3D Space
A 3D Virtual Collaboration Environment is under development for your community in Second Life.
If you do not already have a Second Life "avatar" please get one first. Some guidance can be found here:
- Sign Up for a Second Life Avatar
- Orientation Videos - Mo Max - Hey Avatar!
- Second Life Quickstart Guide (PDF) or at http://tr.im/quickstart
- More Guidance and Tutorials from Skye Gears
- Use "Contact Us" or IM to ask Skye Gears for assistance
After you have your Second Life avatar, and have completed the orientation tour, please visit the initial collaboration facility at:
| VW Platform | Location | URL | Launcher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Life | OpenVCE 3D Space - Round table for up to 25 people |  | |
| Second Life | Venue@Vue 3D Space - Auditorium for up to 50 people | |
Setup and Test Your System
Problems Receiving Video
Check you can receive Quicktime Streaming Video. Test without the Second Life Viewer. Run Quicktime Player for these tests and open these test URLs with File -> Open URL:
- Test simple http media url from Apple: http://www.pixar.com/theater/shorts/ljr/quicktime/ljr_320.mov
- Check connectivity to AIAI Media Server in HTTP mode on standard port 80: http://media.aiai.ed.ac.uk/Project/Vue/2008-08-08-Vue-Tour-Lo.mov
- Check connectivity to AIAI Media Server on port used for real time streaming (554) mode: http://media.aiai.ed.ac.uk:554/vue.sdp
- Test real time stream mode works (paste this URL into QT Player): rtsp://media.aiai.ed.ac.uk:554/vue.sdp
This could indicate where any problem lies, or if there are firewall access issues on the HTTP and/or RSTP standard ports. If 1) and 2) work but 3) and 4) do not the issue may be the RTSP port used... see: http://support.apple.com/kb/TA26368?viewlocale=en_US
General Firewall advice for Quicktime Use:
http://www.its.umd.umich.edu/documentation/quicktime-streaming-troubleshooting/
Suggested Equipment
For voice open-to-the-room you need to use a good sound cancelling mike and speaker setup. One possibility is a Polycom Soundstation suitable for the room size, with the "Polycom Interconnect Box" (fitted in-line where the Cat 5 cable enters the power module) [Example UK Supplier]
Use a Logitech 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator, which connects via USB, to control avatar and camera movements smoothly during demonstrations. [Amazon.co.uk]
- To use a 3D mouse such as 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator - Edit ->Preferences -> Input and Camera -> Setup Joystick -> Enable Joystick
- SpaceNavigator is supported natively by Second Life without installation of any drivers. The SpaceNavigator default settings are available via a single button.
Use a good Animation Overrider (AO) to replace the default set of "duck waddle" walks. Suggest a set from Abranimations. Male Set 4 or Female Set 3 seems suitable. Approx L$800 (about US$3). Note it should always be turned off when using sitting poses in furniture though, or they can be overridden too. [Abranimations SLurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Isere/32/176/134] To prevent your avatar being logged off after a period of inactivity, wear an "anti-idle" device - such as the free Starlabs [Example Supplier: XstreetSL - Starlabs Anti-Idler]
Checklist Before Meeting
- Assuming Second Life, Quicktime media streaming, (possibly voice if it is to be used) and the relevant avatars are all set up. Otherwise see this advice.
- Check media streaming is set to automatically play media streams as the avatar walks between plots. Use Edit -> Preferences -> Audio & Video and check audio, media and automatic play options are on.
- Set the graphics settings appropriately. Edit -> Preferences -> Graphics. Try relatively High (or Ultra) settings for good looks of the environment and the avatars. Tick the custom box, and adjust the Draw Distance to say 96m for use in meeting spaces. You can try 192m to show scenery though the windows. [Tip: If your system allows for it, try to use a draw distance of 512m if you take screen shots separate to your main activities]
- Select a suitable light for the demonstration and fix it, rather than allowing Second Life day/night cycle. Use World -> Environment Settings and try Sunset for example, rather than the rather harsh Midday.
- If using a 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator device, ensure it is enabled and working via Edit -> Preferences -> Input and Camera -> Joystick Setup. Tick the enable joystick box if it is not alreday on. You can select SpaceNavigator default sensitivity settings with the button provided.
