Information and Guide for New Users

OpenSim

OpenSimulator, or OpenSim, is an open-source virtual world platform that allows users to create and manage their own 3D virtual environments. It is similar to platforms like Second Life but offers more flexibility and customization since it’s open-source. Users can build virtual worlds, create and import 3D content, and script complex interactions using its built-in tools. OpenSim is often used for education, simulation, and social interactions, and it supports various third-party viewers, making it accessible for a wide range of applications.

Firestorm

Firestorm is a popular third-party viewer for virtual worlds, primarily used with platforms like Second Life and OpenSim. It offers a wide range of advanced features and customization options, including enhanced graphics, improved performance, and robust tools for content creation and management. Firestorm is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive support for various functionalities, making it a favored choice among both casual users and professionals in virtual environments.

Hypergrid

In OpenSimulator, the Hypergrid is a feature that enables users to travel seamlessly between different virtual worlds or grids. It allows for the interconnection of various OpenSim-based virtual environments, letting users move their avatars, assets, and experiences from one grid to another as if they were all part of the same virtual universe. This connectivity enhances the collaborative and expansive nature of virtual worlds by linking diverse communities and resources across different grids.

My Suitcase Folder

In Firestorm, the “My Suitcase” folder is a feature that helps users manage and transport their virtual items and assets between different virtual worlds or grids. It functions as a personal storage space where you can save and organize objects, textures, scripts, and other content you want to keep handy.

Glossary of Terms

AO (Animation Override): A tool used to replace the default avatar animations (like walking, sitting, or standing) with custom animations to give avatars more personalized or unique movements.

Avatar: A digital representation of a user in a virtual world. It typically includes a customizable 3D model and can be equipped with various clothing, accessories, and animations.

Asset: Any item or content that can be used within a virtual world, including textures, models, scripts, and sounds.

Build: The act of creating structures or objects within a virtual world using available tools and primitives.

Coordinate System: The system used to define positions and movements in a 3D space, typically using X, Y, and Z axes.

Content Creation: The process of designing and producing 3D models, textures, scripts, and other elements used in virtual worlds.

Delta Update: A method for updating only the changes made to an object or asset rather than reloading the entire data set.

Environment: The surrounding virtual space in which avatars interact, including landscapes, buildings, and objects.

Firestorm: A third-party viewer for virtual worlds, known for its advanced features and customization options.

Frame Rate: The number of frames displayed per second in a virtual world, affecting the smoothness of movement and interactions.

Grid: A network of interconnected virtual worlds or servers that share assets and allow for user movement between different environments.

HUD (Heads-Up Display): A type of user interface element that is displayed directly on the user’s screen, rather than within the virtual world itself. HUDs are commonly used in OpenSim and similar virtual environments (like Second Life) to provide players with interactive tools, controls, or information without them needing to interact with in-world objects.

Hypergrid: A feature in OpenSimulator that enables users to travel between different grids or virtual worlds, maintaining their avatars and assets.

IM (Instant Message): A real-time text communication method used for chatting with other users in the virtual world.

Inventory: A personal storage space where users keep their items, such as clothing, accessories, and objects.

Kiosk: A virtual object or interface used to provide information or access to specific functions or services within a virtual world.

LM (Landmark): A saved location within a virtual world that allows users to teleport directly to that spot.

Mesh: A 3D model composed of vertices, edges, and faces, used to create complex shapes and objects within a virtual world.

NPC (Non-Player Character): A virtual character controlled by the system rather than by a user, often used to provide information or interact with avatars.

Object: A discrete item or entity within a virtual world, such as furniture, vehicles, or interactive elements.

OpenSimulator: An open-source platform for creating and managing virtual worlds, often used for educational, social, and simulation purposes.

Prim (Primitive): Basic 3D shapes used as building blocks in virtual worlds, such as cubes, spheres, and cylinders.

Perms (Permissions): The settings that determine what actions users can take with objects, such as modifying, copying, or transferring them.

Region: A defined area or section within a virtual world, which can be managed separately and may contain various objects and environments.

RPC (Remote Procedure Call): A protocol used for communication between different systems or components within a virtual world.

Rez (short for “resurrect” or “rezz”): The action of creating or placing an object within the virtual environment. When you “rez” an item, you are effectively bringing it into existence in the virtual world from your inventory, allowing it to appear and interact within the 3D space.

Script: A set of instructions written in a programming language used to create interactive or automated behaviors in a virtual world.

Sim (Simulator): A server or software instance running a virtual world environment, responsible for managing the simulation and interactions within it. Each sim can host its own set of objects, avatars, and interactions, functioning as a distinct part of the larger virtual world.

Texture: An image applied to the surface of a 3D model to give it visual detail and realism.

Teleport: The act of instantly moving an avatar from one location to another within a virtual world or between different grids.

UUID (Universally Unique Identifier): A unique code assigned to assets and objects to ensure they can be distinctly identified and accessed.

Viewer: The software application used by users to interact with a virtual world, such as Firestorm or the official Second Life viewer.

Virtual Economy: The system of trade, currency, and value within a virtual world, including the buying and selling of virtual goods and services.

World: A virtual environment or simulation where users can interact, build, and explore, often consisting of multiple regions or grids.

Widget: A user interface element that provides specific functionality or information within a virtual world, such as buttons, sliders, or displays.

Y-Axis: The vertical axis in a 3D coordinate system, representing height or elevation in a virtual space.

Z-Axis: The depth axis in a 3D coordinate system, representing forward and backward movement in a virtual space.