SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool Pro in T3D Release?
by Scott Peal · in Torque 3D Professional · 07/26/2009 (12:32 pm) · 9 replies
Will SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool Pro be included with the release of T3D like it was with TorqueX?
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=508463&forum_id=55&gforum_id=
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=508463&forum_id=55&gforum_id=
About the author
Step 1) be the indie, step 2) make enough to buy a commercial license :)
#3
And it was well after the Autodesk buy-out. As a matter of fact, My guy at Softimage told me Softimage was going to kill off the mod tool It was Autodesk that made them release a new version.
creators.xna.com/en-US/news/NewSoftimageModTool
I'm sure they would allow for the selling on a one year license through you guys. They are basicly making moeny for something they sould otherwise give a way for free an few people would use. Not to mention if people actually start making money the more likely they are to Stick with and upgrade to the full version of softimage because that is what they are already experienced with. I would Assume that, allowing you guys to sell it would get them a bigger cut than what they are getting from Microsoft too.
07/28/2009 (11:30 am)
But you can use Softimage Mod Tool Pro with the XNA creators Club for $99 a year.And it was well after the Autodesk buy-out. As a matter of fact, My guy at Softimage told me Softimage was going to kill off the mod tool It was Autodesk that made them release a new version.
creators.xna.com/en-US/news/NewSoftimageModTool
I'm sure they would allow for the selling on a one year license through you guys. They are basicly making moeny for something they sould otherwise give a way for free an few people would use. Not to mention if people actually start making money the more likely they are to Stick with and upgrade to the full version of softimage because that is what they are already experienced with. I would Assume that, allowing you guys to sell it would get them a bigger cut than what they are getting from Microsoft too.
#4
The issue is most of the prices for these large packages fall out of the indie price range. Sure a lot of folks have a copy and use it, but I question if they are using student copies or not.
Would be awesome if GG either a) officially adopted Houdini in supporting all exporting scripts, b) found a way to do a deal with SoftImage or best c) built the ability to build objects into T3D :)
07/28/2009 (2:42 pm)
I also got a license from the XNA creator club. It is how I was introduced to XSI. I am a Torque convert to XNA convert to T3D now. I am really liking the tool now especially with the exported Matt Summers is working on. And the price is right :)The issue is most of the prices for these large packages fall out of the indie price range. Sure a lot of folks have a copy and use it, but I question if they are using student copies or not.
Would be awesome if GG either a) officially adopted Houdini in supporting all exporting scripts, b) found a way to do a deal with SoftImage or best c) built the ability to build objects into T3D :)
#5
We've definitely made the decision with Torque 3D to build a robust, import-driven content pipeline using Collada. Since all the major art tools support exporting to this format (Houdini Apprentice is an exception), it's a choice that will make Torque 3D more accessible to artists, no matter what their choice of tool. This is where the industry is going and we're fully on board. In some cases, we may still support DTS exporters per tool, but we can't keep up with them all, nor do we want to. The Houdini DTS exporter is rock solid though. It works great and unlocks Houdini Apprentice content in Torque. At $99, it's a pretty nice choice.
07/28/2009 (7:43 pm)
@Scott: Glad to hear you're liking Mod Tool Pro. I've always been a fan and would love to offer something like that to the community for an accessible price. Perhaps I need to get back in touch with Autodesk.We've definitely made the decision with Torque 3D to build a robust, import-driven content pipeline using Collada. Since all the major art tools support exporting to this format (Houdini Apprentice is an exception), it's a choice that will make Torque 3D more accessible to artists, no matter what their choice of tool. This is where the industry is going and we're fully on board. In some cases, we may still support DTS exporters per tool, but we can't keep up with them all, nor do we want to. The Houdini DTS exporter is rock solid though. It works great and unlocks Houdini Apprentice content in Torque. At $99, it's a pretty nice choice.
#6
But Brett is right. I was exporting to Houdini from other programs because the DTS exporter was so good.
But the modeling flow and lack of Collada support is making me switch. Maybe because XSI is close to the CAD tools I am used to:)
07/28/2009 (11:30 pm)
I have 2 lic for Houdini but have recently switched to XSI.. Houdini is great for characters and animation, but I found it lacking in speed compared to XSI for simple models like a building.But Brett is right. I was exporting to Houdini from other programs because the DTS exporter was so good.
But the modeling flow and lack of Collada support is making me switch. Maybe because XSI is close to the CAD tools I am used to:)
#7
Box up modeling is a pretty standard modeling technique that works in most programs from my experience.
As usual I struggle a bit with UV mapping, but learning to use the Visibility SOP has really increased my productivity in that regard.
The DTS Exporter and the fact that it has a DTS Material are both great features.
07/29/2009 (7:31 am)
It took me a while to get used to Houdini, but I am enjoying it now that I'm getting more comfortable.Box up modeling is a pretty standard modeling technique that works in most programs from my experience.
As usual I struggle a bit with UV mapping, but learning to use the Visibility SOP has really increased my productivity in that regard.
The DTS Exporter and the fact that it has a DTS Material are both great features.
#8
Yes, box modeling is pretty standard - its the interfaces that make the differences:)
For me I may draw in 3-4 different 3D packages a day, so I just prefer ones that have a similar work flow. The Houdini SOP and other nodes are great and powerful, but that may be what was hard for me to grasp.
The good thing is you can download both packages and use all you want to make that decision.
07/29/2009 (1:49 pm)
@Brett,Yes, box modeling is pretty standard - its the interfaces that make the differences:)
For me I may draw in 3-4 different 3D packages a day, so I just prefer ones that have a similar work flow. The Houdini SOP and other nodes are great and powerful, but that may be what was hard for me to grasp.
The good thing is you can download both packages and use all you want to make that decision.
#9
07/30/2009 (9:22 am)
@Everyone: So if you were a startup indie shop and knew you needed to migrate to a commercial license once the application went commercial but did not want to pay the high cost of Maya, 3DS Max, etc. Which is better? Houdini or XSI? 
Torque 3D Owner Brett Seyler
Default Studio Name
If you're looking for an art tool that works very well with Torque and is affordable, I'd definitely recommend Houdini. The EULA is great, the exporter is very nice, and there's all kinds of learning material for it available on sidefx.com.