Second Life Avatar

My Second Life avatar name is "fumblerustybacon".

Also, there will not be lab hours this Thursday because it will occupied by the Graduate Intermedia class. Remember, GOOGLE RULE and experiment!!

Project 7: 3D - "The Sequel"

Critique: May 6th

Objective:
Our next project will involve the creation of a digital, 3D model of the sculpture you created. You will learn to use software to create a model that is accurate on all three axes (x, y, z). The project will help you learn the "mindset" needed to work with 3D imaging software to complete our next project (Second Life), as well as using 3D models for animation and printing in upper division Digital Media courses.

Process:
You will use Google SketchUp (or another 3D imaging software) to create your model. Using the program's tools, you will sculpt your model to accurately match your talisman sculpture. Please consider texture, color, shape, and implied mass when making your model. Use Photoshop to create custom textures to apply to your model's surface and be aware of the visual details that make up your final piece.

For the critique, please post 5-6 detail photographs of your final work to your blog, with corresponding photographs of your physical sculpture. You could also create a video of your work moving around using Snaps Pro X. Either way, you want to be able to show all the details and over-all composition of your piece.

Google SketchUp is a free program to download. As it is owned by Google, the Google rule will be invaluable to your success in this work. At this part of the semester I assume you have established your own working style and have an understanding of the process of digital media. I've given you an extended working time for this project and expect to be impressed with your final pieces.

Google Sketch-Up Tutorials

Final Reading: Manovich - The Language of New Media

Here is the final reading. Have your questions posted to your blog and ready to discuss by April 29th!

The Language of New Media by Lev Manovich

 

Final Project: Second Life

                  (Digitally Beautiful or Weird Harry Potter?)

Due Monday, May 13, 7:30-9:30pm

We will hold our final class meeting in Second Life!

As you all know, our final project will consist of the creation of two avatars in Second Life. Next week we will start with a tour of Second Life locations and I will be giving us a workshop on how to get things done in Second Life. The "Community Learning" idea is a theme we have followed through out the semester and will, of course, be continued in our final project. Think of the project as a mixture of the traditional self-portrait and social practice new media art. Please check out this Front Line "Digital Nation" (I believe its on Netflix too) to start thinking about the digitalization of various aspects of our lives.

Part 1: First Self

Representational Avatar/Self
If you haven't done so already, sign up for a free account and get acquainted with Second Life. Your first avatar will be representational and reflective of who your are in real (or meat) space. Look above to see mine as an example.

Follow these steps:
A) Begin by playing with the appearance interface to get accustomed to playing in Second Life. Play with eye color, body shape, etc. to build your digital self. You will need to find, create, or buy (I'll give you some SL cash called Lindens) clothing and accessories to create a realistic avatar. Think of the Second Life tools as just another medium used to create human representations.

Below is a tutorial that will help you get comfortable playing with your appearance.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Appearance_Editor

B) Once you have created an avatar, save this as an outfit. The next step is to use Photoshop to create a "photo" realistic avatar. I've included tons of tutorials and the avatar template I used to create my beautiful self. Like everything related to Digital Media, it looks harder than it really is. You will start by taking a profile and front head shot to work with in Photoshop. Make sure these are taken together so the light is consistent. You will use these photos as source material to build your portrait with a Master Template. Remember, patience and the Clone Stamp Tool are your best friend in this project.

Here is the main tutorial page for clothing and skin tutorials:
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Clothing_Tutorials

I used this link to create my avatar. Her website is full of helpful tutorials on all sorts of fun subjects:
Robin Wood

Here are some files that I used in my process.

This is the final result using the template I downloaded from Robin Wood. Remember to hide the template layers before saving your file as a .tga.

                                                                   Mugshot!

Its easier to only work with one half of your source photo to make your portrait have symmetry.

Below is the template Joe Delappe used to create his senator candidate avatar:
http://www.annotoole.com/CMFF/ (you will need CMFF_Master_Template_Head.zip)

This is a tutorial on making and importing skin. The file format needed for Second Life is TARGA (.tga). The version of SL used is old but the tutorial gives you a good sense of how to think about the process of creating your portrait:
http://www.avatars-3d.com/tutorial-template-secondlife/273-second-life-how-to-use-a-skin-template

Though the artist is using a different program in this video, the process you can use is the same. Its helpful to watch this as it quickly gives you tips on how to successfully use your tools to create your avatar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQKQKQROyc&feature=related

This should be fun and somewhat of a digital party. I hope it is the funnest final you have this semester. Also, remember what I told you about flexibility and patience with each other for this project. The success of the critiques will rely on us working as a community and sometimes Second Life can be poopy in how it loads, functions, whatever. Good screen shots posted to your blog are vital for this project.

 

Part 2 – Second Self

For the second part of this project, you will create a "fantasy/experimental/imaginary" avatar. Your imagination is the only limit for the second avatar. Consider the variety of ways you can express your inner-self, your interests, or any way you would like to represent yourself. One requirement of this project is that at least one of the items of clothing or objects used for your outfit are made using the building tools in Second Life.

Remember the Google Rule when tackling this project and have fun. Really use your imagination and artistic creativity with this piece.

Some Additional Links for Tutorials!

A TON of tutorials here, please note "how to embed texture onto an object" for example:

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Video_Tutorials#Official_Video_Tutorials

Clothing Tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBOiPspH6vs&feature=related

Importing Textures: Important for importing your portrait texture.

http://collaborate.extension.org/wiki/Second_Life/Building#Importing_Texture

Build stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyrBXnbWjsE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c08WOhStkPg&feature=watch_response