Interview With Gareth Morgan, Senior Product Manager for SOFTIMAGE

[Chris D]

Most of you should be aware that recently SOFTIMAGE recently released a completely free tool as an additional treat on top of Valve's Source SDK. This treat, which shouldn't be confused for the cut down version of XSI EXP which was released last March, is a completely uncut version of the XSI tool which has the exact same interface that Valve Software used to create Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source with added extras designed specifically to support the MOD community.[br]Recently, Gareth Morgan from SOFTIMAGE has been interviewed by Experience Gaming. The interview talks a bit more about what the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool is all about and spans three pages:

Experience Gaming: What can XSI Mod Tool do when coupled with Valve Source’s SDK?[br]Gareth Morgan: The XSI Mod Tool allows you to create material for Half Life 2 mods - characters, props, environment elements - users are only limited to their imagination. The Valve Source SDK contains rigs and textures that help modders get started. These are the same tools that developers at Valve used to create Half-Life 2 - all available for free, on-line.

As you can see, a lot of thought has been put into this product so if you would like to download it, you can do so by getting it from FilePlanet or FileShack. Remember, there is no limitations and it isn't a time limited beta so get it now for your mod![br]Have you already downloaded SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool? What did you think? If you would like to provide feedback on the tool, please post your comments here.[br]UPDATE: I've just received word from Jennifer Goldfinch who is the Senior PR Specialist for the developers of SOFTIMAGE what the differences between XSI Mod Tool and XSI EXP for Half-Life 2 are. She has also given some information on what small restrictions there are on the Mod Tool version from the full version of SOFTIMAGE|XSI.[br]This information can be found here.

 

[bgesley426]

Awesome!

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

very interesting!

what is the difference between XSI EXP that the SDK links to and the Mod Tool then?

 

[CrazyHarij]

Sounds awesome

 

[Chris D]

The SDK now links to the actual Mod Tool.

The differences were that there were a few limitations in XSI EXP. I'm hoping to get some more detailed response on what the differences were later on today.

All you need to know though is that the program is exactly the same and partially tailor made to be the exact same specification as the version of XSI that Valve used to create most of the 3D art in Half-Life 2. Including some of the level geometry.

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

The SDK now links to the actual Mod Tool.

The differences were that there were a few limitations in XSI EXP. I'm hoping to get some more detailed response on what the differences were later on today.

yeah, i just checked myself and noticed that. There are quite a few limitations on this version too though, they're all here

i didn't like the sound of

A 7,500-triangle limit for exported models (No limit otherwise)

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

7500 could prove to be a bit low, especially if you're doing character models.

 

[Computer5k]

But with the old version it was like 4,000 poly limit, which is why i didn't use it

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

7500 could prove to be a bit low, especially if you're doing character models.

exactly what worried me

could be good for making props and things though

 

[Computer5k]

7500 could prove to be a bit low, especially if you're doing character models.

Actually, after checking, the G-man model is only 7495 polies ... almost like they knew it was coming

 

[Chris D]

This just in from Jennifer Goldfinch, Senior PR Specialist at Avid Computer Graphics:

The main difference between the two tools is the version number - the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool is based on the newer XSI Foundation 4.2.

There are a few limitations on the free software, including the polygon count - it's locked at 7500 triangles (which is still much higher than the ant lions), there is watermarked rendering, you can't save the files without activating the software, and it's a locked format, meaning you can't move the files back into the commercial version of XSI.

Other than that - all the features of XSI Foundation are available, for free: http://www.softimage.com/products/xsi/v4/pricing/default.asp?pkg=foundation

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

...there is watermarked rendering...

that's another feature that was quite disappointing

 

[Chris D]

Why should the limit be a problem? There's one model in Half-Life 2 that's over that limit as far as I know and that's Alyx. Even with that, I'm sure it'd be easy to shave off a few polys here and there and bring that count down to within that limit without compromising too much on quality.

I'd hazard a guess that the Half-Life 2 artwork could have been made completely using the XSI Mod Tool if necessary.

Jesus, no need to call someone a retard about it.

 

[Geogriffith]

One thing they don't mention: The XSI Mod tool does not allow users to set custom layouts. So unless you're running your desktop at 1280x1024 or higher resolution, menus are going to get cut off.

Try to modify the layout, and you'll be presented with a lovely blank screen. Try to load a custom layout that you have found online, and the program will reject it.

Way to cripple your product. I don't care if it is free, if it does not work then it is not worth the frustration. I'll stick with 3ds max, thanks.

Edit: I don't mind the poly limit. That can always be worked around with good modeling. Same goes for the rendering watermark, which is just a small reminder that the program is free. But when they deliberately prevent me from modifying the program to allow me to use it most efficiently, then I get pissed.

 

[Chris D]

It does mention that on their website:

"Known problems on resolutions other than:
XSI will run but some areas will require scrolling"

Admittedly a shame.

 

[bboymatty]

it looks like a good tool, but valve or softimage havent released enough documentation to acutally make it a user friendly tool to those of us who dnont have any experience with 3d modelling and would like to get into it.

more tutorials would be good.

also, the grey layout looks sh!tty

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

the documentation is on the XSI site, it looks very detailed to me

 

[polyguns]

ive long thought it was gonna happen. support for may seems to suck total balls, the rigs don't seem to work

i understand velve not supporting maya and max like promised, its hard to get someone to custom make software for you for free. the sucking thing other then the resolution, which is important to me, you can't export anything to any other ap. you can't take your models ito zbrush to create insane normal maps or anything, and thats vital for workflow and to compete with the detail in most modern games. and its jsut a pin to work with.

please valve, release better support and put documentation on your verc for other aps, everyone wwas expecting it, and the lack of ingame content other then maps shown shows it really is hurting teams production. PLEASE!

if you want to learn xsi tho, do what i did, buy a book , but get a largert monitor then 17 inch, i cna't read the screen beyond 1024

 

[Varsity]

that's another feature that was quite disappointing

Just load it up in HL2...

 

[Flamin-h]

Yes, the resolution thing is a big problem and I dont understand why they cant change it. Reguardless, I would probably stay with 3DSM because once you understand the 1st bit its fairly simple.

 

[mightyprawn]

Why should the limit be a problem? There's one model in Half-Life 2 that's over that limit as far as I know and that's Alyx. Even with that, I'm sure it'd be easy to shave off a few polys here and there and bring that count down to within that limit without compromising too much on quality.

I'd hazard a guess that the Half-Life 2 artwork could have been made completely using the XSI Mod Tool if necessary.

Jesus, no need to call someone a retard about it.

Shaving Alyx...mmmmmm....

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

Why should the limit be a problem? There's one model in Half-Life 2 that's over that limit as far as I know and that's Alyx. Even with that, I'm sure it'd be easy to shave off a few polys here and there and bring that count down to within that limit without compromising too much on quality.

I'd hazard a guess that the Half-Life 2 artwork could have been made completely using the XSI Mod Tool if necessary.

Jesus, no need to call someone a retard about it.

Technically, he called her a "retart", which has a beautiful ring of irony about it.

 

[dassbaba]

Technically, he called her a "retart", which has a beautiful ring of irony about it.

roffling waffles! retart

 

[Lepetitprince]

great,
but

and it's a locked format, meaning you can't move the files back into the commercial version of XSI

that suck alot ,
coz im started a model,
and start to get use to xsi,i was evev thinking of buying the xsi fondation,but with this new info , im not so sure since i dont realy want to redo my model,
think i will stay with 3dmax ...

 

[Computer5k]

great,
but


that suck alot ,
coz im started a model,
and start to get use to xsi,i was evev thinking of buying the xsi fondation,but with this new info , im not so sure since i dont realy want to redo my model,
think i will stay with 3dmax ...

Just export to a smd, the re-import with XSI

 

[Computer5k]

i understand velve not supporting maya and max like promised, its hard to get someone to custom make software for you for free. the sucking thing other then the resolution, which is important to me, you can't export anything to any other ap. you can't take your models ito zbrush to create insane normal maps or anything, and thats vital for workflow and to compete with the detail in most modern games. and its jsut a pin to work with.

Maya and max exporters are included in the SDK, and if you could export files you made with this to other apps, then theyw ould pretty much be giving away the whole program for free.

 

[Chris D]

great,
but


that suck alot ,
coz im started a model,
and start to get use to xsi,i was evev thinking of buying the xsi fondation,but with this new info , im not so sure since i dont realy want to redo my model,
think i will stay with 3dmax ...

Well if you're buying XSI Foundation, why exactly would you need to worry about the Mod Tool anyway?

 

[th3Phallex]

... velve ...
.. and its jsut a pin to ...
... on your verc for ...
... everyone wwas ...
... get a largert monitor ...
... i cna't read ...

seriously, is it really THAT hard to read it before you hit 'Submit'?? It sounds like you know what you're talking about, but then I read that and decide otherwise.


But about the new editor,

Why is it that whenever a company releases tools to edit a game, it's not the full-version?

Unless you're buying our full-version, $5,000-software package, you can have the crappy, downgraded version. Also - you can't make lots of detail, and you can't save any of your work! Enjoy!

WTF!!!!!1111!!11

And people wonder why software gets pirated.

Maya and max exporters are included in the SDK, and if you could export files you made with this to other apps, then theyw ould pretty much be giving away the whole program for free.

Darn.
Then they would have to rely solely on their OTHER rediculously-priced products that cost and arm-and-a-leg.

SoftImage is ROLLING in it. Who cares if they gave away 1 peice of software, strictly to edit HL²??

 

[polyguns]

seriously, is it really THAT hard to read it before you hit 'Submit'?? It sounds like you know what you're talking about, but then I read that and decide otherwise.


But about the new editor,

Why is it that whenever a company releases tools to edit a game, it's not the full-version?

WTF!!!!!1111!!11

And people wonder why software gets pirated.

so i don't care about how i type in forums point out the OBVIOUS

on topic are you able to customize your kb commands at all? I remember in exp, i rid it, but after i discovered that you can't customize the controlls, i quit. It completly screws up my flow when i have to use multiple aps like that.

the tools that came with the sdk have no documentation, and when i import the rigs, their merely bones, nothing more. Half life 2 world has a tutorial and some maya tools im gonna see how well they work.

xsi is a great tool, they've been around forever. does this version generate normal maps? if you can't export high poly models, making a good normal map would be a total pain. it might jsut be good for only animating and only for source, but i know alot of artists like flexibility in their tools, and the rigs for xsi won't import into anything else.

 

[Computer5k]

SoftImage is ROLLING in it. Who cares if they gave away 1 peice of software, strictly to edit HL²??

The problem is if it could export to other programs then people could use the Mod Tool to create content content for any game, and not just HL2... and you can save your work. You just have to activate it first.

 

[Earl Danish]

what a bunch of whining bitches.

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

what a bunch of whining bitches.

amen to that

 

[flycrusher]

Some people should realize the fact that with Mod Tool we have all we need to build models of the same quality than the HL2 ones.
Actually no other 3D pro soft company does the same. WE HAVE A 5000$ software for free with the only limitations that we can only use it for HL2 or any future game that could also use it.
The watermarking of rendering doesn't mean anything when you build a HL2 model. The poly limit of 7500 allows you to make anything like what you can find in HL2. The interface locked in 1280x1024 is a general XSI problem. The money you can save by using a free XSI can be used to buy a good monitor!
I'm 45 years old and i play games since so long that i can't remember. I also make mods and models since about 10 years and with mod tools, it's the first time that i can use 100% legal software. So i think that people complaining for such little details should think about this.
What did you expect? getting a full XSI for free!! Do you think that people working for Softimage do it for free!
The only little problem is the fact that the Valve tutorials about modelling with XSI are less than minimal. The SDK documentation about this is outdated and does not match with the actual SDK and XSI tools we have.
But anyway with a little patience it possible to build models that work fine!

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

Some people should realize the fact that with Mod Tool we have all we need to build models of the same quality than the HL2 ones.
Actually no other 3D pro soft company does the same. WE HAVE A 5000$ software for free with the only limitations that we can only use it for HL2 or any future game that could also use it.
The watermarking of rendering doesn't mean anything when you build a HL2 model. The poly limit of 7500 allows you to make anything like what you can find in HL2. The interface locked in 1280x1024 is a general XSI problem. The money you can save by using a free XSI can be used to buy a good monitor!
I'm 45 years old and i play games since so long that i can't remember. I also make mods and models since about 10 years and with mod tools, it's the first time that i can use 100% legal software. So i think that people complaining for such little details should think about this.
What did you expect? getting a full XSI for free!! Do you think that people working for Softimage do it for free!
The only little problem is the fact that the Valve tutorials about modelling with XSI are less than minimal. The SDK documentation about this is outdated and does not match with the actual SDK and XSI tools we have.
But anyway with a little patience it possible to build models that work fine!

yeah, all good points.

people these days want it all, and for free

 

[Thread]

you can't save the files without activating the software

are you... serious? :C

 

[GonzoBabbleshit]

jesus you have to fill in a small form and you're done!