DTS SDK Anyone trying to make a Softimage XSI 2 DTS exporter?
by James Brad Barnette · in General Discussion · 03/27/2004 (11:53 am) · 17 replies
+++ Upon further review I stand corrected on this issue. I simply am looking for someone that is interested in helping make a xsi2dts plugin or a stand alone .xsi to .dts converter+++
DTS SDK Anyone trying to make a Softimage XSI 2 DTS exporter?
From what I understand about the DTS SDK that is out now exporters can be made for any application with relative ease.
I personally am a Maya user but, a common topic in the Maya basesd threads is the cost of programs like Max and Maya.
Well You can get the Softimge XSI EXP "free version" for just that free. they are giving it away for DL with the Half-Life 2 Exporter plugin pre-installed. Even though I use Maya I know Softimage XSI "Just can't afford it" But I can tell you that there is know program better for character animation. I got the Half-Life 2 XSI|EXP Dowload version. Everything is there!! this is the full program the only difference is the water mark. It uses Standard XSI plugins, All of the features are there, Even Hair!!!!!! Even comes woth mental ray, Though it does leave that watermark. But even there the watermark is bearly even visible unlike the Maya PLE. Also unlike the Maya PLE that you can use to make UT models. Softimage XSI|EXP saves in the native XSI format.
So my point is that is a super highend alternative in the 3D animation software arena. Cause quite frankly there are a TON of thing that can't be done with Milkshape, And alot of people cannot afford Max or Maya.
This solution will allow you to make your content for you game for free. then if you get published then when you get you advance go and buy the full version of XSI. This is something you can not do with the Maya or Max free version becasue of the difference in file formats. No to mention you guys there are a ton of free tutorials for this program.
Just something to think about.
Let me know if there are any programmers that are willing to help me work on this. I have the softimage XSI|EXP and I know XSI and I also have access to a workstation of by buddies that has XSI Basic on it that we can test against.
I mean if this program is good enough for Half-Life 2 "if it ever comes out" then it should be good enough for Torque right?
James Brad Barnette
DTS SDK Anyone trying to make a Softimage XSI 2 DTS exporter?
From what I understand about the DTS SDK that is out now exporters can be made for any application with relative ease.
I personally am a Maya user but, a common topic in the Maya basesd threads is the cost of programs like Max and Maya.
Well You can get the Softimge XSI EXP "free version" for just that free. they are giving it away for DL with the Half-Life 2 Exporter plugin pre-installed. Even though I use Maya I know Softimage XSI "Just can't afford it" But I can tell you that there is know program better for character animation. I got the Half-Life 2 XSI|EXP Dowload version. Everything is there!! this is the full program the only difference is the water mark. It uses Standard XSI plugins, All of the features are there, Even Hair!!!!!! Even comes woth mental ray, Though it does leave that watermark. But even there the watermark is bearly even visible unlike the Maya PLE. Also unlike the Maya PLE that you can use to make UT models. Softimage XSI|EXP saves in the native XSI format.
So my point is that is a super highend alternative in the 3D animation software arena. Cause quite frankly there are a TON of thing that can't be done with Milkshape, And alot of people cannot afford Max or Maya.
This solution will allow you to make your content for you game for free. then if you get published then when you get you advance go and buy the full version of XSI. This is something you can not do with the Maya or Max free version becasue of the difference in file formats. No to mention you guys there are a ton of free tutorials for this program.
Just something to think about.
Let me know if there are any programmers that are willing to help me work on this. I have the softimage XSI|EXP and I know XSI and I also have access to a workstation of by buddies that has XSI Basic on it that we can test against.
I mean if this program is good enough for Half-Life 2 "if it ever comes out" then it should be good enough for Torque right?
James Brad Barnette
About the author
#2
The Standard EXP is simply a non- Commercial License There for all yo have to do is if you get published buy the full version. I simply bought up the HL2 EXP as a "for instance". Anyone can still get the standard EXP without the HL2 plugin.
03/27/2004 (12:50 pm)
You can DL the EXP without the HL addon as well. it is a learning addition just like Maya's PLE the difference is that that Softimage didn't using existing file formats and plugins. So my point is any plugin designed to work in the EXP will work in the full version of XSI. and any model made in the EXP will also work in the full version. If you made a bunch of content using the PLE you would be screwed as there is no way to get the content from there to the full version. And to be honest I doubt tht it cost them anything. If anything Avid gave them their licenses for a discount in return Avid got to release the EXP with Valve's HL2 exporter. This was not a deal like UT2K3 and Maya PLE, Where Alias paid them to add it to the CD.The Standard EXP is simply a non- Commercial License There for all yo have to do is if you get published buy the full version. I simply bought up the HL2 EXP as a "for instance". Anyone can still get the standard EXP without the HL2 plugin.
#3
03/27/2004 (1:05 pm)
Well a learning edition can't be used to create commercial products. So it doesn't really do you much good unless you're just mucking around for your own benefit.Quote:The Standard EXP is simply a non- Commercial License There for all yo have to do is if you get published buy the full version.Technically no you can't do that. Though maybe you can "get away" with it, it isn't legal. I'm pretty sure licenses aren't "retroactive". Also don't forget that just because you got a publisher doesn't mean you are seeing any money. I'm sure it is like books, where you see very little to no up front money. It instead slowly trickles in as sales are made. And if you sign with a publisher and dont' have a commercial lincense, you're breaking the law.
#4
As a matter of fact there has to be some sort of leway. For instance We all remember when Counter-stike was a mod for HL1 right? Well valve bought them code models and everything. So if there were to be a mod made for HL2 lets say and Then Valve wanted to purchase it and release it as a boxed product. Like they did with counter-strike. Then that mod has now become a commercial product. there for you would have to have the ability to go back and buy a XSI license before you could sell it to Valve or sierra. I thikn that is the whoole point of the XSI EXP you learn it put it to use then when you have a commercial product you get your license becasue let's face most of us cannot afford XSI under any other circumstances.
03/27/2004 (2:18 pm)
Most of the time you will see an advance for getting you game published. and if you get an inverstor there will be cash there too. And some licenses are retro active "Like torque for instance!" Where you can purchase the Commercial license after the fact. And quite frankly I don't think that Avid is going to care as long as they get their money.As a matter of fact there has to be some sort of leway. For instance We all remember when Counter-stike was a mod for HL1 right? Well valve bought them code models and everything. So if there were to be a mod made for HL2 lets say and Then Valve wanted to purchase it and release it as a boxed product. Like they did with counter-strike. Then that mod has now become a commercial product. there for you would have to have the ability to go back and buy a XSI license before you could sell it to Valve or sierra. I thikn that is the whoole point of the XSI EXP you learn it put it to use then when you have a commercial product you get your license becasue let's face most of us cannot afford XSI under any other circumstances.
#5
In regards to using the XSI-Experiance(HL2), there are in fact numerous limitations placed on this software, which you can clearly read here. Many of these limitations appear to hinder the ability to use the application for usage with Torque (such as a limited file save ability, the locked EXP file, limited polygonal sizes, limited ability to tie into the SDK, etc.). Based on what I have read thus far I do not see the XSI-Experiance(HL2) software as being a good option for Torque users to develop with (especially since you cannot legally use it to work on commercial projects as John mentioned), I think you let your exuberence of the PR get the best of you.
As for having an exporter for XSI/SI, yes this is something that would be nice to have, but unfortunately two things stand in the way. First there are really no active XSI/SI users in the community that I have seen or heard of which in turn doesn't make this a priority. Secondly, the DTS SDK has always been available to Torque lisensees as such if a group did own XSI/SI and wanted to use it for Torque they could have written them an exporter by now.
03/27/2004 (2:25 pm)
Actually James, Valve and Avid/SoftImage have had a deal going with one another for quite some time, hence why you are seeing the XSI-Experiance modified for Half Life 2 Modding (this is similar to deal that Alias did with Epic for Maya|PLE support of Unreal Tournament). It's all a bunch of marketing ploy.In regards to using the XSI-Experiance(HL2), there are in fact numerous limitations placed on this software, which you can clearly read here. Many of these limitations appear to hinder the ability to use the application for usage with Torque (such as a limited file save ability, the locked EXP file, limited polygonal sizes, limited ability to tie into the SDK, etc.). Based on what I have read thus far I do not see the XSI-Experiance(HL2) software as being a good option for Torque users to develop with (especially since you cannot legally use it to work on commercial projects as John mentioned), I think you let your exuberence of the PR get the best of you.
As for having an exporter for XSI/SI, yes this is something that would be nice to have, but unfortunately two things stand in the way. First there are really no active XSI/SI users in the community that I have seen or heard of which in turn doesn't make this a priority. Secondly, the DTS SDK has always been available to Torque lisensees as such if a group did own XSI/SI and wanted to use it for Torque they could have written them an exporter by now.
#6
It is not provided so that people can do commercial work and then buy a copy if they make money, not only is that against the liscense agreement for the software but it is 100% against the spirit of the application.
03/27/2004 (2:30 pm)
James the purpose of the XSI experiance is to release a demo/trial version to users so that they can learn from it and add it as experiance on their resumes in order to get jobs. It is also used by Avid/SoftImage to help sell marketing information, target specific groups, and pressure the market/industry into believing that there is a wide range of talent out there that uses their application. It is not provided so that people can do commercial work and then buy a copy if they make money, not only is that against the liscense agreement for the software but it is 100% against the spirit of the application.
#7
Still I know someone that has the Full version of XSI anyone that would be willing to do some programming it would be nice to have Exporters for everything to torque.
You can DL the SDK for free from Avid. as well as code to make stand alone converter apps for the .xsi format.
03/27/2004 (2:51 pm)
Yeah I see that hmm. I didn't even notice that it resaved things with the .exp file extension. I just notice that I was able to open no XSI scene files from some tutorials and stuff a friend sent me. I assumed that it was resaving them to the normal format. Hm doesn't save .xsi files either. Still I know someone that has the Full version of XSI anyone that would be willing to do some programming it would be nice to have Exporters for everything to torque.
You can DL the SDK for free from Avid. as well as code to make stand alone converter apps for the .xsi format.
#8
03/27/2004 (2:54 pm)
A bit off topic but how tied to the engine is the DTS format? could it be made to used say the SMD or .xsi formats? I know that you would turn around and have to license that from Valve, I think the .xsi format is free to use. "there are a couple of games that use this". Just curious as what would be involved as in what would have to be changed in the engine if it is even possible.
#9
03/27/2004 (3:02 pm)
Why would you want to do that?
#10
03/27/2004 (3:04 pm)
Just curious
#11
If you feel like shelling out for a full version so I could test what I was doing, sure. Otherwise, you're looking for a Torque programmer that also owns a full version of XSI, and I'm not sure there is such a person in the community.
03/27/2004 (4:22 pm)
Quote:Still I know someone that has the Full version of XSI anyone that would be willing to do some programming it would be nice to have Exporters for everything to torque.
If you feel like shelling out for a full version so I could test what I was doing, sure. Otherwise, you're looking for a Torque programmer that also owns a full version of XSI, and I'm not sure there is such a person in the community.
#12
03/27/2004 (4:25 pm)
No anyone can get the SDK free from softimage.com and my friend can test it.
#13
03/27/2004 (5:34 pm)
Programming just doesn't work that way. If you can't run the program you're writing, it's pretty much impossible to get it correct.
#14
03/27/2004 (6:27 pm)
Look you are obviously not interested. move on if someone else is they will say so. I have worked with programmers before where they made things for MAX back in the day and gave them to the guy that had the software to test. If you are not interested without getting a copy of XSI then I'm obviously not talking to you. Go find another thread to read
#15
Anyhoo, it was a serious offer. If an exporter is worth enough to you to cough up the license fee, you'd have one.
If it isn't worth quite that much, I honestly wish you luck. Perhaps that elusive programmer/XSI modeller will look in on this thread and feel generous.
03/27/2004 (8:01 pm)
I'd love to learn from those guys. It must be nice to get everything right the first time. A throwback to the punchcard days when turnaround on a compile was a week. :)Anyhoo, it was a serious offer. If an exporter is worth enough to you to cough up the license fee, you'd have one.
If it isn't worth quite that much, I honestly wish you luck. Perhaps that elusive programmer/XSI modeller will look in on this thread and feel generous.
#16
03/27/2004 (10:28 pm)
I don't know a programmer that is what I'm saying. I know a Guy that does Film and television work that has XSI. There for he can test any plug that is made. He is not a programmer himself. Besides if I had enough money for XSI I would buy it myself. 
#17
I want to make my own .dts and .map file.How will i make these.Please help me.
Thanks.
09/14/2007 (6:31 am)
Hi , everyoneI want to make my own .dts and .map file.How will i make these.Please help me.
Thanks.
Torque 3D Owner Gareth Davies