Back in February, I blogged about the new LAQ Era2 Mesh Head and highlighted some of its exciting new features. One standout was the Supreme UHD skin, boasting a higher resolution that truly impressed. Recently, while browsing through Flickr, I stumbled upon a breathtaking ad from LAQ showcasing their new Elvae skin. The shine and texture of the skin looked absolutely amazing—I simply had to try it!
One thing I love about PBR (Physically Based Rendering) is the enhanced shine on skins in specific lighting conditions. It adds a level of realism that’s hard to beat. I’m hoping more skin designers will explore PBR and update their processes to offer us a wealth of lighting add-ons.
After tweaking my shape to match the Elvae skin and the LAQ Era2 Elle mesh head, I was blown away by the realism. It could easily be mistaken for one of those popular mesh people rezzed around Second Life or maybe even resemble characters from the upcoming inZOI game.
Are you on the hunt for more realistic, high-definition skins now that PBR is here? I’d love to hear from you! If you’ve discovered any must-try skins, drop a comment and let me know!
I want to clarify that I don’t know the creator of Blueberry (Blueberryxx) personally. Everything I’m sharing here is based on public information and my own observations.
If you’ve been a resident of Second Life for a while, you’re probably familiar with the brand Blueberry. From my understanding, Blueberry is comprised of a team of creators and customer service representatives (CSRs) and has been consistently releasing content since 2012. This brand has been quite successful. In January 2023, it was announced that Blueberry raised $6 million in seed funding, which means they got investors. As you may know, when investors come on board, they take partial ownership in exchange for their capital.
A little over a year later, in April 2024, Blueberry informally announced the closure of the brand on Facebook. This news shocked their fans in Second Life, who refused to believe that the closure was permanent, thinking it might just be a break. The announcement remained inconsistent over several weeks, causing confusion about whether Blueberry was taking a break or closing for good. The CSRs in Second Life eventually announced that there were no staff members available, and they were effectively just volunteering while the brand was winding down.
Residents had several months to spend their store credit and come to terms with Blueberry’s closure. Then, in August, the creator of Blueberry announced a comeback under a new brand called “The Kiwi Co.” under a new avatar (Kiwi Blossom). Side note: did you know that a kiwi is also a type of berry?
Here’s what we know: Blueberry’s investors decided to close the portion of the business operating in Second Life. Blueberry the brand is still active on other platform, such as Roblox. While the Blueberry brand remains closed in Second Life, all of the products are still available on the Marketplace. The creator of Blueberry decided to reopen without the investors, taking her former Second Life team back with her and launching The Kiwi Co.
I’m not certain why the creator chose to return to Second Life under a new brand, but I do know that it’s a savvy business move to leave the old brand behind. With the introduction of Physically Based Rendering (PBR) and several new avatar bodies since Blueberry’s launch in 2012, why not rebrand and start fresh? Very few brands in Second Life tend to update old content with PBR or new bodies; they prefer to move forward and create new products. Supporting new products is simpler than managing a vast catalog of old ones.
So, if you loved the Blueberry aesthetic, you’ll be pleased with The Kiwi Co. The launch includes a dress and a pair of shoes as a gift to customers. Offering a generous free gift during a brand launch or re-launch is a smart strategy. The Grace Dress and shoes are both fatpacks, available in PBR and non-PBR versions.
Transferring Blueberry credit to The Kiwi Co
If you have Blueberry credit that you want to transfer to The Kiwi Co, please contact Blueberryxx resident in Second Life to facilitate the transfer.
I’ll show you the difference between the PBR (Physically Based Rendering) version of the dress and the non-PBR (Blinn–Phong) version. I photographed both with the same lighting in a PBR viewer. My EEP is optimized for PBR, which makes the non-PBR version appear a bit flat. Both versions look great, but if you know how to adjust your lighting, PBR will always stand out more. This dress features very subtle PBR effects, as it’s not a shiny fabric. I experimented with extra light sources to highlight the fabric, but most users probably won’t notice this while wearing it in-world.
I won’t endorse any specific PBR viewer, but if you’re still using a non-PBR viewer, consider upgrading (if possible). Second Life is evolving, and many brands might stop providing fallback textures, focusing solely on PBR optimization.
If you want to check out this dress, visit The Kiwi Co. in SL!
Another round of Anthology has just opened, and the item that immediately caught my eye is the Captain’s Lullaby decor set from James&Dew. This captivating set includes a decorative chandelier crafted from bottles and ship pieces, along with candles nestled in bottles, all evoking a delightful DIY old-world charm. I absolutely adore how these items have been repurposed, making them perfect for a rustic or cottage-themed setting.
As I delved into the description on Flickr, I was intrigued by the mention of a hidden surprise. Curiosity piqued, I meticulously searched and eventually uncovered a hidden treasure! While I don’t want to give away the surprise, I can assure you it’s definitely worth exploring. Who knows? You might find treasures that have washed up on the shore somewhere. I’m thrilled about this treasure hunt feature, as I have a soft spot for nautical-themed items.
I must say, it’s quite bold of James&Dew to release this set with PBR textures only, sans fallback. This decision highlights their forward-thinking approach. As Second Life progresses, we’re moving beyond older texturing methods. For those unable to view PBR textures, the fallback is a blank white texture, but it’s high time designers focus on the future. Continually supporting outdated texturing methods is a tall order, and it’s refreshing to see creators embracing advancement.
To showcase the stunning PBR textures of the Captain’s Lullaby set, I created a short video. I rezzed a reflection probe in the entire room, although it’s not necessary to enjoy the beauty of PBR items. The probe merely enhanced the reflections, making them more focused. In fact, foregoing the additional reflection probe might even reduce lag, as regions already have auto probes, albeit less concentrated.
So, embark on this nautical adventure with the Captain’s Lullaby set, and who knows what hidden gems you might discover along the way!
Hello from the serene Buddha Garden! I discovered this gem through the Destination Guide, an excellent resource for finding picturesque spots and experimenting with EEP settings.
I was pleasantly surprised by how tranquil and well-designed this homestead region is. They’ve kept things simple due to prim limitations, but this simplicity enhances its charm. As a long-time admirer of Second Life water, being surrounded by it here is a dream come true.
The default EEP settings in this region were quite dark, so I created a new one specifically for my photos. Interestingly, I didn’t plan on making an EEP or shooting a short video, but I was inspired to capture the stunning new Second Life skies in a PBR viewer.
Adjusting to PBR has been a challenge, but I’m coping better by fully embracing the PBR viewer. By doing so, I avoid making constant comparisons with the old viewer’s water. Surprisingly, I’m starting to miss the beautiful pre-PBR water a little less each day.
Sometimes, diving in headfirst is the best approach to adapt to a drastic change.
My photos are straight from Second Life with very minimal edits—just a bit of blurring and cropping.
Hello from the 4th of July Block Party! This delightful mainland parcel may be small, but it packs a punch with its many photogenic spots. When it comes to Summer holidays, gingham print always springs to mind, reminiscent of a classic picnic blanket.
To celebrate the Fourth of July, I’m rocking this Spring Tied Halter top from Fashionably Dead. To complete the ensemble, I’ve added the Blair Headband (4th of July print) from Sparkle Skye. Both of these items are part of the weekend sale at their main store, so grab them while you can!
Since transitioning to using a PBR viewer full-time, I’ve been tweaking the colors of my skin and body. I previously wore a body skin from Not Found but have since switched back to The Skinnery. The Luna body skin from The Skinnery is stunning, offering a myriad of options. I’ve reviewed it before, and was thrilled when they released the fabulous Body Bundle—it addresses several of my personal preferences, prompting me to give the body another go. Now, if only skin designers could offer face skins with neck options or none at all, it would make blending with our body skin choices so much easier.
What’s Second Life like post-PBR? It’s darker, it’s brighter, it’s more saturated—honestly, it’s so confusing! To help cope with these wild lighting changes, I created a Day Cycle complete with sky and water presets. You can apply this day cycle to your land, or even to your avatar, taking it with you wherever you go.
I have a lot of waterfront homes, and the water is completely wrecked by PBR. However, it’s a little more tolerable when you apply my day cycle, bringing back some of that nice, blue, shimmery water we all love. I aimed not to make it too bright, as this is a neutral day cycle. But don’t worry, I have plans for more vibrant day cycles in the future!
And guess what? I made a video to showcase it all! I even generated the custom music and song with the help of AI. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you so much for your kind words! If you have any lighting requests, just let me know in the comments.
It was time for Gogo to get a fresh new portrait to celebrate the new PBR lighting in Second Life! The last time I changed my profile photo was 4 years ago. Despite taking selfies all the time, I rarely think a photo is good enough for a profile update. Hopefully, this one will last for the next four years!
My friend Sparkle has crafted the most darling Emily Pearl Headband set. You can snag it at her main store on Sparkle Skye. Right now, it’s 50% off the fatpack, and there’s a special discount pack for the weekend sale. It pairs beautifully with the new Destiny hairstyle from Doux—a match made in virtual heaven!
These photos were taken at my Linden Home using the JuicyBomb – Country Skies EEP Settings. Even though I made these settings pre-PBR, the viewer automatically adjusts the lighting—it’s fantastic that they still work so well for photography. If you have this pack, you can easily tweak the lighting to suit your needs.
Welcome to Aurelias! Sparkle and I are thrilled to introduce you to our enchanting town that we’re so excited to bring back. Instead of recreating our original town that we love so much, we have chosen to embark on a new adventure with a darker twist – welcome toAurelias Fables & Fairytales.
Imagine a town filled with Victorian charm, where surprises await you at every corner. Aurelias has been transformed into a place where time moves slower, eagerly awaiting your exploration. As you meander through the forest, prepare to encounter an unexpected graveyard. It is a place that is both eerie and enchanting, where the wind carries ancient tales.
If you enjoy serene landscapes and nature, make sure to visit the swamplands of Aurelias. It will take you through lush and mysterious swamps, promising an amazing view with unpredictable weather – so bring an umbrella!
![JuicyBomb - Day Cycle EEP Settings [PBR Ready]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53814613913_bfe930bd10_z.jpg)
![JuicyBomb - Day Cycle EEP Settings [PBR Ready]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53814704514_e5fd1c5c9b_z.jpg)
![JuicyBomb - Day Cycle EEP Settings [PBR Ready]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53813444142_a2e171050d_z.jpg)
![JuicyBomb - Day Cycle EEP Settings [PBR Ready]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53814704499_0e20caf583_z.jpg)
