My previous article on setting up Blender for making mesh clothes (Second Life Mesh Clothing Tutorial) was written in September 2011, eight months ago. I’ve updated it several times, but it is still out of date and awkward in some places. Blender is now at 2.63+ and has BMesh. Photoshop is up to CS6. The [...]

Today, Saturday 20th May 2012, Prim Perfect is hosting two Meet the Designer sessions at the Prim Perfect Pavilion on Home Expo 13 at the Home and Garden Expo 2012, at 2pm with Suite Bourne of reBourne Prefabs,  and at 6pm with Robert Galland, the owner and designer of Galland Homes.

Suite Bourne of reBourne Prefabs

Firstly, at 2pm, Suite Bourne will be talking to Cinders Vale about reBourne’s latest products – and about their fascinating display of a dome house at this year’s Home and Garden Expo.

Robert Galland of Galland Homes

Secondly, at 6pm SLT we will be Meeting the Designer Robert Galland of the long established Second Life business, Galland Homes.  He will be talking to Saffia Widdershins about the changing landscape of Second Life business – it’s bound to be a fascinating discussion!

We have a very full programme of Designers appearing at our Pavilion over the ten days of the Expo, every day at 2pm and 4pm (with a couple of talks at 4.30 pm.  You’ll be able to see the full schedule, and details of the other events we are planning (including the peace lantern release and the Blue Willow mini-hunt), on this blog shortly.

Lantern Release on the Prim Perfect stage

And don’t forget our daily release of Chinese Peace Lanterns every day at 4pm on the Prim Perfect stage area on Home Expo 13. Everyone is welcome to join us and release lanterns for friends and comrades – both those we cherish with us, and those who we have lost. Come along, set your viewer to sunset (as in the jigsaw) or midnight, and release you own lanterns!  You can read more about it here.

 

 

 

Releasing the lanterns

As I explained on the blog yesterday, we are having a special release of Chinese Peace Lanterns every day at 4pm on the Prim Perfect stage area on Home Expo 13. Everyone is welcome to join us and release lanterns for friends and comrades – both those we cherish with us, and those who we have lost. Come along, set your viewer to sunset (as in the jigsaw) or midnight, and release you own lanterns!

In the mean-time, here is a jigsaw of the event to enjoy!

Releasing the Chinese Peace Lanterns at the Home and Garden Expo!

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Catch up with your Prim Perfect jigsaws (showing images of Second Life and other virtual worlds).

If you’d like to submit a photo of your own to feature as a jigsaw, send it to the Prim Perfect Flickr Group. It should be sized 800w x 600h, or else it will need to be re-sized.

[Closed 7:41PM PDT, 19 May 2012] Maintenance has concluded. Our support case system is available again. Thank you for your patience!

[POSTED 7:25PM PST,19 May 2012] - Our Case submission systems is undergoing maintenance. Case submission systems may be intermittently unavailable or slow during this period.  Please check this blog for further updates.

Prim Perfect would like you to join us for a very special ceremony on our region at the Home and Garden Expo at 4pm every day that the Expo is being held.

Releasing the lanterns for those who have gone before

Alchemy Immortalis, who have an exhibit on our region, have created a very special item for Relay for Life – I’ll let Alchemy Cyannis tell you about it:

About the Chinese Peace Lanterns
As participants in the “Home and Garden Expo 2012,” we created this lantern as one of the items we donated to to help raise money for the American Cancer Society through the SL Relay for Life.

We were really excited to be part of the “Prim Perfect” sponsored sim, where we were invited to create within the theme of the “Blue Willow” story.  While most people are familiar with the iconic Blue Willow China pattern produced by British manufacturer, Minton, many are not aware that the various stories behind the dinnerware and its elements were fabricated as part of a marketing campaign.

The stories do borrow generously from several ancient Asian legends, (you can learn more about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_pattern), with the romantic version of the story conjuring up tales of a wealthy Mandarin, and his beautiful daughter, who fell in love and ran away with her father’s humble accounting assistant in spite of being promised in marriage to a powerful Duke.  The china pattern elements convey the story of the lovers escaping and living happily on an island for some time before being caught, and put to death, with doves representing the resurrection and reunion of their souls, celebrating love’s ability to conquer all.

Being invited to create 2 pieces that we would give to help raise funds through the expo event, we happily embraced the Blue Willow tale and set to work crafting “The Emperor’s Throne”, capturing the graceful, downward sloping curves of Ming Dynasty era chairs, giving it a more contemporary feel by adding plush layers of tapestry telling the Blue Willow tale.

The Relay for Life items for sale

For our second item, we chose to create the lanterns.  Traditionally in Asia, blue lanterns represent immortality and peace.  We thought this not only captured the spirit of the Blue Willow tale, but honoured the undaunting spirit of cancer survivors, and of those family and friends we have lost, celebrating the immortality of their lasting legacies in each of our lives, and the peace that we all strive for during one of the most difficult journeys in any life.

We decided to borrow inspiration from China’s “Stone Forest”, the world’s “First Wonder” of the legendary seven, signifying the formidable trek each of us takes when touched by cancer, (personally, or through that of a family member or friend).  We wanted to create, on a small scale, a soul trek that Expo participants could take to the top of the metaphorical mountain, instilling it with the daunting landscape of the stone stalagmites springing forth from the ground in Yunnan Province’s Stone Forest, yet infused with the beauty and seeming impossibility of life springing forth from death as living trees and foliage do there from the stone.

A Mountain to Climb

We wanted this small inworld journey to embrace a sense of celebration at the top.  Whatever our personal milestones are along the way in a journey with cancer, they are significant, and to be celebrated.  This is where the lanterns come in.

When adventurer’s reach the top of the mountain after their precarious trek, we invite them to launch the blue lanterns in celebration of their own indomitable spirit, and that of family and friends.  Weaving one of the more iconic elements of the Blue Willow story back in, we added a final touch in releasing flocks of doves when donations of L$1,000 or more are given through the mountain top lanterns.

Releasing the Lanterns on top of the Mountain

We honour those that have walked the journey in first life, and who may still be, and celebrate your resilience and your wins!The banners welcoming visitors to the Expo site invited them to take the trek to the top of the mountain to release a single sky lantern …in memory of a loved one,
in celebration of surviving,
for your husband,
for your wife,
for looking to the future,
for the ones you love today,
for those you’ll love tomorrow,
for peace in the world,releasing a single sky lantern
really is a wonderful way of paying tribute to your life,
of paying tribute to the one who has been lost,
and furthermore, it is the physical representation of an emotional release.

As the lantern rises,
you are surrounded by a sacred personal moment
to remember,
to reflect,
and to offer gratitude.

Peace, resilience and blessings to you all,
Alchemy and Immortalis Cyannis.

In addition to being able to make your own journey to the top of the mountain, we invite people to join us at the Prim Perfect stage area on Home Expo 13 every day of the Expo at 4pm SLT for a communal release of lanterns in memory of those we have loved and lost.

Some transcripts got posted and there are some bits of news. Balancing You may remember that the Lindens started balancing the regions by running adjacent regions in the same physical server, or at least physically nearby servers. They also made changes to the system so that popular regions would not load into the same server. [...]

Ub Yifu’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Two fantastic exhibits at the LEA – one opening, one soon to close – will take you on strange journeys the likes of which Lewis Carroll in his haziest of stupors would have adored.

You might want to venture to Fae Varriale’s ‘Wonderlands’ first, as it closes on the last day of the month. This wonderful immersive installation is part of the LEA Full Sim Art Series, curated by the UWA’s Jayjay Zifanwe.

Fae Varriale’s ‘Wonderlands’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Fae takes you down the rabbit hole (literally, at one point, you’ll see the Alice reference) as you tag along on an adventure through different worlds with a daughter in search of her father. Do make sure to read the letter at the start, to give you the tale, then take the time to explore the strange lands Fae has crafted – each incredibly different from the rest. In fact they are so vastly different, you would think they were different artists making each space (much like The Path, see below), which shows Fae’s incredible talent.

Fae Varriale’s ‘Wonderlands’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Fae describes her work in this way:

Wonderlands is born of a life long fascination of mine with stories about places that are entrances to other worlds. Whether it be rabbit holes, mirrors, Fairy mounds, wardrobes, secret doors, mystical forests, the interfaces to virtual reality; such stories have been born out of the human psyche for hundreds of years.

Fae Varriale’s ‘Wonderlands’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Do these worlds really exist? If they do, do they exist because we dreamed them, or do they reach out to our unconscious minds?

…Do these worlds exist because I dreamed them or did they reach out to my unconscious as, already having stepped through into a virtual world, I created doorways to wonderlands?

Fae Varriale’s ‘Wonderlands’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Don’t make the mistake I did and tp to LEA 6 via the map, you’ll want to start at the beginning of Fae’s fantastical story here.

Likewise, Bryn Oh’s sequel to The Path, aptly titled Further Along the Path, opened on Friday to a huge crowd (unsurprisingly). I had the opportunity to preview this on Thursday and chat with some of the creators, but rather than ‘Ekphrase’ too much, I’ll just briefly sketch a picture to entice readers to explore on their own.

‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

You’ll want to give this one some time, as it is yet another incredible and thought-provoking series of spaces made by some incredible artists. What I particularly love about this version is that while some very well-known SL artists have been included, Bryn has also selected some incredible contributors whose work might not be as familiar to many.

This Path begins similarly to the last, with a black-box space with information on each artist. You will also hear a phone ringing – this is the connection between each build, and your artistic journey is also a quest to find each phone to lead you to the next installation. Before you answer that phone (and tp away), I must recommend that you also take the notecard of landmarks ‘in case you get stuck.’ One or two of the phones are a bit tricky to find, and should you get frustrated, this will help you to move on and see the rest of the stunning spaces.

Eupalinos Ugajin’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

The real Path starts with a beautifully strange garden by Glyph Graves, Somnalent Repose. Though this particular work is not driven by real-time data like many of his recent works, it nonetheless displays the ongoing influence of science and evolution. As we read the book Glyph has provided, we watch earthworms transform into figures, and the garden shift and move. Somnalent Repose offers the usual complexity of Glyph’s work for the more academically-minded, and sheer beauty for those interested in aesthetic experiences.

Next, Paramparam Papp had crafted an incredible dome of light – but if your windlight isn’t set correctly, do make sure to grab the settings from the card he provides. It makes all the difference. As in all the builds, make sure to explore everywhere, even in less obvious-seeming places.

Paramparam Papp’s graceful pavilion of light at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

I normally don’t like to pick favourites, but I am too much of a typography geek not to show just a small bit of bias towards Alpha Aeur’s contribution. Text and a babbling of language (yes, DO make sure your sound is on throughout!) combine to form a swirling, hypnotic atmosphere, and one which you can become part of via the free avatar Alpha provides. Alpha’s work is a semiotic dream – though a beautiful one, as this RL graphic designer assures me she prefers Umberto Eco to Roland Barthes! If you are a fan of her work at Alphatribe like I am, you will not be disappointed!

Bryn Oh seems to fit right in with Alpha Auer’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

From here, the Path becomes frought with danger as Oberon Onmura’s genius with scripting challenges you to find the correct path to continue down. But before you take the challenge, make sure pause to admire the beauty of the space.

Oberon Onmura’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Your journey becomes increasingly surreal in Eupalinos Ugajin’s creation, a Dadaesque assemblage which definitely gives pause. This is also possibly the most challenging space to find the telephone, but don’t give up! You’ll need to pass through a couple spaces to get to it. But you’ll enjoy the ride… er, the walk… especially if you sit on the cube provided then start walking towards the walls (AO off!). It is one of the more interesting experiences I’ve had in SL, especially in mouselook!

Eupalinos Ugajin’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

From here, Ux Hax + Romy Nayar have created another strange world, but one I personally found incredibly beautiful. It has something rather… ‘Guillermo del Toro’ about it, so I was rather delighted to hear the creators speak in Spanish when they arrived. This is another world where you must find your way from one space to another, but the pair have left some wonderful playthings along the way – don’t miss the chairs!

Ux Hax + Romy Nayar’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

The connections between the exhibits in this Path are more subtle than the previous one, but Ub Yifu does a wonderful job of bringing them all together towards the end. Here, do as the sign tells you – follow the fish! – but make sure to look around at all the pieces of the previous places you’ve visited that Ub has brilliantly included.

Ub Yifu’s work at ‘Further Along the Path’, photo by PJ Trenton.

Finally, your path will lead you to Bryn’s contribution. It’s something quite different than I’ve seen from her recently, and a piece of scripting genius. I don’t want to say more, just go, explore the house… and be prepared for what befalls you.

Don’t miss either of these wonderful adventures – the represent the very best of virtual art in their immersive, interactive facets, in concert with incredible beauty.

Tonight Prim Perfect is honoured to introduce the first of our Meet the Designer sessions at the Home and Garden Expo 2012 by hosting an interview with the owner and designer of  Cain Maven of Maven Homes at 6pm SLT –  at the Prim Perfect Pavilion on Home Expo 13.

Meet the Designer: Cain Maven of Maven Homes

Cain Maven is the owner of  Maven Homes and Quantum Destiny Luxury Homes. These homes offer high quality prefab houses for the discerning home owner. All their luxury prefab homes come equipped with a rich set of features, and the selection of homes includes a variety of sizes and styles that fit every budget.  And he has also designed an awesome new house which he is releasing at the Home and Garden Expo!

The new Maven Home at the Home and Garden Expo

We have a very full programme of Designers appearing at our Pavilion over the ten days of the Expo, every day at 2pm and 4pm (with a couple of talks at 4.30 pm.  You’ll be able to see the full schedule, and details of the other events we are planning (including the peace lantern release and the Blue Willow mini-hunt), on this blog shortly.

It has been some time since I wrote about Myst or Uru. These were the first virtual worlds in which I played. Myst Online: Uru Live was my first Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG). When it closed in early 2008 I became one of the D’ni Refugees living in Second Life®. From time to time [...]

Home and Garden Expo 2012 – Expo 9

The Home and Garden Expo opens today – in just a couple of hours.  And here to celebrate is a sight of one of the gardens – you’ll find this on Dreamseeker Home Expo 9, sponsored by PRIME furniture; this is the exhibit from Landscaping by Felix.

There’s some amazing things to see (and buy) at the Expo – and we’ll tell you more about it soon – as well as about the Prim Perfect talks, a Hunt and a very special ceremony that will be taking place daily at the Prim Perfect region.

I love this image – to me it has echoes of a beautiful landscape painting, perhaps by Constable, or maybe the Hudson River school. I’ll leave art experts to argue over that – and simply give you the jigsaw!

Landscaping by Felix at the Home and Garden Expo 2012, photograph by Judith Lefevre

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Catch up with your Prim Perfect jigsaws (showing images of Second Life and other virtual worlds).

If you’d like to submit a photo of your own to feature as a jigsaw, send it to the Prim Perfect Flickr Group. It should be sized 800w x 600h, or else it will need to be re-sized.

This is pretty neat.

I was curious what is going on with SL9B and what the LEA deal was about. I saw that there was something about it in MetaReality’s lates podcast, May 18 – link. Remember. At best I only paraphrase. While the podcast is intersting, there isn’t much I wanted to expand on or things I was [...]

Makies, the customizable avatars that become 3D printed dolls, just Alpha launched, so you can go to the site and create a customized avatar of your own -- and when you're ready, you can get it printed up, and sent...

Harlow Heslop has launched a great Pay it Forward Project, encouraging SLers to take some time to praise and help other SLers: Each week I will pick one person in the Second Life community that I feel has displayed a...

Facebook, a social network which earns about 15% of its revenue from virtual goods sales (i.e. Facebook Credits) and depends on avatars, virtual worlds, and games to maintain its user activity (about a third of the userbase play one or...

On Friday, May 17th at 3pm PST, Happy Hunting will be taping in the treet.tv studios in Garden of Dreams. So, come on over, take a seat in our very comfy studio chairs, then watch the taping.

Or – at least – the first part of the taping – for after that we’ll be off on a secret mission to find out all about the Home and Garden Expo, which is happening from Saturday May 19th – Monday May 28th.

But before then, we will be finding out all the latest news and gossip from our Hunt reporter, Frequency Picnic who will be showing us all the latest goodies.

Men Only Hunt 2

Our guest in the studio is missqwerty Pevensey, who will be joining us to talk about the Men Only Hunt!

See you in the studio and Happy Hunting!

Mister Nathan Chafee has a metaverse fashion blog for manly men (maybe meterosexually so). Replete with clever poses and excellent screenshot photography and (this is especially good for dudes what are looking for duds) Marketplace and Map links for buying...

We did not get a roll to the main channel this week. The Region Crossing Phase I package failed in Release Channel (RC) testing. Since it failed, no new roll. It was worked on and is now running on Le Tigre and Magnum. Region Idling I wrote a short piece on that a couple of [...]

The Lindens were not overly happy with my explanation of Pathfinding (PF) to Hamlet (see: SL Pathfinding a Potential “Tsunami” (If We’re Not Prepared)). I didn’t expect it to get quoted when I wrote it. So, I took less time with it than I would have if I knew it would appear on Hamlet’s blog. [...]

It is with great sadness that we report the passing in real life of Kev Sweetwater. Kev was a tireless community leader, having been at the heart of Burn, the SL Birthday, and he served as an advisor for the LEA.

Self-portrait by Kev Sweetwater

I knew him in my brief time with the LEA Committee, but sadly not well enough. But what I saw was that he was a kind and compassionate peacekeeper, approaching difficult situations with a sense of humour, kindness and positivity. I know he will be greatly missed.

From the Burn2 Committee:

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing in Real Life of the man known in Second Life as Kev Sweetwater earlier this week..

Kev was known by many people within the BURNING MAN Community in Second Life as a member of the BURN2 Department of Mutant Vehicles and as the past leader of the Department of Public Works. Kev was a friend to us all, a dedicated Burner, and someone who was there with a ready joke or insightful statement on what it means to Burn.

Kev’s original application to BURN2 team says it all. In his words, “ To me the biggest part of my second life is my desire to volunteer to help other volunteers learn and grow more and have a enjoyable time…”

Kev was a man who loved the Playa and what the Burning community stands for. Please join us in celebrating his Second Life on Saturday, May 19th, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. SLT on Burning Man- Deep Hole. At 7:30 p.m. SLT we will have a small burn in honor of Kev.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/145/135/25

If you would like to contribute to a photo memorial please send Second Life snapshots to Marianne McCann.

Please respect the confidentiality of the family. Memorials may be made to: standup2cancer.org

In deep sadness,

BURN2 Core Team

Read more at Daniel Voyager’s Blog

Kev’s own SL Blog