Showing posts with label Deaflegacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deaflegacy. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Interview with Silvia Ametza


By Deaflegacy

Silvia Ametza

I recently met up with Silvia Ametza, the builder of the Newser's exhibit at the Second Life Birthday. She invited me to her sim, and we met at the meeting place there. Silvia then started showing me her work. Starting with a copy of the Newser tower.

“This is (the) tower – original as intended. All works – all floors available.” said Silvia, “But due to script restrictions, floors between ground and top were closed.” We got on the elevator,. “All is automatic, like a real elevator. We planned with Bixyl to put on every level something from SL history – 15 levels – 15 years. Unfortunately, our plan was halted by script restrictions.”

My next question was, “What were your first few days on Second Life like before you become good at building.” According to Silvia , it was confusing, “I logged in and spent maybe 30 minutes in and then – logged out for a looong time.” She still had an account and after some time, just logged in without any goal – just logged in and started to explore. “Exploring was actually my first activity in Second Life,” said Silvia,

I asked Silvia Ametza where she got her first start in building. According to her, some years ago, not that long as at the beginning, Silvia didn't enter Second Life much. “I find SL fascinating with all that options available to residents – socializing, finding new friends regardless of where they are from, builds, clubs, various activities, etc and I decided I will learn how to shape prim. (smile),” replied Silvia, “You know – brick – one simple brick and you can build cathedrals with them. I do see in simple prim – simplest shape – cube as a brick. I can shape it. I can use many of them and give them some meaning. Later I learned some scripts and now, meshes.”

“I do still prefer using simple prims shaped and made from the mesh," Silvia Ametza continued to say, "It is very rewarding to see your build appreciated by people. This tower was built by two of us, Aimeelou Destiny and me. Aimee gave life to this tower, and to many builds we did together, with her elegant highly efficient scripts and as well builds. She corrected me many times what and how something should look. I do love building, showing it, and often give to people – I am very poor as (a) seller. I do prefer build for my friends and as a gift. Their happiness satisfies me a lot and it is a good pay for me.”
 
The next question is if Silva took school in learning how to build. “No,” she replied, “My first prim rezzed – cube – and I played with one single prim to see what can be done. Then I rezzed other default shapes like cylinders, etc and straight away, my imagination busted out – woooooow this is material I could build probably anything. So, no school, self teaching (smile)."

Silvia wanted to show me her biggest build. “It was difficult and it was done for joined sims called Cumberland City – they used this build but sadly, sims are gone now.” Before Silvia Ametza showed me her biggest build, I asked her how many times she had built for the SL Newser on the Second Life anniversary date. “Three times,” replied Silvia, “I did enjoy all of them.”

I was curious about if Silvia had any inspiration when it comes to building something. “It is various," replied Silvia, "Depends on mode or for an example, my best friend, Aimee shows me something – some pictures on Google and just says 'we can buld that.' And – we jump to work and just build, rebulid, fix. Often when I am exploring Second Life (many nice sims and builds) I get motivation there – plants, builds, vehicles, a lot of motivations and trying to check my abilities what I can do. As well – friends often ask- We would like to have this or that – is it possible for you to build something? Or in case of my friend< Gee – I see her build – gallery and have idea how to rebuild and make it better."

I asked Silva if she would continue to build for a long time. “Yes, I like building and will continue,” she replied. We then went to an exhibit by Kim. “Kim was able to accumulate to small parcel a lot of information," Silvia told me, "She even created voting stations to see what people think. In my opinion as builder, this is one of the best exhibits I have ever seen. Weather prediction and giving information on demand fast in case of some emergencies like was for example Catrina Storm in the USA requires a lot of education and deep knowledge. It is her world. Kim is now on stage in China, having the meeting with Chinese scientists, she inspires me a lot as well, she is motivating me to build something special, not just to please eyes.”

Silva went on to show me her biggest build. “Increase draw distance to – maybe 400 to see it all," she told me, "This bridge with realistic design. It has lights as well and all bridge needs.” She showed me the other side of the bridge. We went on maintenance carriage. “It goes back automatically – Aimee and me – we made this bridge together. What's more, Aimee scripted it all (smile).” Silvia then offered to show me their airship. I accepted, and she brought me to it, telling me, “Fully functional air ship with moving parts. Airship made by Aimeelou Destiny and me. Scripted by Aimee.” Unfortunately I found out a bit too late that I have forgotten to take a picture of the airship but it was amazing.

In my opinion, Silvia Ametza is a really good builder. She had built a 15-floors building for the SL Newser for the SL15B. I have gone on the building and would end up being impressed. I look forward to seeing her new buildings in the years to come.

Deaflegacy

Friday, June 22, 2018

The RFL DSD Rabbit V2 Mod


By Deaflegacy

To help raise money for the Relay for Life, some people are making items for sale in which the money goes to charity. Among them, an avatar mod made by Astra Noctura (Silverskyranch) called the "RFL Rabbit V2." It was made for bunnies from the Dark Spot Designs avatar maker, often called DSD for short, but can fit another called PAWs, giving them a purple coat of fur.

I heard Astra was at the Farshore Field Air show. When I arrived to meet Astra when she was with some of the Relay Sunbeamer team, they were already talking about the bunny avatar for the RFL. I asked how was a "mod" different from regular avatars. I was told mods are not complete avs in themselves, but are modifications of a complete one, which must be bought separately.

"Mods kits require you to own the base avatar,"  Destiny (Dusk Griswold) told me. Kylee Gracemount nodded,  "Mine was like that." "Then you buy the mod kit made for that avatar," spoke Destiny. "In this case the Mod is custom textures Deaf," spoke Kylee,  "Others can have different parts you have to add. or replace from the original." "This was a fancier mod, in that it included a head and tail," Destiny told me.

"Where can I get the mod?" I asked, "I can use that on my existing bunny avatar." "Which brand of bunny avatar do you have?" asked Astra. I answered "AX. I have the AX brand." Bixyl Shuftan would later tell me it was short for "AnthroXtacy," an older brand from earlier days in Second Life. "Oh, the mod is only for the PAWs rabbit head, or the DSD," informed Astra, "AX is pretty old." "AX is an old one," spoke Destiny, "This av is based on a specific head that is sold." I then asked how much the DSD bunny was. "V2 is 1500," answered Snowy Sugar Blossom (Skylark Lefavre). I was surprised, thinking that was a bit steep. "Do they still sell the v1?" asked Destiny, "Likely cheaper. And still good." "Yes, the V1 is still on the Marketplace,"answered Astra. Kylee gave me the landmark to Astra's store where the mod was. We would find the DSD V1 bunny on Marketplace.

The question about clothes came up, I realizing I didn't have clothes for a mesh avatar. When asked if regular clothes would fit, "If you use the SL body, then yes," answered Astra, "The mod is made for Maitryea, but can be used on SL body or any omega-compatible one." "Some of my stuff is still SL Body.  I switch back and forth," spoke Kylee Gracemount, who was wearing the Maitreya Variant. I thought I should be able to find some outfits for bunnies at Furry Fashion, and spoke so, "I need to rez the DSD Rabbit White, and the dual pack, too." "This rabbit wasn't specifically for RFL," Astra told me, "but the color design of it was."

I was told a little of how modifying the bunny tail went. "Copied from the instructions," Kylee Gracemount was saying, "Tail - This part is a bit tricky.  There are 3 parts that need to be retextured seperately using Select Face.  The first two are pretty easy, and use the tail texture with the included Alpha. (simply called 'Tail').  Apply this to the first two faces you grab.  For the third layer, you will need to cam inside of the tail to see it.  This layer, when you click Select Face on it, you will notice has Alpha set to 'None'.  This is the one that you apply the Solid Tail texture to.  Like with the Ears, you might need to re-set the Scripts after you wear it."

There was a little trouble when someone changed out of a small Manticore avatar, but it was soon resolved. I invited Astra to be on my friends list so we could contact each other later about the article. I then gave personal reasons for wanting to do this, "I understand about losing a family member to cancer.  I lost my Uncle and Mom to cancer." "Mom had breast cancer that spread to her bones," Astra would tell me. I asked if it was okay to write about this, and was told I could.

I talked with some people about the Relay Rabbit. I asked them one question, to please tell me in their own words about the Relay Bunny. Bixyl Shuftan, the Newser editor, answered, "Well, I haven't gotten it yet, but I have a few friends who have, and they're impressed with it. It's Bento-enabled, so it's able to take advantage of those features. For those looking for a good purple bunny,  a way to support the Relay, or both, it's a good choice."

"Astra made it as a way to raise money for her team Meli's Maniacs. But to me it means much more." Snowy told me, "I want people to know I relay for a cure for cancer because I have lost so many friends and family to cancer.  My color is pink, but I proudly wear this.  My colonoscopy put a scare into me. Was a super close call. I am wearing it also to tell people I am not going down without a fight." 

When asked about the Relay Rabbit, Snowy spoke, "The creator sells them at The Happy Vixen vendor section. They are for the DSD Rabbit v2 but she has some for the DSD Rabbit v1 as well. She has a store on SL Marketplace.   https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/109832?  I might very well be wearing this Relay Weekend as well.  I want to know the best cure for cancer is prevention.   Get tested and often. I like to see others wear the bunny in honor of those they relay for as well.  It is a symbol of hope. (smile)"

"It is an applier for the DSD Rabbit, either V1 or v2," Kylee told me, " Easy to apply if you have use DSD or Omega compatible parts.: I have a quite a few of Astra's mods. The V2 Mod I have has multiple textures you can use.  It has appliers for the Omega and the DSD parts included. I enjoy supporting Astra and The Relay itself."

"Since loosing my mother to cancer six years ago, the RFL has been something that I have been far more passionate about," Astra would tell me, " Since I began making furry avatar mods in Second Life, I have always tried to make at least 1-2 per year that was a special Purple and/or Pink Ribbon avatar mod, with all proceeds of it's sale going to RFL.  Over the past year, my modding skills have greatly improved, and I have really gotten into making various bunny mods. So this year, I felt that the perfect release would be a Purple Ribbon bunny, especially since I knew so many bunny furries in SL.  I made three different variations of it for different avatars, and so far it has been the best selling yet of my RFL mods.  I may not be able to do much in real-life to help in the fight against cancer, but this Purple Ribbon Bunny is my own way of doing what I can, however little, to help in that fight."

I do know that I will be wearing Relay Bunny this weekend to support the RFL.  That's what I will do this weekend.

Deaflegacy

Friday, March 23, 2018

Curei's Floating Gallery



By Deaflegacy


I met with Curei at Curei's Floating Gallery. "What inspired you to do the floating gallery?" I asked her. Curei answered, "I thought it would be really refreshing to create something that was very different and was not like the usual gallery, with little pictures hanging on walls."

Curei also said that the meditation place is so beautiful and peaceful.  She wanted the place to be a work of art in itself, even without considering the creative works hanging in the gallery. Curei's Floating Gallery has a wonderful and very original spiral fountain, as well as the strutting peacocks and the little model sail boats in the other pond. There is a hidden mystery object that I have yet to find.


Curei's Floating Gallery is a beautiful place, full of art and many wonderful things.  I have been to the floating gallery at least three times and have enjoyed each visit. I would urge people to go to Curei's Floating Gallery.  It is a good place to experience.


It's not just a good place to be, by the way. It's also a beautiful location, full of nature things like vines.  Everywhere you turn, you will see something from the nature itself.  That's why I definitely recommend Curei's Floating Gallery to people who are interested in visiting the places of nature. Meditation place is not a place to be easily forgotten.  You can go there to relax and meditate.


There are more to the story as well as there are arts at Curei's Floating Gallery.  They are in a spot, where arts are being displayed.  I would suggest you give this place a try. It is truly remarkable. Why don't you give Curei's Floating Gallery a try because it's full of beautiful nature and arts.

Curei's Floating Gallery is at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Inspiration%20Island/195/118/1003

Deaflegacy

Friday, December 16, 2016

Felina Fermi's House


By Deaflegacy

Felina Fermi's house is as beautiful as Felina is as I was shown to her house in Sunweaver Space.  Bixyl Shuftan joined us on the tour.  He was welcomed.  Bixyl wrote about her place several years ago. Since then, she had moved her house to the Sunweavers community, where she had continued to make changes to it.

Felina showed us Panth's memorial before continuing on the tour.  It is a beautiful memorial. Felina and Panth met in MMO before they came to Second Life.  It is the memorial Felina made for Panth a few months after Panth passed away.  Before I continued on the tour, I looked at the memorial.  I don't think I'd ever forget it.

Felina pointed out that there are cats everywhere at her place.  As I checked her house out, there were cats walking by, cats running around, cats sitting down, and cats sleeping.  They are beautiful animals.  I am rather fond of cats as I used to have a few while I was growing up.  The cats, I believe, add to the beauty of Felina's house.  The house didn't even lag me out as I went on the tour.

Felina showed us the living room.  It has a big screen TV that takes up most of the wall.

"The place was really built to reflect US.... we loved cuddling and we were gamers so..."  said Felina.  She does not need to say any more.  However, she said that Panth loved to cook so she made the Kitchen in view of their computer room. In the living room, there is a beautiful Christmas tree 

"I try to cover all the bases; Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Game Room, Bedroom and Bathroom." said Felina.

Felina's bathroom has a working shower.  This is remarkable.  There is something else to the room as well, which would be the washer and the dryer. I can see what Felina meant by warm and rustic.

Felina didn't change the house much after she lost Panth.  I sent her my condolences.  Felina went on to say that she built the house when Panth was still alive. 

"I valued his opinions." said Felina  "Something he didn't like, I would change it."

Felina recommended getting the furniture from Pamelas Store.  She's good friends with Pamela.

She went on to explain that the choice of textures is the real big part in building a house.  Felina is right as I was building a house myself.

Felina did create a really good house with a memorial in it.  I don't think I'd ever forget the house nor the memorial.  It is to be remembered always.


Deaflegacy