Saturday, July 11, 2015

Moving again

My apologies, folks.

I'm moving the Mer Betta store again to a smaller plot, which is more sustainable in the long run.

The new location is at: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Surreal%20Orange/17/171/15

As usual, you'll find the most up-to-date information in my profile Picks and in the Marketplace listings.

Thank you for your patience!

Monday, April 27, 2015

Got a mesh body?

Got a mesh body?


If you do, the Mer Betta Merkini+Bettakini v4.0 are now available with appliers for the following mesh bodies:
  • Belleza Venus
  • Maitreya Lara
  • SLink Physique
  • #TheMeshProject (any version with clothing layers)

The old v3.x are still available for classic avatars.

More info here, including a comparison of v3.x and v4.0.

Find them at the Marketplace.


Anticipated FAQs

Q: Yay, Opal! Are you back?
A: I haven't really left. I've just paid attention to other projects, both in SL and in RL. Now, my attention is back on Mer Betta, but it's still part-time attention.

Q: Are you going to make the appliers for the clothing layers of the mer tails also?
A: I will, eventually, but I want to at least replace the sculpted thigh smoother with a mesh one at the same time. It will be an add-on pack. But I cannot promise when.

Q: Are you going to do more tails?
A: Yes, I have plans for new mesh tails and mesh add-ons. Again, I cannot promise when.

Q: Can you recommend which mesh body I should get?
A: Unfortunately, I cannot even make up my own mind about which one to get for myself. Each mesh body has its pros and cons. Eventually, I'll probably write a blog post with the comparisons, but here's a short (disorganized) list meanwhile, but please do your own research in addition to this and definitely try out the demos.

  • The #TMP has a free version, except you cannot wear clothes with it unless you get really, really creative, like wearing a moo-moo. So it's great for lovemaking and for hanging out at nudist beaches.
  • Of the ones that have an alpha HUD, the Maitreya Lara is the cheapest and #TMP's Deluxe version is the most expensive.
  • Only SLink and #TMP provide optional mesh heads.
  • If you choose SLink Physique, you need to purchase the hands and feet separately.
  • If you've invested a lot on SLink-compatible shoes, SLink and Belleza might be the better options, although I'm not sure about how seamlessly Belleza's SLink-compatible version connects with the SLink hands and feet.
  • If your entire wardrobe (or most of it) is made up of Maitreya clothing, most (if not all) the Maitreya clothes will fit the Maitreya Lara.
  • If you already wear a Glam Affair skin, the Maitreya Lara will easily match your face skin.
  • If you already wear a Belleza skin, the Belleza Venus will easily match your face skin.
  • Technology-wise, SLink is the best with an intuitive, feature-packed, well-organized HUD. #TMP's HUDs are designed to be pretty but they drive me nuts, because they take up a lot of screen space, the navigation reminds me of phone menus, you can't organize the clothes you purchased, and you have to scroll through swatches (6 at a time) to find what you want.
  • #TMP's underarm is a joy to watch when your arms are flapping. #TMP implemented that little part of the pectoral muscle that connects to the upper arm. That little detail is surprisingly sexy.


Sunday, January 18, 2015

A new home in 2015

I just set up Mer Betta in a new home.

I've been thinking of moving for a long while because the neighboring sim in Dunbeath set up these gigantic skyboxes at various levels in the sky, so I see one of them no matter what altitude I set up my workspace.

Besides, I wanted more space to stretch out and more flexibility with the terraforming.

So I'm renting a quarter of a homestead. I get twice the size and half the prims, but I don't really need that many prims anyway. And the cost is US$8 cheaper each month.

For a homewarming, I've set the prices cheaper in the inworld store than in the Marketplace. I haven't decided for how long yet. :)

I've updated my profile and the Marketplace with the new location. Soon I'll be updating the Mer Betta website.

I don't know how long I'll stay in the new place, but, when in doubt, just look up the Picks in my profile. That will always be up-to-date. :)