From Japan to SL

It became somewhat possible to edit skin, but it is too hard for me to create whole face. So, I challenged the face painting, which is the same way for tattoo.




As same as the skin editing, it is necessary to know what area is transferred on actual avatar. This is the template prepared by Linden, which I put some color for reference to avatar face. Numbering the mesh could be OK.




The above template might be for creating face, so the area around nose and eyes are meshed in detail. This is not suitable for painting.
3: I made another one with grid. The grid should be put on a separate layer.
4: A skin was made with the skin and grid together, and put on an avatar, which will be used later.




5: Firstly, make a painting with Photoshop on a picture of avatar that should be taken with the same angle as 4 that jhas the grid. The angle is preferable to show the grid as less distortion as possible. The painting should be done on a separate layer. Photographs of real things can be used. In the 1 I used a flag picture. If the image is symmetrical, it is necessary to paint only half of it.
6: The 4 and 5 should be doubled, then adjust the transparency to show both of them. This will be the reference picture to adjust the painting layer.




7: Take a copy of the painted layer made in 5 and paste it on the skin grid 3 as another layer. Then adjust the size and distortion of the layer to have the same relation as the grid on 6. After getting the adjustment, make a symmetrical copy for the other side.
8: Erase the grid layer. Finally. the detail and color will be adjusted at this stage. Put it on the avatar to check the position. The painted layer should be kept as a separate layer that can be modified anytime. It could be possible to start with painting directly on 8．




Took pictures for the record. Personally, I care for neither face painting nor tattoo, so it was interesting but not practical. ^-^ I wore it at the Baba Meeting Area but no one noticed it. It could be natural since we were dancing, but while sitting at another bar, none of seven guests mentioned about my face.;;



You can save L$10 while checking by using temporary upload, but there might be some tool that makes it possible to check it off-line. As before, the skin, template, or grid shown above can be used on avatars by copying them.