Mesh/Uploading and wearing a rigged mesh

Rigged meshes allow for you to represent your avatar skeleton as a mesh that conforms to your joints and motions. This walkthrough will cover the workflow for uploading a basic rigged mesh.

Obtain a Second Life compatible rigged mesh file

The first step is to get a mesh file onto your computer that you want to upload to SL. SL's mesh import is able to read COLLADA (".dae") files. You will need to use one that has joint rigging information.

• Click on this link -- http://jira.secondlife.com/secure/attachment/38659/simplebot.dae -- to download the "simplebot.dae" COLLADA file.
• Save the file anywhere on your hard drive where you can find it subsequently.

Upload the mesh file to Second Life

Rigged Mesh Import

Next, take the file that you downloaded to your computer and upload it to SL. (Note that during beta, uploading is free!)

• Open the main menu "Build" menu, choose "Upload", click "Model...".

  (Alternately, open your Inventory View, click the "+" menu button, "Upload" > "Model...").

  This will cause a file dialog box will open.

• Find and select the "simplebot.dae" file from your computer.

  The Import Model window will then appear.

• Click the "Generate LOD" button at the top of this window.

  The viewer will take a moment to process this, then the "Upload button" will become clickable.

• Check the "Skin Weights" checkbox. The viewer will take a few seconds to process this.
• Check the "Joint Positions" checkbox.

  Note: Attaching a rigged mesh with joint positions will override the avatar skeleton joint positions and may make your arms/legs/back/neck longer/shorter, eyes pop out, etc.

• Walk your avatar around or play a gesture. Note that the model in the preview window will animate correspondingly.

  You can also use the mouse to zoom in on the preview window or rotate the mesh.

Rigged Animation Preview

• Click the 'Upload' button.
• The viewer will take a few seconds to upload the mesh file.
• You will see 2 assets inserted into your Inventory. One will appear in the Meshes folder and one will appear in the Objects folder. We only care about the Object right now.
• Right-click the new object in your Inventory and choose Wear
• Wear the "Invisible Avatar" body part from the Library/Body Parts/Alpha Masks folder.
• Your avatar will appear as a thin white robot.
• Walk or animate your avatar and you will see the white mesh animates just as you avatar did.
• When you are ready to take off the robot mesh, right-click the object in Inventory and click Detach.