Create an Avatar

You must create an avatar to interact in the virtual world of Second Life. What is this “avatar”? Is it hard to create? And, what in the world do I do with it once I have created it?

The What and Why

The Second Life virtual world revolves around avatars. Your avatar is your virtual representative in this world and is how you will interact with others. Your avatar can be a realistic representation of yourself or a complete fantasy creation.

Second Life offers users many of the same opportunities they have in real life. You can start a money making business, attend distance learning classes, network with co-workers and others who share your interests, or just have a good time.

Avatars – Step by Step

The first step to create an avatar is to sign up for a Second Life membership. Second Life memberships are either free or paid. The one you choose depends largely on what will be doing in the Second Life virtual world. Business owners will do best by purchasing a premium membership as only paying members can own land. If you are in it for fun a free membership will do.

During your Second Life sign up process you will choose one of the looks for your basic avatar and create a user name and a password for it. Once completed, you will be able to create in-world (inside the virtual world) a fully customized avatar to represent you in Second Life.

Making your own avatar is very easy when you follow the Second Life module that assists with the process. The module will help you choose the hair color, body shape, skin color, eye color, height, weight, and much more of your avatar. You can even customize your clothes or make new outfit using this powerful module. You can access this module right-clicking on your avatar and choosing “appearance” from the menu options. You can also use the top menu on the Second Life viewer interface (or screen) choosing: Edit - Appearance.

Once you have finished creating you will introduce your new “you” to the Second Life community and interact with the people. Basic movement is accomplished by navigating the arrow keys on your keyboard and interactions occur via online chat in real time.

Pimp it Up

As soon as you are comfortable making your way around in the Second Life virtual world you may want to enhance your avatar. When you create an avatar it is just bare bones and basic. Once in Second Life you can add to your avatar in many ways.

Second life is full of stores selling merchandise aimed at helping you create an avatar of your dreams. Creative clothing designers sell trendy outfits, hair shops will give you a new “do”, and many other stores will help you “pimp” your avatar.

When you create an avatar in Second Life you are creating a new you. Your avatar can be anything you dream – a totally realistically revamped portrait of yourself or that crazy and off-the-wall hipster you would never be in real life. An you can be anything not only a human person!