Getting started with Second Life
A Guide to the Second Life Viewer Software
(also known as Beginner's Guide, Manual, User Guide, User's Guide, User Manual, or User's Manual)
Interacting with the Second Life virtual world requires you download, install, and run a "Viewer" program on your computer. The Viewer allows you to log in to the Second life grid, and then see and interact with objects and avatars around your current "location" in the virtual world.
This Guide is intended to document how the current version of the Official Viewer software works. Because Second Life combines social interaction, avatar customization, media streaming, 3D graphics creation, software scripting of objects within the world, and business transactions, the viewer is quite a complex program. In addition to the Viewer, some features are accessed via the Second Life website (like this wiki page, for example).
Different people like to learn in different ways. This is for the ones who like a traditional reference manual format of documentation. There are many other learning resources available for Second Life, some of which are noted in the learning resources section below
Downloading
Hardware and Software Requirements
The supported hardware and operating system requirements are listed on the Official System Requirements Web Page. Although certain configurations are not supported (for example, satellite or wireless internet), they can still be used with some limitations.
You will need at least 74MB of hard drive space to install, and 1GB or more of hard drive space for the eventual application data that will be generated (mostly cached object and image data) for each version of the Viewer you install. It is possible to have multiple versions installed at the same time.
To use the Viewer with good frame rates and low lag on the highest graphics settings requires (1) a high end gaming computer with a good graphics card, (2) a fast internet connection, and (3) the Second Life server you connect to be not overloaded. If some or all of these are not met, the viewer settings can be adjusted to handle a wide range of circumstances.
Optional hardware includes a headset or microphone to use the voice features, and 3D mouse.
Versions and Download Locations
The Second Life software is under constant development. This includes both the viewer software, and the server and back end databases. These programs are in constant communication when logged in. Therefore only recent versions will work properly.
The latest official software version can be downloaded from the Downloads Page. Older versions can be found on the old versions page. Note that only versions 1.23 and 1.22 are currently supported. When a new version is being beta tested, a series of "Release Candidates" are available for download, and updated even more often (weekly or less) than the official version (every few months on average).
The viewer software has been open-sourced, so there are numerous alternate viewers available with different features:
- The Snowglobe Viewer - An open source viewer jointly developed by Linden Lab and outside contributors.
- Partial List of Alternate Viewers
- Another List of Viewers
- (add any other lists or individual viewers here)
Installing
Windows Install
- Click download link
- When popup appears, click save file
- Navigate to where the file is saved, and run the installer program.
- Select your installer language (default = english)
- Select your destination folder (default = C:\Program Files\SecondLife)
- When you click the install button, the files will be sent to the destination folder, and a start menu folder and desktop shortcut will be created.
MacOS Install
Linux Install
- Download the file tar.gz file and extract it.
- No installation needed.
Running
Logging In and Out
To interact with the virtual world directly, you must be logged in. This requires previously setting up a Second Life account, with a first and last name, and a password.
Start the appropriate Viewer program with optional parameters, and with optional preferences settings prior to login.
The login page will appear, with a static image, a few menu options on the top left, a status box on the top right, and entry boxes on the bottom for your name and password. If activated, you may enter a start location manually, or start at your 'home' or last location.
After clicking the blue Log In button, your viewer will be connected to a Second Life server which is hosting the map region you start at. If the start location you requested is not available, you will connect to an alternate location. Once connected, the server will start sending you data about the objects and avatars around you, and the 3D view area will gradually appear. When first connecting, you may not be able to move or do other things for a while. Once enough of the view has filled in, you should be able to move and interact.
When you are done, use the normal methods to end a program:
- Windows/Linux: Ctrl-Q, red X on top right of viewer window.
- Mac: ⌘ Cmd-Q, red blop on top left of viewer window.
A selectable amount of data is saved in a local cache. The entirety of the 3D world is much much larger than any single computer can store, so the cache only holds some of the last places you visited and people you saw. the 3D world is also constantly changing, so the cache is only partially effective in saving you from downloading items again. If you re-visit a place later, any changes from what is saved in cache will have to be downloaded.
If logging is enabled, you will also have text files saved in a directory (Windows = ...\Application Data\Second Life), containing chat and/or Instant Message history.
Parameters
When running the program, you may use various Viewer Parameters at startup. Some of the more useful ones for regular users includes
--autologin (logs in as last saved user)
--login <firstname> <lastname> <password> (logs in as a given user)
--multiple (allows more than one copy of the viewer to run at the same time.)
NOTE: Your computer must be high powered for this to work well)
--purge (clear cached data files on startup)
--port <13000 to 13050> (port number for a given copy to use)
--url <SLURL> (specify a start location in the 3D environment in SLURL format. Must be last parameter)
Setting Preferences
Some preferences are saved locally on your computer, and can be set prior to to login. Ones that you cannot set before logging in are greyed out.
Click the Edit menu > Preferences, or type Ctrl-P to open the "Preferences" floating window. The options are described in detail in the Preferences Window Guide.
Screen Layout
Main 3D View Area
The 3D view area displays a portion of the Second Life grid around your current location. The view is generated in real time by the graphics card or chip in your computer, using data that is sent from the server. Since Second Life is a live environment, objects and avatars will appear and disappear, move, and change constantly. The server sends updated data as soon as possible, and then your view is updated. Therefore if the server is too busy or your internet connection is slow, your view might lag behind what is happening.
Various pop-up messages, pop-up menus, warning messages, error messages, context menus, floating windows, and Head Up Displays can appear over the 3D view. Most can be closed or minimized if they are blocking your view. They are discussed in more detail below.
Camera View Controls
The camera viewpoint is normally located above and behind your "Avatar" (the character that represents you). As you move around, the camera view will follow. The view width is approximately 90 degrees (quarter circle), but this depends on your zoom level and window aspect ratio. Therefore to see in other directions, you must turn or change your camera viewpoint.
If you are close to a wall, the view will attempt to move itself out of the way, but sometimes it will end up inside a wall or other object.
You can zoom in and out using the mouse scroll wheel if you have one. If you scroll all the way in, you will enter "mouselook" mode, which is from the viewpoint of your avatar's head. In mouselook, moving the mouse will let you look in other directions. Your avatar will face in the direction you were looking when you leave mouselook.
Holding the ALT key down changes the mouse pointer to a magnifying glass. Clicking the left mouse button (LMB) will recenter the view wherever the pointer was. Holding ALT + LMB and moving the mouse will orbit the camera viewpoint sideways around the last center point. Holding CTRL + ALT + LMB will orbit the camera view vertically. By a combination of zooming out, recentering, and orbiting, it is possible to move your camera view quite far from your avatar.
If you release the camera view keys and then stand or walk, your view will automatically return to normal. The ESC key will return the view to normal without moving your avatar.
Moving your Avatar
If the chat entry box is active, the letter move keys (W,A,S,D, and E) will type text. If the chat box is closed, they will move your avatar as follows:
W Move forward
S Move backward
A Turn Left
D Turn right
The arrow keys will work whether the chat box is open or not.
Top Menu Bar
The Top Menu bar appears on the top of the window or screen. The descriptions below are from left to right. For detailed menu item descriptions, please see the Viewer menu page.
File Menu
Provides functions for uploading files to the Second Life system, closing floating windows, saving textures to your PC, taking snapshots, and closing the program.
Edit Menu
Provides functions for editing objects and text files, opening search, adding or removing objects from your avatar, or the screen Head Up Displays, taking off clothing, editing your avatar profile and appearance, your friends list, group membership, and program preferences.
View Menu
Provides functions for controlling your camera view, and opening and closing various floating windows on the screen.
World Menu
Provides functions for interacting with the 3D world such as chat, running, flying, landmarks, home location, away and busy status, your account history, buying Linden dollars, land, and your environment
Tools Menu
Provides functions related to 3D building and software scripts that objects contain.
Help Menu
Provides help information about second life and the software itself.
Advanced Menu
This menu is not visible by default on starting the program. Type CTRL-ALT- letter D (not delete) to toggle visibility of this menu. The advanced menu provides numerous advanced and technical functions.
Admin Menu
This menu is not visible by default. It is toggled by the "View Admin Options" choice on the Advanced Menu. Admin functions are for use by Linden Lab staff, and will have no effect for regular users.
Parcel Restrictions
Each land parcel may set certain restrictions for visitors. This part of the Top Menu Bar displays icons for each restriction. Hovering the mouse pointer over them will tell you what each restriction does.
Grid Location
Your location on the Second Life grid is indicated with a map region name, followed by X (East), Y (North), and Z (Height) coordinates in meters within the region and one of three region maturity ratings: (PG), (Mature), or (Adult), which determine what kind of activities and content are allowed in that region.
Parcel Title
Each map region contains one or more land parcels which can be anywhere from 16 to 65,536 square meters in area. The parcel title is displayed in the center of the menu bar.
Time
The current time in San Francisco (home office for Linden Lab and Second Life) is displayed on the right side. Since Second Life is used by people worldwide, this time is used for event and meeting planning.
Buy Linden Dollar Button
Second Life uses an internal currency unit called "Linden Dollars", or L$. They can be purchased using the button on the menu bar, or via your account page on the website. The exchange rate is approximately 270 L$ per United States Dollar.
Linden Dollar Balance
Your current account balance is displayed in green on the right side of the Menu bar.
Search Text Box
The last item on the menu bar is a search entry box. Enter a text search term, and hit enter, and it will open the search floating window with your search results.
Bottom Toolbar
Keyboard Shortcuts
There are many keyboard shortcuts available. For a short list see the Shortcut Keys Page. For a full list, see the All keyboard shortcut keys. You can also download a one page Cheat Sheet pdf file for printing.
View Area Overlays
Numerous menus, floating windows, and Head Up Displays (HUD) can appear over the main 3D view area.
Contextual Menus
If you click the right mouse button (RMB) (PC)or CMD-click (MAC) in the 3D view area, a context menu will appear. This menu is round and is often called the "pie" menu because of how it looks. The menu will change according to what you are pointing at (object, your avatar, another avatar, land).
Once the menu appears, moving the mouse over one of the pie sections will highlight that item. and LMB click will select that option. Any options not available for a given object or avatar will be greyed out.
For detailed information on each option, see the Viewer menu page.
Floating Windows
Head Up Displays (HUD)
These are optional control panels or useful devices or displays which can be attached to your screen. Most or all are user-created 3D objects. When they are attached to one of the HUD locations, they appear in a flat plane in front of the normal 3D view area. They may be edited for size and location on the screen, but not in the "out of screen plane" 3rd dimension as other 3D objects can be. They use the same edit process as other objects in the 3D view.
There are 8 HUD attachment points which are named for screen locations, but by editing their horizontal and vertical location you may place them anywhere on the screen, or even off-screen. If you lose a HUD off-screen, open edit on one you can see, and then use the scroll wheel to zoom out.
Pop Up Items
Certain items will appear due to external events, the first time you perform an action, or as a warning or error. Depending on type, they will appear on the top right, bottom right, or center of the 3D view.
Pop Up Messages
These appear on the top right corner of the 3D view area. If more than one appears, they will stack in that one spot. They do not normally disappear until dismissed. If you see a ">>>" button, you can click that to shuffle the stack.
Pop up messages include First time user info, Group invitations, group notices, individuals sending you an item, take money authorization, etc. Most are blue, except for authorization to take money from your account, which is yellow.
Pop Up Menus
Warning Messages
These messages appear for a few seconds on the bottom right corner of the 3D view area. They usually appear if you attempt to do something that is not allowed, or when you cross into a region which has a different server software version
Error Messages
These appear in the center of the 3D view area, and will stay on screen until dismissed.
Additional Learning Resources
Since Second Life is complex, and people learn in different ways, no single document is sufficent. Here are some additional links and methods to learn more:
Second Life Website
The Second Life Support Web Page contains several ways to learn more or get answers.
Many answers can also be found by searching the Second Life Forums. If you cannot find an answer by searching, you can ask a question on the "Resident Answers" section.
Knowledge Base
The Knowledge Base is a collection of articles written by Linden Lab staff about numerous topics. Since it is staff written, it can be considered "official information". The Help Menu (F1 key) opens a web browser to the Knowledge Base articles.
Wiki
The Second Life Wiki has about 6,000 user-created pages on a multitude of subjects (including this page). Many of the pages are highly technical, since most content created within second life is user-created. You can enjoy Second Life without knowing much about it, but if you want to create things, knowing the details is important.
The main second life wiki Help Portal has links to lots more information at a beginner level.
The downloadable Quickstart Guide is especially useful for first time users.
Video Tutorials
External Guides