- In some server versions, it was necessary to turn off the acceleration feature (command acceloff) after rezzing a fresh copy of Beadrez.
- There is a limit to the number of bead types in Beadrez contents. It's not a rezzing limit -- you can rez hundreds of beads. 100 or more beads should fit inside Beadrez v6, depending on naming. Memory problems can result from too many beads stored in contents.
- For HUD owners: rez (add) commands that are in notecards may be ignored if you touch the HUD while a notecard is running. Let notecards finish running first. Also see the HUD page on this blog to fix any connection problems or alpha glitches.
Q: Spacing or rotation of my beads seems messed up (or, "clear" or twist commands don't seem to do anything)
This is usually caused by not setting up the beads. They should, at least, contain the LinkEnhancer script. Full setup requires the Teachpad steps (see "Teachpad: Adding Your Own Beads"). If that's not the problem, try setting all twists to zero or adjusting spacing with the space command.
If spacing is bad at the tip or around sharp corners, see "Sticks vs. Spheres spacing".
Also, do not switch between "sticks" and "spheres" settings within a single necklace.
Q: Some beads are missing or vanishing/reappearing.
This is likely the SL flaw described here: http://jira.secondlife.com/browse/VWR-13868 (the beads are there, but you can't see them).
Otherwise, if you are convinced it's Beadrez, try turning off acceleration using the acceloff command and send me the details.
Q: How do I get an update to the latest version? and Why am I getting repeated updates?
Beadrez v5 triggers an update shortly after rezzing. If you miss an update, rez again an hour later.
For older versions of Beadrez to update, leave them rezzed for a long time (could take a few days).
You may get REPEATED UPDATES if an old version remains rezzed. To stop this, in versions 4 and 5, delete the "Check-u-lator" script.
Q: How do I "save" necklace shapes?
A: Use the info command ("/1info") and copy+paste the output into a notecard placed inside Beadrez. Then, when you want the shape back, pick the notecard from the CARDS menu or use the card command to run it. Note this stores shaping and twist parameters, but not a history of rezzed beads. You can add rezzing commands at the end of the notecard.
If you have the HUD add-on, you can save to one of its 12 memory slots.
Q: How do I "undo" the last bead?
A: There is no undo command. Listh will give you a history of recent commands that may help you rebuild. If you build by editing and running notecards inside Beadrez, then you can get back to where you were by re-running cards, but this requires you put commands in notecards.
Q: Why are my beads renamed and how can I change this?
A: Get my renamer script from Marketplace for just 1 L, or send a lovely gift for a free copy.
If you have the LinkSync add-on, note it lets you rename beads in groups: rename a bead, then click in a menu to have all other rezzed copies renamed.
Why Beadrez renames: Bead number added to the name lets you see which bead chats a warning (like scale-out-of-range warning). A number in braces, added by the teachpad process, is required for spacing to work. Other numbers help me figure out what's going on if someone contacts me with certain questions.
Q: Link Problems; or How do I link?
A: A link command was added in version 4.1. Alternatively, you may want to link manually to add things like pendants. Sometimes manual linking gets tricky (below).
A: Scripted linking does not work during some sim problems. If Beadrez sends messages as linking but pieces don't end up linked at all, try different sims, or try another day.
NOTES about the link command:
1) You do NOT need to link to an extra root prim. If you prefer one, you can use the rezroot command to rez a box at the center of the Beadrez guides.
2) Before linking, remove any other nearby objects named "root". Beadrez scans for an object named "root" and links it.
3) Linking takes at least 1 second per bead.
4) Due to SL limits, link is not always possible. For example, SL does not allow more than 255 prims to link.
5) If linking fails, you may not be notified. You must check for yourself.
MANUAL linking:
Jewelry linking is tricky sometimes, especially when "link" cannot be selected from SL's menu even when prims are linkable. Order of selection/touching can make a difference, and so can permissions (beads switch perms when linked, because a script inside deletes itself). Try linking beads in subgroups and then linking those subgroups together, or temporarily link to a large center prim and then unlink it later (or shrink it into a little root prim). Do NOT check "edit linked parts" in the viewer's Edit tool when trying to link.
Q: How do I show myself as creator of the necklace?
A: If you want every prim to show your name, prep your own beads with the Teachpad. Otherwise, just link to a root prim that you create (if you don't mind the link pieces still showing another name).
If you use rezroot (it's optional), replace the cube with your own prim: create your own prim and name it "root", then replace the object in the front guide prim of Beadrez. (Do NOT place it in the main Beadrez contents. Instead, click "Edit Linked Parts" in SL's Edit tool and select only Beadrez's front guide. You should see an object named "root" inside its contents. Delete that object and put your own in its place).
Q: How do I find or use the twistmenu?
A: Chat /1twistmenu after rezzing beads (if you have changed Beadrez's command channel, substitute the new channel). If you haven't done so, see the steps on the "Introductory Tour" post.
Q: My new bead is missing from the BEADS menu, or I got some script error related to the BEADS menu. HELP!
A: Give your beads short simple names as suggested by the teachpad instructions. Some names can't be put in menu buttons. Beadrez v6 hides names that are too long.
Q: I got a stack/heap collision error. HELP!
A: You can use SL's tools menu to reset scripts and make sure they are running. *BEFORE YOU DO THIS*, note the Beadrez package contains a recovery script you can drop into Beadrez to get a dump of recent settings (must be dropped in after error but before reset).
This error has only been reported to me when very many beads were dropped into Beadrez. I recommend not exceeding 100.
Q: What settings are good for a bracelet / choker / ring / etc.
A: With version 3 or higher, just enter the "bracelet" command or pick it from the menus to get a decent starting point. All it does is set some parameters, including bendf = 0, bendb = 0, shear = 0, point = 0, twistb = 0, twistc = -90. The first 5 just undo some default nonzero settings, and the last one angles the links straight up/down.
Q: Can I generate full-perm necklaces?
A: Yes -- the bead prims in Beadrez are full perm, even though they temporarily appear to be no-mod no-trans. You can also use your own full-perm beads. Beads may temporarily appear to become no-mod no-trans until you link them. These are "folded permissions" involving copy-only scripts and do not mean the actual prims have changed permissions.
Sometimes it takes minute or more for this permissions switch to show, depending on SL performance.
If you have problems, make sure to check permissions at each step.
If you want to understand more, search "folded permissions" and "debug permissions" in SL.
Q: Why is there sometimes a little gap or overlap (or extra bead) at the end? How do I fix it?
A: This is correct behavior: one cannot have both precise interbead spacing and precise width/length sizing without this happening. Think of the path as a piece of string on which beads would have to fit exactly for ends to match up exactly. If you need a more perfect fit, you can change the length of the string: make a final adjustment by making small changes to sizing factors.
Q: I think it's broken, - or- I got a script error. What now?
A1: Make sure you are on a script-enabled parcel.
A2: Read the earlier items about errors when clicking BEADS or stack/heap errors.
A3: Otherwise, if the scripts are stopped or stuck, go to SL's "Tools" menu and use "Reset Scripts in Selection" to reset everything. Please contact me so I can fix any problems. Two possible problems are: 1) you've placed a very large collection of beads into contents so script memory runs out, or 2) server problems: some region problems or unpredictable changes in LL's code.
A4: Since its copyable, you probably still have the original copy in your inventory and can rez a new one.
A5: In case of "math error", send me details about the shape and bead you rezzed.
Q: How do I find or delete beads that are far away from Beadrez?
A: Finding lost beads can be tough, but you might be able to clear them: In v5 or higher, the regclear chat command will clear every bead in the sim if the bead: 1) has a running Linkenhancer script in it, 2) is owned by the same AV giving the command, and 3) was rezzed by that AV's Beadrez (will not clear beads that were never placed inside Beadrez).
Q: Can my friends/group/alt share my Beadrez to make necklaces?
A: No -- Beadrez is single-user unless/until I can find a good compromise between adding this feature and keeping the scripts clean and efficient (and preventing abuse -- I'm open to ideas). But, you can share settings via notecards, by cutting/pasting the info dump from chat, or by viewing hovertext.
Q: This looks like Linkrez! How do they compare?
In SL forums, Linkrez creator Ged Larsen posted an incorrect comparison. Contrary to his post, Beadrez has always had a notecard program feature and lets you rez many different link types in arbitrary order. Additionally, Beadrez has more shapes, more menu interactivity (such as interactive twists), a shape preview, auto-linking, separate left-right rezzing, faster rezzing, and other features. It has also been updated and maintained actively for over 4 years.
I still have much respect for Ged and his work on building tools. Please just make a careful comparison and decide for yourself. Both tools have websites describing features and use.
TIP: "Leaning back" for more realistic necklace shapes
You might find the necklace shapes more realistic if you make them for a "leaned back" AV. Or, in other words, plan to rotate the final necklace down on the AV. If you use Beadrez as a pose stand, rotate back slightly from the pose menu (or HUD add-on).
TIP: Another way to make a pointed necklace
Besides the shaping parameters, another type of pointed shape can be made by manually removing beads from the center (tip) of a necklace and bringing the two sides together so they meet. In some cases, this will give a more realistic point. It may take some extra planning or clean-up at the back of the necklace.
TIP: Maximizing rez precision: "acceloff" and low-altitude rezzing
Use the "acceloff" (acceleration off) command to get slightly better accuracy but slower rezzing. Usually, you won't notice, so I have left acceleration on by default.
Rezzing at low altitudes (instead of high in the sky) can also improve accuracy slightly. By the way, this applies to several other building tools and SL behaviors. Stop working at high altitudes :)
TIP: Reducing land impact (PE: prim equivalence)
With v6, PE of the main unit will drop to around 24 prims if you set all child prims to have the "None" physics shape (edit Beadrez and select "None" under "Physics Shape Type" in the features tab). There are two things to watch out for: first, when switching physics shape, PE can temporarily shoot up, requiring lots of prims available temporarily. Second, PE can increase if you set unusually large shape parameters.
TIP: Notecards with multiple commands per line
You can put multiple commands on a single notecard line by separating them with a semicolon (;), but SL will truncate very long lines.
This reduces time waiting for notecard lines from the dataserver, but notecard speed is still limited by other internal mechanisms.
TIP: Using gestures instead of notecards
You can store command sets as chats in gestures instead of notecards. But, if you do this, include a delay between commands.
TIP: Changing default rootbox attachment setting
I have not tested this one yet myself, but a user suggested it to me. When you are setting up Beadrez to use your own root box, you could first wear the box and position it on your AV to store attachment point and position with it.
TIP: Posing and position/rotation control
You can replace the sit pose (animation): just drop a different animation into contents, and that should be used on the next sit. But if you drop in multiple poses, only the first from the contents list is used.
Some users prefer to use a separate pose stand instead of built-in pose features, and then move beadrez around instead of moving the avatar.
For this, use a viewer with the "Edit Axis at Root" feature in the Edit tool (check it). Beadrez's rotation center then matches the necklace center for simpler manipulation.
