to be using CS3 Extended, Robin also provides the exported SL avatars as .obj files which you can open up in PS. I think she also has them as Z-Brush files as well.
Abu Nasu’s Vector Templates
http://tech-slop.serveit.org/wiki/images/SL_VectorTemplate.zip
Photoshop only (or at least they won’t work in GIMP- phooey!). Enable “Paths” palette to find them.
__________
2D TEXTURING & STARTING FROM SCRATCH
Too many new creators seem to want shortcuts for clothing creation. Those type of resources are perfectly acceptable… but unless you’re able to understand how it was done, you won’t learn anything from simply clicking layers on and off. Be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them. You'll be pleased as punch the day you finally get it right.
Natalia Zelmanov’s Mermaid Diaries:
http://www.mermaiddiaries.com/
This is home to some of the most easy to follow, highly informative tutorials on almost all facets of Second Life content creation. Natalia has been mentioned MANY times before, but for good reason. From prim hair, to clothing, to a simple way to make a skin, Natalia has done very well to produce such a “content rich” blog that is easy to follow.
Nuclear Boutique Strapless Bodice:
http://arikinui.com/Clothing%20Tutorial.html
This is an exceptional quality, image heavy, step-by-step guide to making a strapless top for SL. It might not be where to start if you are new to all this, but it could be something to aim for.
How to make your own Tee from scratch:
http://heatherdesigns.wordpress.com/2008/01/09/tutorial-on-clothing/
A very pleasing result using the dodge and burn tools to add shading and highlights. It also covers how to create a fold effect. Great looking tutorial.
Avatar Shading and Highlights:
http://mistressofdesign.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/rgb-theta-photoshop-plug-in-for-sl-fake-bake/
/109/46/273014/1.html
http://uncensored.xstreetsl.com/modules.php?name=Marketplace&file=item&ItemID=738998
This one gets a few links to where you can find them. I’ve made a few using Abu Nasu’s RGB Theta filter, and a couple of people have been generous enough to share their outcomes as well.
Luminosity Button Tutorial:
http://flapjack.modwest.com/photoshop-tutorial-how-to-make-buttons-for-clothing
How to fake a button for SL using layer styles.
Luminosity Texture Tutorial:
http://flapjack.modwest.com/twenty-second-photoshop-clothing-texture-tutorial
How to add a more cloth like finish to your clothing.
Adding depth to your SL clothing textures
http://www.vintfalken.com/tutorials/adding-depth-to-your-sl-clothing-textures/
Vint Falken tries to explain the two ways of adding “depth” to your clothing creations.
Denim Jeans Tutorial for The GIMP
http://mistressofdesign.wordpress.com/category/gimp-jeans-tutorial/
This is my guide to making a pair of jeans for SL. This is not a beginner’s tutorial and it will make you pull you hair out unless you are comfortable with The GIMP. This method is highly destructive. It’s not the *best* way to make anything, but the results are good enough.
How to make SL clothes in the Gimp
http://seshat-czeret.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-make-sl-clothes-in-gimp.html
Seshat Czeret takes us through how to make a top using The GIMP. This is part one of her three part walk through. What I like about this particular tutorial is that she takes the time to explain the theory behind it as well.
How to quickly add texture, or change the colour of a finished design:
http://www.suztv.com/SL-ClothesColoring/Howtocoloryourclothes.html
I just found this site after a quick google search. It's by Sioxie Legend of Second Wave Apparel. It's a nifty work around for pesky recolouring/retexturing of what you've already designed.
Rips Tutorial for Photoshop
http://www.matthew-oleary.com/pages/tutorials/rips/rips.htm
A quick and easy guide to tearing stuff apart. LOL.
Fabric folds brushes for Photoshop CS2
http://community.livejournal.com/solitarytree/6016.html
I’m not sure who these originally belonged to, but they are a great resource to grab. Be sure to check out the second page as well.
Faux Fold Finish for GIMP:
http://danimagoo.blogspot.com/2007/08/vertcal-fabric-folds-in-gimp.html
How to make a “satin” like fabric texture for GIMP users.
Faux Fold Finish for PS:
http://www.tutorials-photoshop.com/abstracts/fabric-folds/index.php
This isn’t a seamless outcome, but it does show you the “power” of the gradient.
Taunt.com Perky Nipple Video:
http://www.taunt.com/files/perky.wmv
This is one of the funniest Photoshop videos I’ve seen. Twiddler Thereian takes us through the process of “nipple making”. This video made me lol @ “poker chips”.
Taunt.com Pen Tool Video:
http://www.taunt.com/files/pen_tool_video.wmv
The Pen tool in PS, or the Path tool in GIMP is something you should really get used to using. It can save a lot of headaches about “jagged edges” when you become familiar with the benefits of using it.
YouTube Four Part Series:
http://au.youtube.com/user/TryblTrtle
There are four very interesting video walk-throughs on how to make a top for SL posted by TryblTrtle. If you are a visual learner, these could be for you.
Obsidian Dawn:
http://www.brushes.obsidiandawn.com/faq.htm
AWESOME resources! From brushes, to patterns, to images, to tutorials… this site is in my top ten MUST VIEW list for those itching to design. I am linking this to her FAQ page, because it clearly states that they are free to use, but if you can’t or don’t want to CREDIT her, commercial licences are $3.00 per set. Cheap as Chips!
Filter Forge:
http://www.filterforge.com/
“On the surface, Filter Forge is just a Photoshop plugin, a pack of filters that generate textures, create visual effects, enhance photos, process images”. The full version is free to try for 30 days, read the front page to see how you *might* be able to get a copy for nothing. On the downloads page, you will also find three completely free filters with no time limit.
Spiral Graphics:
http://www.spiralgraphics.biz/
Two free applications for seamless texture creating.
“The Wood Workshop” is a free seamless texture editor that specializes in the creation of seamless wood textures.
“Genetica Viewer” is your doorway to a world of textures that have been created with Genetica. Specifically, Genetica Viewer is a free application for rendering seamless textures that are saved in the Genetica texture format (GTX). These textures have a number of advantages over traditional bitmapped textures, including embedded effect maps and resolution independence.
Digital Tutors:
http://www.digitaltutors.com/digital_tutors/index.php
Ok… so this isn’t really a link for SL as such, but it is a fabulous resource about how to use various programs. Digital Tutors covers *almost* every program you might want to use for SL content creation. From Photoshop, to Maya, it’s all here. Sample videos are free to view.
Photoshopsupport.com:
http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tutorials.html
This link gets included because *sometimes* the SL forums is not BEST the place to seek out Photoshop related advice. These aren’t tutorials on how to texture for SL, but they are FANTASTIC tutorials on how to get the most out of Photoshop! Broaden your horizons and you’ll learn a lot more.
COLOUR lovers:
http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes
Brush up on your colour theory here. I can spend HOURS just LOOKING here (sad, aren’t I?). Colour theory is something no designer should dismiss. It can make or break any creation. Banish black- go technicolour! These guys have thousands of colour palettes for you to view.
TechSlop:
http://tech-slop.serveit.org/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page
Yet another reference to someone I think is COOL! Abu Nasu, and all his gizmos and discoveries for Photoshop and more can be found here. Multi Chan Hax, RGB Theta (fake bake), Bump to Tangent Normals… anywho- well worth a browse!
__________
SKIN DESIGN
I’m giving this a different section because it is a different level of difficulty if you do it right. I’m listing everything I know of, what you do with it is up to you. All I ask is that you LEARN from them. Remember what I said before? Clicking layers on and off is not learning anything new
Sorry if I’ve offended anyone.Eloh Eliot’s PSD’s:
http://eloheliot.blogspot.com
These caused quite a bit of controversy when they were originally released. They are very well presented and an excellent resource for when you are starting out. Please read through her terms of use included with the PSD’s.
Splendour Skin Resource:
http://sezmra.com/?page_id=7
The quality of the base skins speak for themselves. They are flattened images, so modifying them will be more difficult- but if you’re after a VERY big shortcut, or just want to add some makeup for your own skin- this could be a place to start. Again- read the terms of use.
Olila’s Second Life Tutorials:
http://olilas-secondlife.com/tutorials-by-subject/
This is hands down the best step-by-step tutorial on skin making currently available. Olila takes you from start to finish using Photoshop and Smart Objects. If you really want to say “I made it from scratch” this is where you should head!
Texturing Skin in Adobe Photoshop:
http://mediadesigner.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=31082
This is the first part of a three part series that walks you through how to texture skins for 3D models in PS. The brushes created by Dave Nagel are fantastic. This is where I got the bulk of my info for my own personal line of skins. And yes… I chose to do it the hard way!
Multi Chan Hax Head:
http://tech-slop.serveit.org/wiki/index.php?title=Multi_Chan_Hax_Head
This is a fantabulously-super-dooper “quick and sleazy” way of photo-sourcing a head using Abu Nasu’s (can I call him GOD again?) PS plug-in. I’ve already mentioned it in a few of my posts- but it deserves to be here too- along with all the others. FREAKING NIFTY SH*T!!!! And it’s not just for the head!!! Torso and legs are also up for grabs.
Namssour’s Skin Slider Conversions:
http://www.secondskinlabs.com/Downloads/downloads1.html
I learnt a lot from this PSD… I found it fascinating to see how a “PRO” organizes their work. On page two of the downloads section, Namssour has also offered up her high-res fingernails and toenails as well, and on page four, is her seam blurring map for the head template (if you’re in to skins, this is an awesome resource). The goodies just keep coming!
__________
SCULPTED PRIM TOOLS
Sculptypaint:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~elout/sculptpaint/
In my opinion the easiest program to use if you just want the basics. Cel Edman has worked hard in all his upgrades to this tool. It also supports a simple “baking” function allowing you to add shadows and highlights to the sculpts you have created.
TechSlop:
http://tech-slop.serveit.org/wiki/index.php?title=Photoshop_plug-ins
Take a look at the 3D plug-ins for Photoshop, in particular RGB Ellipsoid and RGB Theta. They aren’t Sculptie making tools, but they are awesome for faux lighting effects on sculpties you’ve made or purchased elsewhere.
PloppSL:
http://www.secondplopp.com/
ROFL!!! This is NOT a serious design tool- but it IS a heck of a lot of fun! Imagine those helium balloons you get on special occasions… THAT is what this program does. The coolest thing about it is, that it is able to export the colour as well for both front and back of the “plopp”. Fun to play with, but I doubt it has a “serious* use, at least not for me. Highly entertaining though!
Blender Underground:
http://blenderunderground.com/2007/11/21/welcome-main/
The Basics Series is an entire collection of video’s that should get you started using Blender for modelling. It is not specifically SL related, but as anyone who answers 3D modelling “help” questions will tell you… you do need to learn the whole program in order to use it properly… and usually BEFORE you can make anything decent for SL.
Domino Designs:
http://www.dominodesigns.info/second_life/blender_scripts.html
These Blender scripts provide Second Life sculptie map support to Blender. HUGE thanks to Domino for providing these scripts and all her support on the forums.
Crash Course in Blender:
http://amandalevitsky.googlepages.com/sculptiecrashcourse
LOL! I doubt she wrote it for me, personally... But I could have used this when I was kicking Blender for being so silly. (It wasn’t Blenders fault, it was user error!) Thanks Miss Manda!
Skin Making Terms for 3D Programs:
/109/58/276339/1.html
This one gets a link, because there may come a time you want to understand what the heck those 3d program users are talking about!
__________
Okie dokie... time to let you guys absorb all that info. I am going to make myself a much needed coffee. Hehe!
Feel free to add your own links!!! I want to see what other people can dig up!
