The ultimate guide to prim twisting [UPDATE]

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 / by

[UPDATE: July 30, 2009] The guide was featured at Massively and the official Second Life blog! Thank you!

[UPDATE: September 12, 2009] I corrected a few mistakes over time (thanks for the head-ups everyone), so if something didn't work for you, try again now :)

Aah, prims. Plywood shapes that magically turn into the most beautiful SL builds. Yes, those prims know how to twist and shout! ... Wait, wh... what?! ... I'm talking about prim twisting - shaping prims into unusual shapes. Prim magic!


We've got sculpties in SL now, which means almost any prim shape is possible without big prim cost. But back then, before sculpties rocked SL, you needed different methods - you needed methods that worked with regular prims. These methods were discovered by early SL residents and sometimes kept secret (the famous one prim double knot for example). I think even the most advanced builder/sculpter should know the basics. You should never underestimate the power of regular prims. That's why I'm giving you this ultimate guide to prim twisting. Every item shown here is only one prim!

00 Tutorial overview

Enjoy, comment and share with friends :)


Leaf

01 Leaf
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.250 and Z=0.370
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.000 and E=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Twist to: B=180 and E=-180

Two leaves

02 Two leaves
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.300 and Z=0.300
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.700 and E=1.000
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Twist to: B=360 and E=47
  • Set Dimple to B=0.100 and E=0.950 (use these two options to differentiate leaves sizes)

Flat leaf / raindrop

03 Flat leaf/raindrop
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.010
  • Set Twist to: B=360 and E=-360
  • Set Dimple to B=0.000 and E=0.050
  • If you want to have a flat leaf contour, set Hollow to: 85.0

Claw

04 Claw
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.430, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.500 and E=1.000
  • Set Taper to: X=1.00 and Y=1.00

Flower I

05 Flower I
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.070, Y=0.350 and Z=0.350
  • Set Twist to: B=-360 and E=360
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50

Flower II

06 Flower II
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Twist to: B=360 and E=-360
  • Set Dimple to: B=0.000 and E=0.050

Ribbon I

07 Ribbon I
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Twist to: B=-360 and E=360
  • Set Dimple to: B=0.700 and E=1.000

Ribbon II

08 Ribbon II
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.035, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.130 and E=0.870
  • Set Hollow to: 50.0
  • Set Twist to: B=-360 and E=360
  • Set Dimple to: B=0.450 and E=0.550

Infinity symbol

09 Infinity symbol
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.010
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Twist to: B=0 and E=-360
  • Set Dimple to: B=0.000 and E=0.050

Spring I

10 Spring I
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.100, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Skew to: 0.80
  • Set Twist to: B=-18 and E=0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.70 and Y=0.05
  • Set Taper to: X=1.00 and Y=0.00
  • Set Radius to: 1 (but it will change to 0.947, so you can also just put this number in)
  • Set Revolutions to: 2.50

Spring II

11 Spring II
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.300 and Z=0.300
  • Set Skew to: 0.80
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.10 and Y=0.05
  • Set Revolutions to: 4.00

Spring III

12 Spring III
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=1.000, Y=0.150 and Z=0.150
  • Set Skew to: 0.45
  • Set Twist to: B=360 and E=-360
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.15 and Y=0.05
  • Set Revolutions to: 4.00

String

13 String
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=2.300, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 80.0
  • Set Skew to: 0.80
  • Set Twist to: B=360 and E=360
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.05 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.180 and E=0.200
  • Set Taper to: X=0.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Revolutions to: 4.00

Knot

14 Knot
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=2.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Skew to: 0.95
  • Set Twist to: B=-90 and E=360
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.05 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.180 and E=0.200
  • Set Revolutions to: 4.00

Double knot

15 Double knot
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=2.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Skew to: 0.95
  • Set Twist to: B=-360 and E=360
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.05 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.180 and E=0.200
  • Set Taper to: X=0.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Revolutions to: 4.00

Light bulb wire

16 Light bulb wire
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Skew to: 0.95
  • Set Twist to: B=-180 and E=360
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.05 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.000 and E=0.250
  • Set Revolutions to: 3.00

Wave

17 Wave
  • Rez a ring
  • Set Size to: X=0.700, Y=0.350 and Z=0.010
  • Set Skew to: 0.95
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.05
  • Set Revolutions to: 2.00

Column I

18 Column I
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.230 and Z=0.230
  • Set Hollow to: 95
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.000 and E=0.500

Column II

19 Column II
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.230 and Z=0.230
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.250 and E=1.000

Column III

20 Column III
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.750, Y=0.300 and Z=0.300
  • Set Hollow to: 80.0
  • Set Hollow Shape to: Circle
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.70 and Y=0.40
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.450 and E=0.800

Nail

21 Nail
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.300, Y=0.300 and Z=0.300
  • Set Hollow to: 75.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.400 and E=0.750

Stake

22 Stake
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 75.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.500 and E=0.750

Pencil

23 Pencil
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=1.000, Y=0.350 and Z=0.350
  • Set Hollow to: 85.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.650 and E=0.750

Torch holder

24 Torch holder
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.100 and Z=0.100
  • Set Hollow to: 60.0
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.500 and E=1.000

Bar table

25 Bar table
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.500
  • Set Hollow to: 85.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.250 and E=0.850

Table lamp

26 Table lamp
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.400 and Z=0.400
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.200 and E=0.850

Desk lamp top

27 Desk lamp top
  • Rez a ring
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.250 and Z=0.250
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Twist to: B=-36 and E=-36
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.45
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.000 and E=0.600

Trumpet

28 Trumpet
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.700, Y=0.250 and Z=0.250
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.45
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.00 and E=0.300

Thin flat paper

29 Thin flat paper
  • Rez a cube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.400 and Z=0.010
  • Set Slice to: B=0.490 and E=0.510

Curled paper

30 Curled paper
  • Rez a cylinder
  • Set Size to: X=0.450, Y=0.170 and Z=0.500
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.550 and E=0.900
  • Set Hollow to: 95.0
  • Set Twist to: B=27 and E=0
  • Set Top Shear to: X=0.15 and Y=-0.10

Tiny cube

31 Tiny cube
  • Rez a cube
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.010 and Z=0.010
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.625 and E=0.875
  • Set Slice to: X=0.500 and Y=1.000

Tiny cylinder

32 Tiny cylinder
  • Rez a cylinder
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.010 and Z=0.100
  • Set Taper to: X=1.00 and Y=1.00
  • Set Slice to: X=0.490 and Y=0.510

Tiny prism

33 Tiny prism
  • Rez a cube
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.010 and Z=0.010
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.565 and E=0.695
  • Set Slice to: X=0.250 and Y=0.750

Tiny ring I

34 Tiny ring I
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.010 and Z=0.010
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.05
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.730 and E=0.750

Tiny ring II

35 Tiny ring II
  • Rez a ring
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.010 and Z=0.010
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.05
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.180 and E=0.200

Tiny zircon

36 Tiny zircon
  • Rez a sphere
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=0.010 and Z=0.010
  • Set Hollow to: 70.0
  • Set Dimple to: B=0.850 and E=1.000

20m disc

37 20m disc
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=10.000 and Z=10.000
  • Set Twist to: B=90 and E=90
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.05

Framed picture

38 Framed picture
  • Rez a cube
  • Set Size to: X=0.500, Y=0.500 and Z=0.025
  • Set Taper to: X=0.25 and Y=0.25

3 faces display panel

39 3 faces display panel
  • Rez a cube
  • Set Size to: X=0.900, Y=0.500 and Z=0.010
  • Set Taper to: X=0.65 and Y=0.00

5 faces display panel

40 5 faces display panel
  • Rez a tetrahedron
  • Set Size to: X=0.010, Y=1.750 and Z=0.500
  • Set Path Cut to: B=0.200 and E=0.800
  • Set Hollow to: 67.0
  • Set Taper to: X=0.00 and Y=0.00

    If you can't figure out how to set textures on the panels, check Shifter Gynoid's comment below. He explains nicely what you need to do to display these textures correctly.

5 rings target with a hole

41 5 rings target with a hole
  • Rez a ring
  • Set Size to: X=0.015, Y=0.700 and Z=0.700
  • Set Hollow to: 70.0
  • Set Hollow Shape to: Triangle
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.200 and E=0.800

5 rings target (no hole)

42 5 rings target (no hole)
  • Rez a torus
  • Set Size to: X=0.015, Y=0.700 and Z=0.700
  • Set Hollow to: 30.0
  • Set Hole Size to: X=0.15 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.125 and E=0.900

4 rings target

43 4 rings target
  • Rez a tube
  • Set Size to: X=0.015, Y=0.700 and Z=0.700
  • Set Hollow to: 50.0
  • Set Hollow Shape to: Triangle
  • Set Hole Size to: X=1.00 and Y=0.50
  • Set Profile Cut to: B=0.000 and E=0.800

Quick tip: how to easily find repeating landmarks

Monday, July 27, 2009 / by

Recently I decided to sort my landmarks. I never did that ever since I joined SL in 2006, so you can imagine how huge and messy my Landmarks folder was! Now it's all pretty and arranged in folders but still there are landmarks in various clothes or furniture folders, and it's hard to notice the repeating ones. I could have of course checked folder by folder, or have randomly typed names of stores or places, but I wanted something easier and faster. And I found the way! When you open the map, you can use the drop-down Landmarks list to spot groups of similar landmarks. These are all landmarks from your inventory sorted alphabetically, so it's really easy to find the ones you can delete. You still have to go to your inventory to sort them out, but at least you know what you're looking for.

Landmarks Quick Tip