You already know that I am a huge fan of the FilterCam HUD by MechanizedLife. I love anything that makes my life easier, and the FilterCam does just that by eliminating the need for post-processing my photos. Considering my very limited Photoshop skills, this tool is invaluable to me. This is a photo I took earlier this week and uploaded directly from in-world. I didn’t even have to crop it. All of the effects were provided by FilterCam and Windlight. What could be easier?
Now, we want to see how YOU use the FilterCam HUD, and we’re giving you some incentive. MechanizedLife is holding a FilterCam Photo Competition with support from the makers of the Avimote PoseMaker HUD. The prize packages total more than L$15,000 and everything you need to know to enter is listed below. Just be sure to get your entries in before the end of the month. And please, don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or drop me an IM in-world if you have any questions! Good Luck!
What: FilterCam Photo Contest
When: 6 February through 28 February 2010, Winners announced 1 March 2010
1st Prize – L$5000 + Avimote PoseMaker Personal Edition (L$2450 value)
2nd Prize – L$2500 + Avimote PoseMaker Personal Edition (L$2450 value)
3rd Prize – L$1000 + Avimote PoseMaker Personal Edition (L$2450 value)
The following individuals have agreed to participate as judges for this competition.
FilterCam is a fantastic visual effects HUD system which makes it effortless to add a variety of high quality special effects to your pictures or when filming machinima. Over 80 high quality masks and filters are provided, including a picture frame and keyhole, as well as blood, cinema, circle, clear, grunge, iphone, nightvision, oval, postcard, scanlines, square, tryptic, and wanted.
FilterCam Tutorial: Creating Masks & Adding Custom Filters to the HUD
Ryker’s Tutorial for making your own filters
The Avimote PoseMaker HUD allows Second Life residents to pose their avatars in any position they like, right where they are, without the need for external tools. It can be used to override part of an existing pose, such as when a hand is stuck in a skirt, or to create complete new poses.
Shiryu Musashi passed his recent release, the December Warmth coat, to me a week or two ago and I’ve been wearing it quite a bit since. Today, though, while shopping at Creamshop, I was inspired to take a few photos. I’m a sucker for the rain. And, apparently, The Carpenters…hence, the title.
I completed the look with my wardrobe staples: MichaMi slacks, Tesla shoes, Truth hair, and Exodi skin and eyes.
And, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m really having a fantastic time playing the the FilterCam HUD by MechanizedLife. Any tool that keeps me from having to spend any time post-processing is total win in my book.
Style Notes: Coat: December Warmth Coat by Musashi Do Pants: Stella by MichaMi Shoes: High Oxford by Tesla Hair: Grace by Truth Skin: Sienna by Exodi Eyes: Vetro by Exodi Umbrella: Border White by Creamshop Poses: StoRin
Without question, Ivey Deschanel of Sn@tch does the very best goth-punk-rock-alternawear on the grid. Her designs are always edgy and daring. In today’s look, Cutie, Ivey has taken pieces that, in the hands of another, might be somewhat conservative, and infused them with some bad girl sass.
Not only are all Sn@tch designs well made, with gorgeous textures and saturated colors, they are a fantastic bargain. Most of Ivey’s designs hover around the 200-300L mark for full outfits and often include a variety of layer and color options.
I’m also really loving the latest in her Plush line of skins. This is Babydoll in Tone 2 and the smokey black liner and pink eyeshadow, along with the bright pink lip is to-die-for cute!
I picked up the ultra hot, thigh high boots by J’s at the Footwear Expo which is going on now through December 6th. All monies raised during the expo will benefit the Toys For Tots program which provides holiday presents for children who might not otherwise receive a visit from Santa. I also picked up these poses from Olive Juice at the Expo. I <3 them!
As I write this, I’m actually sitting in the Fabulous Fashion studio listening to Angie Mornington interview Ivey. So, I had to include a photo from the show!
For the rest of the look, I chose hair from Truth (yes, I am obsessed with Truth hair, I admit it), socks from League, and my very favorite nail polish from Nevermore Studios. I used the FilterCam HUD from MechanizedLife to create the polaroid frame, so no post-processing was required for these shots (WIN!).
Head over to Sn@tch and spend lots of Ls and hit her subscribo because Ivey announces LOADS of new releases every week! Then hit up my crack dealer, Truth, for super cute hair and MechanizedLife for THE must-have photo accessory!
I need to start with a confession. I am addicted to gadgets. Any kind of gadget really, I love them all. I’m most fond, however, of those that make my Second Life easier. That’s where MechanizedLife comes in. The FilterCam HUD makes taking stylized, in-world snapshots, well, a snap!
I only have to wear the HUD, mark the “Show HUD Objects in Snapshot” option in the snapshot window, select my filter and presto chango! I’ve added artistic detailing to my photo without ever opening an outside photo-editing program. There are dozens and dozens of preset, menu-driven filters to choose from, including the NEW Halloween-themed filters designed by the uber-talented Ryker Beck. In fact, ALL of the filters were designed by the Ryker.
In addition to the preset filters and masks that come ready-to-use in the FilterCam HUD, it is fully customizable. You can create your own filters, add glow and other effects and even, when using a Restrained Life-compatible viewer, attach windlight settings to your presets. You can find all of the information you’ll ever need to know about customizing FilterCam on the MechanizedLife website and Ryker even created a tutorial for making your own filters. And the BEST PART…From now through Halloween, Codie has dropped the price of FilterCam to only L$500! Find it in-world or on xstreetsl.
While I was snapping away with the new Halloween filters, I decided to try out the new goodies from LuNi Designs. Nimil Blackflag and Lucas Gerard were kind enough to send over some review copies of their latest designs. I love the Wicked outfit, complete with witchy-green skin, which is inspired by the character Elphaba from the musical and book, Wicked.
For the Bloody Hands filter, I had to choose the Blight skin and La Ultima Fiesta dress. I’m a part-time zombie so the bloody, undead skin really appeals to me. And the tone-on-tone striping is spot on. The little bit of flounce at the bodice and the lace at the hem give an almost sweet feel to an otherwise ghoulish ensemble.
Lucas and Nimil have also created a line of Day of the Dead skins, Muerto and Muerta that are fashioned after the traditional and elaborate face painting that accompanies many Day of the Dead celebrations, and inspired by the paintings of Sylvia Ji. Here, I’m wearing Half the Sugar.
A quick, but important, note: Both Wicked and the Muerto and Muerta skins will only be available through Halloween, so hurry to LuNi Designs to purchase them before the weekend is out.
So, there you have it. A fantastic gadget from MechanizedLife to give all of your in-world snapshots a little extra oompf and some spooky-good new stuff from LuNi Designs. Happy Halloween!
Also wearing: Sweaters by Sn@tch Jeans by TorridWear Jewelry by alaMood Hair by Truth and Aden Shoes by Tesla and J’s Eyes & Skin (first 2 photos) by Exodi
Disclaimer: For the sake of full disclosure, I should to point out that MechanizedLife is owned by my partner CodeBastard Redgrave. That said, I would still think this gadget is remarkably useful and a must-have for any SL photographer regardless its creator.
