In Second Life if you can imagine it, you can build it or have it build for
you by a creator. What takes many of us just minutes to purchase takes top
creators months and even years to perfect. One such creator has spent the last
2 years out of 8 focused on realistic vehicles with high quality scripts and
innovative products.
Tech Robonaught has pushed the Second Life industrial market into high
gear. Approximately 98% of what he sells is full permissions and
affordable. That is almost unheard of. Tech also invented the first
trailering and fueling systems as well as a tow package, hydraulics, gadgets
and more for those who like big trucks and highly detailed vehicles.
Interview with Tech Robonaught
Congratulations on become an SL Millionaire in you’re the first year with
TX Mainstore. That means your creations
are in high demand. I’ve seen many vehicles in
Second Life but not to the degree of your work. What inspired you to build the
truck and tractor trailer market in Second Life? Are these vehicles fully
operational?
Tech: Thanks. The reason behind the invention of the TX
Trailer and Tow, (which was the first release or the scriptset which has
evolved into TX Truck and Trailer) is pretty simple. I got angry. I can explain ... A couple of years ago, everyone was building
cars and bikes and I wanted to build Tractors and Trailers. The vehicle scripts were plentiful to make
the trucks, but absolutely nothing was available for making Trailers. I visited the one shop I could find that had
a couple of trailers for sale. (copy- no
modify) I tried to inquire as to how they worked. Builder wouldnt discuss it. So that made me angry and I proposed I would
invent something ANYONE could use and build trailers with. So I did. I found
out only recently, his trailers were purely physical and had a speed limit
before disconnecting of about 30 Kmph.
So they wouldnt have been the answer I wanted anyways. Mine are part physics and part scripting, can
go as fast as sim conditions will allow, up and down hills, have working
features like lights and air brakes and more ... Once the trailer was done, I
found normal vehicle scripts lacked things I wanted, like inverted reverse
steering, for backing trailers up, is a more natural way to steer, slower
speeds and lower / closer together gear ratios, brakes, locking mechanisms and
such for the trailers built into the truck scripts...so again, caused me to
wrote my own ... what I couldn't figure out, I hired out. I'm rambling now ... anyhow, its spawned an
entire new market, not only for vehicle builders, but for truck shells, trailer
shells, sound and pose makers as well. To
finish my answer, yes, your Truck and Trailer package some with a fully
assembled roadworthy Tractor and Trailer. Full permissions.
Besides creators, many don’t really understand the detailed work what goes
into designing and building functional vehicles. Finding the right textures and
scripts to make them as realistic as possible is a big part of it. Can you give
our readers a little insight on what it takes to create one of your trucks?
Tech: Blender is a great tool so is photoshop. Once your mesh model is in world and textured
its set up very much the same way that one would build a bike or a car. Main
scripts and sounds and poses go into your root prim along with engine scripts
... the Truck also has whats called a Soft Lock ... a specially desinged prim
that holds a script to call and attach the trailer ... about 6 months ago we
invented an autoconnect that automatically connects the trailer int he correct
position with the hitch so with a couple of button presses in the menu the
trailer is connected. Prior to that it took edit mode or some real good
driving. Once the trailer is connected, another script relays information to
things like brakes and lights so all the brake lights, reverse lights, 4 way
flashers even the turn signals work on the trailers even tho they are not
linked in anyway to the truck. Its just being pulled behind.
Scripting is definitely for those with patience and attention to detail. Do
you create your own scripts?
Tech: I do 90% of my own work. In
the instance I cant figure something out, or lack time, I hire it done. So I
too contribute to the economy.
Not only do you create trucks, you also build trailer attachments. What is
the trailering system and how do it work?
Tech: (I think I covered it above?)
Sorry? lol
I’ve seen mock gas stations in SL but never a fueling system. Can you
explain what it is used?
Tech: There are a couple of other
fueling systems in SL. But neither of them allow the owner of the gas station
to make money selling fuel, and neither of them are vehicle specific. For example, my system uses real mpg. So
therefore you wouldn't expect a compact car to get the same mileage as a Tractor
Trailer right? With mine they don't.
Mileage varies, and, the station owner can not only regulate their own prices,
they can sell gasoline or diesel fuel. What?
You don't think I'm going to build Semi trucks and run them on gasoline do
you? :D
By the way, the vehicle portion of the TXAGO Fuel system is available
for free on my sim so vehicle owners can outfit their vehicles with my fuel
system for free...
Can you share with our readers the other type of vehicles, add ons and
gadgets that can be found at TX Mainstore?
Tech: There are a few lightweight
handy scripts ive written, a Hydraulics Script kit with a HUD, Helicopter
Script Kit, a Police Package with a very nice Police Car shell inside +
Scripted police lights of various types, siren, wheels, pushbar, even a working
radar gun... I also offer a beginners Chopper scriptset for 699L for those on a
budget who want to build bikes. My
latest invention is TX Drive and Drag... a vehicle scriptset that can be used
in two modes, for Drag racing, or normal every day driving. Tons of features ... are we posting
pics? Like you mentioned before, about
95 % of my scripting is full permissions, so I encourage people to tear it
apart and learn from it... I'm sure I am forgetting stuff ...
Many avies in SL like to find unique things that no one else has. Do you create custom vehicles? If so, how can
they be ordered?
Tech: No. That is one thing I do not do. LOL!
BUT that being said I know plenty of VERY talented builders who have
built amazing and unique things using my scripts and parts, and they love to
show off ...
Your work is very impressive. You don’t just build vehicles and their
accessories. You also dabble in media. I noticed your shop with TVs and Radios.
How do they differ from the other media tools available in SL?
Tech: I have a couple of unique 'old
school" land radios. one displays the Station Song and Artist on the front
screen in a variety of colors ... not xyz text on a prim, self serving prim
html is used, the rest of my stuff is either again for builders or even home
builders, using media on a prim technology I am able to host the web that is
served up on them and people can use them ot make interesting and unique
things... now you can watch a movie anywhere in SL or listen to your radio on
your bike and others can hear it too as you drive by, media on a prim has made
possibilities almost endless if you have the know how to toss up a website...
(which I do) ... another unique thing ive done is hidden those links form the
everyday passerby ... so our content cant be stolen and served up on someone
elses TV or (yes people have even made movie theatres with it) ...
There are reseller vendors available. What is the incentive for merchants
who wish to sell your products?
Tech: 25% is the incentive. Many things I have created this year I havent
had time to vendor yet, but I will, eventually, if I ever stop having ideas ...
I am impressed by your talent and sure there is more to come. Is there
anything you’d like to share with our
readers about your upcoming creations?
Tech: Thank you Lanai ... I'd just
like to remind our readers that we are always dropping new vehicle shells for
builders and always coming up with innovative products... the SL builders
community has been good to me and I plan on sticking around to continue to make
new exciting stuff for everyone to enjoy ... here's a hint ... do you know your
car sounds different from the front than from the back? Think about that ....
Additional information:
Teleport:
Group:
secondlife:///app/group/796e6fad-d120-0feb-294b-eba840babe3e/about
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/txgear/
SL Marketplace: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/39899
Preferred Contact: email ... or in world...
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