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For some Second Life Residents, Physically Based Rendering (PBR) might seem new. It wasn’t on their radar, and now that it’s changed a lot of things in their virtual experience, they may feel resistant to it. Others, however, were aware that Linden Lab has been working on it for years, so it’s come as less of a surprise. Then there are the more seasoned gamers and creators who work both in and out of Second Life. To them, it may feel like Second Life has been lagging behind, and it’s only just catching up to other platforms. Wherever you fall in this spectrum, PBR is here now, and it’s not only changed the in-world experience but has also transformed how content is created.

There’s more to PBR than just making shiny things look shinier. Yes, it’s true that managing the blend between PBR and older baked content can be a bit trickier now. However, many creators are working hard to bring new, exciting things to life in ways we’ve never seen before, and we need to give them space to experiment, just as we’ve done with other significant changes in the past. It’s not easy to switch from one method of creation to another, especially when it feels like it happens so quickly.

One major change is the importance of lighting – not just your own personal setup but how lighting works across different regions. Linden Lab has introduced a new Midday setting (not the legacy one), which is the best example of how lighting can be used, though it’s not always the most exciting option. Lighting now plays a much bigger role, so when you buy something, it may not look exactly like what you saw initially, as your lighting settings might be very different from the creator’s. Finding a balance between these settings is key.

When I was shooting this skirt, I loved how the lights in my studio interacted with the PBR textures, but also how the work just seems to shimmer on its own, which is not what we are used to, but is very realistic to the way this kind of skirt works. It was even more fun playing with EEP settings and watching the skirt change colours and reflections. I didn’t capture those shots, as it might have been confusing without context. What’s important to note is that DEMOS are now more crucial than ever. And if you head to a club in your best sequin mini, like this one by Fashionably Dead, you’ll have a mesmerising effect as the lights change – just like in real life. And honestly, that’s pretty cool!

This skirt also has an option to hide and show the solid mode base, and/or the wired see through option, the detail in this skirt texturing is incredible, and the ever so tiny panties also come with. I really liked the option of both types in one, so that you could go where the mood takes you. I liked it all so much that I made a little video, and a song as an homage to PBR that turned out so awesome thanks to the use of Suno ai. I just wrote the basic lyrics, requested a type of genre and edited the outcome to fit the video.

This beautiful necklace by Sigma is not PBR, but she has been releasing PBR content also, which is fantastic for metal work especially. I look forward to featuring more PBR work in future. I am also wearing the New-ish hair by Monso, that has bangs as optional, but they were just too chunky cute to not wear.

Credits:

Equipment Used

VR Studio and HUD/Library – VR Foundry Marketplace

LeLutka Axis HUD Face – LeLutka

Important: Moles featured on face or body unless otherwise stated are created by me, for me personally. If wearing moles or freckles etc layers by other creators they will always be credited. As my face moles are the same always, it will be clear to know it is mine not part of the skin.

Poses & Props by :

OMY Mainstore

Body Parts

Body :

Reborn – EBody

Head:

Genus Morph (Straight – NoseMorph, Natural Pierced – Lipmorph, Round – EyeMorph, Triangle – HeadMorph, Ears Human) – Genus

Appliers:

Nail appliers – Flair – Marketplace

Sassy Lashes – Nuve @ Uber Event (Aug/Sept 2024)

Skin Worn:

Cara Skin (face), Rhea Body Skin – Nuve