NWS: licensed version due to launch; tutorials start being released

Posted on by Inara Pey
My Fallingwater OAR file loaded into New World Studio on my PC as a part of a Host you own region / megaregion at home using NWS: my own initial set-up featuring 16 regions and using an OAR of my Fallingwater build
Host you own region / megaregion at home using NWS: my own initial set-up featuring 16 regions and using an OAR of my Fallingwater build

I recently reviewed the free version of Olivier Battini’s New World Studio, which allows anyone to to run their own single or multiple-region OpenSim environment on their own computer at home.

Currently, the free – or Community – version is very much as standalone version, although Olivier has indicated that connectivity will be possible in the future as a part of the manual configuration capability. This capability, which requires the editing of an .INI file, already allows users to define the number of regions their NWS installation supports, whether or not these are to be treated as a megaregion, the default starting OAR file (and avatar IAR file, if applicable), specify a preferred viewer rather than the default Imprudence viewr, and so on.

The Community edition of NWS is fully configurable - but requires editing an INI file (original shown left, and my own updated version, right)
The Community edition of NWS is fully configurable – but requires editing an INI file (original shown left, and my own updated version, right)

Due to be released later this week, the licensed version of NWS (currently starting at a 50% off 15 Euros / $20 for a home licence) does, among other things, take away the need to edit the INI file by allowing access to simple selection panel which can be accessed via the Access Advanced Features button on the NWS Launcher.

This panel allows users to configure NWS quickly and easily through a series of option fields and drop-downs. Using it, you can set your avatar name and default look, define the number of regions you wish to run (1, 4, 9, or 16), the default region name and whether or not the regions are to be treated as a megaregion, and set the default OAR file.

The licensed version of NWS includes a configuration panel for easy-of-set-up (image courtesy of Olivier Battini by way of Hypergrid Business)
The licensed version of NWS includes a configuration panel for easy-of-set-up (image courtesy of Olivier Battini by way of Hypergrid Business)

Currently, the control panel doesn’t include an option to select your own preferred viewer. However, this is coming with future updates, together with a number of other options, such as automatically network and firewall configuration for public access, public 3D worlds searches, and so on, as defined on the NWS Features page for the website. In terms of functionality and features, these will take time to develop, which is why licensed versions are being discounted and there is an active Early Adopter Programme, as Olivier explained when we discussed NWS recently.

“People must know and should understand that all will not be functional right now. This project requires a huge amount of work, especially as it’s multi-platform (Win, Mac, Linux),” he said, emphasising the effort involved in putting it all together before highlighting the benefits, “People can experience how easy to use NWS is, and they may not realize the cost of simplicity. This is why there’s an Early Adopter Programme that will allow people to, not only get lower prices, but also be able to vote for the features they want to see implemented first.”

In preparation for the wider availability of NWS options, Olivier has also been working on documentation and tutorials, the latter starting with an introductory video to NWS 2.1 Community Edition.

Again, if you’re looking for a “home studio” OpenSim capability for design / building work, whether your products are for use on OpenSim or Second Life, New World Studio – with a few caveats in the case of use with SL – might be just what you’re looking for as a fast, clean, easy-to-install option.

Related Links

With thanks to Maria Korolov at Hypergrid Business and to Olivier Battini.

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Published by Inara Pey

Eclectic virtual world blogger with a focus on Second Life, VR, virtual environments and technology.

5 thoughts on “NWS: licensed version due to launch; tutorials start being released”

  1. I am not up to date with OpenSim features. Does it support mesh import? If it did, this product would be quite interesting to test mesh modeling for SL.

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    1. OpenSim supports mesh, yes. Use any TPV with the non-havok uploader by Nicky Djasmin and it should work. I’ve uploaded a few test items to me NWS installation using Firestorm OS.

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  2. There also more programs that allow the same.
    Diva Distro!
    Sim on a stick!
    As my regions are hosted on Osgrid i use the Osg version of open sim to launch and connect them to OSGrid but my private grid is hosted via Diva Distro!
    A good list of viewers to use on any open sim grid are listed here:
    http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Compatible_Viewers

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    1. Both SoaS (Ener Hax) and Diva Distro (Crista Lopes) are well-known, and both offer good solutions to the self-host question. The principal difference between NWS and Diva Distro as there is no requirement for the user to install anything per se. Everything comes configured in a ZIP file – MySQL, OpenSimulator, default OAR and IAR files, etc. Just grab the ZIP file, extract and run the launcher. Everything else is taken care of. As such, it is potentially an happier choice for those who don’t wish to go through a comparative lengthy process of installation and set-up. BUT – it still retains all the configuration options for those who want them.

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