Changing your avatar's appearance!

I'll show you how to get this one started, and then you are on your own. This is where you get to express your inner self...and no one will ask questions!

I need you to get where you can see your own avatar. That makes this a good time to talk about viewpoints a bit. No, not that political stuff. Come on, you knew better than that. We're talking about the view you have of the world on your screen.

There are two basic points of view; third person and first person. In third person view, it looks like you are standing outside of you avatar...which is where I need you to be for this activity. But before we begin, let's say a few more things about views. First person view (also called mouselook) is what you see if you are inside your avatar...like it is really you, or you are really it, or you are you, or.....man, this virtual stuff gets confusing.

Anyway, to change to first person view, click on VIEW on the menu at the top of the screen and then on 'MouseLook'. Now you should be seeing the world through the eytes of your avatar. In my not-so-humble opinion this is the best way to move around SL. To leave MouseLook view, just spin the old mousewheel if you have it, and if not, click again on the 'MouseLook' item in the VIEW menu.

One comment about movement. When you are in first person (mouselook) view, use your cursor keys to move, but 'aim' by using your mouse....you will move forward in the direction you are looking. Much easier for navigating those tight areas.

But back to why we are here this time.

So, go into third person view and right click on your avatar. In the menu that appears, click on 'Appearance'.

Now the fun begins.

Your avatar takes this really weird position and a window appears on the screen in which you can change most any part of its appearance. Click the buttons and slide the slides and create!

Click save when you are done, feel free to go back and re-create at any point, and when you are ready, move on to the next module.


Module 7: Don't just sit there, build something.

or, return to module 5

or, return to the Introduction