RLVa Frequently Asked Questions

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Here we hope to answer some common frequently asked RLVa questions. If you have a question that you think we have missed please drop Catznip an IM in Second Life.


Getting Started with RLV

What is RLVa?

RLVa is a tool kit that extends the LSL scripting language used to make objects interactive. If something you encounter in world does anything beyound simply existing, it is scripted in some way.

RLVa allows scripted objects to interact with your viewer directly and change your experience of the world in many ways. This has been used for the most part to create adult toys or furniture but it has a significant number of general uses similar to the experience tools being developed by Linden Lab.

How is RLVa different from RLV?

RLVa Logo

RLVa is an alternative implementation and extension to the RLV API by Marine Kelly. RLVa interprets some things a little differently (usually in a less intrusive way) and has a number of extensions above and beyond Marine's specification. This wiki details the RLVa specification as it applies to Catznip, Firestorm and other RLVa Viewers. RLVa has been in majority use since 2009 and is what most users experience as or equate to being RLV even though that refers to a different specification and implementation. For more information please see RLVa / RLV Differences.

Where do I get an RLVa enabled viewer?

We have compiled a list of RLVa and RLV enabled Second Life viewers, obviously we can only directly support Catznip. See our full list of RLVa Viewers.

How do I enable RLVa?

Please see How to enable RLVa.

Is RLVa Safe?

RLVa is safe. Simply enabling RLV will not invade your privacy, lag your viewer or cause you to breach the Second Life terms of service.

RLVa only functions on worn attachments. Other rezzed objects require an RLV Relay to work as a proxy and pass their special commands on to you. If you don't wear a relay device, you are simply immune from all external attempts to utilise RLVa on your viewer.

Can RLVa be used to read someone's IM's?

No.

Using RLVa

How do I configure RLVa?

RLVa has very few options and in the vast majority of cases it is recommended you stick to the supplied defaults. For more information see RLVa Configuration Options.

How can I see which attachments are using RLVa?

View all active RLVa commands via the RLVa Active Commands floater.

What is an RLV Relay?

RLVa only operates on worn attachments. An RLV Relay is a device that extends this functionality to rezzed objects by acting as an intermediary. If you do not use a relay, you are immune to all RLV objects rezzed in world.

Do all RLV items work with RLVa?

Yes.

Developing RLVa Items

What Viewer do you recommend for developing RLVa scripts?

We recommend the Catznip viewer! Ok, a more serious answer would be that as RLVa is developed as part of the Catznip viewer project, the Catznip viewer represents the most recent implementation. Once published in Catznip, RLVa is then updated in other RLVa Viewers and as such, Catznip is always assumed to be the reference implementation. We strongly recommend you test your script on as many viewers as you can including Linden Lab's client (which has no RLVa/RLV functionality).

Do you provide scripts?

No. Aside from any reference material provided on this wiki, we do not provide any ready made LSL scripts for you to use in your own creations.

What debugging tools exist for RLVa?

RLVa ships with a number of features intended to aid in the development of RLVa compatible scripted devices. Please see the RLVa_Debugging_Tools for more information.

Can you help me with a project?

We can provide a limited amount of high level assistance. We wont write your script for you but we can certainly help you to understand and errant behaviour or advice best practice. Please see Category:Support for ways to contact.

Can you test my RLVa enabled product?

We don't test every RLVa product we find in Second Life, we will however get in touch with a product's creator if we spot something we do buy or encounter doing something weird. If you want a quick sanity check please get in touch.

I think I've found a bug in RLVa!

Please report bugs on our Catznip JIRA.

Why doesn't RLVa and RLV merge?

For the same reason that Chrome and Firefox don't.

We understand that it would be simpler for developers to only have either RLV or RLVa. However the reality is there are multiple completely separate implementations, maintained by completely separate developers who's work gets presented to the end users via a several different viewers.

RLVa shares no code with Marine Kelly's RLV implementation and while are committed to the spirit of her specification we are under no obligation to implement every change or addition. In the same way she is not expected to mirror everything that appears in the RLVa Specification. There are some notable differences and you can use the Version Commands to find out what version a specific end user's viewer is using.


Catznip
Unless otherwise stated RLVa user documentation only applies to RLVa as provided in the Catznip Viewer.
If in doubt please refer to your RLVa capable viewer's support / documentation.