Difference between revisions of "Sculpted Prims"

Latest revision as of 06:51, 4 November 2009

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Sculpted prim

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-[[Image:Sculpted_Fruit.jpg | thumb]]
+#REDIRECT [[Sculpted prim]]
-== FAQ ==
-'''Q: What is a sculpted prim?'''
-A: A "sculpted prim" is a prim whose shape is determined by a texture - its "sculpt texture". Sculpted prims can create organic shapes that are not
-currently possible with Second Life's prim system.
-'''Q: What is a sculpt texture?'''
-A: A sculpt texture is a standard RGB texture where the R, G, and B channels are mapped onto X, Y, and Z space. For those familiar with
-computer graphics - a sculpt texture is very similar to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_mapping normal map], but instead of encoding surface normals we encode surface positions.
-They are also similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_mapping displacement maps], but instead of a single scalar distance we have three values (for each of X, Y, and Z.) They
-are also very similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parametric_surface parametric] (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NURBS nurbs]) surfaces.
-'''Q: Where can I get free sculpt textures?'''
-A: [[Sculpted Prims Textures | Here]], and [[Sharing sculpt maps and textures | Here]].
-'''Q: How can I make a sculpt texture?'''
-A: The easiest way is to create a model in an external 3d package and use an exporter. We provide an exporter for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_%28software%29 Maya], and hopefully
-exporters for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Studio_Max 3ds Max], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blender_%28software%29 Blender], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixologic ZBrush] will be available soon. We also have plans to provide a sculpt editor within the Second Life viewer.
-'''Q: How detailed can a sculpted prim be?'''
-A: Our current implementation samples the sculpt texture by different amounts depending on level of detail (LOD.) Prims which are
-close to the camera get a 32x32 grid of vertices, which drops to 16x16 grid as the prim moves away from camera, and so on.
-'''Q: But why use textures (images) to encode shapes?'''
-A: Because there are a myriad of existing tools for handling images. Image compression, streaming, progressive loading,
-and animation are all well-explored problems. For example - we could create a quicktime stream which fades from one sculpt texture to another - attached to a sculpted prim, the prim would "morph" from one shape to the other.  Or, as another example - it would be easy to have a flash animation generate a sculpted prim - and when a resident touches a spot on its
-surface, the shape could wiggle and ripple appropriately.  This is the direction we are headed.
-'''Q: How big should my sculpt textures be?'''
-A: We recommend you use a 64 by 64 pixel image. More data is really unnecessary - less can result in bad sampling when the sculpted prim changes LOD.
-'''Q: How do sculpted prims work in the physics engine?'''
-A: Currently, sculpted prims are approximated by a lopsided sphere having roughly the same size as the sculpted prim.  In the future we may provide a more exact representation to the physics engine - thereby providing more realistic movement/collisions for sculpted prims.
-'''Q: How do i use the Maya exporter?'''
-A: Go to [[llSculpt_mel|this page]] and copy the text of the script.
-Paste it into your Maya script editor, and optionally drag it into a button on your tool bar.  When the script is run, it
-will pop-up a dialog box of options.  Select which shapes you wish to export and press the "Export" button.  The ideal
-candidate for export is a nurbs surface with no more than 16 isoparms per direction.  You may also export polygon meshes - but you must first ensure the poly-mesh has a PERFECT uv space (it must cover the entire surface, and the space must have no holes.)
-'''Q: The video shows a lot of smooth prims. Will we be able to make sharp corners and angles?'''
-A: Similar to NURBS surfaces - a sculpted prim can have a defined edge by dedicating more control points to that area.
-'''Q: Will we be able to make flexi sculpted prims?'''
-A: Not in this version - this is planned future work.
-'''Q: Will I still be able to texture a sculpted prim like a regular one?'''
-A: Yes - each sculpted prim has one texture face.  The texture space of a sculpted prim is defined by the sculpt texture.
-'''Q: This sounds like it might take some extra processing power - will there be limits or can I have 15000 sculpted prims per sim?'''
-A: Sculpted prims have the same rendering "weight" as a hollow torus prim.  So no, they aren't more expensive to render, and you'll be able to fill your sim, if you like.
-'''Q: is this technology available in the viewer now? if so.. how can I play with this feature? I can't find it!'''
-A: Sculpted Prims are available on the preview grid now.
-'''Q: Approx when might this be available on the main grid, standard viewer?'''
-A: We sincerely hope to have sculpted prims onto the main grid within the next two months - but ultimately this will depend on the number of bugs we find and other external factors.
-'''Q: What will be the associated LSL functions and PrimitiveParams arguments ?'''
-A: Sculpted prims can be defined via LSL using the llSetPrimitiveParams() call like this:
-<code>llSetPrimitiveParams([PRIM_TYPE, PRIM_TYPE_SCULPTED, "texture-name-or-uuid"]);</code>
-'''Q: Around how long until you have an export script for Blender?'''
-A: Eddy Stryker has created a "manual" export method for Blender.  Amanda Levitsky has a Blender export tutorial [http://amandalevitsky.googlepages.com/sculptedprims here].
-'''Q: Are there any size or distance restrictions on sculpture size?'''
-A: Sculpted Prims use the same position, rotation, and size parameters that a normal prim has.
-'''Q: Can huge prims be used to make huge sculpties ?
-A: Yes, see this snapshot : [http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Image:Megapple.jpg megapple]
-'''Q: What 3d software can be used for sculpted prims/Will there be an exporter for Program X/Is there free or cheep software to make sculpties with?'''
-A: Check out the ongoing discussion [[Talk:Sculpted_Prims#3D_Programs_for_the_Rich_and...the_not_so_Rich. | here]] which includes links and information about several 3d programs and support for them, both free and not.
-'''Q: Can I make sculpt textures in Photoshop or other paint programs?'''
-A: Not easily, but with a technical understanding of sculpt textures it is possible to manipulate them.  Check out the ongoing talk page discussions [[Talk:Sculpted_Prims#.22Annoying.22_Questions | here]] and [[Talk:Sculpted_Prims#Trying_to_clarify_how_this_works.. | here]].

Difference between revisions of "Sculpted Prims"

Latest revision as of 06:51, 4 November 2009

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