Step 1: Force daylight so you can see.

Step 2: Make a prim to pose on that is a contrasting color.

Rez a cube, make it hollow and cut it as shown in the image. Turn it a plain, contrasting color, and stretch it so it is big enough to provide a back...

Step 3: Use "full bright" on the texture tab in Build.

Step 4: Pose and take a snapshot.

Upload the snapshot to disk. Remember where it is and what you called it, as you need to retrieve it when you are in your graphics program.

Step 5: Run to Photoshop.

I can only explain for Photoshop, although I'm sure it's a similar process in other programs.

Step 6: Open your snapshot.

Select just the part you want, and copy/paste it into a new document. In the background layer under your image, place a color that blends in with your...

Step 7: Make an alpha channel.

Go to: Select--Inverse, then Save Selection. Now you have an alpha channel.

Step 8: Here's your alpha channel.

I have my alphas shown as black, so when I make the channel visible the transparent part turns black.

Step 9: Resize your image.

Resize your image to 512X256. Save your image as a Targa, with a depth of 32 (for the transparency). Your image proportions will be restored when you...

Step 10: Run back to Second Life.

Upload the image from your hard drive into Second Life. This will cost - *gasp* - 10L! The image will go into the textures folder in your inventory....

Step 11: This is important.

Rez a cube. Stretch it to approximately the size you want. TEXTURE IT ENTIRELY TRANSPARENT. If you lose it you can "Highlight Transparent" to find ...

Step 12: Choose the radio button "select texture," in Build.

Click on the front of the cut-out-to-be. See the circle? That means you are texturing one face. Browse for your cut-out texture and apply it. Do...

Step 13: Tweak it.

Stretch it so it's the correct size, fill the contents and set it for sale if you like. Make it phantom if you want. Sell contents makes a nice fold...