Getting Started - ApertureViewer/Aperture-Viewer GitHub Wiki

Welcome to Aperture Viewer! This guide will help you get started with the basics, assuming you have some familiarity with virtual worlds like Second Life or OpenSim, and perhaps even the Firestorm Viewer. Aperture Viewer builds upon that foundation while offering exciting new visual tools to explore.

Important: By using Aperture Viewer, you are agreeing to comply with the Linden Lab Third Party Viewer Policy and the Second Life Terms of Service. Please review these documents carefully to understand your responsibilities as a Second Life user. Your use of Aperture Viewer is subject to these terms.

First Launch and Logging In

Getting into Aperture Viewer and connecting to Second Life or OpenSim is straightforward:

  1. Launch Aperture Viewer:

    • Locate the ApertureViewer.exe file on your computer. This will be in the folder where you extracted the downloaded ZIP archive or in your chosen installation directory if you used an installer.
    • Double-click ApertureViewer.exe to launch the viewer.

  2. Accept Terms of Service:

    • Upon first launch, you will be presented with the Second Life Terms of Service.
    • Carefully read the Terms of Service.
    • You must click "Accept" to proceed and use Aperture Viewer to connect to Second Life or OpenSim grids.

  3. Login Screen:

    • After accepting the Terms of Service, you will arrive at the Aperture Viewer Login Screen.
    • This screen should look familiar if you've used other Second Life or OpenSim viewers.

  4. Enter Your Credentials:

    • For Second Life: Enter your Second Life username (or email) and password in the designated fields.
    • For OpenSim:
      • Grid: Ensure the correct OpenSim grid is selected in the "Grid" dropdown menu. If your grid is not listed, you can add it manually by clicking "Add Grid" and entering the grid's login URI.
      • Username and Password: Enter your username and password for your chosen OpenSim grid.

  5. Click "Login":

    • Once you have entered your credentials, click the "Login" button.
    • Aperture Viewer will connect to the selected virtual world grid.
    • You will then be logged in and appear in your designated home location within that virtual world!

Basic User Interface Overview

The Aperture Viewer interface is designed to be intuitive, especially if you are already familiar with Firestorm or other Second Life viewers. Here's a quick overview of the main elements:

  • Main Menu Bar (Top): Located at the very top of the viewer window, this bar provides access to core functions organized into menus like "File," "Edit," "View," "World," "Tools," "Help," and more.
  • Toolbars (Often Below Menu Bar): Toolbars provide quick access to frequently used functions via icons.
    • Main Toolbar: Often provides shortcuts for inventory, profile, world map, search, etc.
    • Build/Object Tools Toolbar: Appears when you enter Build mode.
  • Panels/Floaters: Windows containing various functions. Common ones include Inventory, Chat, World Map.
  • Aperture Phototools Suite (APS) (Aperture Viewer Exclusive):
    • This is the central feature of Aperture Viewer! Accessible via Ctrl + Shift + P (or often from the "Tools" or "Advanced" > "Phototools" menu).
    • The APS is a unified, tabbed interface that consolidates all advanced visual, environmental, camera, and post-processing controls. It replaces many individual floaters found in other viewers.
    • Detailed environment editing, lighting, reflections, lens effects, real-time post-processing, avatar controls, graphics preset management, and camera presets are all managed within the APS.

Note for Firestorm Users: The basic layout (menus, toolbars) will feel familiar. The most significant difference is the Aperture Phototools Suite (APS), which centralizes and expands upon visual controls, including functionalities that might have been in separate "Phototools" or "Environment Editor" floaters in older versions or other viewers.

Navigation Basics

Moving around and interacting with the world in Aperture Viewer is similar to other virtual world viewers:

  • Movement Controls:

    • Walk Forward/Backward: Use the Up Arrow Key or W Key to walk forward, and the Down Arrow Key or S Key to walk backward.
    • Turn Left/Right: Use the Left Arrow Key or A Key to turn left, and the Right Arrow Key or D Key to turn right.
    • Run: Hold down the Shift Key while using the movement keys to run faster.
    • Fly: Press the Page Up Key or E Key (often E in Firestorm-based viewers, though C is also common) to fly upwards, and the Page Down Key or C Key (often C for down/crouch) to fly downwards. Use movement keys to move horizontally while flying. (Verify your default keybindings in Preferences > Keys & Movement if unsure).

  • Camera Controls:

    • Orbit Camera: Hold down the Alt Key and drag your mouse to orbit the camera around your avatar or a selected object.
    • Zoom Camera: Use your mouse wheel to zoom the camera in and out (dolly).
    • Pan Camera (Lateral Movement): Hold down Ctrl + Alt and drag your mouse to pan the camera left, right, up, or down.
    • Mouselook (First-Person View): Press the M key or use the mouse wheel click to enter/exit Mouselook.

  • Interacting with Objects:

    • Right-Click on Objects: Right-clicking on an object in the world will usually bring up a context menu with actions you can perform (e.g., "Sit Here," "Touch," "Open," "Buy," etc.).
    • Left-Click to Select: Left-clicking on objects will often select them, allowing you to see object properties or use build tools if you are in Build mode.

Chatting Basics

Communicating with others is a key part of the Second Life and OpenSim experience:

  • Local Chat:

    • To chat with people nearby in the same region, simply type your message in the chat bar (usually at the bottom of the viewer window) and press Enter.
    • Your message will be visible to everyone within a certain radius around your avatar.

  • Instant Message (IM) Chat:

    • To have a private conversation with another user, you can send them an Instant Message (IM).
    • To initiate an IM:
      • Right-click on the avatar of the person you want to IM.
      • Select "IM" (or "Message") from the context menu.
      • An IM conversation window will open. Type your message in the window and press Enter to send.

Appearance Basics (Optional)

Customizing your avatar's appearance is a fun aspect of virtual worlds.

  • Changing Clothes and Attachments:

    • You can acquire clothing items and attachments from in-world stores or other users.
    • To wear an item from your inventory, right-click on it in your Inventory panel and select "Wear" (or "Add" for some attachments).
    • You can also drag and drop clothing and attachments from your Inventory onto your avatar.

  • (More Advanced Appearance Customization): For detailed avatar shape and appearance editing, explore the "Appearance" floater (often accessible by right-clicking your avatar and choosing "Appearance," or from the main menu).

Next Steps - Unleash the Visual Power!

Congratulations! You've now covered the basics of getting started with Aperture Viewer.

To truly experience what Aperture Viewer is designed for, we highly recommend exploring:

Have fun exploring the visual innovation of Aperture Viewer!