Mesh/Uploading a mesh model

Prerequisites

Before you can upload mesh objects, you must:

• Have payment information on file. You can add payment information by visiting the Billing Information section of your Second Life account page.
• Accept the IP Terms (if you're using the Aditi beta grid, click here instead), which verifies your knowledge of intellectual property rules. Be sure you own the rights or have permission from the rights owner before uploading your mesh content. Violations of intellectual property rights can result in the suspension or termination of your Second Life account and may even cause the permanent revocation of your ability to upload mesh objects!
• Have at least one compatible COLLADA (.dae) file on your computer. You can create your own by using most popular 3D software packages, or, if you have the appropriate rights, you can download models created by other 3D artists from online repositories. Try our sample content page for a free model if you're just getting started.

You may check your mesh upload status at any time by visiting your account page on the Second Life website.

Cost to upload

There is a Linden dollar fee to upload a model; the fee depends on the model's complexity. During the beta period the fee is discounted.

Using the Upload Model window

The Upload Model window gives you more precise control over your mesh uploads, allowing you to finely tune each level of detail on an object, including physics and rigging parameters. To upload a mesh object with the Upload Model window, choose Build > Upload > Model....

Persistent controls

These controls are always visible during the upload process. They provide information and functions that are important at every step of the upload process.

Name: Provide a name for your model, as you wish it to appear in your inventory.

Preview: You can preview your model at any level of detail by selecting a level from the dropdown. Using the gear icon, you can show and hide technical features of the model such as edges, physics shape, textures, skin weight, and joint position. You can rotate and zoom the model preview by clicking and holding your left mouse button in the preview frame.

Upload Details: The current calculated Resource Cost, Physics Cost, and Upload Fee for your model with its current settings.

Defaults button: If you try to upload the same model multiple times, the Upload Model window remembers which settings you used; use the Defaults button to reset all parameters to their original defaults.

Upload button: Uploads the model to your inventory. You cannot click this button until you check the I confirm that I have the appropriate rights to the material contained in this model box.

Level of Detail tab

The Level of Detail tab allows you to control how your model looks from various distances. Residents viewing a model from very close see the High level of detail, and Residents who are very far away see the Low or Lowest detail. Using lower-detail models for distant objects helps to improve Second Life's performance and reduces the prim-equivalent cost of the model on your land.

Select Level of Detail

The top of the Level of Detail tab shows a summary of the complexity of each level of detail. You may select and edit a level by clicking High, Medium, Low, or Lowest. Each level must have equal or fewer vertices than the level above it.

Mesh

For each level of detail, you may upload a separate model or have Second Life automatically generate a lower-detail model from your initial upload.

• Load from file: Click Browse... to select a COLLADA file from your computer to represent the currently selected level of detail.
• Auto generate: Automatically generates a lower-detail model using the model you uploaded. You may set additional parameters to define how the model is generated.
  • Triangle Limit or Error Threshold:
  • Build Operator:
  • Queue Mode:
  • Border Mode:
  • Share Tolerance:

Generate Normals:

Physics tab

The Phyiscs tab is where you can define the physical shape of your object for the purposes of collision with other objects and avatars. In order to reduce physics cost, you should create a simplified physics shape for your model by either uploading a custom shape or by using an existing level of detail model and simplifying it further.

Step 1: Analysis

This step generates a preliminary physics shape based on your existing visual model. The results appear as a collection of multicolored "hulls" that, together, make up the physical shape of your object.

Method

• Surface:
• Solid:
• Wrap:

Quality:

Smooth:

Close holes (slow):

Analyze button:

Step 2: Simplification

These controls allow you to simplify the physics shape of your object, often reducing it to a single hull. Method

• Retain %:
• Detail:
• Better Detail:

Passes:

Detail Scale:

Simplify button:

Modifiers tab

Scale: Allows you to change the default size of your object before you upload it. Changing the scale of the object can dramatically affect its prim equivalence value.

Include Textures: Includes the model's textures in the upload.

Include Skin weight: Includes skin weight information for rigged models that move with your avatar.

Include Joint positions: Includes joint position information for rigged models.

Pelvis Z Offset: Changes the vertical offset of a rigged model from your avatar's pelvis.