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:: What is Mesh?
Mesh is simply means creating 3D items in other 3D editing softwares (such as Maya and Blender) and uploading them to Second Life
:: How can I make a Mesh item to appear my name as creator?
Mesh system doesn’t work like sculpted items. With mesh system there is no sculpted maps any more. You buy models directly. There are two ways to make items to show your name as creator
1- Uploading source files (.dae) files to Second Life yourself. I will sell  my items source files soon (I will add all of them eventually)
2- Creating an invisible prim and linking it to mesh item as root prim (I allow that, I am not sure if all creators do)
:: What is UV Map and how can I use it?
UV is a term among 3d world means unwrapped vertices (a vertice is an intersecting point on a 3d model). UV is simple guide image for helping to create textures for a particular item. You don’t have to do any thing with it. They are just there to make your texturing job easier.
:: What are faces?
With mesh system you can create different faces on the same object. Think it like a simple prim box which has 6 faces. Creators can do the same thing on any item they create in a 3d editing software (up to 8 faces). That means each face can have their own texture attributes (map, shine, repeat, offset etc). To edit a face; on edit window select “Select face” then touch on the face you want to edit. Most creators would tell you what parts are different faces (for example; bow and dress are different faces means even though they are one object you can change texture attributes for bow and dress separately)
:: What is rigged mesh cloth?
Rigged clothes means clothes skinned to avatar bones. That allow dresses move along the body joints as body moves up to a certain degree.
:: How can I resize rigged mesh cloth?
Rigged mesh clothes can not be resized in Second Life. That is why creators create different sizes. Despite that creators provide different sizes you still have to adjust your shape slightly for clothes to fit right.
:: Rigged mesh clothes appear tiny?
View size of any rigged  mesh cloth doesn’t matter. Once you wear it it will always be the same size as created before uploading. So resizing them wont change the actual size. In general when you upload mesh object they will appear tiny. Even though size doesn’t matter for rigged mesh items, you can resize other mesh items as you do normally.
:: How can I transfer your mesh items to other grids?
You need to upload dae files manually to other grids. You can purchase my dae files soon. I add couple of my items dae files to there every week. 
::If you have more questions about mesh please let me know, I d be happy to answer them.
ZERO Dewoitine

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Standard Sizing Package For mesh Clothing Design; Good or Bad Idea, or a Bit of Both?



Still need to do some edits to this… There’s a lot of argument (hardly debate, more rantish most of the time) against the ideas of standard scales and proportions for avatars. Folks often pick a horridly distorted shape, or make one for sale; and then become attached to defending that choice when made aware of its problems. Others choose a ‘fun-house mirror look’ on purpose, for effect – but these folks tend to actually know what they’re looking at, and have purposeful distortions designed for a specific intent.

Various arguments have formed over what can be done, or even if anything should be done, to address this.

Mesh now complicates the whole feud – due to the lack of its ability to ‘auto fit’ some shape dials, while perfectly matching others… Or in short; mesh will auto size itself to any height, limb length, or body width. But if your ‘bust-waist-hips’ fail to match the model used to make the mesh clothing, you’re out of luck.

Go shopping for mesh clothes and you’ll discover that this is rapidly dissolving into exactly the chaos people predicted when they warned of the problems of Linden Lab not including a deformer… There’s a motley variety of dimensions to clothes on the market, and the labels are near meaningless. Small from brand A is ‘the fat lady sings’ in the eyes of brand B… And even if two brands match for waist and hips, they might have very different ideas of bust…

I’ve read a little bit on the idea of starting a standard, and have been somewhat critical of it in past topics. Still not convinced, for some reasons noted below. But it also may be the only real solution we have unless and until Linden Lab decides to grace us with the “gift” of including the code community members had to fund a third party contractor former Lab employee to make without any guarantees it would even be adopted… That deformer… the sort of thing that really should have been a ‘cannot ship mesh without’ line in the sand element. This is the kind of lack of core feature that in most development communities, management should have laid down the law and put people’s jobs on the line to get in there before Mesh was released.

I’m ranting…

Ok, so, the above in mind, I stumbled across something interesting last night while looking for a completely different thing on Marketplace (I was looking for an SL version of a Bobo Shanti turban hat for a female Rastafarian – which is NOT those touristy hippie tam things – and that somehow landed me here after giving up on search and just hitting a few random browse buttons.)


Someone on marketplace is attempting to develop a standard sizes fashion system. 5 sizes based on these dimensions:

Medium:
Body Fat: 11
Torso Muscle: 38
Breast Size: 58
Love Handles: 31
Belly Size: 6
Leg Muscle: 56
Butt Size: 44
Saddle Bags: 36

Small:
Body Fat: 7
Torso Muscle: 35
Breast Size: 52
Love Handles: 28
Belly Size: 3
Leg Muscle: 50
Butt Size: 38
Saddle Bags: 33

The ‘package’ is a freebie with 5 shapes, that I assume have those numbers alongside the other values – the notion being that you just need to stay close to the dimensions here and any mesh clothes made for it will fit you.

It also comes with a long notecard explaining the objectives of the project, which seems a very noble goal. Some anticipated concerns are answered, such as ‘what if my shape doesn’t match these numbers’.

Finally, it has a download link to a zip file of some mesh objects – bodies to load into a 3D application to use for building clothes to match.
- I need to learn how one takes the SL avatar mesh out of SL and into a 3D app, to see how this part was done.

- The problem is they have 3 sizes under M, and only 1 above it; which is way above it. Some of the reviews on Marketplace have slammed the project for this. I would say it needs at least 1 more size in between M and L.

Note how the dimensions are basically bust-waist-hips related. Not height. Also not ‘Thickness’. That’s because mesh doesn’t care about height or limb length or avatar thickness; it rescales to those automatically, but not to these other things.

But it is missing cleavage which is extremely important. That said, its something that in RL adjusts depending on what you wear anyway, so no one has any business complaining a clothing item fails to match their cleavage setting, unless they’ve never seen a real woman’s body. 
- Honestly no ‘breast’ setting should seen as something to get attached to. Its the nature of wearing or not wearing clothes that it ‘mashes up’ the soft tissue there. Folks just need to get used to changing the dials for that part of the body to fit their outfit, because anytime you put something on in RL, that’s exactly what happens to you.

The standard sizes ‘team’ claims to have surveyed 500 female avatars, but I see no link to a blog or to the survey for it to be checked for accuracy. While 500 is a valid sample size (anyone who has actually studied polling at a university level knows this) – the question that is more important is how were they selected… Again, never saw any forum post or group notice or blogs announcing it. But maybe I just missed them. So the product should link to them.

Curiously M and S are very similar to my own dimensions for those parts.

Me:

Body Fat: 3
Torso Muscle: 37
Breast SIze: 50
Love Handles: 29
Belly Size: 0
Leg Muscles: 50
Butt Size: 45
Saddle Bags: 30
- So I’m going to test some items made with this system and see how well it works for me.

I’m also wondering now if my avatar has a bit of a ‘bubble butt’ on other people’s screens… 

Almost every shape setting not listed above (again except for cleavage) DOES NOT MATTER for mesh. This means two people can be the same “size” on this system but actually have completely different ‘shapes’.

I’m also of the opinion that for standard sizes they should have used dimensions from the real life fashion industry for some top brands, and not SL. Second Life avatars are notorious for being deformed monstrosities…  Something to help people look better would be good.

Something like perhaps, a Proportion guide, if not fashions with sizes based on the variety real life fashion designers contend with.

Addendum from a comment I left on the nwn blog:
SL of a year from now will likely be something very alien to the SL of today. Mesh frees up a lot of past limits.

Right now folks are paying most of their attention to clothes and avatars, because that’s “sexy”.

Things like tears, ‘male bits’, hair, feet, tails, ears, and so on will bring dramatic changes even for ‘non-furries’.

But the big shock is going to come when things that you rez on the land get a serious looking at – since those need to consider prim cost, and the prim cost of a mesh is set by its -SIZE- when rezzed.

The smaller you make it, the less prims it uses.

And that will cycle us right back into discussions about things for avatars: since mesh items worn on avatars -AUTO- scale up or down regardless of avatar scale – the need to be the size the item was made for now no longer exists (you just need to have the bust-waist-hips it was made for).

- And that too will go away if we either adopt some standards like this project, or Qarl’s code makes it in. Hopefully Qarl’s code will make it in.

But do get ready to make your avatar smaller… because pretty soon that’s going to be coming up as a hot topic again when this discovery of how size affects prim cost becomes more widespread. I predict lots of flame wars, a few accusations of ‘techno-communist-child-avatar-agendas’ and other irrational insanity… but once people realize they can wear all their mesh clothes on any size, many will likely just go with the size that lets them have the most prims on their land – not for the reasons of scale so often advocated in past, but simply so they can more fully fill up things like the space of a linden home.

It's too hard to do anything

Only if you don't trust yourself. Without hands-on experience, you'll never know. So dive in!
I doubted my building abilities early on when I shouldn't have. I kept saying "I can't build!" without doing so. By applying myself each day, I eventually was able to teach 1,000s of Residents how to build. Second Life opened me up to many creative possibilities that had been untapped before. But like I said, don't go for the L$ alone. "Wealth" in healthy lives goes far beyond money (and can indeed, help you make more money!).
What you're willing to do says a lot about you.

Ways to make Linden Dollars

The Linden Dollar (L$) is Second Life's currency. Real-life money can be exchanged for L$ (keep reading!).
Here are some of the more popular (not the only) ways to make L$ in Second Life:
  • Receive your weekly Premium Account stipend - Learn more
  • Buy L$ on LindeX
  • Get a job - A diverse variety is available, and includes:
    • Buy and sell land - Virtual real estate
    • Create and sell content - Clothing, gadgets, etc.
    • Participate in referrer/affiliate programs - Verify they're legit
    • Host and perform at events - Gameshows, rock concerts, etc.
    • Sell information - Write/proofread manuals, provide consulting, teach classes — Torley did this
  • Play earning games - Land owners allow players to earn linden by hunting for coins and gems, fishing and other games
  • Win prizes at events - By playing a game, luck, etc.
  • Fill out surveys - Verify they're legit
  • Sit on camping chairs (generally, a slow, ineffective, and likely net-loss process)
In short, the breadth and depth of options is comparable to your first life. Perhaps even greater, because many things, like the cost of construction materials, are cheaper (prims are free!) in Second Life. A wise general principle: look for unmet wants & needs and fulfill them! If you do or learn valuable skills in real life, you may be able to profit from them here, since your abilities are transferable, e.g., if you're an art student, start sketching clothes.
In addition, more well-established "real-world" companies like some of our Solution Providers are hiring for positions in Second Life. Roles like Community Manager, Virtual World Evangelist, and others are becoming more popular. Keep your eyes out for jobs that leverage Second Life's unique opportunities, and be aware that the skills you learn inworld could be useful outside of SL, too.
And remember: Second Life, like soylent green, is made of people. REAL PEOPLE!!!!

How do I get a job and earn money in Second Life?

Unless the human behind your avatar is seeking substantial work, you don't need a job in Second Life. Work in SL is a personal question of your professional aspirations.
Your Second Life should be enjoyable. Like first life, slaving away at a job is not fun.
Making money (earning L$ which can be exchanged for real cash) should never be the sole reason why you want a job. Do it for the experience! For example, if you're hosting events, you can make new friends and visit cool new builds.
Explore the world, go on adventures, and intuitively followup on what you especially delight in!
The money is nice, yes, but never the only thing that matters.
That's true of both serious full-time (i.e., corporate) jobs in SL and occupations that are taken up for fun.

What about games?

Second Life contains games. However, to call it a game on the whole is as inaccurate as saying "the rainbow is red".
Most of the skills you learn in Second Life are real. For example, to usually build a house, you don't just click a button and watch your avatar auto-construct a dwelling. Rather, you use prims to assemble it piece by piece. There are tools which make building easier, but the point is: you aren't artificially "leveling up".
Some Residents have created gaming experiences, such as RezTown, that are similar to other environments like The Sims and World of Warcraft. If you're familiar with those, then you may find comfort in those activities. And when you're ready to expand, you can explore far beyond that — it's a testament to the possibilities of your Second Life.

Are there scams?

Yes, people's first-life greed bleeds into SL too.
DON'T grant permissions to suspicious objects (a yellow dialog box comes up warning you beforehand).
DON'T get swindled by get-rich-quick schemes. Like the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
DON'T give out your password if someone promises they'll login and fill your account with L$. That's just dumb!

Myths

Stuff is so expensive

Be specific. There are 1,000s of freebies, some of them extremely high-quality. Infact, "free" is one of the most popular search terms. So search around, and you know what? Compile a list and share it around, that'll win you good vibe points. Even better, learn to create stuff to fulfill your needs. Need help? Feel the warmth of a Volunteer helper!
Pursue related opportunities. I <3 when Second Life blogs report on inworld deals, but haven't seen a dedicated "SL deals" site yet. Perhaps you should examine the success of real-world sites like Dealnews and DealsPlus. (BTW, they're excellent ways to save money on computer parts, something to think about for a better Second Life experience.)
Also: consider helping creators beta-test products. This can be a good way for you to get stuff for free, or even some L$ if they're offering a job you both agree to. Don't count on it tho, and don't be a moocher — lazy beggars suck in all lives.
Generally, many products are at a fair price, and paying for them is a righteous way to compensate the creator for their time & energy. Even better, if you buy something you enjoy, send them a personal "Thank-you!" and let them know specifically what delighted you.

LindeX

If you don't want to get a job but do want acquire L$, you can use the LindeX currency exchange to exchange real (like US$) currency for Linden dollars (L$). This can make it a lot quicker to get (land, goods) what you want. Please notice that there are certain billing and trading limits.
I've (Torley) noticed this seems un-obvious to some newcomers, so I'm pointing it out for your benefit.

Guides

Start with our Knowledge Base's "Guide to Jobs in Second Life" and move on to these Resident-created guides:

Articles

Blogs

If the name John Chow excites you and you're interested in affiliate/referral programs, see:

Books

There are also books about SL moneymaking on Amazon.com — read the reviews & previews and make an informed decision.


How to Earn Linden Dollars in Second Life

linden realms
The Linden Realms are a great way to earn linden while having fun exploring some beautiful fantasy sims.
gold hunt
The Gold Hunt game allows you to earn linden by searching for coins around the grid. It's a great way to explore the grid and take you to new places.
fish hunt
The Fish Hunt game allows you to earn linden by fishing at one of hundreds of locations across the grid. It's a great way to meet other players and compete. It's also really popular with players with disabilities as its very easy to play.
money trees
Money Trees are a great way for new players to earn linden by picking linden from trees around the grid. Older players aren't allowed to use Money Trees.
capital exchange
The Capital Exchange allows you to earn linden by investing and speculating on virtual companies in Second Life.
sploders
Sploders are quite popular as a way of earning small amounts of linden when out at a club or party. They are a good way to meet other players and get chatting.
Second Life is full of opportunities to earn Linden Dollars, but it is also important to have fun while earning. Some players make the mistake of thinking that they have to do something they don't enjoy to make money in Second Life. That's simply is not the case.
Sometimes it can feel overwhelmingly challenging to earn linden in Second Life, but with the right information to hand and some ample determination you can make money.

Contents

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Get Paid a Weekly Stipend

Players who upgrade their account to be a Premium Account are paid a stipend to their account on a weekly basis.

Buy Linden on the Lindex

You can buy linden whenever you want on the LindeX exchange. However, there are billing and tradinglimits.

Earn Linden Playing Fun Games

Goldtokens.net Gaming Network

The Goldtokens.net Gaming Network was a community created by SecondAds company with the goal of helping new players earn their first linden dollars. It's not just for new players though. Thousands of experienced players enjoy competing for leaderboard positions and earning large sums of linden in the process.
Gold Hunt
The Gold Hunt allows players to earn linden and win random gifts by hunting for coins and gems that are hidden by landowners. There are literally 1,000s of lands with coins available right across the grid, which can be discovered by using the player HUD.
Fish Hunt
The Fish Hunt allows players to earn Linden and win Random Gifts by fishing. There are literally 1,000s of lands with fish buoys available right across the grid, which can be discovered by using the player HUD. You'll also need to get a free beginner fishing rod too.
Farm Frenzy
Farm Frenzy gives land owners the opportunity to earn linden by farming worms for use in the Fish Hunt. It takes time to develop your Farming Experience, but eventually you'll be able to dominate the farming industry and sell your produce to the masses. Fortunes have been made in the farming industry!
Noob Hunt
The Noob Hunt is an affiliate recruitment scheme for the Goldtokens.net gaming network which allows players to become masters and recruit apprentices for the various games hosted on the network. In return they earn a percentage of each of their apprentices' winnings. You can also sell your apprentices to other masters on the exchange.

Linden Realms

The Linden Realms were created by Linden Lab and are designed with a beautiful environment that has trees, cliffs, and lots of fun places to explore. You can use a teleporter to visit different areas of the Linden Realms. Each place has different quests and other activities that are fun and exciting to do. There are rock monsters that you will have to run away from and pools of toxic water to avoid.

Bletaverse

Bletaverse company have a number of ways of earning linden such as waiting at traffic cones and they also run a social network that players can get involved in.

FreeLindenLottery

The FreeLindenLottery gives away L$100 or more every day. You don't have to fill out any surveys or tedious questionnaires. Winning is as simple as typing in your username and checking back every day. So far, the lottery has given out over L$34,000!

Dragons & Princesses

The Dragons & Princesses is a cool game developed by Earn2Life company that allows you to earn linden by hunting for voids on different lands around Second Life.

Money Trees

Money Trees were created by Wolfhaven Productions and allow players to earn linden by plucking dollar bills and other game items from trees that are planted in sims all around the grid. There is a HUD you can wear to tell you where to find new trees. However, many trees are age-limited, so only very new players can use them.

Earn Linden Working a Job

A large proportion of players have some form of Second Life Job as a means to earn linden. This can be a rewarding way to earn linden and if you have the right ideas you can even become an entrepreneur and start your own business.

Sploders

There are a wide range of Sploders such as the ever popular Chatsploder Network available in various clubs and other areas. These allow you to earn linden by waiting for the 'explosion' which may take quite some time. In the mean time you can chat and make new friends.

Investing

If you have some capital to invest you can simply invest in one of the many successful companies listed on theCapital Exchange and then earn dividends over time. You can either earn linden by making a long term investment, or you can speculate on daily market movements.
However, this is not for the faint of heart, as you can lose your investment as well as add to it if you make unwise decisions.

Sitting Chairs

There are a number of sitting chair devices that allow you to earn linden simply by camping on them. Unfortunately it's likely that you will earn a very small amount considering the time that you will be required to sit on them. Probably the least fun way to earn linden ever invented.

Completing Surveys, Surfing Sites & Web Offers

It is possible to earn linden by completing surveys, surfing websites or filling web offers. Unfortunately this can be very haphazard and you may not receive payment if you don't fit the demographic that the company is looking for.

External Articles & Sites

Please share your external sites and articles here with information on how to earn linden dollars in Second Life here:

Articles

Sites