Yesterday, as I reported, Linden Lab rolled-out the first pass of the advanced creator tools across the main release channel for the grid. These are the functions that lead to an outbreak of griefing when they were first rolled-out on the Magnum Release Channel back in June.

Since then, the code has been revised – and now includes a “master switch” that allows Linden Lab to disable the functionality should anyone try to get up to mischief using the tools. The code was in fact enabled on both LeTigre and BlueSteel last week without major incident, and so the code was rolled-out to the main channel in an enabled mode on July 31st.

Today, LL has formally announced this initial release of the tools via a new blog post. This initial release comprises three new functions:

llAttachToAvatarTemp (integer attach_point) — allows objects to be attached to your avatar / screen without any corresponding inventory record being created for the item, which will disappear on being detached or on disconnecting (teleporting) from the region in which it is active

llTeleportAgent (key agent_uuid, string lm_name, vector landing_point, vector look_at_point) — this allows a script to teleport an agent to either a local coordinate in the current region or to a remote location specified by a landmark (the landmark must be contained within the inventory of the object using the teleport script)

llTeleportAgentGlobalCoords (key avatar, vector global_coordinates, vector region_coordinates, vector look_at) – this will teleport an agent to to a specific point within a region, with the agent facing a defined direction (vector look_at) on arrival.

These functions should allow a range of new experiences to be created, some of which are demonstrated in the Linden Realms game, wherein the attachment option is used to attach the game HUD to avatars and the teleport options are used in conjunction with things like the rock monsters.

The functions are also designed to be used with a new permissions system, which has yet to be rolled-out across the grid. This means that until the new permissions are rolled-out, some of the functions will not operate as transparently as they eventually will. For example, rather than something like a HUD being automatically attached to your avatar (as is the case with the Linden Realms game, which does use the new permissions system), you will be prompted to accept the object first (thus making you the owner) in order for it to attach.

It’s not currently clear as to when the new permissions system will be rolled-out, but with the “master switch” at their disposal, Linden Lab are confident that the kind of issues that marred the June RC roll-out can be avoided.

The official blog post includes a video from Torley.