I invite you to follow the machinima author: stevecropper1
He is creating a fantastic machinima show, called Life on Line. Life on Line is a show completely recorded in Second Life and other virtual worlds, where you can enjoy news, reportage and interviews with the most interesting people working in the virtual worlds area. Watch the pilot episode
You can follow the whole series here
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Life on Line, the machinima show about the virtual worlds news
Shop for second hand goods in Second Life
Linden Lab bought shop.onrez and xstreetSL, so maybe some designers and shoppers were worried about their sellings inworld.
Then came Tableau. Tableau is an amazing sim, that turn shopping in such a realistic experience. Tableau is like a virtual local street market, with fresh fish and second hand goods.
Have a visit, it is a fantastic experience.


image above by Skate Foss
Then came Tableau. Tableau is an amazing sim, that turn shopping in such a realistic experience. Tableau is like a virtual local street market, with fresh fish and second hand goods.
Have a visit, it is a fantastic experience.
image above by Skate Foss
Friday, February 27, 2009
OSGrid. A great virtual world to explore
Since the launch of the OpenSim channel, members shared tons of pictures from this new cluster of worlds.
Today, I'd like direct your attention to OSGrid, one of the most interesting OpenSims here around. You can join the OSGrid world, here
Have a look at this nice photo, taken by Baldr in a cute hangout of the OSGrid world


click the image to view it all size
Today, I'd like direct your attention to OSGrid, one of the most interesting OpenSims here around. You can join the OSGrid world, here
Have a look at this nice photo, taken by Baldr in a cute hangout of the OSGrid world
click the image to view it all size
Machinima to advertise your virtual world business
Sim owners, virtual worlds small companies and metaverse providers probably could be interested in low cost measures to advertise their business. Machinima is a such great tool to obtain results with a minimum effort.
I suggest you to watch this fantastic machinima by Carla Broek, called: Fallen Gods and think about the potential of this art.
I suggest you to watch this fantastic machinima by Carla Broek, called: Fallen Gods and think about the potential of this art.
Explore Mythology using Virtual Worlds
This incredible image by Trixibelle, called: "Dream of the Minotaur" suggested me that virtual worlds could be powerful tools to explore not only human relations and our identities, but also our mitology and myths.
in Second Life and other virtual worlds, as The Sims or OpenSim, you can immerse in the ancient traditions and study their histories, recreate sceneries and simulate ancient civilities
If you made or know about some mythology images please leave their links here in the comments.....

in Second Life and other virtual worlds, as The Sims or OpenSim, you can immerse in the ancient traditions and study their histories, recreate sceneries and simulate ancient civilities
If you made or know about some mythology images please leave their links here in the comments.....
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Avatar Portrait. Depict the person behind his virtual representation
Virtual Worlds members take very seriously the idea of representing themselves and their friends using their avatars. So, one of the most widespread genre in the second life and/or metaverse art and photography is the "avatar portrait".
Have a look at this fantastic image by Trixibelle (aka Cala Rossini). Can't you feel the soul behind the pixel?


click the image to view it all size
Have a look at this fantastic image by Trixibelle (aka Cala Rossini). Can't you feel the soul behind the pixel?
click the image to view it all size
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The featured Machinima of the week on Hiperia 3d News
The Koinup Media Partner Hiperia 3d News just posted a couple of machinima, I'm sure you'd love to enjoy. Read more and watch the videos, here
The two machinima are:
Super Dancers in Second Life by Ai Miles and Carjacker by Ami Beattie (we wrote about this video, here)
The two machinima are:
Super Dancers in Second Life by Ai Miles and Carjacker by Ami Beattie (we wrote about this video, here)
SL Shakespeare Company’s Twelfth Night, Act 1 Photography Contest on Koinup
Shakespeare, Second Life and Brescia, Italy: The SL Shakespeare Company joins forces with Koinup to launch the world’s first major photography contest featuring a professional theatrical production based entirely in the virtual world of Second Life. Starting March 1, the contest invites participants to attend the SL Shakespeare Company’s open-ended run of Twelfth Night, Act 1 and take photos. Over L$100,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winners.
Enjoy the Contest
The contest consists of a main contest whose final submissions deadline is June 15, 2009. Several mini-contests with weekly or bi-monthly deadlines and prizes will be held starting in April. These mini-contests will be held in conjunction with several “Variations” on the open-ended run, where, for example, an all-female or switched-genders cast interpretation is tried.
To give all participants a chance, the contest introduces a special “Unedited SL Photography” category with its own exclusive prize.
The contest also has a special Avatar Photography category for photography that focus particularly on actor avatars. To help facilitate this specialized component, the SL Shakespeare Company will be holding special actor avatar photography sessions starting in April.
In efforts to recognize photography based not only on artistic merit but also on their appeal to different people, the contest will be judged by a panel of well-known Second Life residents from several different arenas. Judges include AM Radio, Ananda Valeeva, Beyers Sellers, Dana Vanmoer, Eshi Otawara, Frolic Mills, Ina Centaur, Jaymes Kjeller, Prad Prathivi, Rightasrain Rimbaud, Saffia Widdershins, Sarah Nerd, Tara05 Oh, Vint Falken, Verde Otaared, and others.
Shows occur weekly on Sundays at 1 PM PST and Tuesdays at 6 PM PST at the SL Globe Theatre. Performances are free except for shows on the last Tuesday and Sunday of each month. Donations are gratefully accepted.
About Twelfth Night, Act 1
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is the story of a shipwrecked girl named Viola, who chooses to go incognito as a boy eunuch. Act 1 establishes the love triangle that Viola, Duke Orsino, and Olivia become entangled in, and also introduces some of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters—Malvolio and Feste. Unlike the Bard’s other plays, Twelfth Night exists only in the folio editions.
About the SL Shakespeare Company
The SL Shakespeare Company (SLSC) is a resident-funded and resident-supported professional theatre company that embraces the best of what Second Life (SL) has to offer. While it is primarily known to provide quality live Shakespearean theatre available to anyone in anywhere in the world, SLSC is also the curator of Second Life’s most historically accurate theatres and architecture relating to William Shakespeare.
About Koinup
Koinup is a media-based social networking platform geared specifically for virtual worlds. Koinup users submit and share photography and machinima to share their stories and art outside their virtual world. The Koinup website features many tools to help users present and syndicate their work, and is also a center for some of the most exciting photography contests in virtual worlds. Koinup currently helps share the following virtual worlds: Second Life, The Sims, World of Warcraft, IMVU, OpenSim, Lively, vSide, Kaneva, There, and Other Worlds.
Press release by
Lora Constantine
Enjoy the Contest
The contest consists of a main contest whose final submissions deadline is June 15, 2009. Several mini-contests with weekly or bi-monthly deadlines and prizes will be held starting in April. These mini-contests will be held in conjunction with several “Variations” on the open-ended run, where, for example, an all-female or switched-genders cast interpretation is tried.
To give all participants a chance, the contest introduces a special “Unedited SL Photography” category with its own exclusive prize.
The contest also has a special Avatar Photography category for photography that focus particularly on actor avatars. To help facilitate this specialized component, the SL Shakespeare Company will be holding special actor avatar photography sessions starting in April.
In efforts to recognize photography based not only on artistic merit but also on their appeal to different people, the contest will be judged by a panel of well-known Second Life residents from several different arenas. Judges include AM Radio, Ananda Valeeva, Beyers Sellers, Dana Vanmoer, Eshi Otawara, Frolic Mills, Ina Centaur, Jaymes Kjeller, Prad Prathivi, Rightasrain Rimbaud, Saffia Widdershins, Sarah Nerd, Tara05 Oh, Vint Falken, Verde Otaared, and others.
Shows occur weekly on Sundays at 1 PM PST and Tuesdays at 6 PM PST at the SL Globe Theatre. Performances are free except for shows on the last Tuesday and Sunday of each month. Donations are gratefully accepted.
About Twelfth Night, Act 1
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is the story of a shipwrecked girl named Viola, who chooses to go incognito as a boy eunuch. Act 1 establishes the love triangle that Viola, Duke Orsino, and Olivia become entangled in, and also introduces some of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters—Malvolio and Feste. Unlike the Bard’s other plays, Twelfth Night exists only in the folio editions.
About the SL Shakespeare Company
The SL Shakespeare Company (SLSC) is a resident-funded and resident-supported professional theatre company that embraces the best of what Second Life (SL) has to offer. While it is primarily known to provide quality live Shakespearean theatre available to anyone in anywhere in the world, SLSC is also the curator of Second Life’s most historically accurate theatres and architecture relating to William Shakespeare.
About Koinup
Koinup is a media-based social networking platform geared specifically for virtual worlds. Koinup users submit and share photography and machinima to share their stories and art outside their virtual world. The Koinup website features many tools to help users present and syndicate their work, and is also a center for some of the most exciting photography contests in virtual worlds. Koinup currently helps share the following virtual worlds: Second Life, The Sims, World of Warcraft, IMVU, OpenSim, Lively, vSide, Kaneva, There, and Other Worlds.
Press release by
Lora Constantine
A Combat RP Sim movie, made by WBA Advertising
The awesome machinima production studio WBA Advertising made a great video, set in the Battlefield Dune Sim. I invite you to watch and enjoy this cool movie

click on the player to leave some comments to the author
click on the player to leave some comments to the author
SL Shakespeare Company & Koinup partner to bring you the Twelfth Night Contest

It's the story of a shipwrecked girl who goes undercover as a eunuch in the crazy love-charged land of Illyria. The SL Shakespeare Company's long-awaited open-ended run of Twelfth Night, Act 1 is anon! This opening act evolves to reveal the love triangle that silly girl-castrato Viola gets herself into. The unabridged first act contains ample fun—opportunities for you to hear Sir Toby Belch belch, delight in a tempest wrecking the Illyrian coast, see Duke Orsino jump off a balcony into a bed of violets, and much, much, more!
But, what's more fun for you is perhaps our invitation for you to join us in creativity (with booty)! Koinup and the SL Shakespeare Company have teamed up to offer a SL photography contest with several different prizes for artwork derived from the SL Shakespeare Company's open-ended run of Twelfth Night, Act 1. Read More
The submission time will start on March, 1th. But I'll suggest to have a look at the rules, since now and read the Contest Guidelines, here
Koinup & Sl Shakespeare Company invite you to "See the Show, Take Photos, Win 100000L$"
Other resources:
Read Press Release
SL Shakespeare Company website
SL Shakespeare Company's Twelfth Night Contest Page
Koinup Newsletter. What you will read in the 11th letter
We have just delivered the 11th Koinup Newsletter. This month, you will read about the following topic:
The Koinup Exploration Tool!
If you didn't grab yet a copy (for free at XStreetSL), well probably you will appreciate a reminder. The Koinup Exploration HUD is a free tool that you can wear in Second Life and it will help you to discover new places and connect your avatar to your Koinup Account. Get more infos
The Coolest Avatars of the Month
This is for new members of Koinup. If you wanna some help or would love you to meet the coolest people here around, the best you can do is adding these coolest people/avatars to your friends
The Koinup Interviews
If you are following this blog, you probably know about the Koinup Interviews. Each week, we use to interview some Koinup artists, or active members or Metaverse explorers and we try to look into their creativity. Read the series here
Groups Announcement
We wouldn't be able to wait long before sayng that. In a couple of weeks (more or less) Koinup members will have the chance to create groups, run their own contests, open threads and forums on Koinup.
It is the biggest upgrade, since the launch of the website. Once groups will be available, Koinup will be more funny, more involving, more interesting for all of you. Stay tuned!!!!
Update: We just launched the Second Life Twelfth Contest
More info
The Koinup Exploration Tool!
If you didn't grab yet a copy (for free at XStreetSL), well probably you will appreciate a reminder. The Koinup Exploration HUD is a free tool that you can wear in Second Life and it will help you to discover new places and connect your avatar to your Koinup Account. Get more infos
The Coolest Avatars of the Month
This is for new members of Koinup. If you wanna some help or would love you to meet the coolest people here around, the best you can do is adding these coolest people/avatars to your friends
The Koinup Interviews
If you are following this blog, you probably know about the Koinup Interviews. Each week, we use to interview some Koinup artists, or active members or Metaverse explorers and we try to look into their creativity. Read the series here
Groups Announcement
We wouldn't be able to wait long before sayng that. In a couple of weeks (more or less) Koinup members will have the chance to create groups, run their own contests, open threads and forums on Koinup.
It is the biggest upgrade, since the launch of the website. Once groups will be available, Koinup will be more funny, more involving, more interesting for all of you. Stay tuned!!!!
Update: We just launched the Second Life Twelfth Contest
More info
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The new hot sim in Second Life
Discovered by Bark, White Taj is quickly becoming a super favourite destination for Second Life members and Metaverse Explorers
I warmly suggest you to have a look with your eyes! (you can also get the direct slurl)
Koinup: Your Virtual Life
I warmly suggest you to have a look with your eyes! (you can also get the direct slurl)
Spring in Virtual Worlds. Try to convey with an image
Spring is knocking at the door. So, I feel it would be nice to give community this artistic assignement: express in the best way, what the spring is or can be in virtual worlds.
Try to imagine the awakening of nature, or the awakening of senses or whatever is spring in your imagination.
Last year we made the Sims 2 Spring Contest, and it was a pouring of colours and ideas, maybe you can draw some inspiration from there.
Post your spring attempts on Koinup (maybe they are already on the website) and leave the links on the comments to this post
I'll post them in a next post.


image by by PrinzPhotostudio
Try to imagine the awakening of nature, or the awakening of senses or whatever is spring in your imagination.
Last year we made the Sims 2 Spring Contest, and it was a pouring of colours and ideas, maybe you can draw some inspiration from there.
Post your spring attempts on Koinup (maybe they are already on the website) and leave the links on the comments to this post
I'll post them in a next post.
image by by PrinzPhotostudio
Your Avatar is walking like a woman
When I directed attention to virtual worlds for the first time, I didn't know people devoted so much attention to their walks. It seemed to me a quite strange, cause eachone can fly in Second Life (and other virtual worlds).
Indeed, on Koinup there are thousands of photos depicting avatars walking
This amazing image by Abigale Heron, called "Hells Bells"
show you that walking could be a way express yourself in a virtual world


click on the image to view it all size
Indeed, on Koinup there are thousands of photos depicting avatars walking
This amazing image by Abigale Heron, called "Hells Bells"
show you that walking could be a way express yourself in a virtual world
click on the image to view it all size
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hipihi, the chinese virtual world. Some screenshots
Jurinjuran just posted some pictures of the chinese metaverse Hipihi. It seems that the graphic quality of the world is better than some months ago.
Jurinjuran also posted some resources that could help not chinese people to managing the interface.

Jurinjuran also posted some resources that could help not chinese people to managing the interface.
In virtual worlds you can touch the sky
Browsing the latest Koinup works, I stumbleupon this touching and lovely image by Moti Moody, called Cakenightmare


click on the image to view all size
click on the image to view all size
Virtual Worlds Feng Shui
Machitopia just uploaded this cool machinima, called Guide to Virtual Feng Shui.
I invite you to watch, in order to experience a great music and some lovely stream of relaxing things....
Enjoy the Video
I invite you to watch, in order to experience a great music and some lovely stream of relaxing things....
Enjoy the Video
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Hamlet Au is featuring Andromega Volare
Hamlet Au, lead of New World Notes and Koinup Partner, is featuring on his journal the work of Andega, also known in Second Life as Andromega Volare. Read the story.
Below a fantastic Andega's picture, called wreck framed

Below a fantastic Andega's picture, called wreck framed
Saturday, February 21, 2009
When digital art meet Second Life
SovereignCrux is a quite new member on Koinup, but she already can offer an impressive gallery of digital art.
Have a look at her Second Life Photo called Titans


click on the image to view all size
Have a look at her Second Life Photo called Titans
click on the image to view all size
Friday, February 20, 2009
The best Second Life cars movie, you have ever seen
Virtual Melancholy
Today we like to feature on the blog this amazing melancholic landscape by YuNEO Nagy. Called Fallen Gods this photo has been shooted in the suggestive sim: Athan


click the image to get full size
click the image to get full size
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Koinup Interviews: Sebcaen, when art meet the snapshots

Sebcaen, also known in Second Life as Sebcaen Ulysses, is a popular and belowed Second Life Photographer. He is managing a fantastic photo gallery both on Flickr (here) and on Koinup
Sebcaen owns a great taste for the beauty and he known how to get the most out of Second Life. He is particolarly interested in virtual landscapes and he is a great explorer and reporter. You can enjoy his SL landscapes here
Here's the Interview
Q: When you're creating new artworks, where do you draw ideas and inspiration from? And What is your background in Art creation?
A: I have no background in art creation, I start basically to treat some snaps for friends, and by the time, we can't go outside of that.
I use to work with my inspiration who can come from books, or movies I've seen.
But most of my ideas come from the sims I visit, or the peole I met in sl. Someone with a particular outfit, is the perfect target to be snapped :p
Q: What advice would you give to beginners with Second Life art and photography ?
Do it by pleasure only. Nobody will become millionar by treating snapshot, so this is not the good way. SL Photography is a wonderful medium to meet people, explore and discover skills or abilities you have but you don't know yet. You can express your vision, your mood like that.
Q: What are the 3 most interesting works on Koinup and why you love them ?
A: 1) Elegy from Ariel Brearly, because this woman is totally awesome, with a great style, and this pic with a cyber.... is fantastic. But it's very hard to choose one of her work...
2)Heaven by Tur, still the wallpaper on my computer. Because he's a great friend, and I know how he works... you can't imagine how much time he spent on this pic.
3)From child to woman by Trixibelle. Simply a stunning realisation, great idea by a wonderful person. A life testimonial in my view.
Q: Tell me two Koinup artists you should recommended for the next Koinup Interview?
If I'm right I never read an interview of Tur, and maybe Icarus Robbiani, who made great landscapes. (indeed, you can read the Icarus Interview, here)
Q: What are your upcoming artistic projects?
A: I want to continue like I do right now, visit (a lot of) sims, do interesting meetings, and work more with some people I already know. But I plan Nothing, I never succeed to realize them.
Q: Along with Second Life, are you exploring and testing other worlds as tools for creativity?
As a Linux user, there is not so much opportunity for us as other worlds. But if another virtual world open, sure I'll try.
Browse the amazing Sebcaen gallery
Barcelona goes virtual. Enjoy the beauty of this spanish Second Life sim
Browsing the photo stream of Shoji, I stumbleupon this amazing sim called: Barcelona del Oeste
It seems that the sim had been discovered some months ago, but only recently it got the interest of the community. I invite you to have a look at the photos shooted in the amazing virtual Barcelona
Koinup: Your Virtual Life
It seems that the sim had been discovered some months ago, but only recently it got the interest of the community. I invite you to have a look at the photos shooted in the amazing virtual Barcelona
The Virtual Impressionism of SabrainSL. From Second Life to digital painting
Digital photos sometime can be mistaken can with paintings. Sabrainsl has a fantastic gallery of Second Life photos, that look like impressionistic paintures.
I invite you to have a look at her virtuous gallery. Below you can view her work: Clock Tower


(click on the image to see in the right size)
I invite you to have a look at her virtuous gallery. Below you can view her work: Clock Tower
(click on the image to see in the right size)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Cross World Machinima feature on Hiperia 3D News
The Koinup Media Partner Hiperia 3D News reviewed an amazing machinima created by Tegalas.
The video, called Atmosphere, has been recorded in several virtual worlds and games: Second Life, Assasin Creeds, Gothic 3. Read the story
The video, called Atmosphere, has been recorded in several virtual worlds and games: Second Life, Assasin Creeds, Gothic 3. Read the story
A cool SL machinima, to say goodbye to this cold winter
Machitopia is a new Koinup member, but he is already posting some amazing Second Life videos.
I invite you to watch his Second Life Vlog or enjoy "The Winter Playground", a lovely and well done stream of the best Second Life snow covered sims.....
I invite you to watch his Second Life Vlog or enjoy "The Winter Playground", a lovely and well done stream of the best Second Life snow covered sims.....
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Koinup Exploration HUD v2.0

Talia Tokugawa just finished version 2.0 of the Koinup Exploration Hud.
You can grab the HUD for free on XstreetSL
You can get the instructions, here, on the Talia website, in the section dedicated to the Koinup Huds
What's new with the 2.0 version?
Well, let me give you some hints!
1) Slurl Generator:
By using the HUD menu, you can now generate the SLURL for the sim you are at the moment and open it in a chat. So, that it is ready for using on Koinup and other websites
2) Koinup Coolest Things :
By using the submenus, you can now connect with all the most interesting things happening on Koinup (the coolest sims of the latest days, the coolest avatars, the inworld Koinup group group chat, etc)
I highly recommended to give the HUD a try and leave your feedback to Talia
The old version got recently a genuine positive mention on the Koinup partner journal New World Notes. The new version is even more useful, interesting and very easy to manage!
The pack include the super-cool Koinup T-Shirt made by Hynesite Harbour
IMVU dools. Make the perfect babe in 3d
Just stumbleupon this amazing picture by MaggyWorld


You can find other great IMVU pictures on the MaggyWorld stream. Moreover, talking about IMVU Art it seems that dolls are one of the most favs subject in that scene. So I suggest to browse more virtual dools here!
You can find other great IMVU pictures on the MaggyWorld stream. Moreover, talking about IMVU Art it seems that dolls are one of the most favs subject in that scene. So I suggest to browse more virtual dools here!
Monday, February 16, 2009
The site of the Aliens in Second Life
Judi Newall just posted some photos about the sim Unknowable, also called Alien Isle
Koinup: Your Virtual Life 
The sim is ideal for your Sci-Fi adventures and identities. You can find there some amazing builds, mines, cryptonite pieces, etc..highly suggested also for recording machinima videos
Have a look with your eyes
The sim is ideal for your Sci-Fi adventures and identities. You can find there some amazing builds, mines, cryptonite pieces, etc..highly suggested also for recording machinima videos
Have a look with your eyes
Neko and Steampunk Shops in a Cyberpunk virtual street
Just stumbleupon this cool sim, called Bytegang. This sim has been discovered by Talia Tokugawa (Talia, I wanna remember is the author of the Koinup Explorers HUD)
On Bytegang you can find Neko and Steampunk stuffs or browse cool cyberpunk and oriental-blade runners like builds....
Here's the widget with the latest photos from this place
Koinup: Your Virtual Life 
I invite you to have a look with your eyes (direct slurl) or browse more Bytegang works
On Bytegang you can find Neko and Steampunk stuffs or browse cool cyberpunk and oriental-blade runners like builds....
Here's the widget with the latest photos from this place
I invite you to have a look with your eyes (direct slurl) or browse more Bytegang works
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Ordinary Virtual World. What people love to do when they are avatars

If you expect Virtual Worlds to host only extraordinary events, avatars and things, well, probably, you'd let down. Virtual Worlds are often ordinary worlds to manage and make ordinary things. What we frequently see on Koinup is that people love to capture everyday life also while they are in virtual worlds. They photograph or blog about chairs, tables, coffee, they drive cars if though they could fly. What excite us is that virtual worlds are places where people make real experiences and try to express themselves in a way that maybe is not possible in real life.
Images by: AmiBeattie and Shoji
AM Radio's new sim

There is a new fantastic sim around to visit: Welsh Lakes, the new AM Radio's build
AM Radio is a well known builder in Second Life. Some of his creations are the most viewed, photographed and popular areas in Second Life.
Just to name a few:
Wales Springs
University of KY (where you can find a great AM Radio exhibition)
Welsh Cove
Look here to grab the AM Radio's new sim widget
(image above The space between these trees by Carlotta Ceawlin)
The clickaholic era enter Second Life
I just stumbleupon this funny and so well made Second Life Machinima directed by HIROZA called "Clickaholic Gag Movie"
Watch it now!
Watch it now!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Koinup Interviews: when Sims Art meet photography

The Sims 2 Art scene is incredibly rich and vibrant. Ticticc13 is a well known, skilled and excelent Sims Artist
She has a long experience in the Sims Creativity scene. She run a website devoted to her creations and helped us as judge in the Koinup Sims 2 Spring Contest
You can browse here her fantastic stream of photos
Here's the Interview
Q: When you're creating new artworks, where do you draw ideas and inspiration from?
A: I draw mine mostly from movies, TV commercials, Music Videos, Books and things I see around me... Everyday life happenings... Even the most boring to the most exciting... Whether I'm drinking coffee here, or waiting for the day out of work, I observe almost everything... From kids I see in the morning, until late nights when I'm still up. Even simple gestures of my officemates can inspire me. ;)
Q: What advice would you give to newcomers and beginners with The Sims Art and photography?
A: I think every Simmer knows where to go... There's two kind of Sims 2 Art for me... One involves drawing and photomanipulation and the other one, pure in-game photography. Even though I favor the latter, my advice is not to limit yourselves in just one style. Be creative and don't be afraid to experiment. Trust your work. Know the Sims 2 game, and learn from the experts the trick of the trade. Not only with virtual world artists but also pro-photographers and digital painters. Aim to be the best. Always.
Q: What are you favourite tools for editing? Is there some cool tricks about photo editing and/or your artistic style you'd love share with friends ?
A: My all time favorite editing software has always been Photoimpact. I also use two others, Photoshop - when I need to do super heavy edits or Photomatix Pro when I want to generate Sims 2 HDR's (High Dynamic Range images). For drawing and minor enhancements, I use a Wacom Graphire tablet. As for tricks, I made an editing tutorial recently for everyone which can be downloaded freely from The Sims Resource or in my Flickr. Of course, I'll be very, very happy to see images edited with my technique and hope you find it useful as much as I do.
Style, pretty variable depending on mood, but I absolutely love modern-contempo theme in realistic settings. Don't limit yourselves to just one style. ;)
Q: Tell me your absolute 3 fav works on Koinup and why you love them
A: I'd say Pale Rain by Sephiramy. I love the full composition of it. The colors, the drawing, the Sim models she used and the theme. SHe never fails to amaze me. (pale rain is also one of the winner of the Sims 2 Spring Contest)
Spring Itog by KateK. I love the composition as well and the carefree way she edited it.
Wishing in Spring by Celestialshores. Because of its simplicity and everything was effectively done in-game.
Q: Two Koinup members you should recommended for the next Koinup Interview and why?
A: Celestialshores - I have always adored her simplistic but very effective in-game photography.
Sephiramy - is the finest Sims 2 frankensteining artist for me.
Q: What are your upcoming artistic projects?
A: I'm currently working on a Sims 2 Machinima. Besides editing Sims 2 in-game screenshots, it's also one of my favorite things to do with the Sims 2.
Q: Along with The Sims, are you exploring and testing other worlds or games as tools for creativity
A: Hmmm, I did with the other EA/Maxis game 'Spore.' I would like to try my hand on Second Life sometime.
Go ahead and browse some other fantastic TicTicc13 works
Hiperia3D news will team up with Koinup, to spread the best virtual worlds machinima

We are so proud to tell you that we are partnering with the metaverse blog: Hiperia 3D News to showcase the best virtual worlds machinima published on Koinup.
Each week, Hiperia 3D News will publish and review the best machinima available on our archive.
Hiperia3D News is a cool blog covering the virtual worlds news. Jordi R. Cardona, owner of the blog, has a genuine multiworld approach on its journal. As Koinup, Hiperia 3D news is covering the whole metaverse scene, with a clear focus on the creativity of communities.
The first machinima featured is "Just Shut Up, and Reboot" by FreyjaMoon
Watch it, now
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Metaverse Explorers improve their skills with the Koinup HUD

Talia Tokugawa just placed on XstreetSL the Koinup Exploration Hud Device
When you enter a new sim the Hud checks the Koinup site to see if the sim is already on the site (on Second Life Places directory).
Whilst it is checking the border and the text will appear blue. Once it has the details the border and text will change to either Green for a sim that exists on the site already, or Red for a sim that is as yet undiscovered by Koinup users.
Probably, while in world you wandered if that sim has been already discovered or not. Well, now you have the answer. Wear the Hud and improve your skills as Metaverse Explorer.
Talia Tokugawa has a lot of experience as Second Life scripter and builder and made the HUD with the only purpose to help the Koinup community.
The HUD is available as freebie on XstreetSL
------------------------
UPDATE: On 17th february, Talia released the Version 2.0 of the HUD
(more features, more easy to use, include a slurl generator and a connection with your koinup profile). Read More
Attached to the pack there is also a Koinup Tee Shirt provided by hynesyte Harbour (Thanks Hynesite, the t-shirt is very nice!)
Laurel, a field of flowers in Second Life

Naturalistic hotspots in Second Life are becoming more and more beautiful, probably because of the sculptie prims and/or the skills of the designers.
LAUREL is a relaxing, beautiful "field of flowers" sim.
If you love this sim, teleport there or grab the Laurel widget and put on your blog sidebar
The image above is by c4u
Monday, February 9, 2009
Colours and Lighting pour in World of Warcraft
New Agamand is a fantastic photo by Morgana_le_fay
The image show the potential of World of Warcraft sceneries for photos, visuals and beauty.


Browse other Morgana_le_fay pictures!
The image show the potential of World of Warcraft sceneries for photos, visuals and beauty.
Browse other Morgana_le_fay pictures!
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Photo Sessions, join the Second Life official group
The Photo Sessions is the most important Koinup invorld Community Event!
Its a project proudly co-hosted by Koinup and the Orange Island. Together with the guys at the Orange Island, we are going to improve and make more easy for eachone to join the Photo Sessions events, classes, "show and tell" and community.
So we have just opened the "The Photo Sessions" official group in Second Life!
Next time, you will login in SL, you are really should consider to join the The Photo Sessions group so to be sure to stay updated about the photo sessions calendar.
The most authoritative Second Life photographers, posers, machinima-makers and artists will join the group and will share their knowledge during the next events & classes, so you're highly suggested to be part of the crew and improve your skills!
Talking about Photos, what are the all time most coolest pics hosted on the website? Look here the best ones!!!!
Its a project proudly co-hosted by Koinup and the Orange Island. Together with the guys at the Orange Island, we are going to improve and make more easy for eachone to join the Photo Sessions events, classes, "show and tell" and community.
So we have just opened the "The Photo Sessions" official group in Second Life!
Next time, you will login in SL, you are really should consider to join the The Photo Sessions group so to be sure to stay updated about the photo sessions calendar.
The most authoritative Second Life photographers, posers, machinima-makers and artists will join the group and will share their knowledge during the next events & classes, so you're highly suggested to be part of the crew and improve your skills!
Talking about Photos, what are the all time most coolest pics hosted on the website? Look here the best ones!!!!
The best beloved Second Life sims

Some days ago, we asked koinup members to tell us the sim they love the most....Actually, they picked 5 sites:
1) Tempura Island (the awesome japanese naturalistic hotspot)
2) Templum ex Obscurum (the mystical and wonderful sim created by Baron Grayson)
3) Unintended Water (the amazing sim and fav hangout for the toilet installation crew)
4) Beguile (also known as Lost World)
5) Immersiva (the sculpture park of the metaverse artist Bryn Oh)
Each day in Second Life, new sims open and fantastic places spread out from the grid!
I invite to have a look at the latest one discovered!
and hopefully, we will commit ourself to expand the Places section to other worlds, along with SL, to give further enjoyment to our community!
(photo above "forest of autumn" by Narshe Talbot)
Visit this awesome cute SL sim!
Chowla, recently discovered by Pooh-Bai looks like one of the most cute sim we saw since a lot of time in SL
Here's the widget (you can grab by yourself, here)
Koinup: Your Virtual Life 
(direct slurl here)
Here's the widget (you can grab by yourself, here)
(direct slurl here)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Photo Sessions, Appointment with Angelique Ronmark and Tana Robbiani

Meet us, Thursday 5th of February, on Orange Island (slurl) at 11AM SLT for our monthly Photo Session co-hosted with Orange Island. We are very proud to welcome the two nymphs of SL photography of the Koinup Second Life Community.
It is a very special edition of our Photo Session as we will welcome two artists: Angelique Ronmark and Tana Robbiani.
Read the full story here!
Image above "Ode to Gustav" by Tana Rabbiani
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Open Forum: the most beautiful Second Life Sim ever!
What's the sim you love the most in Second Life?
Tell us in the comments!
Maybe you can draw some inspiration in the Second Life places directory
Here indeed is the list of the coolest sims on Koinup
If available, please post the koinup url of the sim. Otherwise feel free to let us know the slurl. In the next days, I'll post again on your choices....
Tell us in the comments!
Maybe you can draw some inspiration in the Second Life places directory
Here indeed is the list of the coolest sims on Koinup
If available, please post the koinup url of the sim. Otherwise feel free to let us know the slurl. In the next days, I'll post again on your choices....
the best trees, flowers and nature you have ever seen in Second Life
If you are seeking some immersive landscape in Second Life, with trees, flowers, gardens and a sort of uncontaminated nature you have absolutely to visit Feast
Below is a fantastic photo shooted in Feast by the photographer YuNEO Nagy


click the image to view it all size
Below is a fantastic photo shooted in Feast by the photographer YuNEO Nagy
click the image to view it all size
Althekra, the city of Jeddah in Second Life
Cicada in Althekra is a well done, detailed Second Life remake of the city of Jeddah.
Walking around the sim, you can touch the atmosphere, colors and hot temperature of Arabia Saudita....
Koinup: Your Virtual Life 
I invite you to teleport there and take some photos! and then add them in the Cicada Pool
Walking around the sim, you can touch the atmosphere, colors and hot temperature of Arabia Saudita....
I invite you to teleport there and take some photos! and then add them in the Cicada Pool
Monday, February 2, 2009
Narnia landed in Second Life
Today, I like direct your attention to this amazing landscape by Delph, a new Koinup member


The photo depict the amazing sim Chronicles of Narnia
I invite you to browse more works from Delph
or have a look at the incredible Narnia Sim
The photo depict the amazing sim Chronicles of Narnia
I invite you to browse more works from Delph
or have a look at the incredible Narnia Sim
IMVU as Machinima Tool!
IMVU is well known for his potential as avatar art tool, but only a few people know that it could be a valuable tool for making machinima, too!
Following is an example of the IMVU video potentiality!

video by FreyjaMoon
Following is an example of the IMVU video potentiality!
video by FreyjaMoon
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