Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Poses and Priority

I felt this was worth blogging as it has been a subject I've seen pop up lately. You may have seen an animator talk about priority and scratched your head in confusion. The priority number (1 - 4) is chosen when an animation is uploaded.

When I create a pose it is made with the intention of just that, posing. Poses are uploaded with a priority of "4" which means that when in use it will override any other animation or pose with a lower priority number. Besides having a high priority number, I also pose every single body part of the avatar, making the pose ideal for photographs or modeling when the avatar needs to remain perfectly frozen in position (no typing or head movement). Due to this "frozen" state I never recommend my poses for animation overrides. Sometimes there are exceptions, for instance when an override is used for a purse or prop it may become necessary to prevent typing or head movement. As I said this is just a recommendation, a person can certainly use poses in their override if they choose to, they just need to be aware that it may interfere with other animations.

Whenever possible, I will create an animation override (ao) set from a set of poses I've created. I will only use the poses that work with head movement and typing. I generally call these "stands" and they are uploaded with a priority of "2". Using a priority number of 2 allows the typing animation while still holding the position of the stand and I remove any posing of the head so that it will move freely. Gestures, dances, etc, which are usually high priority (4), will override the stand. Low priority stands (or ao stands) can still be used on the runway of course, there are no rules set in stone lol.

I must mention that regardless of priority number, if an animator has not actually posed a body part in the program they use (I use Poser), it will move in world. Have you ever noticed with a particular stand or pose that sometimes your arm moves oddly? This is often because the animator did not pose some part of the arm (collar, shoulder, or forearm) and it is still being effected by the default stand cycle.

I've only mentioned poses where the avatar is standing thus far but priority comes into play for all animations. Hopefully this little bit of reading hasn't confused anyone further lol. There is so much more information I could dive into but I will save you the eye strain, for now :P.

Happy Monday!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

New School - A collaboration, oh yes!


A new collaborative release from Kari, TorridWear, Celestial Studios, and Panache by Zyrra!

*Update - Fatpacks for the jacket have now been added at all locations :)

"New School"

New School is a tribute to old school with a twist of modern street fashion. We've brought you a complete style from head to toe and better yet, it's unisex!

Let's break it down.

"New School" and "Girls School" Hairstyles by Kari & Panache by Zyrra:

New School - A great shaggy unisex style under a cozy beanie that's scripted to change colors when clicked. Choose from 10 colors!

Girls School - A cute, shaggy style for women with unkempt pigtails under a cozy beanie that's scripted to change colors when clicked. Choose from 10 colors!

"New School Jacket" by Celestial Studios, TorridWear, & Kari:

This is a great version of the versatile track jacket seen in street fashion everywhere. You'll get 3 versions of the jacket with sculptie collar, including with a tee (unisex), with a tank (female), or stand alone. You'll also get the tee and tank separately! Choose from 10 color versions of the jacket.

"New School Jeans" by Kari & TorridWear:

These are worn out, ripped up, dirtied, and well..just plain comfortable jeans. What better way to compliment that track jacket? You'll get two pair of jeans, blue and black, including sculptie cuffs in two sizes.

"Kicks" by Kari:

Menno Ophelia of Kari has created an amazing pair of street kicks. These shoes not only look great but they are scripted to give you a choice of 20, that's right, 20 styles! The 20 styles are dedications to some of his friends using their favorite colors (awwww!). The kicks are also scripted for resizing but large and small versions are included.

"New School Tie" by Kari & TorridWear:

This tie looks great combined with the jacket and we've scripted it so you can choose from 10 colors! The neck and knot of the tie are sculpted and the tie is a texture and flexi. A large and small version are included.

"New School Suspenders" by Kari:

Menno brings us some brilliant sculptie suspenders to add the finishing touch to New School. The suspenders are also scripted with 10 color choices and included are large and small versions.

Whew!!

For now you can find all "New School" items at Kari. You can find all the "New School" clothing items at TorridWear (look outside in front of the store!). Celestial Studios and Panache by Zyrra will be adding to their store locations shortly.

*Notes: All items are sold modify, copy, no transfer (Kari Kicks are no modify but come with a resizing script). Please read any and all notecards included with your purchase for information and instructions. There is a fatpack that includes the jacket, jeans, tie, and suspenders available for purchase as well.

p.s. Thank you Haver for being in our ads <33.

Thanks!
Menno, Torrid, Starley, and Zyrra :D