Second Life provides a great avenue to learn, practice, and show off your 3D modeling skills!
As many of you know, there are two ways to build objects in Second Life. You can do so either in-world or via a 3D modeling program (like Maya). Building objects in-world is fairly straight-forward, but can be limiting. Building objects in an external program allows you to build more interesting and complex objects - and uses only one prim! However, bringing 3D models created in other programs into Second Life (to create a "sculpted prim") has traditionally been a fairly elaborate, difficult, and often expensive process.
However, after doing some research, I have started using one method that is quite effective and fairly easy.
The tutorial for this method that can be found here: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~slsdg/mayatutorial.html
It may appear a little intimidating at first - but it takes you through the whole process step-by-step so that even the novice modeler can bring some snazzy looking objects into Second Life in no time.
My hope for this tutorial is that it will help make Sculpted Prim creation more accessible to a wide variety SL users. If you have any feedback, suggestions, ideas, etc. that you think will help improve the tutorial, please let us know at slsdg@usc.edu.
Enjoy!
(Also, while you're at it - make something to submit to our Second Life Modeling Contest!)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Official SLSDG Modeling Contest Begins!
Alright, it's the moment we've all been waiting for - the theme of the contest!
So, what exactly will you be doing?
Saving the world of course!
Create the one object that will save the world. This object can be organic, mechanical, interactive, large, small, realistic, unearthly, have multiple moving parts, be simple and streamlined... and everything outside and in-between. The most important thing is to think about what is the one thing you would create for the real world (if given infinite resources) that would bring the environment back into harmony. We will be looking for overall creativity, logic of concept, and the quality of execution.
That's all that's to it. And, with that, the contest has officially started! When creating your entry, remember to review all the rules (http://slsdg.blogspot.com/2009/10/slsdg-modeling-contest-rules.html) for important dates and official requirements.
To submit an entry, please fill out the official SLSDG Modeling Contest Form (found here: http://slsdg.wufoo.com/forms/usc-slsdg-modeling-contest-form/). Further instruction will then be provided.
We're looking forward to seeing your entries! Good luck!
So, what exactly will you be doing?
Saving the world of course!
Create the one object that will save the world. This object can be organic, mechanical, interactive, large, small, realistic, unearthly, have multiple moving parts, be simple and streamlined... and everything outside and in-between. The most important thing is to think about what is the one thing you would create for the real world (if given infinite resources) that would bring the environment back into harmony. We will be looking for overall creativity, logic of concept, and the quality of execution.
That's all that's to it. And, with that, the contest has officially started! When creating your entry, remember to review all the rules (http://slsdg.blogspot.com/2009/10/slsdg-modeling-contest-rules.html) for important dates and official requirements.
To submit an entry, please fill out the official SLSDG Modeling Contest Form (found here: http://slsdg.wufoo.com/forms/usc-slsdg-modeling-contest-form/). Further instruction will then be provided.
We're looking forward to seeing your entries! Good luck!
Friday, October 23, 2009
SLSDG Modeling Contest Rules!
Things may have been quiet for a while there, but it was only because we've been hard at work on several Second Life projects - including.....none other than the upcoming Modeling Contest!
It's still on - and about to heat up! Below are the official rules of the contest. Check back again on November 2nd for the official announcement of the topic - and then it's on!
Key Dates:
11/2/09 – The Theme is Announced and the Contest Officially Starts
1/8/10 – Contest Officially Ends
1/29/10 - Winners Announced
Theme/Narrative: You'll just have to wait to find out ;)
(Check back again Nov 2nd!)
Judging Criteria:
Judges:
Special Guests to be Announced at a Later Date!
Reward:
Grand Prize: $200 Amazon Gift Certificate
Runners Up:
Most Creative Concept: $50
Most Logical Concept: $50
Most Ambitious Concept: $50
Venue:
Entered models will be showcased in the USC eLand
Rules and Requirements:
Questions? Email us at slsdg@usc.edu
It's still on - and about to heat up! Below are the official rules of the contest. Check back again on November 2nd for the official announcement of the topic - and then it's on!
Key Dates:
11/2/09 – The Theme is Announced and the Contest Officially Starts
1/8/10 – Contest Officially Ends
1/29/10 - Winners Announced
Theme/Narrative: You'll just have to wait to find out ;)
(Check back again Nov 2nd!)
Judging Criteria:
- Creativity: 40%
- Logic (does it make sense?): 35%
- Execution (quality): 25%
Judges:
Special Guests to be Announced at a Later Date!
Reward:
Grand Prize: $200 Amazon Gift Certificate
Runners Up:
Most Creative Concept: $50
Most Logical Concept: $50
Most Ambitious Concept: $50
Venue:
Entered models will be showcased in the USC eLand
Rules and Requirements:
- 15 prims per entry
- 16m wide x 16m length x 50m height (consult with SLSDG for objects that exceed the limit)
- The contestant must be a full time student (you must have a .edu email address in order to enter)
- Each contestant must be solely responsible for the entire creation of their entry- including both modeling and texturing.
- If less than 10 valid entries are received, the contest will be canceled or postponed to a later date. No entries will be selected for awards but, upon consent of the artist, will be automatically re-entered if/when the contest is held again at a later date.
Questions? Email us at slsdg@usc.edu
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Second Death of Caspar Helendale
I encourage everyone to check this out:
The Second Death of Caspar Helendale by Jessica Curry and Dan Pinchbeck has been selected by The Royal Opera House and will be performed live at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House as part of the Firsts 09 season, "showcasing some of the most talented and genre-defying artists in the UK today."
The performances will be taking place simultaneously at the ROH and in Second Life on 27th and 28th November at 7.45 p.m.
The Second Life avatar Caspar Helendale invites you to attend his death; a funeral service held simultaneously in the real and virtual worlds. He has been exploring mortality since he was first created, and in his last twenty minutes of existence he will share his thoughts with collected mourners. He will be accompanied by his widow-to-be, Trixiebelle Landar, whose requiem will be performed live and streamed back into the virtual world over the course of the service. Via live onstage musicians and a giant projection screen, the theatre audience will join Second Life residents to reflect and mourn, as the real and virtual worlds collide at the point where Caspar’s light is forever extinguished…
Book tickets at:
ROH Box office: 020 7304 4000
www.roh.org.uk (Firsts 2009)
If you cannot attend in first life then we would be delighted if you and your avatar would join us in Second Life for the duration of the performance.
Teleport to 208.240.22 at 9 p.m.GMT (1 p.m. PST) and join the mourners in Caspar's specially built mausoleum.
Please email jessica@jessicacurry.co.uk for further instructions if you would like to attend in Second Life and feel free to distribute this email to any individuals/communities that may be interested.
The Second Death of Caspar Helendale by Jessica Curry and Dan Pinchbeck has been selected by The Royal Opera House and will be performed live at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House as part of the Firsts 09 season, "showcasing some of the most talented and genre-defying artists in the UK today."
The performances will be taking place simultaneously at the ROH and in Second Life on 27th and 28th November at 7.45 p.m.
The Second Life avatar Caspar Helendale invites you to attend his death; a funeral service held simultaneously in the real and virtual worlds. He has been exploring mortality since he was first created, and in his last twenty minutes of existence he will share his thoughts with collected mourners. He will be accompanied by his widow-to-be, Trixiebelle Landar, whose requiem will be performed live and streamed back into the virtual world over the course of the service. Via live onstage musicians and a giant projection screen, the theatre audience will join Second Life residents to reflect and mourn, as the real and virtual worlds collide at the point where Caspar’s light is forever extinguished…
Book tickets at:
ROH Box office: 020 7304 4000
www.roh.org.uk (Firsts 2009)
If you cannot attend in first life then we would be delighted if you and your avatar would join us in Second Life for the duration of the performance.
Teleport to 208.240.22 at 9 p.m.GMT (1 p.m. PST) and join the mourners in Caspar's specially built mausoleum.
Please email jessica@jessicacurry.co.uk
Monday, September 28, 2009
Second Life Modeling Contest - Part 2!
Intrigued about the upcoming SLSDG modeling contest? Well, you should be. Don't know anything about it? Well, let's fix that! It is my pleasure to introduce the official webpage for the contest! Sure, it's still all a mystery (we don't want to spoil the surprise too soon) - but perhaps this will sustain your burning curiosity until the next update. Until then, enjoy!
(For those of you who would rather cut and paste the link, the URL is: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~slsdg/about_us.html)
(For those of you who would rather cut and paste the link, the URL is: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~slsdg/about_us.html)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Article about OneWorld's Virtual Bali
http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/articles/field_report_oneworlds_virtual_bali/
"...This field report assesses a project that involved the use of a commercial virtual world, Second Life, and a niche nonprofit social network, OneClimate.net, by a nonprofit media producer, OneWorld UK. By operating a public forum from the 2007 U.N. Climate Change Conference via these platforms, OneWorld was able to expand participation in the conference and create an ongoing conversation among members of a global public interested in environmental issues. While the number of online participants was limited, this experiment drew significant press attention and served as a benchmark for nonprofit and public media uses of these online tools. ..."
"...This field report assesses a project that involved the use of a commercial virtual world, Second Life, and a niche nonprofit social network, OneClimate.net, by a nonprofit media producer, OneWorld UK. By operating a public forum from the 2007 U.N. Climate Change Conference via these platforms, OneWorld was able to expand participation in the conference and create an ongoing conversation among members of a global public interested in environmental issues. While the number of online participants was limited, this experiment drew significant press attention and served as a benchmark for nonprofit and public media uses of these online tools. ..."
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Second Life Modeling Contest!
Calling all Second Life student developers, artists, architects, inventors, and everyone else who is interested in building great things within the SL community! The USC Second Life Student Developers Group will be holding a contest starting on the first week of November for any student modelers who wish to submit entries built around a special theme (that will be announced at a future date). And, yes, a prize will be involved. More details to come, so stay tuned!
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