July 15, 2007 A quick introduction to Sculpted Prims
An amazing new ability within SL is the ability to use Sculpt maps. These are small 64x64 RGB color images that actually determine the shape of a prim in SL. Once the sculpt map is used to determine the shape, it is still necessary to apply a texture to the object. The ability to apply sculpt maps will truly redefine how we build complex shapes in SL in time to come. And the beauty of it all is that you CAN do it! Read on.
What is a “sculpty”?
A sculpt map is defined: A Sculpt Texture or Sculpt Map is a standard RGB texture where the R (red), G (green) and B (blue) channels are mapped onto X, Y, and Z space. Sculpt Textures are similar to so-called "normal maps", but instead of encoding surface normals we encode surface positions. Sculpted prims can be used to create more complex, organic shapes that were not previously possible with Second Life's prim system. Each piece in the image is one prim (and so is the plate). Learning to use sculpt maps will significantly cut down on prims if you happen to be pushing your prim limits, this might be a good thing to know. But it also allows you to generate shapes unseen in SL to this point, allowing infinitely new building possibilities. The position map of a sculpted prim also doubles as the UV map, describing how a texture will wrap around the mesh. The image is already an explanation of what vertices correlate to what pixel, which is used to generate UV coordinates for vertices as they are created. This presents a big advantage for texture mapping over procedural prims created in Second Life because you can do all of your texturing in a 3D modeling program such as Maya, and when you export the position map you know the UV coordinates will be exactly preserved in Second Life. (SL Wiki)
How do I make Sculpted Prims?
Ahhhh, now here’s the catch. To make sculpt maps requires some knowledge and use of a 3D application. Presently, there only a few limited tools inside Second Life for creating sculptys. They are usually created externally using a 3D modeling tool such as Blender, Maya, or Wings 3D, and then uploaded to Second Life, where they are applied it to a prim with the build tools. To get you started on the right foot I recommend that you read this blog by Natalia Zelmanov. http://slnatalia.blogspot.com/2007/06/sculpted-prims-sculpties-second-life.html. Her step by step walk through on the creation of a sculpty is incredible. She claims it’s “Sculpties for Blondes”. And it is honestly the easiest tutorial I’ve found on the subject yet and is definitely worth book marking if you’re interested in learning the skill.
Should any of you continue on with creating sculpties please share images of your creations here on Society!
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