Difference between revisions of "Good Building Practices"

From Second Life Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(122 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Physics Optimization:
{|
|-
|colspan="2" valign="top"|
<div id="box" style="height:250px; background-color:#f5f5f5; overflow:auto">
<h2 style="background-color: #FFFFAA;"> Getting Started </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
<p align="center">Topics from the [http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/tkb-p/English_KB%40tkb Second Life Knowledge Base] for new builders who want to learn how to create content in Second Life.</p>
<hr>
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Build-Tools/ta-p/700039 Using the Build Tools]''' - How to create simple objects using the 3D modeling tools provided in the Second Life Viewer.
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Building-tips/ta-p/700041 Building tips]''' - General tips that may help new content creators.
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Uploading-assets/ta-p/700165 Uploading assets]''' - How to upload textures, sounds, animations and more.
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Object-permissions/ta-p/700129 Object permissions]''' - An overview of the object permissions system and how to set next-owner permissions on your creations.
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/How-to-move-a-build/ta-p/919109 How to move a build]''' - Tips on how to move a large, multi-object build from one place to another.
</div>
</div>
|valign="top"|
<div id="box" style="height:250px; overflow:auto;">
<h2 style="background-color: #FFFFAA;"> Featured Article </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
{|
|- valign="top"
|[[File:build_tools_featured.png|256px]]
|
=== [http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Build-Tools/ta-p/700039 Build Tools] ===
Get started with building in Second Life by learning the basic Build Tools described in this article.  Even if you don't plan to become a master builder, these tools are essential for placing, moving, and rotating objects in the Second Life world.
<div style="text-align:right;"> [http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Build-Tools/ta-p/700039 Learn more...] </div>
|}
</div>
</div>


The less the physics engine has to calculate, the smoother your region will perform.  Creating clean low poly physics shapes for your meshes is helpful, but you can also remove prim, mesh, and sculpted objects from the physics calculations completely.
|-
|valign="top"|


<gallery>
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
File:Physics_trees.jpg|Two trees set to Prim
File:Physics_shapes.jpg|Physical shape of trees
File:Physics_in_navmesh.jpg|Results in the navmesh
</gallery>


Link your complicated geometry to simple shapes. Here we linked to a cube and set all child prims to physics shape type None (in Edit > Features > Physics Shape Type):
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Animation [[File:InvIcon_Animation.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
Tips on how to animate your avatar and other objects.
<hr>
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/How-to-create-animations/ta-p/700027 How to create animations]''' - An introduction to avatar animation in Second Life.
* '''[[Animation Streamlined]]''' - Make your creations move without dragging Second Life to a crawl!
</div>
</div>


<gallery>
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
File:Physics_no_physics.jpg|No physics on trees
File:Physics_set_to_none.jpg|Navmesh sees only cube set to Prim
</gallery>


To simulate a physics shape and keep avatars from walking through your optimized object, just add physics where it's needed.
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Mesh [[File:InvIcon_Mesh.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
Complex objects can be modeled using third-party 3D modeling software and then uploaded to Second Life.  These objects require special logistical considerations to manage the amount of land impact they consume.
<hr>
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Uploading-a-mesh-model/ta-p/974185 Uploading a mesh model]''' - How to upload a mesh model to Second Life
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Calculating-land-impact/ta-p/974163 Calculating land impact]''' - How to determine the impact your creations have on your land usage limits.
* '''[[Mesh and LOD]]'''{{New|expiry=20130104}}- Mesh objects that don't crash your friends' old computer.
* '''[[Making Mesh Physics]]''' - Why and How.
* '''[[Making Mesh for Pathfinding]]''' - Pathfinding friendly mesh.
</div>
</div>


<gallery>
|valign="top"|
File:Physics_add_physics.jpg|Adding physics
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
File:Physics_007.jpg|As seen by physics engine
File:Physics_added_physics_in_navmesh.jpg|As seen by the navmesh
</gallery>


Use the following script to set all child prims to None. Be sure to check what physics are needed for your linkset prior to using, and/or add a simple cube as the root prim.
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Pathfinding [[File:InvIcon_Shoe.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<lsl>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
default
Pathfinding allows scripted objects to intelligently move from one place to another while avoiding obstacles.
{
<hr>
    state_entry()
*'''[[Pathfinding Overview]]''' - Pathfinding explained.
    {
*'''[[Pathfinding Tools in the Second Life Viewer]]''' - The Pathfinding tools.
        llShout(0, "Setting all child prims to PRIM_PHYSICS_SHAPE_NONE");
*'''[[Pathfinding Quick Start Guide]]''' - The best way to get up and running with Pathfinding.
        llSetLinkPrimitiveParamsFast(LINK_ALL_CHILDREN, [PRIM_PHYSICS_SHAPE_TYPE, PRIM_PHYSICS_SHAPE_NONE]);
*'''[[Visual_Guide to Pathfinding|A Visual Guide]]''' - Watch how easy it is!
        llRemoveInventory(llGetScriptName());
*'''[[Walkability Coefficients]]''' - Control the speed of your Walkable areas.
    }
*'''[[Material Volumes]]''' - Control the speed of your characters.
}
*'''[[Universal Attribute Changes for Pathfinding]]''' Configure objects for pathfinding in bulk
</lsl>
</div>
</div>
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
 
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Physics [[File:InvIcon_Physics.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
Use these tips to find a balance between physics accuracy and performance in order to minimize the amount of land impact generated by your objects.
<hr>
* '''[[Physics Optimization]]''' - Not everything needs physics, learn how to add the least load necessary to the physics engine.
* '''[[PRIM_PHYSICS_SHAPE_NONE]]''' - Additional information on this important attribute.
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Best-practices-for-creating-efficient-collision-volumes/ta-p/984115 Best practices for creating efficient collision volumes]''' - Tips from the creators of the Havok physics engine that can help optimize the physics of your creations.
</div>
</div>
 
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
 
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Sound [[File:InvIcon_Sound.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
Tips on how to best use sounds in your creations.
<hr>
* '''[[Environment Sounds]]''' - Ways to generate sounds without input from an avatar
* '''[[Event Driven Sounds]]''' - Ways to generate sounds in response to a specific event
</div>
</div>
|valign="top"|
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
 
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Scripting [[File:InvIcon_Script.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
Linden Scripting Language allows you to program your objects with interactive, scripted behaviors.
<hr>
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Scripting-object-behavior/ta-p/700139 Scripting object behavior]''' - A brief overview of Linden Scripting Language, which can be used to bring your creations to life.
* '''[[LSL_Portal|The LSL Portal]]''' - An API reference, tutorials and examples for the Linden Scripting Language
* '''[[Debugging Tips]]''' - how to work out what your code is doing without a conventional development toolkit
* '''[[Resetting Scripts in a Large Build]]''' - strategies for resetting scripts in a large coordinated build
 
* '''Pathfinding'''
** '''[[Pathfinding LSL Functions]]''' - standard reference for all of the pathfinding functions.
** '''[[Modular Pathfinding Kit]]''' - code snippets designed to be plugged together to quickly build unique behaviors.
** '''[[Pathfinding Cookbook]]''' - ready made solutions for some critters.
 
* '''Vehicles'''
** '''[[Linden Vehicle Tutorial]]''' - Vehicle scripting best practices.
 
</div>
</div>
 
<div id="box" style="min-height:128px">
 
<h2 style="background-color: #dbe7e4;"> Textures [[File:InvIcon_Texture.png|20px|right|link=]] </h2>
<div style="padding: 0.5em">
Tips on using textures in Second Life, including the use of specular and normal mapping to give a tactile 3D look to your objects.
<hr>
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Textures-overview/ta-p/700157 Textures overview] - '''An overview of how textures and alpha channels work in Second Life.
* '''[http://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Creating-clothing-and-tattoos/ta-p/700055 Creating clothing and tattoos]''' - How to create classic avatar clothing and tattoos using textures.
* '''[[Texture Usage]]''' - What size to use, and what to avoid.
* '''[[Case Study - Katana using normal and specular maps]]'''{{New|expiry=20130728}} - See how June Dion created a detailed sword by using LightWave and Second Life's normal and specular mapping features.
* '''[[Alpha Modes Do's and Don'ts]]'''{{New|expiry=20130728}} - Learn all about alpha modes for textures in Second Life.
* '''[[Second Life's light model for materials]]'''{{New|expiry=20130728}} - Learn how Second Life displays reflective surfaces, with some tips and tricks for common material types.
* '''[[Case_Study_-_Example_wood_crate_using_materials]]'''{{New|expiry=20130806}} - Learn how to create and apply simple specular and normal maps using free tools.
* '''[[Case_Study_-_Sequined_bear_using_materials]]'''{{New|expiry=20130818}} - See how Brooke Linden added shiny, bumpy sequins to her [[Linden_Bear|Linden Bear]].
</div>
</div>
|}
__NOTOC__
 
= Resident contributions awaiting official approval =
If you'd like to contribute some of your own best practices for efficient content creation, please link to them in this section so that Linden Lab subject matter experts can verify them before they are added to the official guide.

Latest revision as of 09:56, 4 August 2014

Getting Started

Topics from the Second Life Knowledge Base for new builders who want to learn how to create content in Second Life.

  • Using the Build Tools - How to create simple objects using the 3D modeling tools provided in the Second Life Viewer.
  • Building tips - General tips that may help new content creators.
  • Uploading assets - How to upload textures, sounds, animations and more.
  • Object permissions - An overview of the object permissions system and how to set next-owner permissions on your creations.
  • How to move a build - Tips on how to move a large, multi-object build from one place to another.

Featured Article

Build tools featured.png

Build Tools

Get started with building in Second Life by learning the basic Build Tools described in this article. Even if you don't plan to become a master builder, these tools are essential for placing, moving, and rotating objects in the Second Life world.

Animation
InvIcon Animation.png

Tips on how to animate your avatar and other objects.

Mesh
InvIcon Mesh.png

Complex objects can be modeled using third-party 3D modeling software and then uploaded to Second Life. These objects require special logistical considerations to manage the amount of land impact they consume.

Pathfinding
InvIcon Shoe.png

Pathfinding allows scripted objects to intelligently move from one place to another while avoiding obstacles.

Physics
InvIcon Physics.png

Use these tips to find a balance between physics accuracy and performance in order to minimize the amount of land impact generated by your objects.

Sound
InvIcon Sound.png

Tips on how to best use sounds in your creations.

Scripting
InvIcon Script.png

Linden Scripting Language allows you to program your objects with interactive, scripted behaviors.

Textures
InvIcon Texture.png

Tips on using textures in Second Life, including the use of specular and normal mapping to give a tactile 3D look to your objects.


Resident contributions awaiting official approval

If you'd like to contribute some of your own best practices for efficient content creation, please link to them in this section so that Linden Lab subject matter experts can verify them before they are added to the official guide.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.secondlife.com/w/index.php?title=Good_Building_Practices&oldid=1192507"