XSI 5 Foundation User Feedback Request

#1 Is there even an exporter for it yet??

Edit: Lightwave 8.5 is still MSRP $800 bucks according to Newtek's website .. what price drop??

#2 Blender is free and is capable of almost anything. It is open-source and has torque exporter scripts available. It uses python so it is also highly extensible. I recommend it for it's capabilities and especially it's price, it's interface is brilliant, but unfortunately, difficult to get used to. It may work well for you, however, as personal tastes vary widely when it comes to user interfaces.

#3 There is not a current pipeline available for XSI. One is currently in beta, though.

EDIT:
Note that you can create static models, save them as a Wavefront OBJ and convert to DTS.

#4 Last time that I looked into Blender, it didn't even have a scan-line renderer built-in. You had to install a separate RayTrace renderer. I'm all for free open-source software but the impression I got was that Blender had along ways to go before it could be considered a viable option. However, this was some time ago so perhaps things have changed since then. The Interface was certainly different but manageable. However, the application felt very anemic especially when wanting to churn out high grade content. I'll give it another look though since I haven't looked their way for a while.

On a side note, I have to admit that Avid has integrated a lot of XSI Essential features into Foundation version 5 which really surprised me and has sparked my interest due to such a good price. However, I have seen little as to whether or not it is a good choice for TGE. I'm not sure if there is even an exporter...

-Scott

#5 >> Lightwave 8.5 is still MSRP $800 bucks according to Newtek's website .. what price drop??


It used to be $1500 or so...

#6 >> There is not a current pipeline available for XSI. One is currently in beta, though.

Bummer! :-( I'm really surprised considering the features that XSI Foundation has. Foundation has been around for a while now so anything in Beta must mean that there are very few users...

-Scott

#7 I recommend XSI; it's worth developing from scratch the exporter for features and price tag. XSI 5 foundation has all the features of 4.2 Advanced.

And It's the best package for modeling and texturing (not to mention animation..)

Trust me. :)

note: if you need help with XSI I can give a hand

#8 >> I recommend XSI; it's worth developing from scratch the exporter for features and price tag.

Hi Apparatus,

I thought that you use Maya. Which one do you like best? Maya probably beats the pants off of XSI especially Foundation but Maya is also $2000 just for Complete. Ouch!

-Scott

#9 Is Garage Games creating the XSI Foundation exporter or another company? Where can I find additional info?

-Scott

#10 Give me the XSI xporters for TGE and I will drop Maya.

:)

It's the only reason.

#11 www.garagegames.com/blogs/28392/8863

#12 Myself and the rest of the folks at Dark Industries are writing the XSI exporter for all flavors of XSI 4.2 & 5.0. It is currently in beta and a new update will be out to testers shortly. I really think XSI is one of the best options for 3d creating content for the TGE.

#13 I recommend XSI. For game development I doubt you will exceed the limits of Foundation. Valve uses XSI and Foundation has everything you need to create content for Half-Life 2, so what other features could you need? I think it has better texturing and animation tools than Max and better modeling tools than Maya. As long as you are not planning to make movies with lots of hair and dynamics It has everything necessary for game development and is so deep you will probably just be grasping the potential of the program by the time the exporter comes out.

#14 Is there a price set for the XSI exporter yet?

-Scott

#15 Try out all the software on the market (since they all have trial modes) and adopt what you like the most. Max, Maya, XSI and Lightwave are all pretty equal in what they can do and what they offer (though each one has its own little areas that is exceeds and fails in). Don't let price influence you or be your only deciding factor as you will likely regret it later on.

#16 It looks more complicated than just how an app works for a person. There are some technical issues with the pipeline as far as features and how the exporters work. It's a major headache...

#17

Quote:I am searching for an inexpensive yet robust package.

That's a good description of XSI Foundation.

#18 I have also been looking into moving to XSI Foundation from gameSpace. So far, I am very impressed with all aspects of modeling and animation in XSI. The only killer is that, as others have mentioned, there is no pipeline into Torque (yet). I know Matt and DarkIndustries are working on one but it could quite possibly still be a long time before it is released. I would love to be proven wrong. Their work will however be top notch based on what I've seen of the gameSpace exporter. If I could send them pizza or beer or whatever it takes to get it done, I would. My finger is on the paypal button as soon as this is even close to ready. I'll be curious to see what the difference between light and full versions are. I will however buy the full version just as a show of support if nothing else. An open beta would be a nice Christmas present.

At any rate, I think XSI is the way to go if you can spring for the $500. gameSpace is fine for static models and the price is good but the bones system just flat out doesn't work (crashes the proggy, flips joints, etc.) and probably will not be fixed for at least a year or more. Claigari's efforts are in TS7 and they haven't even fixed the character animation for that release. I promise you will loose several days of work if you even try to make an animation in gameSpace.

Don

#19 I'm curious, is GameSpaces animation problems in the rigging, sequencing animations, or both?

#20 GameSpace problems are with the rigging. Its animation sequencing isn't too bad. If you're curious you should download GameSpace Light or read their forums for more info.

Don