Constructing and Designing items

Are all the Items in SL coded and designed with LSL, or is LSL only used for actions, click points etc etc?

If the items are not designed and coded with LSL , is there a WYSIWG program i can use to design and code for items in SL? like Fireworks, Piantshop, 3dMax etc etc?

I am really itching to design and make things in SL and any help for an easier way would be great.

thanks
Rutain

LSL can be used both as an end product, i.e. click and it does something. Or it can be used as a tool to simplify building objects. A script can help mathematically calculate and create complex tree branches for example. After the object has been built using a script, the script is normally removed.

All objects in SL are built in-world. Some have created data importer scripts that reconstruct objects in SL based on external 3D data, but this is more of a curiosity now, rather than a practical way. Don't plan on using popular apps like 3ds, Maya, Softimage on creating meshes, because it isn't possible, for now.

There is also no 'translator' for LSL that will make it easier. Its just like learning a new programming language, but a far simplified one.

But it isn't at all half bad, once you get to learn it.

I made a little cube, unscripted. I'll sell this very rare item to you for L$1000.

As Cottonteil mentioned, LSL has all kinds of purposes. It can be used as a building tool, but that not its primary function. It's great for automating repeated tasks, or for alleviating the tedium of mathmatics required for things like geodesic domes, but as an every day building tool, it's just not practical. No text-based system would be, not when the program includes a graphics based system already. Sure, you COULD spend your time instructing LSL to create the objects you want every time you build, but in most cases, you'll just build the objects yourself using the GUI.


Yes there is a WYSIWYG editor. Press the blue Build button at the bottom of your screen to turn it on. On the editor window, you'll find all the options for the various primitive geometric objects (prims) that SL can make. While the editor is open, you are able to create, select, manipulate, and adjust objects in 3D space in real time, in a way that's very similar to how you would do it in programs like 3DS Max and Maya.

I assume you mentioned Fireworks and Paintshop simply as metaphorical references to illustrate the WYSIWYG concept, but you may be interested to know that all texturing for SL is done in programs like those. Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, and GIMP are the most commonly used. Foreworks can be used, but it's limited since it cannot produce TGA format, which is the most commonly used image format for texturing, and the ONLY format SL can import that supports transparency.


This forum's a great source of info, but you may also want to check out inworld resources like the Ivory Tower of Primitives and Robin Sojourner's inworld texture tutorials. There are also building classes you can take inworld.

The best way to learn though is simply to open up the editor and play around. Click the build button, and then on the editor click "More" to expand it so you can see all the options. Now on the object tab you'll see icons at the top for all the prims. Pick one and then click somehwhere on the ground to create it. Now play around with what you can do to it. Now create additional objects and keep playing. Explore ways to create more complex shapes by using multiple prims.

Have fun with it.

Bertha - shame on you for taking advantage on poor litttle noobs. Everyone know the going rate for cubes is L$700 ($L800 if the wood is of good quality).
Rutain, I'll sort you out for L$650.