Day 138: Creating Shirt Collars and Ties
Poor Second Steve! Hes been languishing in my Inventory with nothing but freebies for a while now.
Also, Valentine's Day is coming up soon. OK, Valentine's Day is really for girls... But I suppose it wouldnt hurt to spiff you guys up to go out with us :P
So today, I made an outfit for Second Steve. This was purely for fun...Im not planning to make men's clothing. Im giving this out as a Valentines Day gift as well, along with the Valentines Hearts dress and the Gift Box. You can pick up all of these free outfits from Sirena Hair & Fashion.
Ill also show you how to make portions of this outfit, in hopes that it will inspire the guys to get creative :) We want you guys to look nice for us, you know!
This outfit uses a similar shirt collar as the Schoolgirl Outfit. Heehee sorry guys, but I had to start somewhere :P Anyway, since you guys have REALLY thick necks, the shirt collar has been adjusted to fit a man's neck.
Also, the tie is a longer version of the Schoolgirl's tie. Its a flexi tie, adjusted for a man. And with a more manly pattern, of course :P
Ive included a second "power" tie :) In fact, Ill show you how to make your very own tie textures in a minute.
Oh, and the belt is a prim belt. It was actually a nightmare making a belt for Second Steve... Im sorry guys, but the male waist is a pretty weird shape. Its hard to get a cylinder around it. I ended up using 2 cylinder halves...but still had to fudge quite a bit here and there.
And the belt loops are actually part of the belt. It just gives the illusion that they are belt loops.
So Second Steve finally looks good enough to go on a date :)
So here are a couple tips for making portions of this outfit. Hope this helps!
1. Shirt Collar
The shirt collar is made up of 3 prims. 2 for the collar itself, and 1 in the center for positioning. Here are the dimensions for the collar pieces...
Prim 1:
Building Block Type: Cylinder
Size (meters) X: 0.150
Size (meters) Y: 0.173
Size (meters) Z: 0.035
Rotation (degrees) Z: 270.00
Path Cut B: 0.449
Path Cut E: 0.950
Hollow: 95
Twist B: -18
Twist E: 18
Taper X: 0.30
Taper Y: 0.30
Top Shear X: -0.15
Prim 2:
Building Block Type: Cylinder
Size (meters) X: 0.150
Size (meters) Y: 0.173
Size (meters) Z: 0.035
Rotation (degrees) Z: 270.00
Path Cut B: 0.049
Path Cut E: 0.550
Hollow: 95
Twist B: 18
Twist E: -18
Taper X: 0.30
Taper Y: 0.30
Top Shear X: -0.15
(Well, I didnt say they were simple :P)
Prim 3 (for positioning):
You can make this anything you like. A box with 0.01M on all sides would work fine.
To assemble, just use the exact same position for all 3 prims: Set the Position (meters) X, Y, and Z to be the same.
Link them together, and make sure that Prim 3 is the Root Prim (select it last for the linking).
Finally, take it into your Inventory. Attach it to your Chest and adjust into position.
2. Tie
The ties are 2 prim attachments, 1 rigid prim, and 1 flexi prim. Here are the dimensions...
Prim 1 (rigid prim):
Building Block Type: Cylinder
Size (meters) X: 0.031
Size (meters) Y: 0.065
Size (meters) Z: 0.046
Rotation (degrees) Z: 90.00
Taper X: -0.75 (Note: these are negative numbers)
Taper Y: -0.60
Prim 2 (flexi prim):
Building Block Type: Cylinder
Size (meters) X: 0.010
Size (meters) Y: 0.075
Size (meters) Z: 0.490
Rotation (degrees) X: 180.00
Rotation (degrees) Z: 270.00
Taper Y: -0.65 (Note: this is a negative value)
Features Tab
Softness: 3.000
Gravity: 10.000
Drag: 2.000
Wind: 1.000
Tension: 1.000
To assemble, just use the exact same position for both prims: Set the Position (meters) X, Y, and Z to be the same. Then slide Prim 2 down using the Blue arrow.
Link them together, and make sure that Prim 1 is the Root Prim (select it last for the linking).
Finally, take it into your Inventory. Attach it to your Spine and adjust into position.
3. Tie Texture
The cool thing about men's ties is that you can use just about any swirly pattern as texture. And there are plenty of swirly patterns to choose from :) Just go to the Resource/Texture section of Deviantart.com and see what catches your eye.
If you made a tie using the prims in section 2 above, then applied a regular texture to it, the tie would have a straight bottom.
Theres nothing wrong with this. But for some weird reason, mens ties usually have a pointy end at the bottom. To simulate that pointy end, I used a texture with transparency at the bottom in the shape of a "V".
I included the tie texture with the transparency along with Second Steve's outfit. This is a Targa (or .tga) file. If you have Photoshop (or a graphics software that can handle .tga files with Alpha Channel), you should be able to open this file, change the texture, and re-upload it.
To use the tie texture, find the "Steve Tie Texture" file in your Inventory. Double-click on it to display the texture. Then select "File" from the top menu bar, and "Save Texture As...". Enter "Steve Tie Texture.tga" as a filename.
Then open Photoshop or your graphics tool. Open the "Steve Tie Texture.tga" file. Draw or paste in a 512x512 (or larger) pixel texture. Just dont change the Alpha Channel.
When you are ready, save the file as a "Targa" file, with 32 bits/pixel.
Now go to Second Life. Select "File" from the top menu bar and "Upload Image (L$10)..." Chose the file you just created. 
In the Upload Preview window, make sure that the bottom of the texture is transparent (that you can see little grey squares). If so, press Upload.
Then, just apply the texture to the tie under the Texture tab and you have a new tie :)
Note that you can use the same texture for both prims in the Tie. I choose to use 2 different textures, 1 with transparency, and 1 without transparency. This gets rid of a tiny display problem between 2 transparent prims at the top of the tie. You cant really see it unless you are looking for it, but Im silly that way :P
Happy Valentines!
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28 comments:
Ok, Steve's chances of getting a dance have doubled just by him finding some decent clothes and dumping the crack-fiend default hair.
Thanks Natalia! C'mon boys, get with it!
First impression -- YAY! Natalia's going to make clothes for guys!
Then something just short of crushing despair ;) -- nope, she's just teasing us... she expects us to become photoshop wizards as well, and actually make our own?!?
Well, I'm still hoping some readers here will get inspired to create men's clothing, and perhaps give me someplace to try shopping.
Where's that kilt Meni promised me? :)
thanks for the tutorial on making ties and a collar for man. it will be really useful for when i start making clothes for my boyfriend lol
Thanks Nat!
You did good! SSteve is greatly improved. I'm really thankful that he hasn't found the shoulders slider too!;) If I have to look at one more guy who looks like he OD'd on steriods, I'm going to run screaming into the ocean (or somewhere)! Anyway, I love the shirt and tie and hopefully, some of the folks here will talk you into an occasional outfit for the guys!
Another great tutorial--I've been making men's clothing lately (Victorian uniforms--back when fellows would be snazzy!), and nothing makes a man's outfit look more right than a few prims attachments like collars, ties (or cravats :)) and let us not forget the indispensable little handkerchief in the pocket.
And let me second LadyAyn's comment--gentlemen, please stop it with the "steroid look". It's not really impressing anyone. Don't care for fellows like that in RL, don't think much of it in SL, either. Broad shoulders, yes, but not Incredible Hulk, mmmm? (no offense to any superheros who might be lurking about on this forum, Mr. Courier)
Caterin, that's such a cool description of the SL grown hair (heehee). At a minimum, I think guys should at least get a set of prim hair. :)
Ged, most Photoshop wiz's are guys (I know, cause I learned from their tutorials :P). And does the Schoolgirl skirt qualify as a kilt?
Tina, good luck on your project for your BF :)
LadyAyn, the shoulders are definitely one of the scary things that happen when you press the "Male" button. I think I might have turned it down to make Steve more regular-looking. :P
Heehee dont scream in the ocean...it may attract mermaids :P
Virrginia, I love those Victorian uniforms you made for men. Especially the cool hats! Please keep them coming :)
I think ties are essential, and I think the photoshop stuff on here is great.. keep it up!!!
Italiantiecollection, sounds like you really like ties :) I hope you make them for the guys in SL!
As much as I hate rl ties thanks you. You just gave me the ability to make them with out figuring out how to build them (i would have stuck with textures but prim is so much better)
And I voted for you!
Mike, dont you think prim attachments look so much better? :) They can be a pain to fit though... Thats why Im a bit shy about selling things like ties and collars.
Thank you so much for your vote! :)
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all. I made a tie for a friend but for some reason, I not able at present to get a point at the end, it still is flat across. Oh well, the fun is in playing around with it all.
Kat
Kat, Im glad that you are making ties :) I have no idea why almost all ties have that silly point at the end :P
One way to make the point is to create a transparent area using Alpha Channel in the texture. If you have GIMP or Photoshop, you will be able to edit the Targa file from this tutorial. Just replace it with your own texture, and save it back out as a Targa file.
Your tutorials are so very great Natalia. It gives us all a good place to start and from there no telling we each of us can go.
I have a friend that wants me to make him a belt, but all I know how to do is the rope type belts, which is ok for me but he said that they were too girly for him (hehe). Do you know of a place that I can just get the basics and work from that?
Thanks, and as my grandfather would say "Tóg go bog é" - which means - Take it easy. Have a great day.
Kathryn, the "Steve" outfit has a dress belt. It is available for free at the Sirena store (Search/Places for "sirena").
Actually the belt is overly complicated because I tried to match the pants. But you can just remove the fabric tabs from the belt (or change their textures to match the new outfit).
Basically, a belt is just another decoration, like a necklace or bracelet. It doesnt really keep your pants from falling :P So you can just do anything you like to make them look nice...
Fantastic site but especially the details for the prim creations. More will always be welcome.
Dear Anonymous, thank you so much :) Be sure to check out all the free classes inworld as well! There are all kinds of classes on making cool prim creations :)
Hiya, sort of reading through most of your blogs (yoehoooo!). Just wondering WHY it is so hard to make men's clothes? There must be an easy way.
I just downloaded the SL Previewer, interesting tool, however it only works for .tga files and not .png files. Grrrrrr.
Sascha, check out the SL Men blog! I dont think its harder to make men's clothes, just that fewer people are making them. For example, T-Shirts are so much easier to make for guys :) But for suits and formalwear, it is a bit for challenging to make those ties.
I don't normally post comments,
but in relation to ties having pointy ends; I heard MANY years ago that it was something to do with the black plague and guys tied hankerchiefs around their necks - for 'convenience' I suppose. Thats why the pointy end became stuck in the fashion (not that I understand why the tie itself stuck as a fashion). Therefore and personally, I cant wait for these $#%@% nooses to be obliterated from modern day fashion once and for all ;)
Rgds,
Jaxom Thorne
Jaxom, thanks for the note...I always wondered where the pointy part came from :P Heehee but I like ties on guys...it adds a nice touch of color. Where else would guys wear something colorful ;P
Heehee but I like ties on guys...it adds a nice touch of color. Where else would guys wear something colorful ;P
how about vests and sweaters?
Calinacase, heehee I always thought vests are too much on guys. Sweaters are cute...esp if its one I bought ;P
Natalia thanks again for all the great effort you put into sharing your experiences. Lately I have taken up clothes making and am having a blast doing it- I would love to try my hand at men's - have you made any shirts or pants? Or can you recommend a good tut on the subject? Thanks.
Amaranthim, I dont know of a men's clothing tutorial. But men's shirts are very similar to women's tops (and you dont even have to deal with the curves ;P).
The pants are like making other pants in SL. For jeans and stuff, they are typically photosourced (cut out from a photo and fitted onto the template). And Ive seen some nicely drawn ones too :)
RE: Men's Clothing -- I find it's actually harder to do that women's because the mesh distorts so badly near the pecs and shoulders -- especially so many male avas have their sliders set to "extra hulk" (ppfffft). I recently completed a series of baseball jerseys and getting the logos to look "right" on a typical male was really hard. What's worse was trying to do pinstripes!!!! OMG. I'm in hell!!!
Natalia, you wouldn't know of any kind of pre-defined photoshop filter for warping vertical lines so they look straight on an sl ava would you????
Snickers, unfortunately, I dont...I tried to make an outfit with a single stripe before and couldnt even do that :( But if you havent tried it, AVPainter is pretty good for previewing and editing things, cause you can actually do it on the avatar itself :)
Yeah I use AvPainter. It helps a lot to touch up things. I made some baseball jerseys with pinstripes recently and they drove me CRAZY!!!!! Uggh. They will never look right on SL.
Snickers, lol it is hard to get those lines right in SL, esp up close. I guess as long as they look like pinstripes from "normal" viewing distance, it should be OK.
Heehee Ive been getting all impressionist lately ;P
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