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Making better Second Life snapshots using the environment editor, part two

Apollo Manga's photo
Second Life Examiner
Spaceport Alpha at noon
Spaceport Alpha at Noon		 The GLSV rocket, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for putting satellites into orbit, will be our subject in using Second Life's Environment Editor. These rockets are at Second Life's Spaceport Alpha - International Spaceflight Museum. You can visit this exact spot and stand next to these rockets by clicking slurl.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Alpha/70/120/35. This picture was taken at noon. In my last article, we used the Environment Settings presets and the Environment Editor slider to change the lighting in the Czechoslovakia sim by changing the position in the sky. Today we're going to go one step further by using some presets in the Advanced Sky Editor.
 To get to the Advanced Sky Editor, first click World, then Environment Settings, and then Environment Editor. In the picture to the right, the Environment Editor is shown in the lower half. At the bottom of the Environment Editor, you'l see "Advanced Sky". Click it to open the Advanced Sky Editor, seen in the upper half of the picture. In the upper left corner of the Advanced Sky Editor, you'll see "Sky Presets:" followed by a box that probably contains "Default". Today I'll show you how you can dramatically change the mood of a shot by changing the Sky Preset.  Environment Editor (Below) and Advanced Sky Editor (above)
Environment Editor (Below) and Advanced SKy Editor (Above)
 GLSV rockets viewed using Coastal Afternoon preset
GLSV rockets viewed using Coastal Afternoon preset		  Click the down arrow next to "Default". You'll see a drop down menu of about two dozen (as of this writing) presets for various times of day and sky conditions. You'll find that the results will vary for different locations and times. In the case of these GLSV rockets at Spaceport Alpha, if we want lighting that will make the rockets stand out starkly against a blue sky, an excellent preset to choose is "Coastal Afternoon". This is what I used to get the image at the left.
 For a scene that might be found near dawn or dusk, with a darkened sky and fog shrouding the sea behind the rockets, the "Fine Day" preset is an excellent choice.  The GLSV rockets viewed using the Fine Day preset
The GLSV rockets viewed using the Fine Day preset.
 The GLSV rockets viewed using the Sailor's Delight preset  Finally, for a scene that reflects the old adage, "Red sun at night, sailor's delight, red sun at morning, sailor take warning," we can select the aptly named "Sailor's Delight" preset, which captures the red glow and orange sky that we might find at sunrise or sunset. Play around with these presets in various settings. They can be a powerful tool. Next time, I'll show you how to play with moonlight.

For additional news stories about Second Life and virtual worlds in general, visit my website avatarplanet.com.

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, Second Life Examiner

Apollo Manga is the avatar of author and avatarplanet.com editor Erik Gordon Bainbridge, a Second Life member since 2004. Follow Apollo to the most creative and interesting places, people, and machinimas in Second Life.

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