What is mesh?

Mesh is a new capability to bring models created in other applications into Second Life. Mesh will be available on the aditi developer grid initially, and will be available to all residents after the open beta period is concluded.

Mesh glossary

Here are a few terms you should know:

• Mesh - A collection of triangles with a single transformation matrix, roughly equivalent to a "Prim" in SL.
• Submesh - A subset of a mesh, equivalent to a "Face" in SL. Associated with a texture entry.
• Model - A collection of meshes, equivalent to a "Coalesced Object" in SL.
• Aditi - A separate grid from the main Second Life world, where you can test new features and ideas without risk to any of your Second Life assets. You can read more about Aditi at: Preview Grid.

What kinds of objects can be imported as a mesh?

Mesh supports models represented as collada files. Many applications can create collada files, or can create files that can be converted into collada format. Collada is a very general format, so not all collada files will be supported. DETAILS ON LIMITATIONS

Meshes may be general purpose, representing simple geometry, or rigged, in which case they also store information allowing them to be animated along with a Second Life avatar.

Importing a mesh

To import a mesh:

1. Create a model in one of the compatible applications.
2. Save or export it as a collada file.
3. Start up an SL viewer with mesh support. Initially the only viewer with such support will be a special project viewer.
4. Connect to a mesh-enabled region on aditi. The mesh viewer should connect you to aditi automatically, but if you have a choice of grid on your login page, make sure you select aditi. For the region, select one of the mesh enabled regions on aditi.
5. Use the upload model feature to upload the collada file, producing inventory objects. You will gain a mesh item and a prim object that references that mesh item - hang onto both.
6. Rez the object in world like any other item in inventory. You can then edit it by moving, scaling, adding texture and so on like any regular prim.