Danger Lytton @dangerlytton

While most of us associate PBR only with mirrors and shiny metals, there is a lot more to it since all surfaces benefit from it. The top pic here shows the room with the old standard (blinn phong) textures and materials taken using the FS 6.6.17 viewer, while the bottom pic shows the same room with all pbr textures taken using the FS 7.1.11 viewer. Note that you can add both texture sets to a surface so that any viewer can see something. Also note that there is a reflection probe filling this room that prevents the blue light outside from seeping in (a current known bug being investigated).

Saturation, lighting, and detail are significantly improved across the board when all surfaces are pbr, which is what Physically Based Rendering was designed to do: to more accurately capture the interplay of light on various surfaces. For those wondering about how performance was affected, these were taken using my 8 year old desktop that has a GTX 1070 graphics card. I was at 40 fps on ultra graphics, but you don't need to set the graphics that high to get this look. That's because the new viewer is more efficient since it uses more of your computer's available resources.

The excitement of turning a dream into reality. It begins as a spark of imagination, a vivid mental picture of a breathtaking world—perhaps a misty mountain range, an alien landscape, or a bustling medieval city. This dream is like the first stroke of inspiration for an artist.

When you start building, the blank OpenSim region becomes your canvas, a digital palette where each prim, texture, and script is a brushstroke. The process is exhilarating as you shape the terrain, paint the sky with colors and clouds, and breathe life into your vision. You sculpt cliffs, plant forests, and carve rivers, adding details that make your world not just beautiful but immersive.

What makes OpenSim even more thrilling is its ability to provide massive land sizes without the prohibitive costs of other virtual platforms like Second Life. The expansive landscapes give creators room to explore their wildest ideas, unburdened by financial constraints. This freedom fuels creativity, allowing for sprawling builds that are limited only by the creator’s imagination.

There's also a sense of discovery as the imagined meets the possible. You experiment with elements—adjusting lighting for a perfect sunset, scripting interactive elements, or adding soundscapes that make the environment hum with life. The joy of creation is heightened when the imagined dream surpasses your expectations and becomes a place where others can explore, share, and marvel.

Building in OpenSim is not just crafting pixels; it’s the act of creation in its purest form—a thrilling dance between imagination and realization, where the limits are only bound by the extent of your dreams.

This is an excellent place to start:
https://outworldz.com/Outworldz_installer/

Some good news. I compiled Firestorm 7.1.10 PBR, and it doesn't crash every single time I teleport. There is light at the end of the tunnel with the next release. Photo included of me not f***ing crashing. yay! :D

Chapter 9 - The Oracle, from my book Eos Renascent, is now on Wattpad. You can read it here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/176823549-eos-renascent

"The ambassador bowed her head with a look of sorrow. 'Then I am lost and do not know the way forward in this world,' she replied.

'You do not want this world,' the Oracle replied in a softer tone. 'The only thing of value in it is whatever part of it you look upon with love. This gives it the only reality it will ever have. Love cannot be taught or learned, for there was never a time when you didn't know it. It is all-encompassing, forming the essence of what you are. Your journey will end when you have recognized all that Love is not. That is the interference; that is what needs to be undone.' ”

Image credit: FFXIII-2

My virtual campaign office at Kawabunga Bay surf region. I am running for State Representative in RL (and likely to win). The people on my grid can't vote of course, but my Partner brought up the funny point that they are all virtual residents of Ward 5 in our city. So it is relevant. :)

Recently I have had a number of people requesting that I allow child avatars at friends-grid and I want to discuss this openly and honestly.

It is not my place to try and push my morals and values upon others....however, as a grid owner, it is my place to learn the laws of every country involved. In this situation, I need to understand the Child pornography laws of not only where our servers are located, but I also had to research and learn the laws of every country we have residents and guests from. We currently have residents from 30 countries and guests from another 35. People who say "laws dont apply " are incorrect on this subject. You may have servers in one country.....but all the laws of your resident's countries come into play also.

A good thing to remember is that because you have gotten away with something for 10 years does not make it legal. You may never get caught....and then again.....somebody with a grudge may turn you in.

I want to point out a recent post by Jerralyn Franzic . Jerralyn showed the cutest childs outfit ever! ....and she also made the wisest statement ...."I don't understand the hatred towards child avis in Open Sim. Sure, they shouldn't engage in adult activities and maybe not hang in Adult sims but otherwise, what's the problem?" Personally I would love to see kids riding ponies at my farm....and having fun being mermaids. If everyone in child avi were to abide by Jerralyn's statement, there would not be an issue.

However, lets talk about reality. Not all child avis are simply riding ponies and playing in the water. The simple truth is that many (not all) of these child avis are having sex. Some grids use this to boost their traffic. In some countries, including US, the graphic illustration of a child online having sex is 100% illegal. You see, it does not matter if the person behind the computer is 12 or 52......the visual computer generated depiction of a child (child avatar) involved in sex is very illegal in a number of countries. 18 U.S.C. § 2252 Many people will say their countries are different....and this is stupid. I did not make laws........but I need to abide by them. Before people jump on this and criticize me ....I would suggest you read the laws of your country....your servers country...and the laws of all your residents or guests. There are many misinformed people on this subject. I am not saying the laws are right or wrong......but learn the laws.....then comment. You need to learn laws for your servers country...and all your guests countries. This post is not about morals......it is about laws....of all the countries involved.

I have spent over 200 hours reading international laws. Some countries allow things that others do not. However, you have to consider all the laws because of guests.


In closing....do I hate kids and kids avis......nooooooo. I would love to be able to allow them to come to friends grid. However, this is a less than perfect world in which we live, and I have to look at the potential liability of allowing those child avis. Because of that, Child avis are not allowed on friends-grid......no exceptions! I am sad....because there are some wonderful people in kids avis that I do not get to have visit.

Friends-grid is an Adult community and we are looking for adults, with adult avi's who want to make this their main opensim home.

Overwatch Sentry v. 45 Fixed Bugs. Of course now has 3 menu's built in. The main menu, the setup menu, and the banby menu as illustrated here. This one is the most advanced yet. Please report any bugs to me. Thank you. Oh yeah... It's at cyberdatastorm.com:8002:Wizardry

Just added Star Lounge to Skyrealm, at the heart of the lounge is a small bar, where skilled bartenders craft artisanal cocktails inspired by the wonders of the universe. Sip on a "Stardust Spritz" or a "Galactic Gazer" as you gaze upon the ethereal beauty of the Skyrealm Observatory. Visit anytime. three.hills.grid.outworldz.net:8002:SkyRealm

This Grid has followed suit with other grids in banning Darkheartsos grid from accessing Trianon-World. Im sure the reasoning behind it will be clear to some of you who run adult grids, it's over run with children and adults who abuse them. Over the past few months, I have banned some adults based on profile pictures and wording. I'm not saying everyone from there was bad, but I don't want them on my grid. If you are from there and wish to dispute your access being denied, write to me here in private and plead your case

The newest addition to Avedon Park, Luna's Land illuminates the night and guides travelers across the waters of Avedon. Located in the elflands at Avedon Park South, the landing is still under construction but open to the public.

OSgrid has announced a scheduled downtime from Wednesday, January 10th, to Saturday, January 13th.

https://www.osgrid.online/disruptions-downtime/downtime/

Given OSgrid's track record, I could impossibly not meme it.

Honestly... let's be clear... there are grids that are really terrible, they are just awful, and they have the audacity to advertise themselves as if they were the best...

I wonder how users don't realize that they are in a mess and consciously decide to stay there, but we'll address this topic in the days following the holidays. For now, I want to be kind to those who deserve it...

TROPICANA KOKOMO...

PLEASE REMOVE ALL THOSE FAKE USERS THAT YOU PUT THERE WITH REDGAST VIEWER TO GRAB AN USELESS SECOND PLACE! BUT THESE GAMES ARE KNOWN BY NOW, THEN 14 USERS FOR 72 HOURS CONTINUOUSLY AND FOR WHAT? NOTHING, BECAUSE EVERY TIME I COME, NO ONE RESPONDS AND NO ONE IS THERE! WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO, COMPETE WITH THE CENTRAL PLAZA OF OSGRID? IN THE SAME GRID, BUT DELETE THIS SHAMEFUL REGION MADE BY USELESS PEOPLE WHO NEVER TURN ON THEIR BRAIN...

And Merry Christmas to all Christians, happy holidays to everyone else.

Today's train takes you North .... There is a gift for all travelers at the destination. For people who do not have any traveling skills, sat nav or google maps, here are the instructions. You arrive at the train station, the weather is not great today please bring a coat. You wait at the station, thats what you do at stations. When the train arrives, and it will, no hold ups on the line today. Click the train going North, please dont click the submarine thats going South! You will arrive at your destination, please exit the platform using the Northern Japanese gateway. The gift is easy to find, if you like it then please give me a like here and I just may do another train journey soon. Tickets please!

Doing a little infrastructure work on the sponsor region at OpensimFest, including adding a new EEP

For all OSFest exhibitors, merchants, and sponsors, the grid is now open for adding your builds and displays. You can find full and complete information regarding all aspects of accessing the grid and setting up here: https://www.opensimfest.com/post/the-osfest-grid-is-open

There are still spots open in all categories so make sure to register for yours today! If you wish to participate as an exhibitor, performer, or merchant, please go here to register for a parcel: https://www.opensimfest.com then click Register on the top menu line. Once you have registered go to the web page mentioned at the top for information on how to proceed.

OSFest sponsors are those who support the grid monetarily to help offset the server and technical costs of running a short-term grid. Their support ensures the grid is free to everyone. If you would like to become a sponsor, go here to register where you can choose a support level you're comfortable with: https://www.opensimfest.com/sponsors

If I have a region listed "no fly" it is for a reason, mostly because if you fly in those regions you will miss the beauty of the hard work that was done to make it worth visiting in the first place. I know everybody likes to get around fast and if a region owner makes their land that you can fly over it that's all well and good, but if they have it set to no fly, why not respect that. I watched someone arrive, wait a moment, then they were flying which meant they had to use the command to allow them to override my settings and that, no matter how you cut it, is disrespectful and rude. So from now on, if I am on and I catch you flying in my no fly regions you will be banned, not because you flew but because you disrespected my settings and overrode them. I really don't mean to be a b**ch about things but this kind of blatant disrespect really gives me the red a**. Further when I spoke to this person they just hovered above me for a while then left without answering, again, very rude and disrespectful. Truth is, if you ask me nicely I would probably let you fly, and I also have teleporters out for fast travel through the region. Just don't use the command to override the settings I have. Thank you. Blessings and much love, Lavia.

My passion is building large architectural structures and regions for commercial, spiritual, and entertainment purposes, and doing them with highly detailed surfaces and textures. While I am not primarily in the business of making smaller items, in the process of making a venue I inevitably end up adding furniture, lighting, and accessories that match the style. A lot of these I make myself, but some, like this beautiful Art Deco Lamp, which will be part of my new OSFest build, I source from 3D modeling sites.

The first photo is of an original lamp from the 1920s, currently available on Etsy for about $300 usd. The second is the 3D model by Katmit developed for 3D printers. I purchased it on Renderhub for $12 and it came with an Extended Use license. After a lot of work with faces and UV maps I was finally able to get Firestorm to let my version upload, which is the last pic. I was meh about the plain globe, so I replaced that with something more interesting and added my light script. This little project took a lot more time and effort than I planned for, but I'll spend many happy moments sitting at the bar just looking at this lovely piece of art that began life a hundred years ago.

You will be able to see my full Art Deco venue at OSFest this September on the sponsor region.