To get started with Bento Buddy, a Blender plugin for creating and exporting content for platforms like Second Life, here are the steps to install it, where to purchase it, and tutorials on how to use it.

Installation

1. Download the Plugin: Visit the Critters website to download Bento Buddy. If you already have it, ensure it's compatible with your Blender version.
2. Install in Blender:
   • Open Blender.
   • Go to Edit > Preferences.
   • Click on Add-ons and then Install.
   • Navigate to the downloaded Bento Buddy ZIP file and select it.
   • Enable the add-on by checking the box next to Bento Buddy in the add-ons list.

For a visual guide, you can watch the installation tutorial on YouTube.

Purchasing Bento Buddy

• You can purchase Bento Buddy at their in-world store in Second Life herein Second Life here.

Tutorials

1. Overview and Basic Use:

   • Bento Buddy - Overview, Animation Retargeting, Devkit, Character Conversion: This tutorial covers the basic features and tools available in Bento Buddy, including animation retargeting and character conversion. Watch it here.

2. Rigging Characters:

   • Manually Rigging a Character for Second Life: Learn how to manually rig characters from scratch using Bento Buddy, specifically for Second Life. This is helpful for detailed and customized character creation. Watch it here.

3. Creating Animations:

   • Creating Simple Animations: This tutorial shows how to create simple animations quickly using the Bento Buddy Safe Rig. It's a great starting point for animators. Watch it here.

4. Exporting and More Advanced Features:

   • Complete Conversion and Animation Process: This video details the complete process of converting and animating characters for use in other platforms, emphasizing Second Life. Watch it here.

For additional help and more advanced tutorials, you can explore the Bento Buddy YouTube channel which has a variety of videos covering different aspects of the plugin.

These resources should help you get started with installing, purchasing, and using Bento Buddy effectively in Blender and Second Life.