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Export to Second Life

Press Export .anim (the gold button) and a small panel opens. Every field, in human words:

FieldWhat it really means
File nameWhat the .anim will be called in your inventory
PriorityThe bouncer. When two animations want the same body part, the higher priority wins. Face HUDs usually run at 2–4, so the default 5 keeps your expression on top. Lower it on purpose to blend under other anims
Fade in / Fade outSeconds of soft start and soft end, so the face doesn't snap on/off
Full face takeoverON = your expression controls the whole face — predictable, recommended. OFF = only the parts you changed, so it can layer with other face animations

Sequences export as one seamless loop — the last face blends back into the first.

Second Life limits

SL caps animation uploads at 240 KB and 59 seconds. The studio's live meter enforces both before you ever hit upload — if it's green, your file fits.

Uploading in your viewer​

  1. In Second Life (or Firestorm): Build ▸ Upload ▸ Animation…
  2. Choose your exported .anim file.
  3. Upload (fees depend on your Second Life plan), then play it from your inventory — or drop it into any HUD, prim or scripted object that plays animations.

Troubleshooting​

I played the .anim but my face didn't move​

Almost always another animation is winning:

  • Stop your face HUD's moods/AO for a moment and play yours again.
  • Or re-export with a higher Priority.
  • Stuck face? Right-click your avatar ▸ Appearance ▸ Reset skeleton & animations.

The expression looks weaker/stronger in-world than in the preview​

Every head's shape reads expressions slightly differently. Re-export with the Strength dial adjusted — the studio takes seconds to iterate.

The tongue doesn't show​

The mouth has to be open for the tongue to be visible (in the preview and in-world). Combine Jaw Open with the Tongue sliders. Note: Bento Alive animates the standard tongue bones — heads with custom tongue add-ons may also have their own show/hide options.

Animations keep playing after I detach things​

Bento face bones don't auto-reset in SL when an animation stops. Play a neutral expression (export one from the studio's Reset face!), or use Appearance ▸ Reset skeleton & animations.

Selling what you make​

The .anim files you export are yours. The file contains only standard Linden Lab skeleton animation data — no third-party mesh, no textures — so you can build face packs, sell them in your store or on the Marketplace, and grow the face culture of the grid. See the Licensing Guide and the Avatar & Mesh Disclaimer.