Well, I was able to get my .dae file into SL finally. (The mesh viewer only has the "Upload Model" dropdown choice under the Build Menu I discovered. The upload menu options in the inventory window doesn't give you that option.) Of course once I uploaded the model v1 things didn't go quite as planned. My jacket popped up in world in 5 separate pieces, with parts missing here and there. Back to C4D for more tweaking.

First thing I learned ... your object needs to be connected into one piece. That means, even though I'm able to work on the jacket as body, sleeves, lapels, and coattails, using symmetry to give me matching right and left halves, it all needs to be connected before exporting it to DAE. no problem. (And I did expect this would be the case, but I had to test the theory.)

Second thing I learned ... there is only one side to a polygon, and in SL the other side is invisible. This is fine as well, it just means that whatever is visible to the world needs to have a facing side. I had already planned for this, and built my collars, cuffs, and coattails with multiple sides (and thickness). However I forgot to check which side was facing out. In the 3D world, this is called "normals". I was surprised to discover that even though I had created my collar by extruding the jacket, for some reasons my normals ended up flipped the wrong way. Have to remember to keep an eye on this in the future. However, this was also an easy fix. it just required a close inspection of all of the polygons in my model to make sure the normals were all facing out, and flipping those that weren't.


Right! looking all spiny, fingers crossed ... let's import that puppy into Second Life!


BAM! We've got a mesh model, looking very much like my C4D model! *doing the happy dance*
Step one complete and highly successful. hooray.

Next step: unwrapping the model and figuring out how to texture this jacket. For this I'll be using BodyPaint within C4D for the UV unwrapping, from there I'll move to photoshop to do the intricate detailing that I love so much. :D

Stay tuned. The journey continues!

=^.^= blakopal =^.^=

Well, it's looking like this whole mesh thing will be coming to Second Life pretty soon, so I've decided to dip my toe into the water to see how things go. Even though by day I am a motion graphics designer, and 3D modeling software is one of my regular tools, trying to take the jump from the old ways of making clothes in SL to the mesh way of doing things is a bit daunting. Mind you, it's a HUGE improvement, and once I have an understanding of how it works, I'll be able to create even more fabulous things, with FAR LESS frustration than trying to squash and pull balls to make shoes and collars. (Talk about ridiculous! Oy.)

After having mastered my own workflow to make SL clothing – using flat textures created in photoshop for system clothes, and torturing SL shapes in Cinema 4D to make sculpted parts like collars and cuffs – it has taken a bit of reprogramming to wrap my head around how I wanted to approach mesh clothing creation. I've been inspired by examples I've seen via friends on youTube and twitter ... especially seeing things like sleeves that bend with your arm, or a suit jacket that bends with you as you move. (Hooray!!) So I decided to spend some time creating an article of clothing. For my first test I decided to do a men's jacket. Cinema 4D is the 3D program I have been using for years, and with the current version (R12), they have added Collada export, which is the format needed to get things into Second Life. I am not going to even attempt to go into how I got my jacket to look like a jacket. Lets just say I've spent quite a few hours, having fun figuring out how I wanted to get the style I wanted. I did work around a standard SL Avatar shape (which is available online on .OBJ format, which C4D can use). I've also been working on my 11" MacBook Air ... don't let anyone tell you it's too small!

Here's a render showing how it looks in C4D without any textures applied.

It's sort-of a Regency style cutaway jacket with a standing collar that folds over and wide lapels which also fold over. The sleeves have a slight 'puff' at the shoulder, and the tails are split at the back. Not bad for a first attempt at modeling clothes in C4D.

Once I got the model created I was able to export it into a Collada .DAE file. Unfortunately my days progress has stalled there. I'm still trying to work out how to import it into SL. (My first attempt didn't give me any options to upload the model, despite using the current Mesh Beta Viewer. More tests will follow later tonight and I'll offer more insight once I am able to make some progress.

At least I am feeling more comfortable about the modeling process. That's a big step forward. :D

=^.^= blakopal =^.^=

On a lazy Sunday morning with not much going on in SL, I decided to check out what was being offered up in the Destination Guide. The first location on the list looked quite intrigueing ... "Folkvang, Home of Freja & her Valkyries" with a promise of 'earthly and magical rides', in the category of Adventure and Fantasy. Well, being a fan of fantasy, and adventure, I thought "why not!", so i hopped a transport over.

The latest suit in the shoppe for men is one of my new favorites. It's called the Nantes Suit and comes in four versions. This is a very versatile mix-and-match suit, with jackets interchangeable with vest-shirts, and multiple layered sculpted collars.
The BlakOpal Nantes Suit in black with a red vest has a wonderful houndstooth tweed jacket with a series of small buttons down the front, and a contrasting suede collar. The vest, in a shade of deep red with a subtle cog pattern, has a standing collar and metal buttons. The shirt underneath has a starched standing collar and french cuffs with cog cuff links. A classic silk bow tie is wrapped around the neck. The outfit includes coordinated pants with smooth pants flares. There is also a marvelous mekanikal belt buckle worn over the coattails with rotating gears and antique map.
Other colors include the BlakOpal Nantes Suit in chocolate brown tweed with a black vest. With it's own stylish standing vest collar, these outfits still looks fabulous without the jacket, for those time when you want to be a bit more relaxed. Separate collars also means you can wear a different vest with any jacket. The belt is also separate from the coattails, giving you even more opportunity to personalize your look.
The BlakOpal Nantes Suit in brown tweed with a copper vest.
And BlakOpal Nantes Suit in blue tweed with a burgundy vest.
I think any (or all) of them would make an excellent addition to any wardrobe! I do hope you enjoy them.

Many hugs!
=^.^= blakopal

BlakOpal Designs in Second Life (SLURL)

"I just got an invitation through the mails: 
"your presence requested this evening, it's formal 
A top hat, a white tie and tails" 
Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails 
Because I'm invited to step out this evening 
With top hat, white tie and tails ...

I'm steppin' out, my dear 
To breathe an atmosphere that simply reeks with class 
And I trust that you'll excuse my dust when I step on the gas 

For I'll be there 
Puttin' down my top hat 
Mussin' up my white tie 
Dancin' in my tails"

Ever since I made the Precious Metals Gowns, I have been wearing the copper gown around the shoppe. It's become one of my favorite outfits. But I kept wanting to wear a purple version. "But there aren't any purple metals", I'd tell myself. Then it hit me ... I should do some Precious Gems!
These gowns have the luminescencent glow of the metals gowns, with the faceted shimmer of beautifully cut gemstones. Available in a wonderful Amethyst purple, and a gorgeous Sapphire blue, which just happens to match the Men's Habsburg blue-vested suit.
Both the BlakOpal Precious Gems Gown in Amethyst, and the BlakOpal Precious Gems Gown in Sapphire come with three skirt options. It can be worn as a stylish tea-length dress, with the more formal long skirt, or with the addition of the victorian-style bustle. The sheer shoulder drape wraps loosely around the bodice, giving you a beautiful decolletage, and the elbow-length gloves add just the right touch.

This is an elegant, versatile gown ... one I hope you enjoy wearing as much as I do.

=^.^= blakopal

Photo info ...

Men's outfits:
BlakOpal Habsburg Suit in Black & Blue
Blakopal Levant Suit in Purple

There have been a few changes going on on Reachra Island, home of BlakOpal Designs (SLURL). This week we have begun creating a few specialty stores that might be of interest. I'll be writing about the new places as I get a chance, and of course you are always welcome to stroll and explore as you like. They are all located down along the streets that lead from the Main Store and along the docks.
Today's focus is on the store next door, BlakOpal's new Bridal Shoppe. You may have visited this storefront when it housed the Photo Studio. If so you'll be happy to know that shop isn't gone, it's just moved upstairs.

The new Bridal Shoppe is a gathering of a beautiful selection of white, cream, and platinum gowns from the various BlakOpal Designs collections, for easy side-by-side viewing. We hope that you will find it useful when you are looking for that perfect dress for your partnering ceremony, or any other celebration where you want a special white frock.

And when you are ready to find dresses and suits to pair with your selection, our main store is just a few steps away.

Wishing you all a wonderful day!
=^.^= blakopal

This weekend, with Valentine's Day around the corner, seems to me to be a great time to celebrate. Not because of the traditional giving of hearts, cards, and candy (love should be celebrated every day, not only on one day out of the year) but because we get to wear RED! I love that valentines day is a festival of red. As anyone who knows me at all can attest to, i am a HUGE fan of red. *grins* ... So today's blog is dedicated to some of my favorite items, in my favorite color!