Avastar workflow for version 1038

this is the workflow posted with the permission of Eleanora Newell, for Avastar test  10.38.
Even if Blender says it is properly installed, if you see something wrong I suggest that you uninstall and install it again from scratch.  New versions are coming out, so this will probably work just for this version

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Installation of Avastar test version 1-1-1038.

We have found that you will need to:

1. Install the zip addon.

2. In the addon tab, type Avastar into the search field.

3. Verify that Avastar is enabled.

4. Save user settings.

5. Restart Blender.

6. If you are in Blender 2.7x, the Add menu is now at

the bottom of the 3D View window. The shortcut is

Shift-A.

If it is stubborn, uninstall Avastar and restart Blender

before proceeding with the steps..

Still stubborn, Set to Factory setting, uninstall Avastar

and proceed with the steps.

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Please note that this is for Avastar test version 1-1-1038

and is likely to change with future updates!

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● Workflow for previously weighted mesh:

1. Have your mesh and the avastar figure and rig ready (I like the meshes and rig on different layers for ease of selection, you can use shift select to add more than one layer, but you can put them as you like).

✱ NOTE: It is important to model over the default shape. Once the model is complete and parented to the rig, with sliders attached, you can load the shape you wanted to use. If you did the five standard sizes, hopefully you also included default. If not, take the one closest to default size and edit it to the default shape. ✱

2. Select your mesh and the rig. In the Skinning and Rigging panel, set Weight to "Keep". Shape sliders should be on by default.

3. Press the Assign Armature button. This changes the options for the next step. At this point both your mesh and rig are still selected and can stay selected for the next steps.

4. For Fitted Mesh, press the plus sign by "Deform (Fitted)..." to open the panel where the Fitted button should be the one enabled.

5. The deform panel has been updated to try and make it as simple as possible. Since we are doing a garment that was previously weighted, change Weight to Move. This will move the weights that were originally mBones (SL) weights and moves them to the corresponding cBones (volume/collision). If you want your mesh to also have weights place on the cBones for which there are not corresponding mBones, checkmark the Generate Weights button. Apply configuration.

6. The mesh is now ready for you to test with sliders. Go to the object properties to test the sliders.

7. Go to Show bones in the Avastar tab and enable weight. This will make the sl base (blue) and volume bones (orange octahedrons) visible and put you in the weight room.

8. Enabling Stick will make the SL base bones easier to work with.

9. Use the SL bones to pose, and the volume cbones to weight.

10. To update the weights while you're painting, press alt-q to see changes to the mesh after you paint weight.

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● For unweighted mesh:

1. Have your mesh and the avastar figure and rig ready (I like the meshes and rig on different layers for ease of selection, you can use shift select to add more than one layer, but you can put them as you like).

NOTE: It is important to model over the default shape. Once the model is complete and parented to the rig, with sliders attached, you can load the shape you wanted to use. If you did the five standard sizes, hopefully you also included default. If not, take the one closest to default size and edit it to the default shape.

2. Select your mesh and the rig. In the Skinning and Rigging panel, set Weight to Meshes, Bones or Empty, depending on what you want weight from. Remember that to use Meshes means you must have the avastar, or another mesh with weights, visible for the copying to occur. Shape sliders should be on by default.

3. Press the Assign Armature button. This changes the options for the next step. At this point both your mesh and rig are still selected and can stay selected for the next steps.

4. For Fitted Mesh, press the plus sign by "Deform (Fitted)..." to open the panel where the Fitted button should be the one enabled.

5. The deform panel has been updated to try and make it as simple as possible. Since we are doing a garment that was previously weighted, change Weight to Move. This will move the weights that were originally mBones (SL) weights and moves them to the corresponding cBones (volume/collision). If you want your mesh to also have weights place on the cBones for which there are not corresponding mBones, checkmark the Generate Weights button. Apply configuration.

6. The mesh is now ready for you to test with sliders. Go to the object properties to test the sliders.

7. Go to Show bones in the Avastar tab and enable weight. This will make the sl base (blue) and volume bones (orange octahedrons) visible and put you in the weight room.

8. Enabling Stick will make the SL base bones easier to work with.

9. Use the SL bones to pose, and the volume cbones to weight.

10. To update the weights while you're painting, press alt-q to see changes to the mesh after you paint weight.

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There are other presets in the list. Hovering over each preset in the list will tell you what it does. If you have questions about these other presets, you can ask and I will try to explain or find out the workflow for them.

Happy Meshing,

~ele