Second Life animated accessories are not a new thing, but until I stumbled upon Tredente’s packet of chips, my accessory game was forever changed.
As a self-proclaimed accessory aficionado in Second Life, I’ve realized that static Bento hold just isn’t cutting it anymore – give me some interactive bling!
ChicChica has been one of my go-to for SL accessories, but static animations are like admiring a croissant instead of devouring it. Who wants to just look at the yummy treats? Let’s dig in!
When it comes to holding my handbag or car keys, animation may not be necessary. However, for food and drinks, the creators who incorporate interactivity have truly captured my attention. I’ve made a conscious decision to steer clear of static Bento hold accessories and embrace the immersive world of animated options.
Bento hold accessories vs Animated accessories
In the realm of Second Life, Bento hold accessories and animated accessories each offer unique experiences. Let’s consider handbags as an example.
Prior to the introduction of Bento, avatars’ hands were flat, making it impossible to grasp the handle of a handbag in a realistic manner. However, with the advent of Bento, bones were added to our virtual fingers, enabling our avatars to hold handbags properly, just as we would in real life.
Unfortunately, not all handbags in Second Life have been updated with Bento holds, which is why it’s always beneficial to look for product ads that provide comprehensive information or, even better, offer a demo.
Accessories like beverages have always been a hit in Second Life. However, before the advent of Bento, the way avatars held these items often looked unnatural. Now, thanks to the intricate detailing that Bento brings, your avatar can hold a glass of wine or a steaming cup of coffee with perfect ease and realism. It’s these small touches that make your Second Life experience all the more immersive and fun.
Certain innovative creators in Second Life have taken the concept of Bento holds to the next level by incorporating animations. Now, your avatar doesn’t just statically hold an iced coffee. Thanks to these added animated Bento hold, your avatar can actually appear to be sipping the coffee, adding an extra layer of realism and interactivity to your Second Life experience.
The Different Types of Animated Accessories
In the diverse world of Second Life, animated accessories range from simple to complex. The most common types offer straightforward animations such as drinking or eating. However, the quality of these animations can greatly vary.
For instance, you might encounter these animations in virtual furniture, but they’re not always perfect. You might find your avatar comically poking its eyes with a straw or inadvertently stabbing its face with a fork.
These animation mishaps can be a bit of a gamble, yet there are creators who have honed their skills and set a high bar for what’s possible. These animation maestros have truly transformed the way we interact with the Second Life universe.
And those creators have gone a step further by adding sound effects.
How Animated Accessories Enhance Your Second Life Experience
Imagine this: instead of merely holding a handbag, notebook, phone, or set of keys, your avatar can now hold and interact with food.
Take the Tredente packet of chips, for example. One hand holds the packet while the other reaches in, grabs a chip, and brings it to your avatar’s mouth where it vanishes, only to reach back into the packet for another.
And the best part? It comes complete with sound effects. The unmistakable crunch of eating chips can be both amusing and remarkably realistic, especially if your goal is to playfully irritate a virtual sibling, just as you might in real life 🙂
Echoing the interactive style of Tredente’s packet of chips (or crisps, if you’re so inclined), Mona offers Smiley Fries. While they may not be as audibly crunchy, the animation is equally impressive. It’s another fantastic example of the immersive experiences that animated accessories can bring to your Second Life.
Hive, a prominent creator in Second Life, has been making waves with their evolving range of accessories. They’ve come a long way from static drinks to perfectly animated beverages that are brimming with details. Picture steam wafting from your hot coffee, adding a touch of realism to your virtual world. But the customization doesn’t stop there.
Some of these accessories even allow you to add personal touches, like customize it with your name on your coffee cup à la Starbucks, or leaving a lipstick mark on the lid. It’s these thoughtful details that make Hive’s animated accessories a standout in Second Life.
The latest round of The Food Court has unveiled some exciting finds, including a brand that’s taking animated food accessories to a whole new level. Just take a look at this watermelon accessory. The way your avatar dips the spoon into the watermelon, lifts a piece, and then seemingly takes a bite as the fruit disappears from the spoon is simply delightful.
After experiencing this level of interactive realism, why would anyone want to go back to the mundane of static accessories?
The realm of animated accessories in Second Life extends far beyond just food and drinks. You can find a wide array of interactive items. For instance, one of my initial purchases from Hazel was a perfume accessory. It comes with a timer, and every 5-10 minutes (depending on your settings), your avatar will spritz itself with perfume.
Bubble blowers, too, have been a part of Second Life for a while, but the modern versions are more detailed and visually appealing. Brands like ChicChica and Hazel offer some particularly cool options.
It’s these dynamic accessories that add an extra layer of fun and realism to your Second Life experience.
Phones and cigarettes are popular accessories and most of the time they are static accessories. ChicChica has some really cute static coffee with cigarette and I understand this one could not be animated as SL as its limitation, but they are very cute for pictures. If I want a smoking animation I just use the Smoker Vista AO which works great. You light up your cigarette, smoke it until it disappears then you light up another one.
Phones are often static accessories that you hold in your hand with a wallet or sunglasses most of the time. OMY has an animated phone which I like to use when I am AFK. E-Marie also has a Gacha one which makes it look like you’re typing on your phone. Tablets are also common animated accessories.
Animated accessories in Second Life go beyond just beverages and digital devices. The virtual world is teeming with a variety of intriguing items.
During last weekend’s sales, I stumbled upon a fascinating animated dice. While it might seem odd to wander around with a dice, the captivating animation and customizable HUD make it an intriguing accessory. Whether it’s to complement your outfit or add a touch of whimsy to your adventures, this dice could be a unique addition to your Second Life wardrobe.
Navigating Animation Priorities: The Interplay Between Accessories, Props, and Furniture in Second Life
In an earlier discussion about handbags in Second Life, I touched on the issue of animation priorities. Many handbag animations don’t have a high priority setting, meaning they don’t override your Avatar’s AO (Animation Override). The result? Your avatar could end up holding the handbag in a way that’s influenced by your AO animations, leading to some rather awkward and unrealistic poses.
This principle extends to all accessories, and I’m happy to report that most of the accessories I’ve recently purchased, handbags included, have the highest animation priorities. However, I’ve noticed that these priorities don’t always function as expected when interacting with furniture.
I typically steer clear of using props with furniture, primarily due to their frequently underwhelming animations. Often, these props are of lesser quality and disproportionately large for an avatar’s hands. With so many talented creators crafting exceptional accessories in Second Life, I firmly believe that furniture should come without prop animations. Let’s leave the creation of props to the experts who specialize in them.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Animated Accessories in Second Life
As we reflect on the evolution of accessories in Second Life, it’s clear that the future is animated. The journey from static Bento holds to interactive animations has transformed the way we engage with our virtual environment. From the realistic grip on a handbag to the immersive experience of savoring virtual food and drinks, animated accessories have added a new dimension to our Second Life experiences.
However, the journey doesn’t stop here. With the continuous advancements in animation technology and the creative genius of Second Life creators, we can expect to see even more intricate and immersive animated accessories. Whether it’s a perfume spritzing itself at regular intervals or a bubble blower with enhanced visual appeal, the possibilities are endless.
In conclusion, the future of animated accessories in Second Life looks bright and exciting. As we continue to embrace this immersive world, we can look forward to even more innovative and interactive accessories that will enhance our virtual experiences. So, let’s leave the static behind and step into the animated future of Second Life.
Now, I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite animated accessories in Second Life? How have they enhanced your virtual experience? Do you have any exciting predictions for the future of animated accessories? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
