Second Life Avatars

Second Life avatars are the way Second Lifers represent themselves in the Second Life virtual world. Users may design their avatars to be a realistic representation of themselves or they can live out their fantasies and design unusual and unique avatars.

When you start the game your basic avatar will attend a short orientation session in Help Island where you will meet other new users and get helpful information from Second Life mentors. After orientation you will be released and enter the virtual world of Second Life. Click here to learn about Avatar Worlds and here to find information about Virtual Worlds Avatars.

After joining Second Life you can customize your basic avatar. Avatars will be the means by which Second Lifers meet and communicate with other users. Your avatar can get a job, go out to a nightclub, become a land owner, or choose any lifestyle you desire.

Get Creative

Second Life makes it easy to create your avatar. In the second life program you have a very powerful module which will walk you through the creation process. This module is where you decide who you want to be in your “second life”; this is your chance to be imaginative.

A selection of fantasy avatars and art photography in Flickr from the best Second Life artists.

The first step in creating Second Life avatars is to decide on body shape. Tall, slim, short or pudgy – there are no limits to designing the body shape of your avatar. You can even choose to create an avatar that is not human or half man/woman, half animal. Mythological and strange creatures make very popular avatars. Comic superheroes, famous real life people, TV characters, cartoons you can be really anybody in Second Life. Read about animated avatars here. Click here to learn more about 3d avatars. For information about furry avatars, click here.

After you have decided on body shape it is time to add the details. From makeup to eye color and from eyebrows to hair color Second Life avatars allow users to stretch their imagination to the limits. You can use this part of the design module to create the avatar of your dreams. Click here to learn about the options for avatar galleries.

Getting Dressed

The avatar design module in Second Life gives you the option to dress your avatar. Your basic avatar comes dressed in simple clothes like a plain white tee and a pair of jeans. Most users choose to change their avatar into something more interesting.

In the design module Second Lifers can choose from shirts, pants, shoes, socks, jackets, gloves, undershirts, underpants and skirts to dress their avatar. The combinations and colors are endless.

Once in the Second Life world you will have the option to shop for clothes. If you have the cash, (Linden Dollars), you can shop in any of the many clothing stores available for Second Life avatars. You can also find many free and very cheap clothing options in the freebie Second Life locations. Also remember to take a look at the basic clothes located in your Inventory Library and don’t forget the building module to create your own clothing.

Your Debut in Second Life

Once your new avatar is customized you are ready to explore again this vast virtual online world. Learn more about characters here.

Mentors and game veterans urge avatars to spend time getting to know their way around the Second Life world before making any decisions. You will eventually have to choose a job and decide on the personality you want to present to others but take your time, say the mentors. Interact with other Second Life avatars and enjoy all the individual “worlds” others have created.

Avatars make your experience in the virtual Second Life world personal. Your avatar is designed by you to represent you. Whether through a realistic avatar or a fantasy avatar you will meet, interact, and live in the Second Life environment with your Second Life avatar. For more information about avatars, click here.