FAQs
If you have questions that are not covered by these FAQs, please contact Opal Lei.
About the products
What is a "series" and what is a "version"?
A series is a set of tails (usually four) that I create and release at the same time. A version is the technology or group of features or characteristics of the tails. For example, in Version 2, I started using sculpties in the prims. In Version 3, I enhanced the shadowing of the scales. In Version 3.1, I added a second scale color for each tail.
A series is a set of tails (usually four) that I create and release at the same time. A version is the technology or group of features or characteristics of the tails. For example, in Version 2, I started using sculpties in the prims. In Version 3, I enhanced the shadowing of the scales. In Version 3.1, I added a second scale color for each tail.
Purchasing
How do I buy a Mer Betta tail as a gift?
You can purchase Mer Betta tails from the SL Marketplace, or you can contact Opal Lei.
Can I get a refund for my Mer Betta tail?
As is typical in SL, copyable items cannot be refunded because a merchant cannot confirm that the item is no longer in your inventory. If you paid twice for the same item, or if you purchase another item separately (i.e.: the SkimSurfaceScript) that's already included in another item which you also purchased (i.e.: any tail that's v2 or higher), please copy the transaction details from your Second Life transaction page to a notecard and set the notecard title to "Refund request: <your name>", then send it to Opal Lei.
Can I purchase a Transferrable version?
Yes. Please contact Opal Lei inworld. A transferrable version does not include a spare copy of the SkimSurfaceSimple script, so you only have the one copy inside the tail. If you lose a transferrable tail due to an SL glitch, you will be charged for another copy.
Why are the scales and top fins in the underpants and undershirt layers? Can I request the scales and top in the pants and shirt layers?
As a mer, your scales and fins are part of your body. Theoretically, you were born with them; therefore, it doesn't make sense to have a tattoo (for example) under your scales. However, if you really want the scales and top in the pants and shirt layers, then, yes, please contact Opal Lei inworld.
Do you have tails for mermen and mer children?
A number of mermen and mer children wear Mer Betta tails. All Mer Betta prims are modifiable and, therefore, resizable. The big tails look charming on mer children. And, although, Mer Betta tails are known as very feminine, they've been worn by many men. In fact, Mer Betta tails are based on tails of the male betta species; the female of the species have smaller, less interesting tails. A barechested version of the top is included in the package so that you can still have the arm scales.
Can you make a mermaid tail that looks like my real-life betta fish?
That depends on the following factors:
1. If you want the tail to be one-of-a-kind and made only for you, are you willing to pay Opal's hourly rate for custom work? (See Opal's profile under Picks for her current rates.) Depending on the quality of the source photo, this could take days.
2. If you don't mind it being included in the Mer Betta line, are your fish's colors or combination of colors significantly different from existing Mer Betta tails?
3. Can you take a high-resolution, good quality picture of your fish with the tail and fins flared? Here's a good article on how to take pictures of your betta.
You can purchase Mer Betta tails from the SL Marketplace, or you can contact Opal Lei.
Can I get a refund for my Mer Betta tail?
As is typical in SL, copyable items cannot be refunded because a merchant cannot confirm that the item is no longer in your inventory. If you paid twice for the same item, or if you purchase another item separately (i.e.: the SkimSurfaceScript) that's already included in another item which you also purchased (i.e.: any tail that's v2 or higher), please copy the transaction details from your Second Life transaction page to a notecard and set the notecard title to "Refund request: <your name>", then send it to Opal Lei.
Can I purchase a Transferrable version?
Yes. Please contact Opal Lei inworld. A transferrable version does not include a spare copy of the SkimSurfaceSimple script, so you only have the one copy inside the tail. If you lose a transferrable tail due to an SL glitch, you will be charged for another copy.
Why are the scales and top fins in the underpants and undershirt layers? Can I request the scales and top in the pants and shirt layers?
As a mer, your scales and fins are part of your body. Theoretically, you were born with them; therefore, it doesn't make sense to have a tattoo (for example) under your scales. However, if you really want the scales and top in the pants and shirt layers, then, yes, please contact Opal Lei inworld.
Do you have tails for mermen and mer children?
A number of mermen and mer children wear Mer Betta tails. All Mer Betta prims are modifiable and, therefore, resizable. The big tails look charming on mer children. And, although, Mer Betta tails are known as very feminine, they've been worn by many men. In fact, Mer Betta tails are based on tails of the male betta species; the female of the species have smaller, less interesting tails. A barechested version of the top is included in the package so that you can still have the arm scales.
Can you make a mermaid tail that looks like my real-life betta fish?
That depends on the following factors:
1. If you want the tail to be one-of-a-kind and made only for you, are you willing to pay Opal's hourly rate for custom work? (See Opal's profile under Picks for her current rates.) Depending on the quality of the source photo, this could take days.
2. If you don't mind it being included in the Mer Betta line, are your fish's colors or combination of colors significantly different from existing Mer Betta tails?
3. Can you take a high-resolution, good quality picture of your fish with the tail and fins flared? Here's a good article on how to take pictures of your betta.
Product editing
I bought a Mer Betta tail and it doesn't look like the picture...
How do I change the color of my tail?
You cannot change the color of your tail; however, you can tint it using SL's editor, if it's a lighter-colored tail. I don't recommend making a big change (i.e.: turning Pasithea White Moon into a dark purple), because too much tint flattens the texture.
There is a gap between my knees. Can you give me a prim to fill in that gap?
I can give you a prim but it won't solve your problem. ;) Here are the causes of that gap:
* Your AO doesn't pull your legs together close enough.
* The animation in your AO was created for an avatar with longer legs or more muscular legs.
* The animation in your AO was created for tails that use a system skirt.
One solution is to modify your shape, if your shape is modifiable.
- I look like I have a big penis between my legs.
You need to purchase a mermaid AO, which will pull your legs together. See Mer Betta's recommendations here. - Pieces of the prims are sticking out of my legs. My fins are floating in front of my breasts.
View the Fitting Tutorial page to learn how to customize and resize your Mer Betta tail to fit your shape and size. - The color of my tail is darker than the picture.
The pictures on the vendors were not processed at all, except for adding text and arranging the pictures into one ad. You may be viewing them using a darker windlight setting. In the World menu > Environment Settings > Environment Editor, click Advanced Sky and, in the Lighting tab, try to adjust the Scene Gamma slider and/or the Ambient sliders.
How do I change the color of my tail?
You cannot change the color of your tail; however, you can tint it using SL's editor, if it's a lighter-colored tail. I don't recommend making a big change (i.e.: turning Pasithea White Moon into a dark purple), because too much tint flattens the texture.
There is a gap between my knees. Can you give me a prim to fill in that gap?
I can give you a prim but it won't solve your problem. ;) Here are the causes of that gap:
* Your AO doesn't pull your legs together close enough.
* The animation in your AO was created for an avatar with longer legs or more muscular legs.
* The animation in your AO was created for tails that use a system skirt.
One solution is to modify your shape, if your shape is modifiable.
- Create a copy of your shape and add "mermaid" to the name of the new shape.
- Wear the new mermaid shape and go into Appearance.
- Go to the Legs section and scroll to the bottom.
- Move the Knee Angle slider towards the left (knock-kneed).
- Click OK and check how it looks with the movements of your AO.
- Go back into Appearance and experiment with the Knee Angle slider setting until the gap is gone.
- You can also make your legs more muscular.
Future products
Will you offer newer versions of older tails?
In 2008, I upgraded Series 1 and Series 2 tails from Version 1 to Version 2. At that time, I offered customers a chance to trade in their tails for the newer version for the difference in price. I won't be updating Series 1 and Series 2 tails anymore.
Version upgrades for Series 3 or later, if any, will be offered as add-on packs instead.
Do you have plans to make a tail with X color?
I cannot make promises which colors will be available in the future. All Mer Betta tails are based on photos of real betta fish, and the fins are the actual colors as they appear in the original photos. (The Mer Betta Limited Edition tails and tails retinted for charity are the exceptions.) Therefore, availability of a color depends on the betta photos that I find and get permission to use. However, all Mer Betta tails are modifiable, so you can experiment with adding tint to a color that's already available.
Do you have plans to make a mermaid AO in the future?
I don't know. I have no plans at the moment, because there are very good mermaid AOs already out there in the market.
Do you have plans to expand to other grids?
I have been asked many times to bring Mer Betta to Inworldz. Due to commitments and other projects, it is difficult for me to maintain too many satellite stores. And because the market in Inworldz is still small, compared to the market in Second Life, it's difficult to justify the time involved. However, if I *do* choose to expand to grids outside SL, Inworldz will be the first world I go into.
Will you make ____-type of products?
a. I have received a request to make patches of scales that can be worn when legged. I will do this as an add-on pack in mid to late 2011.
b. I have also received a request to make tails that are flexy from the waist down. There are implementation issues with this type of tail, and I am very reluctant to do this because there are too many quality compromises that must be made. However, I will do a survey listing out the pros and cons and ask people to vote if they still want it or not. If enough people want it, it will be an add-on pack.
In 2008, I upgraded Series 1 and Series 2 tails from Version 1 to Version 2. At that time, I offered customers a chance to trade in their tails for the newer version for the difference in price. I won't be updating Series 1 and Series 2 tails anymore.
Version upgrades for Series 3 or later, if any, will be offered as add-on packs instead.
Do you have plans to make a tail with X color?
I cannot make promises which colors will be available in the future. All Mer Betta tails are based on photos of real betta fish, and the fins are the actual colors as they appear in the original photos. (The Mer Betta Limited Edition tails and tails retinted for charity are the exceptions.) Therefore, availability of a color depends on the betta photos that I find and get permission to use. However, all Mer Betta tails are modifiable, so you can experiment with adding tint to a color that's already available.
Do you have plans to make a mermaid AO in the future?
I don't know. I have no plans at the moment, because there are very good mermaid AOs already out there in the market.
Do you have plans to expand to other grids?
I have been asked many times to bring Mer Betta to Inworldz. Due to commitments and other projects, it is difficult for me to maintain too many satellite stores. And because the market in Inworldz is still small, compared to the market in Second Life, it's difficult to justify the time involved. However, if I *do* choose to expand to grids outside SL, Inworldz will be the first world I go into.
Will you make ____-type of products?
a. I have received a request to make patches of scales that can be worn when legged. I will do this as an add-on pack in mid to late 2011.
b. I have also received a request to make tails that are flexy from the waist down. There are implementation issues with this type of tail, and I am very reluctant to do this because there are too many quality compromises that must be made. However, I will do a survey listing out the pros and cons and ask people to vote if they still want it or not. If enough people want it, it will be an add-on pack.
