Broadening The Stars

The other day someone told me they really liked my blog - except for those "incredibly annoying posts where I talk about my particle effects." Ok, I can understand that. But I am running a particle effects business that I love and I am going to do it anyway!

---BEGIN ADVERT---
One of my most popular particle products is a rather simple one: StarMaker. It's a device you can install on your property that emits rather nice spiky-looking stars. They don't move, but instead they just appear and then slowly fade out within a 5m radius. The effect is quite eerie when you walk through a 3D field of such stars.

I thought that was the end of the story for StarMaker. But it wasn't. A visitor to the store last week asked the staff whether we had a bigger version of StarMaker, suitable for covering a large area. We did not. But my trusty staff wrote up the request and passed it on to me. After a little bit of programming and a lot experimentation, I completed building "StarMaker Wide."

It's very similar to the original StarMaker, but covers a massive radius of 60m, which is suitable for coverage of many areas and events. Like its predecessor, StarMaker Wide emits stationary stars – but it has to be seen to be believed. Large stars appear close up, while those more distant appear smaller and seen to wink in and out. It's much more effective than the original, if you have a space large enough to use it.

But that's not all: we've made StarMaker Wide available in several starry colors: Red, Green, Blue, Ice Blue, White, Purple, Fuschia, Yellow, Pink and MultiColor, which continuously emits a range of different colors. Finally, if you cannot decide which color is best for you, StarMaker Wide Universal can be set to any of the above colors at a mere touch. Set your parcel's mood by color as required.

All available now at Electric Pixels!
---END ADVERT---

Ok, I agree with you. That was a blatent advert. Sorry. At least I marked it as such. We'll resume normal blogging in the next post. But it really is a wonderful product! Really!

Augh, I can't help myself. See you next time!

Astro-Effects, and More

I've been playing with making a "Galaxy" effect, but it is turning out to be more difficult than I had imagined. I always want to make the effect look just right, but I haven't managed to get it to appear and move correctly yet. I thought I was crazy, but after a discussion with Jopsy Pendragon, I now believe I've bumped into bugs in LSL. I've got to take another approach to this particular design. Back to the drawing board!

However - while I was thinking about astronomical things, I realized I could make other Astro-Effects. And so I did. These new products are now available at Electric Pixels:

Eclipse is perhaps the most amazing Second Life particle effect ever (pictured). Just wear it and suddenly a massive total eclipse of the sun appears around you. The corona boils yellow and white flames, while you remain in the dark, black core. Like some of my other effects, you'd better be careful where and when you use this one!

Starry is a very subtle effect, in which twinkly stars slowly appear in your vicinity. They don't move and gradually fade away.

StarMaker is the installable version of Starry! Instead of wearing it, you install the emitter in your site, click to start and those subtle stars appear and fade. The effect really changes the look and feel of the area. I think this one will be very popular, since several were purchased immediately after I placed them for sale.

Snower Personal makes snowflakes land gently around you. I had thought people only wanted snow to place on their land, but several folks asked me for a personal version. Some people just can't get enough snow!

Fireworks Spray is my first attempt at fireworks. Just place the emitter in the sky and touch for five beautiful minutes of multicolored fireworks explosions. It's derived from the fireworks I provided for a benefit concert in Furumachi last month. Make sure you watch the show at night!
You'll find these items at the store marked with a "New Product" sign. Enjoy! As always, please provide any ideas or suggestions for new effects.