When you unpack the MetaHarper show tools you get a box that looks like a slowly revolving harp-mermaid. Inside are a few core tools as well as other optional subpackges for specialized situations. Below is a list of all the included components along with a brief summary of what each does. For more information about how to use these components and all of their features, see the specific documentation pages in the right sidebar!
Core Tools
- the MST Performance Engine – This is the brains of a performance. When rezzed on the ground, it looks like a simple triangular prim and contains most of the information about a particular act or stage set. It can include information about which props to rez, which scripted camera settings to use, and which choreographed sequences can be run. It is meant to be renamed something to specific to one of your acts.
- MST Centerpoint – This is a single prim that you rez on the ground to define the general location of your performance area. Typically you rez this in the middle of your stage floor or stage template before using any of the other MST tools. You should rename this with the name of your stage. If you are planning on creating an act for someone else’s theater, you should rename it to match the name they have chosen for their theater’s centerpoint.
- MST mover (also called VLP mover) – This is a square sheet you can rez on the ground. You can have avatars sit on this to ride it in a smooth timed movement path, or link it with objects you wish to move. You should rename this to match the role of the avatar or object you intend to use it to move.
- MST Choreo HUD Solo – This is a wearable HUD. You can place it on the ground, copy in your animations, and then pick it up and wear it to arrange the animations into a nice timed sequence to support your acts. The “ChoreoHUD Solo” is a very limited, basic version of “ChoreoHUD Director” suitable only for timing single choreography sequences. For much richer functionality, please see the ‘ChoreoHUD Director” product separately.
- ~MST rezTracker – This script can be placed in your stage props to allow them to be rezzed and derezzed quickly.
Subpackage – Optional Camera Components
- MST Cam-Enabled Theater Seat – This customizable wooden seat is used by audience members to see scripted camera sequences. The scripts inside it can also be used with most av-sitter (poseball-less) furniture you already own, and possibly other sit systems as well.
- MST Camera HUD – This is a simple one-prim HUD. It allows an avatar to see scripted camera sequences, even if they are not sitting in a seat. It’s useful for testing and for performers to watch if they cannot be in an audience seat while the performance takes place.
- MST Machinima Camsled – This is a blue disc that can follow the path of scripted cameras. By riding on it an avatar can gain the smoothest possible scripted camera performance. Typically this is used only for recording machinima and not for live performances.
- MST allow more seated avs – These are optional scripts that can be added to multi-avatar furniture to support scripted cameras for each sitting avatar beyond the first.
Subpackage – Optional Curtain Management
- MST SmartCurtain – This is a simple stage curtain that can be controlled via chat, clicks, or a wearable HUD. Rez it in front of your stage, resize the invisible frame prim and position it as needed, then click it and choose “repair” to rez the sliding flexi-cloth panels.
- MST Curtain HUD – Provides a quick little HUD to open and close the MST SmartCurtain. Also provides some handy director cues in private chat to the wearer.
Subpackage – Optional Outfitter / FX / Sync
- MST Outfitter HUD – This is a simple one-prim HUD. It allows an avatar to automatically wear or remove objects or clothes within special folders set up in advance in the wearer’s avatar inventory. This can be useful for changing costumes or attached props extremely fast during performances, either to improve reliability, timing, or to create a special effect of a rapid costume change.
- MST Animation Sync Extension – This is an invisible, wearable original mesh object that helps prevent viewers from losing track of the wearer’s animations. Wear this while performing synchronized dances with others or on large stages where viewers need to cam around to see details.
- MST ObjectFX Script – This is a simple special effects script you can use to add common effects into your modifiable objects (fade in, fade out, colors, glow, particles, etc.)