Avatar Bake Fail

Sometimes when we log into Second Life we remain a cloud either when seen on our own screens or when others look at us, and no amount of rebaking (CTRL-ALT-R / CMD-OPT-R) will fix.

Bake fail is a server-derived issue involving a communications failure, such as between the server and your computer, or the server and someone else’s computer / a group of computers. Typical examples of each are:

  • Everyone else sees you in an outfit you just changed into, but you still see yourself in the previous outfit = you have suffered bake fail
  • You see yourself wearing the outfit you’ve just changed into, but others see you still in your previous outfit = others have suffered bake fail.

Should you suffer from bake fail, there are a number of ways in which you can resolve it.

1. Swap you Bald Cap and / or Group Tag

As amazing as it sounds, something as simple as swapping your bald cap or changing your Group tag can resolve a bake fail situation.

2. Reload your Avatar from Inventory

This requires some set-up in advance:

  1. In your inventory, create a folder called “Fix Rebake Fail” (or something you’ll recognise for these situations.
  2. Drop your skin, shape, preferred hair, eyes and some undies or clothing (in case you are forced to log to a G-rated sim and cannot rez).

When you find yourself unable to rez, and rebaking / swapping bald caps fails:

  1. Open your inventory and locate your “rescue” folder.
  2. Right-click on the folder and select Replace Outfit.
  3. If (2.) fails, drag the folder from your inventory and drop it onto your avatar
  4. This will force your skin, shape, etc., to reload and your avatar to rebake. Note that any HUDS, etce you were wearing may be knocked off.
  5. Allow the rebake process to complete.
  6. Reattach any HUDs, etc., knocked off.

This should clear the issue for you. However, if you still have rezzing issues, you may need to clear cache and / or reload your User Settings.

3. Force a reload of your Avatar Settings

Only do this if (2.) fails to resolve your situation.

  • Log out of Second Life.
  • In Windows Explorer / Finder / File Manager, navigate to the User Settings Files Location (see table above, where “[username]” is your Windows / Mac OS username and “[viewer]” is the name of your Viewer).
  • Within these locations will be one (or more, depending on how many Alts you use!) folders named after each of your avatars.
  • Delete the folder for the avatar you are experiencing issues with.
  • Log back into Second Life.
  • Allow a few minutes for your Avatar Settings to download to your computer.
  • Once downloaded, your avatar should rez normally.

4. Run an Avatar Test

Perform this as an alternative to (2.).

  • Log-in to Second Life.
  • Take one of the following steps:
    • Viewer 1.x: enable the ADVANCED menu, if not already visible (CTRL-ALT-D / CTRL-OPT-D) and select CHARACTER -> CHARACTER TESTS and then either FEMALE TEST or MALE TEST.
    • Viewer 3.x: Enable the DEVELOP menu (ADVANCED -> SHOW DEVELOP MENU) and then select DEVELOP -> AVATAR -> CHARACTER TESTS and then either FEMALE TEST or MALE TEST.
  • Your avatar will revert to fully “Ruthed” (default avatar state).
  • Rebake, if required (generally not).
  • Re-wear your preferred chape, skin, hair, etc., and re-attach your usual HUDs and attachments.

The above techniques are not foolproof, but have worked for me over the 4+ years I’ve been actively engaged in Second Life.

I SEE GREY PEOPLE

if you see a grey avatar or avatars near you, don’t ask them to rebake – try changing your Group tag. Or, if your Viewer supports it, try right-clicking on them and using the texture refresh option (only available on some TPVs).