BentoFlow · Step-by-step guide

From a downloaded animation to Second Life. No 3D experience needed.

BentoFlow converts human animations for the Second Life Bento skeleton. You do not need Maya, Blender, or experience making 3D characters.

What you download

An FBX animation file

What BentoFlow creates

A BVH file for Second Life

Maximum length

60 seconds per animation

Where to get animations

Choose a website and download an FBX

Mixamo is free. The other libraries may offer free and paid clips. Some require an account.

Mixamo

The easiest place to start. The service is free with an Adobe account.

Open Mixamo

Sign in and search for a movement, such as walking, dancing, or waving.
Select Download. Choose FBX, Without Skin, 30 FPS, and Keyframe Reduction: None.
Select Download again. Save the file ending in .fbx.

ActorCore

Offers free and paid motions. Start with Free Motion.

Browse ActorCore free motions

Open Free Motion. Sign in or create a Reallusion account if asked.
Choose a motion and select Download.
Download the animation in FBX format. Do not choose a file that only contains a still character.

Rokoko

The library has free and paid clips. You may need a Rokoko account and Rokoko Studio.

Open the Rokoko motion library

Open the Rokoko motion library. If asked, download Rokoko Studio from the official website and sign in.
Choose a motion and select Download or Export.
Save it as FBX. BentoFlow needs the animation and its skeleton, not the 3D character model.

Mocap ATLAS

Offers some free motions and some paid ones. Each listing shows which files are available.

Browse Mocap ATLAS free animations

Open the free collection and choose a human motion.
Download the FBX file. If you receive a ZIP file, select Extract all and find the .fbx file.
Do not download C3D files or videos. BentoFlow needs the animated FBX file.

MoCap Online

Offers free trial packs and paid packs.

Browse MoCap Online free animations

Choose a free pack and follow the download steps on the website.
If you receive a ZIP file, right-click it and select Extract all.
Open the FBX folder and choose an animation .fbx file. Do not choose Unity, Unreal, BIP, or Blender files.

Each website has its own terms. Check that you are allowed to use the animation in Second Life. Do not share the original downloaded file.

Next, in BentoFlow

Convert the file in six steps

1
Open BentoFlow
The first time, activate your licence while connected to the internet.
2
Leave Source adapter on Auto
Keep the default Auto setting. Do not select a source manually.
3
Select Load animation FBX
Find the .fbx file you downloaded and select Open. BentoFlow loads the motion so you can preview it.
4
Select Convert to Bento
Wait for conversion to finish.
5
Select Play
Watch the full animation. If the pose looks distorted or the movement is wrong, try another human FBX animation.
6
Select Export Second Life BVH
Save the .bvh file. This is the file you upload to Second Life.

Upload it to Second Life

In the Second Life viewer, open the animation upload option, select the .bvh file, and check the priority and loop settings before confirming. The viewer shows any fee before uploading.

If something does not work

Check these things first

The file does not appear

BentoFlow imports FBX files. If you downloaded a ZIP, select Extract all first, then choose the .fbx file.

The animation is longer than one minute

Second Life supports animations up to 60 seconds. Choose a shorter motion.

Universal does not convert the animation

Universal supports recognizable human skeletons, but not every rig. Try another humanoid FBX.

The animation looks wrong

Preview the motion before exporting. If it still looks wrong, try another animation or source.

Animation files are processed on your computer. Initial licence activation requires an internet connection.