Fashion - August 20 - The Body Wars: A Mesh Body Review
I want to start out by saying this is purely opinion and I think both designers are talented. Just like real bodies, SL bodies come in all shapes and sizes! Its been a hard few months for bodies, and various physical attachments. With wowmesh down do to a series of linden take downs, and Luck Inc no where to be seen, residents have been left with few choices, for supported mesh with appliers. But out of the dust comes two new contenders for the "best body" race. Slink Physique, which was released two months ago now, and #themeshproject body which went in to beta around the same time as the physique release.
So lets get down to it shall we?
Mesh Project Pros:
Okay while this may not seem like a lot of pros, I absolutely love this shape. For me, with it's curves and perfect breasts? It's the win. No question. The shops is the one ill be wearing, at least when im running around barefoot. Otherwise ill likely stick to my azz and tangos, because the slink body just doesn't support the curves I love.
Shape sliders - I feel like I could make endless shapes with this mesh body, every slider change made it look drastically different and that made each shape really stand out. Being unique, on some level, is whats most important i think for residents in sl. It makes our avatars a piece of us.
The Bum - Yes, not only are my upper lady lumps fantastic, but so are my lower! For a girl who prefers curvy, these are spot on.
The Hips - the hour glass physique is pretty spot on, and really the entire body works beautifully with the sliders, from the more "thin" and sleek shapes, to the more curvy and robust!
The Hud - Okay so this gets a pro and a con (more on that later), just like any other body part with appliers, it has tat layers, top, bottom, sets, etc. But the shops were also smart in that they offered two options, loose, or tight. If you are familiar with WoWmeh, or tangos, then you'll know that both of these mesh pieces offer a "loose fit" that allows "system clothes" to stretch across the breasts (and back side). It also does alphas and every other thing you can sort of assume would be in a body hud.
Slink: This is the top issue, the unwillingness of the shops to play nice with their competitor, which if we're honest will hobble the sales of the body. While many people will purchase, many more will not. Why? Because slink cornered a market a while ago with a fresh idea, and much money was spent in support of buying shoes for fancy feet. Other bodies, and lower bodies, who have far more appliers are available. And while they may not be as well made as the shops, they have more to offer. My suggestion from the peanut gallery? Give in, make your bodies slink compatible, you might find more people willing to create shoes for your feet along side slink. Also, they would find their bodies purchased by a broader range of people.
Skins & appliers & shoes: a few places are out right refusing to make appliers, while a few others are slowly easing into it, so don't expect a ton of appliers from some of the top creators just yet. Either way the coin falls it'll be a while before you see the shops are picked up the way wowmeh or azz was. That said, again they are hobbling themselves without offering slink compatibility. But, I'm sure it'll pick up and more and more we'll find compatible clothing. If you are curious about MY skin, as far as I know glam affair has not done an applier, I just used Jamaica tone + shops tone 11 + neck fade. My face is a little lighter, but it'll do pig. It'll do.
The Hud - Okay so here's the thing, the hud is fantastic, but if you are shopping "The shops" for the first time you might find yourself in the 7th level of hud related and TP hell. The place is confusing, no doubt. So when you go? Bring a stiff drink.
Slink Pros:
The body itself: If you are into a more petite shape this one is for you, built more like a model (I think), she sports more angular features, and hard edges. The curves fit a lot closer to the original body shape, so its a little harder to reach a curvy look and plump rump. But if you are looking for sleek and whispy? Slink is right up your alley. The body seems a little more "mature" than the shops
The weights - The rig is really nice, no more blocky elbows or weird pointed edges when it comes to animations.
Slink compatible: like it needs to be said, it works their own brand of widely used hands and feet. You will have no shortage of shoes, or hand appliers at your disposal, even going so far as having a spot on their sim for vendors to put their slink related items for purchase. Talk about one stop shop.
Plays well with others: okay so this doesn't exactly have anything to do with the body. This has more to do with good business sense. Slink has been set apart from the rest by their willingness to work with others, from free releases to designers to create appliers and items FOR their product, to great customer support and willingness to work with other designers. Slink? Should really get an award for fantastic business sense.
The cons:
Really it's hard to find any real cons with slink, while I prefer the curves and over all look of the shops? The slink body is put together well, the hud is straight forward and its easy to work with.
That said I think one of the major issues I have would be a lack of "loose" options with the hud. Bodies and body parts have brought back the love of system clothing. To have items static cling to you like the old days of sl, just isn't flattering. I think slink would have done better with a loose option allowing items to stretch across the expanse of the breasts or bum.
All in all, both bodies are well done, I worry for the shops body, because as great as it is, i think it's only going to frustrate the masses. Lets hope one day they play well with others and open up to slink compatibility, if only to earn more money and draw in a much broader market!
Until next time,
Aubrey
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