XSI dts Exporter?

#1 I strongly encourage you to stay away from MS3D, if you're using C4D then you are probably a high-end artist, why else would you have a professional application like that? C4D is great and I had my hands on it before myself but there are not many exporters for it even though its has some nice features and plugins (Bodypaint for example).

I am an XSI user, of course only the foundation version... A 14 year old just doesnt have the money to get Advanced but I will upgrade to essentials in the next couple of weeks! XSI is great and it is not hard to learn it, specially when you are already an experienced artist. It shipps with training material to introduce you to the basics and the functions in XSI, I got it on Ebay for $300 (instead of $500) and the serial number wasnt used yet, so I got a completely sealed package for $200 less!

I am wondering where that XSI Exporter is at this point of time but of course with Torque X GG has a lot of other stuff on their hands and I can understand that but the models can already be made and simple export scripts can be written in XSI-Script, without the export of animation and bones, and without a skin it is fairly simple and I know a guy who works for Softimage, hes German but I think he can speek some english so if you want I can contact him and he can train you a little bit if you want!

#2 I am going to buying Softimage anyway, as soon as I get a job and my first pay, not only for the plugin, but my version of Cinema 4D is a little out of date and well I need to update myself with some of the 3D features. Anyway, I do believe Matt Summers is working on this plugin and not GG.

Thanks for the offer, but I know a few XSI users, some places where to find resources, I'm mostly a self learner, most things I know to do with computers has been done through the net and in the comfort of my chair.

Also, from playing with the mod tool I can certainly say its an awesome tool that I can understand, the only reason buying milkshape came to mind is something to use with torque and animation until the new plugin comes out. I know a little VB/C++, as the Softimage XSI SDK will work with those perhaps if I grow impatient of the plugin, I'll try something.

Cheers.

#3 Does anybody have any ideas as to what is going on with this plugin, if its coming any time soon it may save me money ;)

#4 Does anybody have any ideas as to what is going on with this plugin, if its coming any time soon it may save me money ;)

#5 Musashi,
My honest opinion is that if you are focusing on making a 3d game with Torque, Softimage XSI is not the best choice for now; it wouldn't add much value beyond even Milkshape. Max, Maya, and Lightwave are currently better choices for that. Even Blender is a better choice because of its exporter. It could add a lot of value in power and productivity after a good exporter is released, but not beforehand. However, for 2d games and user interfaces, XSI can add a LOT of value with its Mental Ray renderer. It takes a lot of practice to learn how to use Mental Ray well, but the results can be STUNNING. If you plan on using TGB, XSI is a good choice.

Btw, I learned this the hard way.

#6 To be honest, XSI's features have attracted me and I've wanted to use it to bring myself into the present of applications (C4D 6 is somewhat considered old if you will) because of its powerful animation and game related tools I thought it would be perfect hence it would be a great use for me, but its that dts exporter thats the barrier so it could potentially be replaced with the purchase of Lightwave, where by some of XSI strengths will be avoided.

As for mental ray being difficult, I wouldn't say so to be honest, its a bit fiddly, but I have found it to be quite easy, although I still have a lot to learn, which is one of XSI strengths, you're not in the deep end, you can get started straight away and learn step by step, which is why I think I value it over lightwave.

#7 I really love XSI and yes the results can be very very stunning with mental ray and it is a bit fiddly to learn it but it is worth it. It works to export XSI to Obj and from there in Milkshape to DTS but animations are gone and most of the time UV Cordinates are messed up, oh and not to mention a mesh with over 2k polys, the Milkshape renderer just cant handle that... I encourage people to buy XSI even though the only thing from continiuing (%$@!*^) our project is that exporter for XSI. For users with MAX and XSI 5.x this will form no problem for XSI has seamless integration with MAX and from there the export to DTS is a no-brainer like my teacher always sais :D

#8 [Edit] Hmm, its not letting me fully post, forum bug? Anyway I'll probably get both, lightwave and XSI, as I can get LW cheap, with XSI its like paying full for LW. But only if I find myself needing XSI

#9 Well if you are getting lightwave then why would you need another High-End modeling tool, if you are looking for XSI's awesome modeling capabilities then I would recommend you to get CAT, the Animation plugin for 3DS MAX, Maya and possibly Lightwave, you need to read through it but that would be even cheaper in case you just want that.

#10 Matt Summers is working in the exporter, hopefully it will be out soon. use BLENDER or Milkshape. It'll be worth it.

#11 I haven't looked into CAT to be honest, I may do that if its LW compatible. Thanks

Morrie, I know, I've emailed him a couple of weeks after making this thread and haven't heard anything from him. Also I was told it was supposed to be release October last year. As using Blender, not a fan of it myself, I did consider milkshape, but my mind is made up anyway ;)

#12 Yes I tried to contact him as well and without success, his website seems dead as well, the last date on the news was last year. Is he still continuing this thing? o.O

I read through the whole article and CAT is only for 3DS MAX, sorry for that!

#13 No problem. As for continuing it, I doubt he is, from what I head he had it in a BETA stage, meaning he could still release a buggy plugin with full source if he wasn't willing to finish it.

#14 That would be nice, I would pause my project or let my partner take over and deveote my self to finish the thing!

#15 Indeed and I'm sure others would say the same thing, not me though, I'm a terrible programmer ;) Well I should be getting Lightwave soon anyway, the demo disk is on its way and if I get this job, I'll be able to buy it soon (depends if I get it before or after my new computer, mines getting old.)

#16 @Musashi Hmm, its not letting me fully post, forum bug? Anyway I'll probably get both, lightwave and XSI, as I can get LW cheap, with XSI its like paying full for LW. But only if I find myself needing XSI

Look for LIGHTWAVE 3D DUO FULL: COMPANION OFFERS!!! Special offer valid until 31/10/2006.

LightWave v9 with PRINTED manuals- Companion Offer 459 EUR
LightWave v9 with ELECTRONIC manuals- Companion Offer 399 EUR

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You can get a free trueSpace3.2, than you have competitive product name and serial number.

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But you sould contact NewTek Europe sales deartment to verify that you can benfit from this offer.

Well for the USA you have to look to this link!

I do not know if the offer from kurvstudios has a time limite.

www.kurvstudios.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=03-01 USA

LightWave v9 with PRINTED manuals- Companion Offer $476.00

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LightWave v9 with ELECTRONIC manuals- Companion Offer $396.00

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But you can find this also on the NewTek Shop.

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I hope that this infomation help you.

#17 I've seen all this thanks, I already do apply for the companion upgrade with Cinema 4D 6, I think Kurv's offer's are more permanent, or at least I hope they are, I won't have the right amount of money by the right time, hoping that Kurv will ship LW to England, as their price works up to be just about

#18 Is anyone still working on an XSI exporter? I was looking at getting it for some other work and it'd be nice if I could get my work out into TGE.. otherwise, I might as well stick with Silo + Blender!

#19 Never heard of Silo, is it any good for Torque?

#20 Silo is great for building models. Amazing, really. However, it's not an animating or .DTS exporting app. Version 2.0 is still in beta, but it's super cool.