VRML Converters

I'm working on some VRML files that I'd like to convert directly into Second Life. Theoretically, I can convert VRML into 3D Max files and Maya files, then potentially convert those into Second Life. My question is: does anyone have or seen a direct VRML to Second Life converter? And if not, what is the best 3D Max to Second Life integrator?

It's 99.9999% unlikely that you'd be able to turn an arbitrary VRML file into anything usable by SL. For the most part, SL uses a proprietary system of parametric solids, which we call prims. There's no good way to translate an arbitrary mesh into prims. The principles involved are just too different.

The only exception to this would be what we call sculpted prims, or sculpties. Sculpties do allow the use of arbitrarily shaped mesh models. However, they still do not operate on all the same principles you're used to. In order for a model to be compatible with SL as a sculpty, it needs to be built in a very specific way, which generally speaking, is quite different from how you'd ever consider building a model for any other purpose. For more information on this, see the sculpt prim wiki. wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Sculpted_Prims

As for importing models in regular prim form, as I said, there's no real good way to do it, but that's not to say people haven't tried. One solution, created by one of SL's resident geniuses, Jeffrey Gomez, involves replacing every polygon in an OBJ with a triangle-shaped prim in SL. Needless to say, the in-world results are incredibly prim-heavy, and it's got some pretty serious limitations on what it can and can't do (number of faces must be fairly low, no more than 10 units between vertices, etc.) so this method is not practical on an every day basis. It does have its uses though. If you want to play with it, search for "OBJ Importer" on the scripting forum.

Another way to go is to build with SL in mind from the start, by constructing your models out of prim-like building blocks, directly in your 3D modeling program of choice, and then using a scripted system to record and export the data describing your "prims" for replication inside SL. Jeffrey Gomez created such a system for Blender, and Adrian Linden has had one in the works for Maya for some time. Search the forums for "prims.blender" and "Maya to Second Life" to find them. I believe someone also made/is making one for Max, but the name escapes me.

There's also a program called Henshin, which will turn AutoCAD models into prim-based structures. Again, search the forums and you'll find it.

As for a direct VRML to SL translation, it probably could be done, but it most likely would only for models that were built with SL in mind from the start. And as I also said, it's at least 99% unlikely that your existing models would have been built that way. Just any old arbitrary model probably won't do.

Your best bet is just to learn to use the in-world modeling tools like everyone else. With the exception of sculpties, which require the use of a third party modeling program like Maya or Max, nearly every single thing you see in SL was modeled directly in-world, using the in-world tools. If you already have prior modeling experience, SL's tool set can be a little frustrating at first, but you'll be surprised how fast you get used to it. Sooner or later, you learn to "think in prims" and then you're all set.

You'll also find that because SL does not allow you to use so many of the common crutches that other 3D modeling programs let you rely on, as you use it you start to develop a specific kind of problem-solving intelligence that you would never normally exercise. The result is you become a much better modeler, both inside SL and out. As I so often say whenever this sort of topic comes up, when I began to get good in SL, I discovered that my average poly count per model in Maya went way down while the visual quality actually went way up. And my texturing skills increased at least a hundred fold. Give it a little time, and you'll say the same thing. Everyone else I know has.