On the 3D window toolbar, click
to use the 3D measuring tape on the avatar. The 3D Measurements dialog box is displayed:
You can use this feature to:
Make a measurement on the avatar and store the result.
Have the measurement always display on the selected avatar.
Note:
Measurements cannot extend onto the dressed garment. You may find it easier to undress the avatar before doing any measurements.
Measurements are available to view in the application. They are not included in a tech pack.
Measurement Types
There are the following types of measurement:
Tape - replicates the real life behavior of a measuring tape applied to the points created.
Surface - measures the distance going along the shortest path on the surface of the avatar between the points created.
Straight - measures the shortest direct distance between the points created. This may go through the avatar.
Circumference - measures the circumference around the selected point, replicating the real life behavior of a measuring tape.
Adding a Measurement
To add a measurement:
Click
. The text box is enabled.
Type a name for the measurement.
Select the measurement type.
On the avatar, press Ctrl+Click (Windows) or Command+Click (Mac) to add whatever measurement points you want.
The measurement is displayed in the dialog box.
Note that the measurement goes from point to point in the order each point is added.
If required:
Drag a point to adjust its location.
Press Ctrl+Click (Windows) or Command+Click (Mac) on a point to delete it.
If using Circumference:
Press Ctrl+Right-Click (Windows) or Command+Right Click (Mac) to set your measuring tape parallel to the floor.
When you create your measuring point, the measurement is highlighted along with the gizmo. Use the gizmo to adjust placement of the measurement.
The following image shows a measurement being created and the gizmo in action.
7. When your measurement is complete, click Save.
Note: You can add points to an existing measurement, as well as move or delete them.
Add: Press Ctrl+Click (Windows) or Command+Click (Mac) where you want to add the point.
Move: Drag the point as required.
Delete: Press Ctrl+Click (Windows) or Command+Click (Mac) on a point to delete it.
Displaying a Measurement
This feature allows you to set a measurement so that it always displays with the avatar, even when the 3D Measurements dialog box is closed. For example, you might want to create a measurement for the avatar Deborah which you always want to display.
Note: measurements are shared between avatars of the same source.
For example, measurements created for an avatar based on the parametric avatar Deborah, are available for all variations of Deborah you may create. Similarly, measurements created for an avatar based on an imported avatar, are available for all variations of that avatar you may create.
To always display a measurement for the current avatar:
If the 3D Measurements dialog box is not already open, on the 3D window toolbar, click
. The 3D Measurements dialog box is displayed.
In the 3D Measurements dialog box, in the Always Show column, select the measurement you want to always display.
3. Click Close to close the dialog box.
Deleting a Measurement
To delete a measure, select the measure, and click
Sharing Measurements
You can export the measurements so that other users can import them for use with the same avatar.
To export or import measurements:
If the 3D Measurements dialog box is not already open, on the 3D window toolbar, click
. The 3D Measurements dialog box is displayed.
In the 3D Measurements dialog box, click
. A menu is displayed.
Click Export All 3D Measurements to export the measurements. A file explorer window is displayed.
Navigate to where you want to save the VSM file.
Type a name for the file.
Click Save.
Click Import 3D Measurements to import measurements. A file explorer window is displayed.
Navigate to where the VSM file is located and select it.
Click Open. The measurements are imported.
Measurements and Avatar Changes
If you are using an avatar on which there are existing measurements, any changes are automatically made to the other avatars based on the original avatar. Therefore, the recommended course of action is to add a new measurement rather than edit an existing one.
For example, assume you are using measurements on the avatar Deborah. In addition, you have created other versions of Deborah such as Deborah 1, Deborah 2 and so forth all based on the original avatar. If you edit any of the measurements on, for example, Deborah 1, the same edit is replicated on the measurements for Deborah and Deborah 2. The same applies the other way around.