Second Life Head and Face Restore Tool

Save your head and face settings as a file you can restore later.

This page takes the XML exported from Firestorm, keeps only the head and face settings, and turns them into a smaller restore file. It is meant for residents who want to try a new head, body, or shape and still be able to bring back the face they already tuned.

Made for Firestorm exports Paste the full Appearance to XML output from your current shape.

Built for restoring later Save a clean head-and-face XML before testing demos, freebies, and body swaps.

Firestorm-friendly Your filtered XML downloads as a file you can keep in your normal Downloads folder.

What this backup is for

Firestorm’s XML export includes a lot of appearance data. This tool narrows it down to the face and head sliders you are most likely to want to restore later without rebuilding them by hand, and without losing your new shape settings.

Export from Firestorm Use the hidden Develop menu to create an XML file from the shape you are wearing.

Paste it here Drop the entire XML into the box below. No file upload step is required.

Download your backup Keep the smaller restore file somewhere easy to find before you start trying new looks.

How to make a restorable head and face file

These instructions are based on Firestorm’s Develop menu workflow. If you do not see the menu yet, enable it first, then export the shape you want to protect.

Show the Develop menu

In Firestorm, open Preferences and turn on the hidden developer menu. Once enabled, you will see Develop in the top menu bar.

Export your current shape as XML

With the shape you want to back up already worn, go to:

Develop > Avatar > Character Tests > Appearance to XML

Open the XML file and copy everything

Firestorm writes a full appearance XML file. Open that file, copy the complete contents, and paste it into the form below.

Protect your everyday shape

Importing an XML shape back into Firestorm replaces the current shape parameters you are editing. Save a restore file before testing anything new.

Best workflow

Make a restore file first, then try the new body or shape. If you like the test look, keep it. If not, import your saved file and recover your face settings quickly.

Create your restore file

Load XML, filter head and face settings, download restore file.

Paste the full XML export from Firestorm into the field below. The downloaded file contains the filtered head and face settings only, ready to keep as a restore file.

Drop your XML file here

You can drag the Firestorm export onto this box, or choose the file manually.

Choose XML File

Supported input: Firestorm appearance XML exported from the Develop menu.

Firestorm appearance XML

Firestorm users can save the filtered file immediately after processing.

How to restore later

After testing a new shape or body, bring your saved head and face settings back in Firestorm with the XML you just downloaded.

Wear the shape you want to edit.
Open Edit Shape.
Use the Import button at the bottom of the floater and choose your backup XML.
Use Save As if you want a separate restored copy in inventory.

Firestorm tip

After you create the restore file, save it somewhere easy to find before you start testing new shapes or bodies. If you make several versions, rename each file clearly so you know which face settings you are restoring later.

What is Firestorm?

Firestorm is a popular third-party viewer for Second Life. It connects to the same world as the standard Second Life viewer, but it is developed separately and offers a more configurable interface with additional power-user tools.

That matters here because the XML export used by this backup workflow is exposed through Firestorm’s advanced viewer menus, not the default layout most residents start with in the standard viewer.

Download Firestorm

This tool expects a Firestorm-style XML file with an <archetype> node and <param> entries.