Difference between revisions of "Mesh/Uploading a mesh model"

Revision as of 10:11, 6 July 2011

Note: This is an advanced topic. If you're looking for quick and easy way to upload mesh models to Second Life, check out Uploading_a_mesh_with_the_Model_Wizard.

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.

Define visual levels of detail

Define the model's physics shape

Rigging

Check Show skin weight to preview how the model will look on an idle avatar.

Rigged models allow you to represent your avatar skeleton as a mesh that conforms to your joints and motions. This means that you can wear a rigged model that changes the length and orientation of your avatar's limbs and animates accordingly.

If your COLLADA model contains joint position and skin weight information, you can preview how it will look with an avatar's default idle animation by clicking the Gear Icon in the Upload Model window and checking Show skin weight.

Wearing a model with rigging

You may wear a rigged model by right-clicking it in your inventory and selecting Wear. You may often wish to pair a rigged model with an alpha mask to hide your avatar's normal shape.

Uploading

Optional parameters

Before you upload, make sure to include any necessary optional parameters on the Modifiers tab:

Scale: Changes the base size of your model. Increasing the scale increases the resource cost.
Include Textures: Includes any textures applied to the COLLADA model. The textures are automatically applied to the Second Life version of the model when it is uploaded.
Include Skin weight: Includes any skin weight information in the COLLADA model. You must check this box if you wish to wear your model as a rigged avatar part.
Include Joint positions: Includes joint position information from the COLLADA file.
Pelvis Z Offset: Changes the vertical positioning of a rigged model.

Confirm and upload

Before uploading, you must acknowledge that you possess appropriate rights to the materials contained in your model; check the box at the bottom of the window and click Upload. Enjoy your new model!

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{KBnote|This is an advanced topic. If you're looking for quick and easy way to upload mesh models to Second Life, check out [[Mesh/Uploading a mesh with the Model Wizard|Uploading_a_mesh_with_the_Model_Wizard]].}}
 {{:Mesh/Prerequisites}}
+== Define visual levels of detail ==
-== Using the Upload Model window ==
+== Define the model's physics shape ==
-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 ===
+== Rigging ==
-These controls are always visible during the upload process.  They provide information and functions that are important at every step of the upload process.
+[[Image:Show skin weight.png|300px|right|thumb|Check '''Show skin weight''' to preview how the model will look on an idle avatar.]]
+Rigged models allow you to represent your avatar skeleton as a mesh that conforms to your joints and motions.  This means that you can wear a rigged model that changes the length and orientation of your avatar's limbs and animates accordingly.
-'''Name:''' Provide a name for your model, as you wish it to appear in your inventory.
+If your COLLADA model contains joint position and skin weight information, you can preview how it will look with an avatar's default idle animation by clicking the {{Icon_Gear|Gear Icon}} in the Upload Model window and checking '''Show skin weight'''.
-'''Preview:''' You can preview your model at any level of detail by selecting a level from the dropdown.  Using the {{Icon_Gear|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.
+=== Wearing a model with rigging ===
+You may wear a rigged model by right-clicking it in your inventory and selecting '''Wear'''.  You may often wish to pair a rigged model with an alpha mask to hide your avatar's normal shape.
-'''Upload Details: ''' The current calculated '''Resource Cost''', '''Physics Cost''', and '''Upload Fee''' for your model with its current settings.
+== Uploading ==
+=== Optional parameters ===
+Before you upload, make sure to include any necessary optional parameters on the '''Modifiers''' tab:
-'''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.
+* '''Scale:''' Changes the base size of your model.  Increasing the scale increases the resource cost.
+* '''Include Textures:''' Includes any textures applied to the COLLADA model.  The textures are automatically applied to the Second Life version of the model when it is uploaded.
+* '''Include Skin weight:''' Includes any skin weight information in the COLLADA model.  You must check this box if you wish to wear your model as a rigged avatar part.
+* '''Include Joint positions:''' Includes joint position information from the COLLADA file.
+* '''Pelvis Z Offset:''' Changes the vertical positioning of a rigged model.
-'''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.
+=== Confirm and upload ===
+Before uploading, you must acknowledge that you possess appropriate rights to the materials contained in your model; check the box at the bottom of the window and click '''Upload'''.  Enjoy your new model!
-=== 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 [[Mesh/Prim_equivalence|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 [[Mesh/Prim equivalence|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.