hello, I'm new-ish and need some help

Hi all, I've used second life before, and am familiar with the content construction tools in-game and the like, but not for a long while.

I apologise if this isn't the right place to spew this, but the general forum seems to have disappeared.

let me summarise (in as brief a way as possible )
I am a postgraduate student studying for a masters in "virtual reality and games technology" in the UK.

-->I have an assignment to do:

1. I have to create 2 avatars. their representation complimenting each other to tell as story of who they are and what their relationship is.
   
2. They will be implemented in a virtual environment that adds lifelikeness and believability to them (i.e. they need to be in context).
   
3. AND it is desirable that they change pose in close proximity to one another.
   

now, seeing as I can use any environment & modelling tools I like, I thought I'd use second life (especially as the avatars will be pre-optimised for the environment)

I know I can buy some land, make the avatars, and the environment... something like a classic bank robber and bank staff member perhaps...the avatars and environment need not be complex, I have to analyse the whole thing afterwards.

problems:
1. is it possible to have automatic animations on avatars that are triggered in proximity to another through scripting? (I didn't do much scripting). such as... the bank teller putting there hands up as the robber points a gun at them, for example? nothing too complex.

2. I need 2 accounts as I need to demonstrate this to my lecturer once it's done. (but I'm sure I can email tech support about that)

woah, that's a bit long, sorry! if you read all this, thanks

1. yes use Sensor to dectect av and modify an AO
2 yes accounts are free now
-LW

thanks will have to trawl through some wiki's and stuff to find these fabled "sensors".

looks like it'll be a busy weekend!

oh, one more thing... having read a few posts on the forum, is it going to be impossible for me to find private land for me to build this on at short notice?

If you only need land for a short-term proejct, you should rent rather than buy. A lot cheaper and you'll find land right away. Try contacting a realtor for availability and terms or do the Search yourself.

It's no problem finding land on short notice; hundreds of parcels are being offered for sale as we speak. It just may not be the way to go!

You should be able to find a build for what you want pre-existing. Then it's a simple matter of contacting the owner for permission to take pictures there (Anshe Chung for example is sensitive about this). It probably won't cost you anything, though you may offer something anyway. If you do want professional assistance, I understand there are set designers who specialize putting up sets for this kind of photography/cinematography. Put up a "help wanted" ad in classifieds on these forums.

If you actually need to build something, you coud rent (as has been suggested) or simply use a public sandbox. If you're paying, I imagine people will be falling all over themselves to collect your L$.

Well, the first account is free. Every additional account will cost you $10, assumed one honestly answers the question if one already owns an account. I wouldn't save those $10 and risk an account ban.

I agree with Ishtara. Espacially since you need both accounts to demonstrate, it could be quite embarrassing if you want to show your work, just to realize that one of your avis has been deleted...

Related question to that... I have a premium account (the monthy payment for my land goes over my account). I have an alt I use only for modelling.

But my partner has a (verified) basic account. Could she get an alt for a one time payment of 10 US$ too?

Morwen.

I interpet Ishatara's statement as confirming this is correct Morwen.

hey all, thanks for the replies, I have been travelling today and haven't had a chance to check this thread till now

I'll have a look see if I can get my hands on some land temporarily. thing is, although I know I have to demonstrate the workings of the construct, I have no idea when that'll be!

I need to physically create something rather than just borrow someone else's construction, although there's no reason I cant use the in game "tools" (i.e. money!) to gather resources like textures / clothes. it'd be way too time consuming otherwise.

would be nice if I could get some first land as I wouldn't have to pay more than the monthly sub for that.... but I know that's not likely to happen!