Update, April 27th: AMD have now updated their beta drivers to version 15.4.
AMD have release a new set of Catalyst™ drivers for windows which, according the release notes, includes a fix intended to resolve the rigged mesh issues which, since the deployment of the 14.9.2 drivers by the company, have caused rigged mesh to be invisible unless hardware skinning is disabled (see BUG-7653 and my report here).
The AMD Catalyst™ drivers (1.4.9.2 onwards) rigged mesh rendering problems as a result of changing openGL support within the drivers (image courtesy of Maestro Linden, click for full-size)
In the release notes accompanying the new drivers, AMD note the following under Resolved Issues:
[413076] Second Life : Rigged mesh objects are not rendered correctly when hardware skinning is enabled in the in game setting
The update was spotted by SL user Liffento Eldritch, who posted the news on the Firestorm Preview Group, prompting Miro Collas of the Firestorm team to poke a few people, and Whirly Fizzle to drop me a line on the update.
The AMD Catalyst™ 15.3 beta drivers offer a fix for the SL mesh rendering issue
As regular readers of these pages know, I’ve followed the situation with the AMD drivers, and have posted on the matter a few times. In turn, as a result of these posts, Yoho Waco wrote-up a workaround for the problem, which appeared in a comment on a blog post here, and which I later reproduced as an article in its own right.
The workaround involves using .DLL files from either the 14.9.1 or 14.2 Catalyst™ drivers, and placing them in the viewer’s installation folder.
If you are one of those who have employed this workaround yourself, please not that you must remove the relevant .DLLs files from your viewer’s installation folder, or the viewer will revert to using them, rather than the drivers for the newer .DLLs.
I’m an Nvidia user, and so cannot test things for myself, so should you give the new beta driver a go, please do drop a note in the comments on whether or not the fix works for you.
Central Park North and South, Fashion for Life: two regions in the midst of seven fashion capitals of the world where you can catch your breath, attend fashion shows and enjoy music and entertainment. Regions designed by Spankmy Boucher and Sofia Corleone; sponsored by Miss SL Organisation
Saturday, March 21st marks the start of Fashion for Life 2015, a full week of non-stop, boundary-breaking, uplifting, shop-till-you-drop, dazzling entertaining events and more, all as a part of the 2015 Relay for Life season.
As I reported in my last update, this year’s event will allow you to visit the great fashion centres of the world – Milan, Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Berlin – and experience the best and greatest in virtual world fashion and couture. Throughout each region will be lots to see and enjoy, starting at 10:00 SLT on Saturday, March 21st, and ending at 23:00 on Sunday, March 29th.
Paris, Fashion For Life – where better to start your world tour than the glorious boulevard of the Champs-Élysées? Region designed by Kaya Angel; sponsored by Chop Zuey Couture
I was fortunate enough to be granted a special preview of the regions ahead of the opening, and having toured them I can say quite honestly that where all of the Fashion for Life builds are always as amazing as the event itself, this year is very special. Travelling through each of the nine regions, I felt as if I were on a world tour, starting from my own “back door” of London.
Tokyo, Fashion For Life – a fusion of the ancient and modern in a bustling metropolis just right for shopping. Region designed by Ryo Ixxel and Ouka Ugajin; sponsored by ::Gabriel::
Fashion shows
FFL will feature a series of fashion shows throughout the week, all of which will take place at Central Park South. As usual, all times SLT:
Saturday, March 21st, 14:00: 1st Styling Challenge, MISS SL 2015 by MISS SL Organisation on the theme Why do you relay?
Sunday, March 22nd, 10:00: Limited Edition Fashion Show by AIM Impression Modelling
Monday, March 23rd, 16:00: Fashion show by BLVD Fashion House
Tuesday, March 24th, 16:00: Fashion show by aQuarela Models
Wednesday, March 25th, 16:00 Fashion show by SCALA Models Agency
Thursday, March 26th, 16:00: Fashion show by PENUMBRA
Friday, March 27th, 16:00: Fashion show by The queenS
Saturday, March 28th, 10:00: 2nd styling challenge MISS SL 2015 by MISS SL Organisation
Milan, Fashion For Life – the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II awaits you! Region designed by MaximilianIII Massenberg; sponsored by Sage
Music and Entertainment
The entertainment through the week promises to be something special as well, and I’ve been given some highlights of the activities which will be taking place at Central Park North. Again, all times SLT:
Saturday March 21st
10:00: Opening
12:00 noon: Seth Regan
13:00: DJ Blake Hambleton
16:00: BBOY_DAN dance group
Sunday, March 22nd
12:00 noon: DJ Boniefacio
13:00: Kyle Sbra angel – live
15:15: T1 Radio
Los Angeles Fashion For Life – “Come fly With Me”, Frank Sinatra once sang while signed to Capitol Records, and you can go flying in Regi Yifu’s stunning Los Angeles build, sponsored by Zaodyeck Magazine
Monday, March 23rd
13:00: Currently TBD
14:00: DJ Blake Hambleton
Tuesday, March 24th
13:00: DJ Theo (Zimny)
14:00: “The Jersey Boys” by the Kittens and Tigers Dance Group
Berlin, Fashion For Life – The Brandenburg Gate stands tall over proceedings. Region designed by Setsuna Infinity; sponsored by Yasum Designs
Wednesday, March 25th
13:00: DJ Boniefacio
14:00: Lady Garden Cabaret Dance Troupe – Chandra Meehan
Thursday, March 26th
13:00: Anek Fuchs – live
14:00 pm DJ Zimny Zane
London, Fashion For Life – cross Tower Bridge as you make your way around the world, but don’t miss the Gachas when you do! Region design by Rebeca Bashly; sponsored by Argrace
Special Events
In addition to the above, the Fashion Hunt will be held across the two Central Park regions, and include many items generously donated by creators and designers. so – Happy Hunting!
The London region is home to the FFL Gachas for 2015 – so don’t forget to visit Tower Bridge!
Please note that all SLurls contained in the article will not be open to the public until Fashion For Life officially opens its doors on Saturday, March 21st, at 10:00 SLT.
New York, Fashion For Life – round off your trip in support of FFL and RFL of SL with a bite of the Big Apple; region design by Sofia Corleone; sponsored by Zanze
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 