2.1 How do I fix the Skin/Body Texture Seam
QUICK NOTE: If you use a Genesis Lab v2 Head with a Genesis Lab v3 Skin, you will have a skin mismatch at the neck that cannot be fixed directly! You will need to use a cover-up fix (see part 4: Extraneous Tinting and Neck Fixes)!
1. Skin and Body Applier Brand/Version Matching
- Check to make sure you've used the correct body applier. Genesis Lab body appliers have two different types. There is a v3 applier set and a v2 applier set. Different makers of skins have their own body appliers, so make sure you've used the maker's applier if you are using a 3rd party skin.
- Use v2 body appliers for v2 skins. Make sure that you have the latest v2 appliers, as any older appliers may have a colour mismatch at the neck. Female and Male v2 appliers are available in the store (to the left of reception, on the wall): Genesis Lab (205, 125, 27)
- Use v3 appliers for v3 skins. Female v3 appliers are available in the store (to the left of reception, on the wall in the black bags, left to right: Maitreya, Slink, Belleza, Vista Hands, Default SL Avatar), and are also available on the marketplace (MP): Genesis Lab Marketplace
- Male v3 appliers (Omega, Signature Gianni, Slink, TMP) are available from Bold & Beauty: Thundering Mountain (175, 153, 26) These match by number of the v3 male skin you are using: Ethan 1 to skin tone 1 in the applier, etc.
2. WindLight Settings for Texture Matching
Due to the nature of Windlight in Second Life (and any other 3D environment), there will always be some environmental settings that will show the different pieces that you have attached, so for the purposes of checking the colour-matching of your head and body appliers, please test your appliers with one of these windlight settings:
To change your Windlight settings:
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not see any of the Windlight names above in your list, you may need to add Windlight Settings as the default list will not provide you with enough white-balanced settings for light. I have included these instructions below (see the 2.1.2 WindLights section).
Due to the nature of Windlight in Second Life (and any other 3D environment), there will always be some environmental settings that will show the different pieces that you have attached, so for the purposes of checking the colour-matching of your head and body appliers, please test your appliers with one of these windlight settings:
- Bree's Appleblossom
- Places Paris
- *Starley* Settings 2
- Nacon's Natural Noon (or nearly all of Nacon's settings)
- Annan Adored Optimal Skin
- Phototools- Build 005
- StrawberrySingh (any)
- Studio Light
- AnaLu, AnaLutetia, [AnaLu] (nearly all of AnaLu's settings)
To change your Windlight settings:
- Go to: World (menu) -> Environment Editor -> Environment Settings
- Un-checkmark "Always use parcel/region settings".
- Click on the circle next to "Customize my environment".
- Click on the circle next to "Fixed Sky".
- Click on the drop-down box to the right of "Fixed Sky" and choose a name that matches the list above and then click ok at the bottom of the Environment Settings box.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not see any of the Windlight names above in your list, you may need to add Windlight Settings as the default list will not provide you with enough white-balanced settings for light. I have included these instructions below (see the 2.1.2 WindLights section).
3. Graphics Settings
Without certain graphics settings applied to your environment, the textures on most items that you have attached will not match up, unless everything is from a single vendor (and even then it may not). To determine if the issue is caused by graphics settings, make sure that you have at least the following graphics settings in your preferences, regardless of your Low to Ultra Quality setting slider position:
Without certain graphics settings applied to your environment, the textures on most items that you have attached will not match up, unless everything is from a single vendor (and even then it may not). To determine if the issue is caused by graphics settings, make sure that you have at least the following graphics settings in your preferences, regardless of your Low to Ultra Quality setting slider position:
- Local Lights (no checkmark -- you may need to turn these off depending on your surroundings)
- Basic Shaders (checkmark)
- Atmospheric Shaders (checkmark)
- Advanced Lighting Model (checkmark)
- Shadows: Sun/Moon (at least)
- Objects & Sculpts LOD: 3.000+
- Hardware Skinning (checkmark)
4. Extraneous Tinting and Neck Fixes
Next, make sure that you do not have a tinting shade applied to your body and that the shine settings on your head and your body are set to matching values (as close as possible if you only have sliders).
If this still does not fix a colour mismatch, then try:
Next, make sure that you do not have a tinting shade applied to your body and that the shine settings on your head and your body are set to matching values (as close as possible if you only have sliders).
If this still does not fix a colour mismatch, then try:
- If you are using Genesis Lab v2 or v3 skins, use the neck fix that comes with your mesh body, and re-apply your body applier to change the neck fix for those bodies that have applier-based fixes, like Maitreya. If you turn the neck fix on after using the body applier, it will not have the correct skin applied until you apply the body applier again (in general).
- Alternatively, for the Genesis Lab v3 Bento Heads: you can also apply the neck fix which comes in v3 Bento Head package. After adding the neck fix, use the buttons in the Neck section of your HUD (under Settings, the tab on the right at the top) to change the size of the neck fix to match your body type (Slink, Maitreya, Belleza, or Default Body). To change the colour of the neck fix, click on the one of the coloured buttons. This will allow you to change the colour of the neck fix, however, these only match to the Genesis Lab v3 skins.
- As a last resort, you can make your own Neck Tattoo for your Maitreya, Belleza or Slink mesh body using the Dev Kit 3.0 available from the main store (to the left of the reception desk, on the wall): Genesis Lab (205, 125, 27)
If none of these suggestions have solved the problem AND you have your WindLight settings changed to one of the ones above (or another neutral white/grey light), you may have a physical problem.
2.2 How do I fix a physical gap at the neck?
In general, fixing this issue requires that you work with both your shape and your mesh body HUD.
1. Your Shape versus Included Shape
Although the Genesis Lab v3 Bento Heads will accommodate a range of different shapes, you may find that your particular shape does not fit the head to the neck as well as you'd like. Before attempting to fix the problem, check that your windlight settings are set to one of the ones listed in 2.1 part 3 (above) and also wear the shape that came with your head (to check, not forever).
There are three shape settings that can alter how your head and neck come together: Body Fat (under Body tab) and Neck Thickness, Neck Length (under Torso tab).
Although the Genesis Lab v3 Bento Heads will accommodate a range of different shapes, you may find that your particular shape does not fit the head to the neck as well as you'd like. Before attempting to fix the problem, check that your windlight settings are set to one of the ones listed in 2.1 part 3 (above) and also wear the shape that came with your head (to check, not forever).
There are three shape settings that can alter how your head and neck come together: Body Fat (under Body tab) and Neck Thickness, Neck Length (under Torso tab).
- If there are join issues when wearing the shape that came with your head, you will need to check your mesh body's HUD / documentation to determine if there are Body Fat, Neck Thickness or Neck Length requirements to join smoothly with your head. You will want to follow whatever instructions (if any) that your mesh body has regarding joining with your head.
- If your body does not specify any required settings and there are no options on your body's HUD, you will have to play with Body Fat, Neck Thickness or Neck Length to try to make the two mesh pieces join smoothly. (The next part covers some steps to try first when changing your sliders.)
- If there are no issues using the shape that came with your head, then take note of the following three options in the shape: Body Fat (under Body) and Neck Thickness, Neck Length (under Torso). With those values noted, let's take a look at what ranges of values will work without deforming for those three shape options, to hopefully get your shape to look like you want it to, but still have a great match to the head.
2. Editing Your Shape to the Body Settings
Now, wear your original shape and look at those same three shape options (Body Fat, Neck Thickness, Neck Length). These values must be within a range that the body and head will both be able to use without deforming. Some bodies tell you specifically what to use for those shape options, but there are also general ranges that most bodies conform to that are written below.
As mesh body parts (in general, both heads and bodies) were made with "stems" that cannot be squished much without texture deformity, there is a minimum value that your neck length must be set to -- the length when the neck of the head rests on the neck of the body without deforming. This is why you risk texture mismatch / irregularities / deformities if you use too small of a number for the neck length or too wide a neck thickness.
Now, wear your original shape and look at those same three shape options (Body Fat, Neck Thickness, Neck Length). These values must be within a range that the body and head will both be able to use without deforming. Some bodies tell you specifically what to use for those shape options, but there are also general ranges that most bodies conform to that are written below.
- If your three shape options (Body Fat, Neck Thickness and Neck Length) are different than the ones that came with the included shape, then you can first look at the documentation that came with your body to see if there are any required settings for aligning it to a mesh head.
- If your three shape options are different form the ones in the included shape, but you don't know what will work with your body, try to keep those values either to the exact values or within the following ranges:
- Body Fat: 0, 5, 7, 11, and 24. These correspond (typically) with XS, S, M, L, and XL, and are the standards used when most bodies are developed.
- Neck Thickness: 20-50. In particular, if you go outside of this range you will see a distinct area where it looks like the head and body have been "glued together". This is very obvious for any value over 50, especially.
- Neck Length: 30-70. In general, bodies and heads have a neck "stem" attached to them that needs enough "space" (Neck Length) so that they do not scrunch up and try to fit in too small a space (or, likewise, stretch out far too much to fit together). This will be a very apparent "break" or "gap" with holes in the neck if the length is too short. The stems require enough space to fit together (30 being the minimum for most body/head combinations, but it will look better closer to 50).
As mesh body parts (in general, both heads and bodies) were made with "stems" that cannot be squished much without texture deformity, there is a minimum value that your neck length must be set to -- the length when the neck of the head rests on the neck of the body without deforming. This is why you risk texture mismatch / irregularities / deformities if you use too small of a number for the neck length or too wide a neck thickness.
If absolutely none of these changes work, you may need to use a tattoo, neck fix, or neck sleeve to cover the problem.
2.1.2 WindLights
How to add more WindLight options to your Second Life or Firestorm Viewer:
The basic idea behind installing WindLight settings is fairly straightforward: download/unzip/create the XML file and then copy the XML file into the correct folder on your computer. Since you will be adding properties to your viewer itself, you will need to close Second Life / Firestorm in order to install your new WindLight settings.
For the purposes of this FAQ, there will only be one WindLight setting to install (from Strawberry Singh), however, the installation and usage instructions will work for other WindLight settings that you find / download.
a) Create the WindLight XML File:
If creating the XML file is causing you problems, you can download the file as well:
download from box.com directly:
download by going to Strawberry Singh's blog first and clicking on the link to box.com:
The basic idea behind installing WindLight settings is fairly straightforward: download/unzip/create the XML file and then copy the XML file into the correct folder on your computer. Since you will be adding properties to your viewer itself, you will need to close Second Life / Firestorm in order to install your new WindLight settings.
For the purposes of this FAQ, there will only be one WindLight setting to install (from Strawberry Singh), however, the installation and usage instructions will work for other WindLight settings that you find / download.
a) Create the WindLight XML File:
- Copy the XML information (below this section, under the divider line).
- On your computer, make a new text file (using notepad, textedit, etc.) and paste the contents.
- Save the file as StrawberrySinghHeadshots.xml
If creating the XML file is causing you problems, you can download the file as well:
download from box.com directly:
- Open the web page that contains Strawberry Singh's WindLight XML code: https://app.box.com/s/bybj6xj63rkih1vtolri
- Click the BLUE button on the top right that says: Download (4.1 KB)
download by going to Strawberry Singh's blog first and clicking on the link to box.com:
- Open the Strawberry Singh's Blog that contains the WindLight links: http://strawberrysingh.com/tutorials/windlight-settings/
- Click on the link that says: StrawberrySinghHeadshots – September 2, 2013
- Click the BLUE button on the top right that says: Download (4.1 KB)
PLEASE NOTE: To install the WindLight XML file, it requires that you exit the Second Life Viewer or Firestorm in order to copy the XML file into the correct directory without any issue.
b) Copy the StrawberrySinghHeadshots.xml file into your Second Life or Firestorm folder.
Second Life Viewer (username is your computer username, not your SL name):
-- For Macs:
/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/SecondLife/user_settings/windlight/skies
You can use the Go menu: Go -> Go to Folder and paste this text in the path box then click Go:
~/Library/Application Support/SecondLife/user_settings/windlight/skies
-- For Windows Vista & Windows 7(+):
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\SecondLife\user_settings\windlight\skies
--or--
C:\Program Files\SecondLifeViewer\app_settings\windlight\skies
-- For Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\SecondLife\user_settings\windlight\skies
-- Linux:
~/.secondlife/user_settings/windlight/skies
-- For Macs:
/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/SecondLife/user_settings/windlight/skies
You can use the Go menu: Go -> Go to Folder and paste this text in the path box then click Go:
~/Library/Application Support/SecondLife/user_settings/windlight/skies
-- For Windows Vista & Windows 7(+):
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\SecondLife\user_settings\windlight\skies
--or--
C:\Program Files\SecondLifeViewer\app_settings\windlight\skies
-- For Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\SecondLife\user_settings\windlight\skies
-- Linux:
~/.secondlife/user_settings/windlight/skies
Firestorm Viewer (username is your computer username, not your SL name):
-- For Macs:
/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/Firestorm/user_settings/windlight/skies
You can use the Go menu: Go -> Go to Folder and paste this text in the path box then click Go:
~/Library/Application Support/Firestorm/user_settings/windlight/skies
-- For Windows Vista & Windows 7(+):
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Firestorm\user_settings\windlight\skies
-- For Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Firestorm\user_settings\windlight\skies
-- Linux:
~/.firestorm/user_settings/windlight/skies
-- For Macs:
/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/Firestorm/user_settings/windlight/skies
You can use the Go menu: Go -> Go to Folder and paste this text in the path box then click Go:
~/Library/Application Support/Firestorm/user_settings/windlight/skies
-- For Windows Vista & Windows 7(+):
C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Firestorm\user_settings\windlight\skies
-- For Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Firestorm\user_settings\windlight\skies
-- Linux:
~/.firestorm/user_settings/windlight/skies
c) Select the new WindLight in Second Life / Firestorm (this is the last part!):
- Start your Viewer and Log In to Second Life.
- Click on the 'World' menu at the top of your Viewer. (I'm using quotes around the names you need to find / click on but they will not show up with quotes in your viewer.)
- Click on or Select 'Environment Settings' or 'Environment Editor'.
- Click on or Select 'Environment Editor' or 'Environment Settings' (then environment box will now appear).
- Un-check 'Always use parcel/region settings' if you have a checkmark in this box.
- Click on or Select 'Customize my environment' if this is not selected.
- Click on or Select 'Fixed sky'.
- Click on the drop-down box next to 'Fixed sky' and choose StrawberrySinghHeadshots from the list. - NOTE: if you want to return to your previous WindLight setting, take note of the name before choosing a new one or click Cancel on the box and re-open the environment box to see your current WindLight.
- Click Ok (and the box will close, applying your changed WindLight settings).
You should now have a neutral white/grey light that will make any texture comparisons much easier (as well as making many things look much nicer in general).
XML (copy contents below the line)
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