this is the first if I am guessing 6 or seven tutorials about making a mesh character in maya suitable for use as an avatar for second Life. This is not a tutorial for beginners, but is more an intermediate tutorial, especially for those that can draw fairly well themselves. This first part is about creating reference images , or "plans" for a character, and then prepping the environment including the inclusion of a skeleton that comforms to the official specification for an SL avatar.

Any links references in the images, I will add to the descriptions so that you all can follow along. That being said I acknowledge that I am in the uncomfortable position of being a pioneer in making mesh objects for Sl and if someone has a smoother way to do it, specifically in maya, then by all means let me know as well so I can include that as well in a revision and in future tutorials.

This tutorial covers Maya, and Maya only, though users of 3D studio Max can follow along, and will probablyhave an easier time of it, since Max has the correct worldspace orientation, as well as a superior materials handler.

The Skeleton file used was obtained at the following link from the Second Life Blogs and can be downloaded and used in maya.
http://blogs.secondlife.com/servlet.....keleton.ma.zip

I hope you all find this useful.

--Scott

<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>