Ananke Media Systems features tools for photographers within the Second Life world.   PhotoStage is a sophisticated and powerful photo studio for use in portrait or fashion photography.  The package created by Serenity Mercier includes a backdrop that can be instantly changed via menu, a set of lights that can be positioned and modified, effects generators, and gaze points to ensure your avatar is looking in the correct direction.

The featured item is the Photo Stand.  It comes included with the PhotoStage, PhotoLite, and PhotoTools Pro packages.  The stand has over 50 different poses and you cycle through them using a menu.  Take a look at its prim count and then have some fun posing.  If you’re interested in in-world photography, this shop and its website are definitely worth a look.

In case you missed them, here are links to more treasure hunt clues -

June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Introduction
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – ~*Forest Floor*~ Gardens and Dreamscapes
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Oblonski @ Metaversal Arts
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Clary Craft Home and Garden
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – True North Designs
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Varriale Designs

Have fun and best wishes with the hunt!

This clue takes us to the elegant Coeur region, with the feel of pre-revolutionary France.   Varriale Designs has an extensive collection of romantic furniture and furnishings displayed on its open plaza, within a white canopy, and inside large mansions.  The chairs are sculpted and heavily embroidered.  China is displayed on white-clothed tables.  Artwork is hung within heavy gilded frames.  You can even purchase large stone planters already loaded with bushes and flowers.

Wander through the mansions.  SkyRyder Varriale, owner and Duchesse de Provence, has created wonderful settings for her furniture that give you decorating ideas for creating the same feel of elegance in your own home.  Somewhere within the mansions you’ll find this Black Victorian Screen.  It’s a tall, 4 panel screen done in shiny black lacquer.  Tole painting of plump blossoms and gold flourishes decorate the screen.  This screen adds a touch of elegance and interest to a blank wall in a Victorian style home or can create some privacy or hide an unsightly part of your home.

If you missed them, here are links to more treasure hunt clues -

June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Introduction
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – ~*Forest Floor*~ Gardens and Dreamscapes
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Oblonski @ Metaversal Arts
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Clary Craft Home and Garden
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – True North Designs

Have fun and best wishes with the hunt!

Did you get the chance to stop by Prim Perfect’s build at the SL6B celebration?   Dellybean North created a futuristic beanstalk in the signature blue and gold colors of Prim Perfect with clusters of pods featuring displays from Prim Perfect, The Primgraph, and Designing Worlds.  In addition, she created a sleek blue jumpsuit and enviropods – swirling bubbles in which the user can safely explore dangerous landscapes.  Those who made the climb to the very top of the display were treated to an alien plant guarding a simulation of the “Golden Prim” from The Primgraph’s new webcomic.  If you did miss visiting the build, a brief tour of the exhibit was featured on an episode of Designing Worlds, available both online and through iTunes.

To continue with the treasure hunt, we must return to the grid and visit Delly’s main store, True North Designs.  Look around for the “Moms Old” set of furniture to find the featured item, Mom’s Old Side Table.  All of the furniture in this set look at least 20 years old, as if you got it second hand when your parents finally redecorated.  The table is made from wood and glass and it looks a bit rough.  Is it possible that Dad made it in an adult woodworking class?  Maybe!  Did I mention that it can be used for extra seating?  Perhaps only in a pinch!

If you missed them, here are links to more treasure hunt clues -

June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Introduction
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – ~*Forest Floor*~ Gardens and Dreamscapes
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Oblonski @ Metaversal Arts
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Clary Craft Home and Garden

Have fun and best wishes with the hunt!

Travel with me to Clary Craft Home and Garden, and you’ll feel as if you just missed the elves reclining within the floating pavilion or the fae just danced away from their garden fete.   Turn on your music player to hear airy and wistful melodies, inspiring you to tread lightly as you explore lovely flowers, trees, and mushrooms, as well as gracefully curving structures in wood, ivy, and stone.  Sit for a while on this Fae Forest Swing.  Made from curving vines and climbing ivy, there is room for three on the natural colored cushions.   Amber colored lanterns provide a soft glow when the sun sets.   If you find the swing during the day,  you’ll discover it has a wonderful view of Lothlorian Tower.

Feel as if you’ve joined the fae in their party when you perch on these Orchid Chairs.  With the use of sculpties, Erielle Clary was able to create these oversized blossoms from only 3 prims.  Several colors and styles are scattered around the garden including these in red, blue, and purple.   For a truly magical garden party, consider combining these chairs with a few glowing fairy blossoms and lanterns.

If you missed them, here are links to more treasure hunt clues -

June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Introduction
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – ~*Forest Floor*~ Gardens and Dreamscapes
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Oblonski @ Metaversal Arts

Have fun and best wishes with the hunt!

Here is a follow up on the article I wrote about the R&R Holodeck system, in the June issue of Prim Perfect magazine.

I think I’m in love. And its with my skybox.

You see, recently in Prim Perfect, I wrote an article about the R&R Holodeck system. (If you want to see the article, its in the June issue.) I had stumbled across this holodeck system by mistake when I was map hopping, and immediately became fascinated. I went back several times to play with the demo at their mainstore. I highly recommend going and seeing the demo systems! You will be absolutely amazed. Here is the slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Reich%20Rexen/60/64/3801

Anyway, after the article came out, one of the creators of the system was extremely kind and sent one to me as a thank you for writing the article. I swear to God, I think this is my favorite thing in SL. I get bored fairly quickly with whatever current skybox or build I have, and I try to change it often to keep things fresh.

The holodeck system absolutely blows me away. Hundreds of scenes to chose from.. the ‘box’ that the scenes are inside will rez as small as 20×20, or as big as 100×100. I have mine set to 70×70.But it looks much.. much bigger.

The first thing I did after setting up the holodeck was start trying to decide what sort of home or skybox to put inside it. I tried several from my inventory. Each one was discarded as soon as I rezzed it. Either the style was wrong, or it was too big, or too many prims, or not enough views. I thought about building a little ‘outdoor area’ with some simple cushions and maybe a chair or two. But that would clash, depending on the holodeck scene. What I really wanted was something that would normally be the opposite of what I like- one nice sized room, with lots and lots of glass. I ended up pulling out my Pacifica prefab from Funky Modern Prefabs. But it was too big- and I really didn’t need all that room. While the views were great, it was too much for what I wanted, at 166 prims and three levels. So, I unlinked it. And prim by prim, I began tearing it down until I was left with one room on the ground level, and half the floor left over from the other room. Shift-dragging some of the borders and resizing some of the walls, I turned what was left into a very spacious and simple skybox, with fantastic views, and a deck. I turned some of the open spaces into more walls and windows, and was VERY pleased with the end result. For those that don’t remember, I originally blogged the Pacifica in Glass Houses. Here was the original image:

As you can see from all the after shots, its changed a lot. I still want to retexture it. And I haven’t figured out how I want to decorate it, just yet. But the important thing is, I never have to worry about getting tired of the view.

No matter if I want to look at a sprawling countryside of wheatfields, a busy city street, or a breathtaking oceanfront view, all it takes is a click of the holodeck controller.

Oh, and I’m not stuck just staying inside and looking out. If I feel like taking a hike across the scenary, the 70×70 size holodeck I have rezzed allows me plenty of space to run and explore. It really feels like you’re there.

It is so amazing, and I love it. Which brings me back to the title of this post. The downside is, I haven’t gotten anything done in two days! I have my holodeck set on slideshow so the scene changes every 5 minutes.. and I spent all my time running from window to window, looking out and marveling at all the pretty views.

If you are reading this and own any sort of land in SL, even if its just a 512, I would visit the slurl above and think about getting one of these systems. I think it is probably the best investment any home owner could make. Especially if you live on mainland and you’re sick of seeing ugly builds! The holodeck system is super low prim- I think the whole setup is under 10 prims.  Incredible.

Metaversal Arts is a shop featuring antiques and eccentric items created by several designers.  From Victorian to Gothic to Steampunk to Mermaid, the store is full of interesting items.  Be sure to take the HUD offered at the landing point for easy navigation.   The Oblonski brand identifies creations by store co-owner Yolanda Hirvi, and one of her newest items is the *Oblonski*Kirkas Desk Lamp.  It comes in three shiny textures – black, copper, and green.  The curves of the lamp are complex and the thin swirl of metal on the arm is the perfect finishing touch.  See if you can find it as you explore the store and make sure you check its prim count.

Another new item created by Yolanda Hirvi is this set of deadly sin plaques.  Each of the seven deadly sins is offered in marble, bronze, black, and a deep gray.  They are one prim each with mod/copy permissions.  You can buy just your favourite or get all seven to hang around your home or business.  Will you use them to warn the righteous of potential dangers or to entice the corrupted souls to join in the pleasures within?

If you missed them, here are links to more treasure hunt clues -

June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Introduction
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – ~*Forest Floor*~ Gardens and Dreamscapes

Have fun and best wishes with the hunt!

As the name suggests, ~*Forest Floor*~ Gardens and Dreamscapes evokes a fantasy feel from the moment you arrive.  Lush green grass, colorful flowers, and mature trees are growing within a border of moss-covered stone arches, suspended in mid-air by thick metal chains.  The vibrant garden plots are bordered with fantastic trees that can be changed to match the seasons with a touch.  Right near the landing point for the gardens check out some wonderfully detailed bonsai, bringing a bit of forest to any size home for just two prims.

To find the featured item, you need to teleport down to Port Amaranthine.  There is a swirling purple portal in the gardens which will transport you safely down to a region within Winterfell.  Here, Uni Ninetails has a flower stand, a lucky chair, and some  stores featuring home and garden furniture.  In one of the grassy squares within the sim, you’ll see the featured item on display.  Check in one of the small shops to find the listing of the prim counts for Garden Furniture Set 3.  Total it up and write it down as part of your entry in the treasure hunt competition.

If you’re new to the treasure hunt, you can find general information about the hunt, its wonderful prize, and the due date for your entry at the link below -
June 2009 Treasure Hunt – Introduction

Have fun and best wishes with the hunt!

One of the stunning builds at SL6B

In the second of two programmes brought to you live from the Second Life Sixth Birthday sims (SL6B), we’ll be on the air at approximately 12 noon SLT today, Monday, from the Main Stage of the SL6B build, where we’ll be looking at some more of the stunning builds at this year’s event, where the theme is “The Future of Virtual Worlds”.

Another of the stunning builds at SL6B

The time of the start of the show is a little uncertain, as we’ll be coming live from the main stage immediately after the closing ceremony, but 12 noon looks very likely. We’ll be talking to three key figures involved in the event: Dusty Linden, Linden Lab Liaison for Residents organising events like SL6B and Burning Life; Phaylen Fairchild, the Project Manager for SL6B; Prad Prithivi, Lead Architect for SL6B; as well as Dellybean North, of True North Designs, who was definitely key to us, as she built our exhibit! – and who has spent the week finding some fascinating builds. And we’ll also be taking a look at some of the fantastic builds that we’ve discovered, through film and also the stunning photographs of PJ Trenton.

And yet another ...

The good news is that although the official part of thecelebrations is over, the exhibition is open for another week, so you still have time to come over and see this fantastic place for yourselves. And although the major musical events are over on the main stages, there are still plenty of events and parties planned. And, of course, there are plenty of gorgeous freebies available throughout the site – including at our own Prim Perfect/Designing worlds pods!

And a final one!

You can see the show live by joining our viewing party at the Designing Worlds studios on Northpoint. As always, there’s a special gift for everyone who comes to the studio, and an exhibition to see in our Hall outside. And if you come early, you can watch the whole of the closing ceremony in great comfort on our large Treet.TV screen! The closing ceremony starts at 11am, and our show follows immediately afterwards. Make sure you’re there early to be sure of getting a seat!

All photos in this post are by Mr PJ Trenton

After exploring the wonders of the SS Galaxy in the June 2009 issue, Prim Perfect Magazine now gives you the opportunity to live for a month in a suite on that grand cruise liner.  These rooms have been beautifully decorated by Pamela Galli of La Galleria.  The winner of this issue’s Treasure Hunt competition will win one month’s rental of the four-room cabin, putting you close to all sorts of activities and special events happening aboard ship.  When the month is over, the winner can keep the furnishings.

So how do you enter the competition?  You need to visit each of the stores participating in the treasure hunt and find the featured items shown on page 67 of the magazine or in the clues that will appear in this blog over the next few weeks.  When you find each item, write down its prim count.   Right click on the item and select the Edit menu.  Please note that the location of the prim count has changed in the latest version of the viewer.    It used to be in the general tab, beneath the creator and owner.   Now it’s located above those tabs, on the right hand side.

Collect the prim counts for each item you find and send them in an email to primperfect@gmail.com with the subject line Treasure Hunt – June 2009.   Also include your avatar name and your way of completing the sentence “Prim Perfect is…” in fifteen words or less.  The winner will be the person who is closest to an accurate prim count, and in the event of a tie, the tiebreaker question will be used.  Entries are due by July 20, 2009.

Two runners-up will win the chance to select a prize from the Prim Perfect prize cupboard, including items and shopping vouchers for some wonderful stores around the grid, donated by their generous and talented store owners and designers.  How great is that?

Oh, and remember that you don’t necessarily have to find all the prim counts to win!  Find as many as you can and send them in.

Keep watching this blog for clues, and enjoy the hunt!

Prim Perfect / Designing Worlds exhibit at SL6B

A message from Elrik Merlin:
Dear readers and viewers, we are pleased to invite you all to a special Prim Perfect/Primgraph/Designing Worlds party, to be held this coming Saturday at our unique exhibit at the Second Life Sixth Birthday sims.

It’ll run for two hours, starting at 12 noon SLT. I (Elrik Merlin) will be playing the music, which will go out on Radio Riel’s Main Stream if you can’t get there in person, and the theme, as is fitting for a birthday set on an asteroid speeding through deep space, will be Classic Electronica and music featuring space. Knowing me, a fair amount of weird stuff such as Steampunk will no doubt creep in, and you’ll be able to dance to it.

The dance level at the DellyBeanstalk

Do please join us at 12 noon. Here’s a SLURL for the exhibit: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL6B%20Aeon/45/36/23 and we will be found on the perfomance level halfway up the incredible DellyBeanstalk , so either fly up to where you find the big rotating sign, or climb the spiral staircase.

Saffia Widderhsins adds:
You’ll also be able to explore the “DellyBeanstalk”, designed by Dellybean North of – True North Designs.  Each of the pods contains images of great virtual design from editions of Prim Perfect and The Primgraph – and there are presents for you to claim in many of the pods too.  And don’t miss the very top level – with information and gifts from our new web comic – The Quest for the Golden Prim.