Avatar Attachment Tool

Okay let me first say this:

I HAVE HAD IT WITH TRYING TO GET MY AVATAR TO STAND STILL WHILE CREATING OBJECT ORIENTED COSTUMES!!

Ahh... much better.

Okay, here's the plan:

We need a way of making attachments fit our avatars without the need for an identical sized avatar to play "dress up doll" and be bored while we create attachments.

My idea is this. At the click of a button (in the build menu) the client would create an exact replica of your current avatar with a default set of cloths. This would include body, head, arms, and legs. And would serve to allow us to drag and drop existing object costumes (that we have made) and resize and be able to adjust them as if they were on our actual avatar. Since the avatars move around so much (and that twisted arm you see when sizing something looks painful, also you wouldn't "jump up" onto the objects or be bumped away either) it is very hard to create armor and the like.

I am aware of the creation rights and trust that the Lindens would be aware of that should this idea be implemented. Only your avatar's current shape, default skin, hair, eyes, and a default set of cloths would be created.

I think this would be a great feature for SL and would greatly increase the satisfaction of creating object oriented costumes and GREATLY lower stress levels and save the need for asprin or replacement PC equipment.

Agreed. Especially if you try to edit something on your head, like glasses. Each time I move the mouse across my face my head moves to follow the mouse. A very silly loop of events occurs for 3-4 cycles until I give up =)

I'm hoping custom animations will help us with this. =D

I've found the following script to be invaluable when positioning avatar attachments. It's not the best solution, but it does help. Just put this script in any attachment you're wearing and type "freeze" to stop your avatar... then "unfreeze" to move normally. It's the turn_180 animation that helps.

// Avatar Freezer
// Arito Cotton

default
{
    state_entry()
    {
        llListen(0, "", NULL_KEY, "");
    }
    attach(key id)
    {
        llRequestPermissions(llGetOwner(), PERMISSION_TRIGGER_ANIMATION);
    }
    listen(integer channel, string name, key id, string message)
    {
        if (id == llGetOwner())
        {
            if (message == "freeze")
            {
                llStartAnimation("turn_180");
            }
            if (message == "unfreeze")
            {
                llStopAnimation("turn_180");
            }
        }
    }
}

I know it's tough to look at these things, but if you're in edit mode and touch an attachment, your whole avatar will be locked down and motionless while you work.


Lum

I have been using the turn_180 thing and it has helped tremendously, however in lieu of an avatar hologram you can fit pieces onto, how about a "Mirror" option?

You get a piece where you want it on say the left leg, right click, choose "Mirror" and the piece appears on the right leg!

I cant tell you how many times I fight with positioning the exact same piece on the other leg, arm, shoulder, foot, whatever. You should just be able to mirror pieces and cut your avatar costuming time in half!

I agree the problem needs to be fixed, but I don't agree with the suggestion.

I think its an over complicated idea, and a more simple solution could be done.

I would just have an option to "Freeze" your avatar, kinda like Arito's script but built in to SL. It would be like going into Appearence mode, you click a button or something and SL stops all avatar animations and you go into a pose or something. SL doesn't animate your avatar AT ALL, even the eyes stay frozen, everything completely stops, untill you click to un-freeze yourself.

To me, that seems simpler and easier to code, giving us it faster than a mirror avatar option. I could be completely wrong.

I wouldn't mind the idea of a seperate model, but to me it just seems over complicated and less likely to happen than stoping all animations.

agreed

I like this idea. I think it would be perfect to incorperate in the appearances interface, as the option to save attachments as outfits is there allready. Maybe include a reduction of the processes going on around you as well just so you can work in peace?

I totally agree. I tried making some simple bracelets and anklets last night. Not only was my avatar moving WAY too much, but I often had things I attached get lost "inside" my avatar. I could see it, but everytime I tried to select the attached bracelet, I could only select my avatar.

yes I tried moving the cursor around. The view around,

I tried everything. Finally I detach from my inventory and scrap the item.

OK I am new, but how do you work with tiny attachments? I want to make jewelry.

There should also be a way to select an attachment for editing from the inventory list, not just by clicking on it. Builders of tiny stuff need this. I already lost several things in the sand... literally. Had to call for help to a Linden to get it back. (thanks by the way.. I was pretty worried it was gone forever)

If you're having trouble making tiny attachments like jewelery and such, do the following:

1. If possible, try to build your attachment at several times the intended scale. This is easier than trying to work with really tiny objects.
   
2. Link your attachment together, then scale the object down to the appropriate size. Remember, the editor tools won't let you make an object less than 1cm^3 in size!
   
3. Create a 0.5m^3 sphere and link it with the existing attachment, making sure to link it so that the attachment continues to be the parent.
   
4. Attach the object to the place on your body. The sphere will stick out enough that you'll always be able to select it.
   
5. I usually use the 'turn_180' trick when I'm working on attachments, since it gets your avatar as motionless as it's going to get.
   
6. Next, orient your attachment where you want it to be, ignoring the great big sphere attached to it.
   
7. When you have the attachment in place, detach it, place it back in-world, and remove the sphere from the linked group. Use Ctrl-Shift-L to unlink the group, then while it's still selected, shift-click on the sphere to deselect it. Then relink.
   
8. If you've done everything properly, you should be able to attach your attachment to the exact spot you moved it.
   [/list=1]
   
   If that doesn't work for you, it's because you messed something up. If you really can't get it, I can give you a 100% alpha texture to apply to the sphere, and you can just make it invisible.

Another way to get those stubborn attachements that get buried in your av;

Go to the Debug menu, go down to Rendering-types-character. Your AV is now invisable but you can see your attachemnts. You still have to juggle the camera angle, zoom in and out and all, but you can grab a buried attachment and move it out aways then make the av visable again.

The freeze script works, but still your avatar sways back and fourth, and when you move an object for placing to your avatar... you move.

Would be nice to be able to build attachments on an identical clone of yourself.

Yeah, I like this idea.

Essentially, it's an automatic dressmaker's dummy that's right-sized.

Actually shouldn't be hard to implement at all since the data's all there.

And besides it would let us create SL's first Wax Museum!

kk

Yeah, I like this idea.

Essentially, it's an automatic dressmaker's dummy that's right-sized.

Actually shouldn't be hard to implement at all since the data's all there.

kk

Normally our avatars are supposed to freeze while editing an attachment, but if you accidently unselect the attachment or select something else, your avatar will unfreeze and resume movement. If you accidently un-select your attachment, your avatar will unfreeze. The only way to re-freeze is to exit the edit mode entirely and re-enter edit mode. Close the edit window, and then right-click the attachment and select "edit" to resume editing again.

If an attachment gets buried inside your avatar, try attaching it somewhere else, like your left or right hand, or either of your feet. Chances are it won't be buried in all attachment points, so find one that it's not buried in, then edit it there, moving it a significant distance away from the attachment point. That will change the attachment offset enough that when you re-attach it where you want it, chances are it will be unburied =)

Finally, I find that putting on attachments is easier while in "fly" mode than standing, since you don't change posture while hovering in the air even if you accidently unfreeze.

Hope this helps.

-- Kex =D