Category: Viewers

Playing with Pixieviewer

Posted on by Inara Pey

Thomas Buchauer has been working on developing a virtual world viewer-in-a-browser. The work is still very much in its alpha stages, but already shows sign of promise for those who are OpenSim-based.

Pixieviewer is available now as a special “first look” release, with access restricted to a special test grid called, appropriately enough, Pixiegrid. It is also in non-public testing with two OpenSim grids, and the aim appears to be to make it generally available as a browser-based means of access OpenSim environments at some point in the future. The viewer utilises HTML 5 (and so runs of Firefox, Chrome, etc.), and runs on any portable / mobile device capable of running WebGL.

PixieViewer: accessing OpenSim through a web browser
Pixieviewer: accessing OpenSim through a web browser

As an initial “first look” release, functionality is obviously limited – although already offering enough to get people playing with things and see the potential. Capabilities currently included in the viewer comprise chat, building both using primitive (“basic”) shapes and pre-set 3D models (mesh is supported although uploads are currently not enabled), and the ability to send content to a file suitable for 3D printing on your own (data exported as an STL file), or have the data sent to http://i.materialise.com, where you can preview and order 3D prints. Some basic object interaction is also possible as well – such as sitting on objects or clicking them to display pop-up with further information.

You’ll need to create a log-in account to the Pixiegrid in order to try-out the viewer, and you can do so directly through the viewer’s log-in page.

General Looks

The preview version loads fast – once you’ve registered an account, you can fire-up the viewer and are immediately delivered to the Pixiegrid preview area, where you can wander, try out various options (including the 3D printing), chat with others and explore what is already available.

3D printing from within PixieViewer
3D printing from within PixieViewer

Avatars come in default male and female forms and are non-customisable at present – although you might find your hair colour changes between log-ins; I’ve tended to find I’m either a blonde or a red-head when using the viewer. Movement  – both avatar and camera – is fairly basic, but more than adequate for getting around and seeing things; those who have followed Lumiya’s development will be aware how rapidly things like this improved, so it’s reasonable to expect PixieViewer will add further refinements as time and the technology allows.

Continue reading “Playing with Pixieviewer” →

Viewer release summary 2013: week 10

Posted on by Inara Pey

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 Viewer Round-up 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
  • By its nature, this summary will always be in arrears
  • The Viewer Round-up Page is updated as soon as I’m aware of any releases / changes to viewers & clients, and should be referred to for more up-to-date information as the week progresses
  • The Viewer Round-up Page also 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.  

Updates for the week ending: March 10th, 2013

  • SL Viewer updates:
      • Beta viewer rolled to 3.5.0.271345 on March 6th – core update: CHUI
      • Development viewer rolled to 3.5.1.271386 on March 8th – core update: CHUI integration (wiki page)
      • Sunshine (server-side baking project) updated to 3.4.5.271419, March 7th
      • Merchant Outbox project viewer re-released – 3.4.4.271.405 – on March 8th, to assist with DD migration
  • Kokua updated to release 3-5-1-27279 on March 9th – core updates: CHUI crash fix
  • Niran’s Viewer updated to 2.1.2 on March 7th; then 2.1.3 on March 11th – core updates: UI updates; updates to texture handling
  • Cool VL updated on March 9th to:
    • Stable version: 1.26.6.14
    • Legacy version (v2.6 renderer): 1.26.4.57
    • Experimental version: 1.26.7.14
    • Release notes
  • Lumiya release version 2.4.4 on March 7th – core updates: rez objects in-world, unpacking inventory from objects, create landmarks option
  • Metabolt released version 0.9.65.0 (Beta) on March 10th – core updates: ability to update & save Picks; support for Marketplace received items notifications; support for region messages; optional bandwidth setting under application/preferences; numerous enhancements
  • Radegast released version 2.10 on March 9th – core updates: ability to see inventory item’s UUID; option to disable HTTP inventory; ability to see role IDs; new LSL scripted object functions (invite to groups; send inventory; send IM); upgrade FMOD Ex to 4.44; rlv improvements; group info dialogue & object tracker performance improvements; user-defined AI time delays; plus bug fixes

Discontinued Viewers

  • Phoenix officially reached end-of-line for SL on December 31st – read more here
  • Zen viewer was withdrawn from the SL TPV directory and all repositories shutdown on January 27th, 2013.

Related Links

Lumiya: now you rez it, then you take it

Posted on by Inara Pey

lumiya-logoLumiya, the SL / OpenSim viewer for Android has seen two further updates since my last review. Version 2.4.3, released on February 16th, primarily saw the addition of flexiprim support in the 3D view, and the option to teleport to an avatar as well as some nips, tucks and tweaks.

Version 2.4.4, release on March 7th added object rezzing options and inventory-taking option to Lumiya as well as the ability to create landmarks. Taken together, both updates significantly add to Lumiya’s capabilities, and as I had a little free time, I took version 2.4.4 for a spin to try all the updates out.

Teleport to an Avatar

Teleporting to an avatar using Lumiya is a simple matter of selecting them from your Friends list, the Nearby list using a long touch and then selecting Teleport To from the pop-up menu. You’ll be asked to confirm the action – note that Yes is on the RIGHT of the confirmation dialogue; clicking it will teleport you to the avatar (or any landing point near them, if one is set at their current location).

Creating a Landmark

To create a landmark at any time, display your inventory, then click on the Landmark icon displayed in the bottom right of the inventory window (portrait display) or top right (landscape display). If the icon isn’t displayed in the latter view, tap the Menu button on your device and select Create Landmark from the displayed menu.

Use the Menu button on your device when displaying the inventory window to display a list of options of the Create Lanmark icon isn't already displayed
Use the Menu button on your device when displaying the inventory window to display a list of options of the Create Landmark icon isn’t already displayed

Note that you can access inventory either from the Lumiya Suitcase icon when in text view or in the 3D world view. If the icon isn’t visible in the latter, tap the menu bar on your device to display a list of options – inventory access should be at or near the top.

Tap the Menu button on your device to display all available menu options when in 3D world view
Tap the Menu button on your device to display all available menu options when in 3D world view

Rezzing Objects and Unpacking

Rezzing an object in-world in Lumiya is a simple matter of locating the object in your inventory and then long-touching it to display a pop-up menu. Tap Rez on the menu then confirm you wish to rez the object in-world in response to the dialogue displayed.

Objext rezzing from inventory & copying / moving the contents of an object back to inventory
Object rezzing from inventory & copying / moving the contents of an object back to inventory

Assuming you have object entry / rezzing rights for the parcel you are on, the object will be rezzed in-world. To display the contents, long-touch it (note that you may have to adjust your camera position to select the object, particularly if it is rezzed on another touchable object), and select the Open option from the displayed menu. An inventory-like window is opened to display the contents of the object, which can be copied / moved to your inventory by tapping the Copy button at the top right of the contents window.

Other Bits and Feedback

Lumiya supports flexiprim motions in the 3D world view as of version 2.4.3
Lumiya supports flexiprim motions in the 3D world view as of version 2.4.3

Versions 2.4.3 and 2.4.4 see improved handling of large meshes, improved notification settings and assorted bug fixes.

The flexiprim support in the 3D world view works well, although rendering things like flexihair when in motion may result in slight oddities; for example, when walking, my hair tended to all but vanish at times, but would quickly come back once I stopped, and Lumiya reproduces SL’s signature “hair flair”  – long hair flairing out behind your avatar like a comet’s tail – very well :).

Overall, these have been two somewhat “low-key” updates for Lumiya compared to recent passes (mesh support et al). However, I know that 2.4.3 marked another milestone for Alina, as she’s been working on getting flexiprims to work for the last several months – so it’s good to see she’s succeeded.

The ability to rez / open objects adds another fundamental capability to Lumiya, as does the ability to create landmarks. All-in-all, another good set of updates which once again increase Lumiya’s attractiveness as a very capable means of accessing Second Life and OpenSim while on the move.

My only real issue with the viewer is that if Alina keeps developing Lumiya, I’m going to have to go out and buy a Tablet just so I can really enjoy using it! :D.

Related Links

Viewer release summary 2013: week 9

Posted on by Inara Pey

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 Viewer Round-up 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
  • By its nature, this summary will always be in arrears
  • The Viewer Round-up Page is updated as soon as I’m aware of any releases / changes to viewers & clients, and should be referred to for more up-to-date information as the week progresses
  • The Viewer Round-up Page also 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.  

Updates for the week ending: March 3rd, 2013

  • SL Viewer updates:
      • Beta viewer rolled to 3.5.0.270825 on February 27th – core update: CHUI integration
      • Development viewer rolled to 3.5.1.270826 on February 26th – core update: CHUI integration (wiki page)
      • Cocoa project viewer 3.4.6.270999 (Mac) released on February 28
      • Sunshine (server-side baking project): 3.4.5.271118 on March 1st – core update: fix for z-offset issue
  • Dolphin updated to 3.4.14.27321 on March 1st – core updates: bug fixes
  • Kokua updated to release 3-5-1-27234 on February 28th – core updates: CHUI integration
  • Niran’s Viewer updated to 2.1.0 on February 26th – core updates: UI updates; slight changes to the rendering system
  • Cool VL updated on March 2nd to:
    • Stable version: 1.26.6.13
    • Legacy version (v2.6 renderer): 1.26.4.56
    • Experimental version: 1.26.7.13
    • Release notes
  • Pocket Metaverse for the iPhone updated to 1.8.0 on March 1st – core update: fullscreen support and bug fixes.

Discontinued Viewers

  • Phoenix officially reached end-of-line for SL on December 31st – read more here
  • Zen viewer was withdrawn from the SL TPV directory and all repositories shutdown on January 27th, 2013.

Related Links

Viewer release summary 2013: week 8

Posted on by Inara Pey

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 Viewer Round-up 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
  • By its nature, this summary will always be in arrears
  • The Viewer Round-up Page is updated as soon as I’m aware of any releases / changes to viewers & clients, and should be referred to for more up-to-date information as the week progresses
  • The Viewer Round-up Page also 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.  

Updates for the week ending: 24 February, 2013

  • SL Viewer updates:
      • CHUI development viewer continued to be updated, reaching release 3.4.6.270766 on February 23rd; no changes to the project viewer
  • Dolphin updated to 3.4.13.27316 on February 19th – core updates: improvements to feed profile page to better facilitate the Japanese language; all “Autopilot cancelled” messages optional; sourc code up-to-date with the LL dev viewer; internal fixes for the upcoming openSUSE 12.3 release
  • Kokua updated to release 3-4-5-25935 on February 18th – core updates: updated to LL 3.4.5 code base; port of client-side AO (Teapot / Firestorm); further OS Grids added to grid selection drop-down
  • Niran’s Viewer updated to 2.0.9 on February 19th – core updates: UI changes to the inventory and build floaters; slight changes to the rendering system; implementation of OPEN-162/ARVD-49
  • Cool VL updated on the 23rd of February to:
    • Stable version: 1.26.6.12
    • Legacy version (v2.6 renderer): 1.26.4.55
    • Experimental version: 1.26.7.12
    • Release notes
  • Metabolt updated to 0.9.64.0 (Beta) – February 23rd – core updates: interest list fix for nearby objects – release notes
  • Radegast updated to 2.8 on February 22nd – core updates: interest list fix for nearby objects; server-side baking support (see my quick test); a range of new features and improvements; bux fixes – release notes

Discontinued Viewers

  • Phoenix officially reached end-of-line for SL on December 31st – read more here
  • Zen viewer was withdrawn from the SL TPV directory and all repositories shutdown on January 27th, 2013.

Related Links

Firestorm meeting 13th February, 2013 – video and transcript

Posted on by Inara Pey

Update February 25th: As per a comment from Jessica Lyon, Firestorm have now merged the Server-side Baking code and updates to RLVa into one of their private repositories.

firestorm-logoOn the 13th February, 2013, the Firestorm team hosted a question-and-answer session so they could outline the current status of the Firestorm viewer, the issues the team (and SL) are facing, and outline plans for both the immediate future and longer-term as well as address questions from the audience.

While the meeting was recorded, the Firestorm team are aware that many of their users have hearing difficulties, and / or prefer to read text. It is because of this that this transcript has been provided, otgether with the original recording itself. When reading it, please remember:

  • This is not a word-for-word transcript of the entire meeting. While all quotes given are as they are spoken in the video, to assist in readability and maintain the flow of conversation, not all asides, jokes, interruptions, etc., have been included in the text presented here
  • If there are any sizeable gaps in comments from a speaker which resulted from asides, questions to other speakers or requests for images to be displayed, these are indicated by the use of “…”.
  • Timestamps are provided as guidance should anyone wish to hear the comments in full from any speaker on the video
  • Questions were asked in chat during the meeting and while speakers were talking. This inevitably meant that replies to questions would lag well behind when they were orginially asked. Therefore, to provide context for both questions and answers, questions have been included in the transcript and timestamped at the point at which each is addressed by a member of the Firestorm team
  • The meeting proper commences at 16:36 into the video, and this is the point at which the transcript starts.

Video courtesy of Northspring.

Continue reading “Firestorm meeting 13th February, 2013 – video and transcript” →