Machinima for Dummies: Second Life Gets Prettier

Second Life Gets Prettier

Hugh "Nomad" Hancock — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 17:23:57 +0000

Second Life has just had a major graphics upgrade, in the form of the new “Windlight” client. Whilst this doesn’t solve all the problems that we discuss in the book connected to Second Life, it certainly does massively increase its usability for some projects - if you’re doing a primarily landscape-based piece (like Robbie Dingo’s awesome “Watch the Worlds”), you should definitely check this out.

Even if you’re not, the technology is worth a look for compositing purposes - you could, for example, use this to generate an landscape to composite in outside a MovieStorm set.

Here’s a short film highlighting some of the visuals now available in SL, made by the inimitable Fleef of Fling Films.

"Second Life Gets Prettier" by nartsaga@gmail.com

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:33:47 +0000

What are your thoughts on Unreal 3 and Crysis?

Are they good for Machinima?

"Second Life Gets Prettier" by Johnnie Ingram

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:47:06 +0000

I like SL a lot as a user. As a machinimator, I find it at once fantastically exciting and incredibly frustrating.

In fact, almost everything we say about SL in the book is positive. What criticisms we do have I feel are valid. Hugh and I were forced to conclude, though, that SL just lays too many obstacles in the path of the newbie machinimator to make it practical as a platform to receive an in-depth study in the book. I’m not stuck on that position forever though - I’m quite willing to be convinced that I’m wrong. In fact, I was in-world only the other day, where a friend of mine was showing me the best bits of SL, and trying to sell me on it as a machinima platform. I’m still not a complete convert, but I did have a great time, and I’m hoping we can do the same again soon - I’ve a feeling there are plenty more revelations to come.

"Second Life Gets Prettier" by Hugh "Nomad" Hancock

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:06:25 +0000

I *do* like Second Life. It’s fascinating. I can’t wait for it to become more Machinima-usable.

"Second Life Gets Prettier" by moo Money

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 18:59:12 +0000

If you keep posting about SL, people are actually going to think you like it. ;)