Note: While the images used are of products from 2017 when the post was originally written, the content has been reviewed to ensure it is relevant for 2020.
Shapes and Skins are a core part of your Second Life avatar. They determine your proportions and how your body looks to you and others. The skin compliments the shape and vice versa. Nowadays many skins come with shapes, but not all of them do! You can also buy shapes on their own. Keep reading to learn just how your shape and skin choices can make you look unique.
Shape Basics
Your shape controls the base shape of your avatar. When using a system avatar every single slider will alter a different part of your head, body, hands, or feet. With mesh avatars these can be altered as well, however some sliders may or may not have much of an impact on what you see. You can purchase shapes, create your own, or edit some that you’ve already obtained (as long as they have modify permissions).
I think of the shape as the foundation of my avatar. Every skin, every piece of clothing, and every accessory is used in conjunction with the shape. As shapes vary greatly it’s not uncommon for some clothing and accessories to require a little alteration to fit perfectly on a custom shape.
Shape Variety
Just how much impact does a shape have? Well take a peek at the faces below. Each one has a different shape and that’s it. Nothing else has changed.
Shapes are more than just a face, though. In addition to the thousands (or even millions) of facial shape possibilities, bodies also come in all shapes and sizes. Below you’ll find two shapes that came standard with the first version of the Maitreya Lara body.
This is just a small peek at what shapes can do on their own. The possibilities are endless, especially with the introduction of the bento skeletal system. If you’re not familiar with it you can check out my bento guide.
Skin Basics
Skins are textures that are applied to your shape. System/BOM skins are put directly on your avatar via the skin in your inventory. Applier skins are put on with a specific applier made just for your mesh product. While generally purchased, you can create your own skins. It requires a lot more work than creating a shape and has a steeper learning curve.
Skins are like a coat of paint for your shape. They accent different features and help make you look more human, animal, or whatever you want to be. Sometimes you’ll apply a skin and notice it doesn’t quite look right on your shape. Perhaps the lips don’t quite cover the lip area, or maybe they extend too far. In this case just alter your shape while wearing the skin to make the perfect look.
Skin Variety
You’ll find that skins, like shapes, can be very diverse. Below you’ll see four skins by the same creator, 7 Deadly s{K}ins. Nothing else is changing from avatar to avatar, only the skin.
Did you see how different the faces looked even though they are on the same shape? Face detail doesn’t end there! Makeup is a texture that is added over the skin. While not a skin itself, it can make a big difference in how your face looks. The images below are all using the same face and the same skin. The only difference is the makeup and eyelashes which are included in the LeLutka Simone HUD.
The last image shows the skin alone with no lashes or makeup. The rest are different combinations of lashes, eye shadow, and freckles/contouring. Even with just these changes each face is unique. Now consider lipsticks, tattoos, etc. The textures on your face make a huge impact on how you come across.
Do you create your own shapes or do you purchase them? What skin and shape designers are your favorite?
Shapes and Skins Used In This Post
It’s credits time!
Shapes – Faces
Head – LeLutka: Simone
Skin – 7 Deadly s{K}ins: Yris (Apricot)
Hair – TRUTH: Char (Browns)
Eyes – Damien Fate: FATEeyes
Shapes – Regeneration: (Clockwise from Top Left) Asia, Vanessa, Stacey, Alyssa
Shapes – Bodies
Body – Maitreya: Lara
Eyes – Damien Fate: FATEeyes
Hands – Vista: Bento Prohands Female
Feet – Slink: Female Feet High
Skin – 7 Deadly s{K}ins: Apricot
Hair – TRUTH: Char (Browns)
Bra/Panties – Maitreya: Lara Mesh Bra and Panties
Shapes – Maitreya: (Left to Right) Lara Shapes 1 through 5
Skins – Bodies
Head – LeLutka: Simone
Body – Maitreya: Lara
Hands – Vista: Bento Prohands Female
Feet – Slink: Female Feet High
Shape – Regeneration: Vanessa
Skins – 7 Deadly s{K}ins: (Left to Right) Cinnamon (Sand) , Joy (Chestnut), Yris (Apricot), Vision (Purple)
Hair – TRUTH: Char (Browns)
Bra/Panties – Maitreya: Lara Mesh Bra and Panties
Skins – Faces (Including Featured Image)
Head/Makeup – LeLutka: Simone
Shape – Regeneration: Vanessa
Hair – TRUTH: Char
Skin – 7 Deadly s{K}ins: Manon (Marshmellow)
Eyes – Damien Fate: FATEeyes
If you decide you’d like to try your hand at modeling, there are shapes especially for both male and female models that show off the clothes best, and are also the best for runway work. It will be the sort of thing discussed if you take a modelling course (recommended for finding work later on). Even if you have to use a working shape within the definitions of Second Life® modelling, your face is your fortune, especially with the new adjustable Bento faces. <3
Thanks for the valuable information! I don’t know much about SL modelling personally, so the more info the better. Bento faces are awesome for one of a kind memorable looks.