Requesting help - Light Saber Glow

Trying to build a saber that reflects my style, the only thing I can't figure out is how to get it to actually glow.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

You would need to add a Particle script to the prim that will be glowing. It can be scripted to activate by command in chat or on a specified channel, or by clicking ((touching)) a trigger. There are many scripters out and about that can help you with that sort of scripting. I myself have dabbled a small about with that kind of Glow, send me an IM inworld when the chance arises and maybe assistance can be offered

Actually, I would strongly suggest you do not use particles, unless you're going for a spark effect.

Typically, the glow of lightsabers is done in a twofold manner. First, you'll want to set the beam to be a "Light" prim. You can do this from the Object tab down at the bottom I believe.

As for the actual effect, the best way to do this is with an alpha gradient - basically, some flat prims around the beam that fade from visible to completely transparent. You should be able to do this fairly easily with programs like Photoshop, PSP, or the GIMP.

I have been told that there are also some "freebie" lightsaber objects you can dissect. Does anyone know where to find those?

I have done a particle that "Glows" and has NO sparkle whatsoever. You can see one of the effects of it at Vindalese in Shiner, the original was used for a Green Lantern Lamp and it was a solid glow.

If there were an easier way to script lights, i'd LOVE to know about it, but so far modifying a sparkle script has been my only success.

Remind me to show you the effect I have on my ion beam, then. It's pretty much what I'm suggesting here.

You'll be blown away... heh heh.

Actually I did find one the other night that I could edit, realized the ONLY thing I was missing from the equation was the texture.

Building a new one now.

It can also be done with considerably less hassle using only four prims for the entire blade and no textures; granted, it produces a slightly more "animated" effect than "photorealistic", but I prefer that over the visual glitches that tend to acompany the alpha-texture method.

There are many fine examples of a solution to this problem at the Lightsaber Showroom.

Personally I use a white light cylinder topped with a white light sphere for the central part of the blade to give it a rounded shape at the end.

Intersecting the cylinder are two flattened, stretched cubes the same length as it at 90 degrees to each other. These are 0.5 alpha and the sides set to the colour you desire. The edges are set to an alpha texture.

Intersecting the sphere are two cut cylinders in the same style as the cubes above.

There are more elegant and elaborate blade designs around, but this suits my needs.

Attached are some pictures of Suffering, one of my custom lightsabers which uses this blade.

Depends. While a little more prim-intensive, I have yet to see what I use for my beam "glitch" in this manner. Mostly, because it's so subtle that if it did no one would notice.

Well, have a look.