This summary is published every Monday, and is a list of SL viewer / client releases (official and TPV) made during the previous week. When reading it, please note:
It is based on my Current Viewer Releases Page, a list of all Second Life viewers and clients that are in popular use (and of which I am aware), and which are recognised as adhering to the TPV Policy. This page includes comprehensive links to download pages, blog notes, release notes, etc., as well as links to any / all reviews of specific viewers / clients made within this blog
By its nature, this summary presented here will always be in arrears, please refer to the Current Viewer Release Page for more up-to-date information.
Cool VL viewer Stable branch updated to version 1.26.18.27 and the Experimental branch updated to version 1.26.19.29, both on October 8th (release notes)
The majority of the notes in this update are taken from the TPV Developer meeting held on Friday, October 7th. The video of that meeting is embedded at the end of this update, and references to it are indicated through the use of time stamps in the paragraphs below. My thanks as always to North for recording and providing it.
This is not intended to be a transcript of the entire meeting, which featured discussions of some situations specific to individual region rather than SL as a whole. However, key discussion points have hopefully been highlighted.
Tuesday, October 4th saw the Main (SLS) channel updated with the server maintenance package previously deployed to the three RC channels, which includes a fix for BUG-40565, introduced as a result of the deployment of the week #38 server maintenance package.
There was no planned deployment / restart for the three RC channels, although there should be a new RC package available for week #41 (commencing Monday, October 10th).
The VLC Media Plug-in RC viewer updated to version 4.1.1.320331 on Thursday, October 6th, intended to fix a number of outstanding bugs, including setting the volume slider to maximum, causing the voice sound to cut out completely. This view has been performing well, with a low crash rate, so if this trend continues with the latest update it may well finally make it to release status in week #41 (commencing Monday, October 10th).
The Project Bento RC viewer updated to version 5.0.0.320160 on Friday, October 7th (see below for more).
Project Bento
There was no Project Bento user group meeting during the week, due to a timing conflict with the Lab’s internal monthly meeting. The next Bento meeting will be on Thursday, October 13th, at 13:00 at the Hippotropolis camp fire circle.
In the meantime, as noted above, there was a new Bento RC update, which includes the following additions and fixes:
Adds a scale locking feature to mesh upload
Optimisations should improve the frame rate in mesh-intensive regions
Probable fix for an intermittent crash.
The scale locking feature adds a check box which, if checked will lock joints against scale changes, and thus the sliders affecting the joint will no longer influence it. Leaving the box unchecked for the joint will allow scale changes. This might be useful for those wishing to produce (non-human?) avatars where it might be preferable to have certain parts of the body locked from slider-driven changes to prevent distortions / conflicts arising, without necessarily locking in the entire mesh against slider changes (e.g. the face could be “frozen” to prevent distortion, but body height or tail length, etc).
In addition to their brief Bento Hands preview first seen in July, Vista Animations have now produced a more details preview, with the beta version of the hands (with free update to the release version) available on the Marketplace for L$999.
64-bit Viewer and Viewer Build Process
[03:19] Work on the 64-bit viewers is temporarily paused as the Lab shifts over to their improved viewer build process, which will come into effect with the 64-bit builds.
The updated process involves changes to almost everything in the build pipeline other than the compilers. However the work is progressing well, and the Lab anticipates running builds using the new libraries from week #41, and the library repositories are already public for TPVs to examine and use.
In particular, the Autobuild environment has been updated to support platform-specific switches within the build scripts via a new option in the autobuild_source_environment command. The varsfile is a file containing template variable assignments to be modified based on the build type, so that all builds(library and viewer) use the same compilation and option switches. The variables file used by Linden Lab to build the viewer and its libraries is in the viewer-build-variables repository. TPVs are free to us this, or adopt / continue to use their own.
As noted, given the extent of the work, the Lab is avoiding updating Visual Studio and Xcode. Instead, they will be updated as a follow-on project once the current work is completed.
Snapshot 360
[08:49] The Lab is working on a new viewer capability – the ability to take 360-degree panoramic snapshots using the snapshot floater. I’ve covered this in a separate article, with key audio extracts.
Experience Force Sit
Rider Linden is continuing to work on this new capability (see my article here) which will allow for the scripted seating of avatars engaged in experiences (Project Espeon). In particular, the latest Maintenance RC allows avatars to use the stand button to stand (Server Beta Meeting, Thursday, 6th October).
Tuesday, October 4th saw the Main (SLS) channel updated with the server maintenance package previously deployed to the three RC channels, which includes a fix for BUG-40565, introduced as a result of the deployment of the week #38 server maintenance package.
There is no planned deployment / restart for the three RC channels, although there should be a new RC package available for week #41 (commencing Monday, October 10th).
SL Viewer
The Maintenance RC viewer was rapidly updated on Tuesday, October 4th, after only having been released on September 28th. Version 4.0.9.320231 see the addition of a Project Espeon fix (“Experience permission dialogue should include “Sit your avatar””), suggesting this project is making progress. Overall, this viewer includes over 70 crashes and bug fixes and improvements – refer to the release notes for the full list.
Excluding this update, the remainder of the current crop of official viewers remains unchanged:
Current Release version: 4.0.8.319463 (dated September 9), promoted September 15 – formerly the Visual Outfit Browser RC viewer
Project Bento (avatar skeleton extensions), version 5.0.0.319893, dated September 22nd
VLC Media Plug-in Viewer RC, version 4.1.1.319856, dated September 20th – replaces QuickTime in the Windows viewer with a media plug-in based on LibVLC
Obsolete platform viewer version 3.7.28.300847, dated May 8, 2015 – provided for users on Windows XP and OS X versions below 10.7.
Kokua, the viewer 4-style Second Life and OpenSim viewer has forked development between the two platforms.
The announcement came on Monday, September 26th, with lead developer Nicky Perian announcing the initial release of KokuaOS-4.1.0.38653 in a blog post thus:
Gavin Hird (macOS) is the lead developer for KokuaOS. This viewer is for OpenSim grids and is branched off at Kokua version 4.0.2. The default grid is set to 3rd Rock Grid as their support for Kokua and Imprudence extends back a number of years with the Hoagie sim contribution.
The reason for the split appears to be the increasing complexities in having a unified viewer code set supporting both OpenSim and Second Life, with Nicky noting:
While the ability to log on to Second Life is present, Jelly Doll support is not, and we expect more wandering away from Second Life as new features such as Bento Joints, and server infrastructure removal take place.
However, this shouldn’t be taken to mean that the OpenSim viewer will not be implementing changes made to the SL viewer; simply that only those changes which make sense to adopt will be carried forward into the OpenSim variant.
So, for example, KokuaOS-4.1.0.38653 includes the code from the Lab’s recently released Visual Outfits Browser, allowing OpenSim users to browse through their outfits using the thumbnail image feature, and the Windows version also includes the switch to using a media plug-in based on LibVLC to replace QuickTime.
Core updates with the OS-4.1.0.38653 release comprise:
Kukua OS-4.1.0.38653 includes the Visual Outfits Browsers from Second Life, but not Avatar Complexity
There is no auto update capability. New updates must be manually installed and downloaded
Windows media content is handled by VLC media plug-in
Excluded SL updates comprise:
Avatar Complexity (aka Jelly Dolls) and Graphics Presets
Media content on Linux uses Gstreamer, but can be switched to VLC by editing skins/mime_types_linux.xml- You can upload and play back sounds of up to 60 seconds
The Mac OSX version now use a gamma of 2.2 which improves tonal range of the scene.
Microphone and volume can be tested without an active session
Additional functionality in support of the OpenSim Export function
Almost complete localisation of the viewer to German.
Full details of all changes and known issues can be found in the OS-4.1.0.38653 release notes, and the download is available via the Kokua downloads wiki.
Following this, on October 1st, Nicky announced the release of the Second Life version of Kokua, version 4.1.1.39717. This update see the removal of all code which facilitated the switch between logging-in to Second Life or to OpenSim grids, and brings this viewer to parity with the Second Life 4.1.1 code base and with RLV-2.9.20.1.
Core updates in this release comprise:
Most menu items with OpenSim specific functionality has been deactivated.
Windows media content is handled by VLC media plug-in
Kokua version 4.1.1.39717 for Second Life does include Avatar Complexity and Graphics Presets
Mac OSX Updates:
Use of a gamma of 2.2 which improves tonal range of the scene. System gamma of 1.8 has not been used by Apple since Mac OSX 10.6
Support for OSX 10.12, with a minimum requirement of OSX 10.9
OSX send and receive buffer size has been increased for better network performance
Advanced and Develop menus updated with new functionality and more relevant HUDs
Improvements to:
Voice floaters and functionality
Media playback functionality, including in the chat / IM floater
Mesh uploads
The world map and mini map
The built-in AO now shows which animation is playing
Own voice dot and speaker indicator no longer shown over avatar’s head (via Firestorm)
Almost complete localisation of the viewer to German.
Again, please read the release notes for all changes, updates and known issues with this release. The download is available via the Kokua downloads wiki.
The two versions can be run side-by-side, providing different installation locations are used (offered by default by the Windows installer) and chat logs.
This summary is published every Monday, and is a list of SL viewer / client releases (official and TPV) made during the previous week. When reading it, please note:
It is based on my Current Viewer Releases Page, a list of all Second Life viewers and clients that are in popular use (and of which I am aware), and which are recognised as adhering to the TPV Policy. This page includes comprehensive links to download pages, blog notes, release notes, etc., as well as links to any / all reviews of specific viewers / clients made within this blog
By its nature, this summary presented here will always be in arrears, please refer to the Current Viewer Release Page for more up-to-date information.
Black Dragon updated to version 2.5 “Ending Dragon” on September 30th, said to be the final update (release notes)
Kokua forked development paths between Second Life and OpenSim with the following releases:
Version 4.1.1.39717 for SECOND LIFE, released on Saturday, October 1st (release notes)
Version OS-4.1.0.38653 for OPENSIM, released on September 26th (release notes)
V1-style
Cool VL viewer Stable branch updated to version 1.26.18.26 and the Experimental branch updated to version 1.26.19.28, both on October 1st (release notes)
There was no deployment to the Main (SLS) channel On Tuesday, September 27th.
On Wednesday September 28th, all three RC channels should receive the same new server maintenance package, which includes a fix for BUG-40565, introduced as a result of the deployment of the week #38 server maintenance package.
SL Viewer
The VLC Media plug-in viewer didn’t make the jump to release status as had been anticipated, but should remain the next in line for promotion.
A new Maintenance RC viewer did arrive, however. Version 4.0.9.320038, released on Wednesday, September 28th, focuses on assorted crash fixes and stability fixes, with over 70 updates and fixes included. This has the current official SL viewer list looking as follows:
Current Release version: 4.0.8.319463 (dated September 9), promoted September 15 – formerly the Visual Outfit Browser RC viewer
Maintenance RC viewer, version 4.0.9.320038, dated September 28th – 70+ fixes and updates
Project Bento (avatar skeleton extensions), version 5.0.0.319893, dated September 22nd
VLC Media Plug-in Viewer RC, version 4.1.1.319856, dated September 20th – replaces QuickTime in the Windows viewer with a media plug-in based on LibVLC
Obsolete platform viewer version 3.7.28.300847, dated May 8, 2015 – provided for users on Windows XP and OS X versions below 10.7.
Render Cost Investigations
This was first raised at the TPV Developer meeting on Friday, September 23rd, and again at the Bento User Group Meeting on Thursday, September 29th (although it is not Bento specific.
Vir Linden is leading an investigation into rendering cost and land impact of items (worn and in-world). This is as a result of JIRAs filed on the LI cost of various items not being correctly assessed, etc. It is not clear if any changes will result of the investigations, particularly where legacy content is concerned, but equally, it might be that some adjustments can be made to the rendering cost formulae. In particular, the Lab is interesting in learning about problematic content and JIRAs filed on LI / rendering calculation issues (such as BUG-37631). Speaking at the Bento meeting on the subject, Vir had this to say:
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 