basic modelling question

Hello All,
I am a new member in second life and am trying to build a structure - however, I realise that in any 3d software, you have to think the way the software thinks to make a successful build. I have been playing around with the tools and have gone through the help topics, however, I do need some basic conceptual understanding of how detailing works in second life. For eg.
Q1. how can I create windows in my building? Can I cut into the mass that I create or am I supposed to leave openings for the window and build everything around it?
Q2. If my window is not a prim, then can I just texture so that it represents a window? In that case doesn't it look fake as I will not be able to see through it if I come close?
Q3. can I detail out window frames or cornices or are they just images?

I do have many more detail questions like these. I know they are very basic, but I absolutely have no idea where to find my answers. If any one could please guide me on the above or if you could also let me know of a website/tool i second life where I could find more building tutorials/guidelines, that would be very helpful!

Thank You for all your help.
-Leopan-

There are several ways you can make a window in your builds. I'm no expert by any stretch but the most effecient way would be to use a texture for a window using transparency to make your window. Photoshop is by far the most widely used and mentioned graphics program for making textures though there are others such as the GIMP (the program I use). You can find stickies and tutorials in the "Texturing Tips" forum just below this forum that will do much more justice to you for an answer than I ever could offer.

There is a guru of sorts that lurks these forums..............he can properly answer about any question you have. His name is Chosen Few. So help is here........be patient .

im mot the guru but till chosen bops in ...


you can sorta cut by using hollowed out prims, hollow works from top to bottom so you have to turn them sideways, but its a common practice

you could leave holes for the windows and biuld around them shure why not


you can use 32 bit images and have transparent or even semi transparent parts to repersent the glass, the only "fake" look being the fact that they are 2d decals



you can use prims to make window frames, altho your pretty limited on prim usage depending on your land so you will need to do most of the incetrete details in textures



your welcome

Go to Yadni's Junkyard or the Gnubie Store, and pick up some free houses. They must have 50 or 100, and some are quite magnificent.

Then, go to a sandbox and build the house. You will then be able to tear it apart piece by piece and see exactly what tricks are used...