What you're watching is SLTk Pro (website) render an object in Second Life that was designed in Autodesk Maya. The software itself works as a plugin, augmenting Maya to enable the in-world rezzing function as well as all of the extras like texture application and joining multiple sculpted prims. If you'd like to see some of the neat things they've created you can check them out in-world (SLurl) or download the 15-day free trial. A 3dsMax version is on the way as well!
Importing data into Second Life, rather than using the in-world building tools, is certainly an idea whose time has come. It doesn't have to remain on a small-scale either, but can apply itself to the world's largest structures:
(The real action begins at about the 4 minute mark!)
Metaversed readers may remember our previous article on AI Design Studio's "Henshin", the software that imports AutoCAD files to Second Life. There's something awe-inspiring about seeing an entire building snap itself together, isn't there? The third version of the software is about to be released with a far more friendly user interface.
What if you're not a designer? What if you don't have advanced design tools like Maya or AutoCAD kicking around your hard drive, but you really want to fill a SIM? If you were a member of the Things To Do group back in June, you'd already have your answer:
If you can't build, at least there's Sim In A Box to make your life easier. Sure it's a prefab, but let's face it, you probably didn't design your real life home either.
Thanks Mike!
