Question to XSI people

[Mr.Reak]

I know there is a guy from XSI on these boards, so I have a question. I read this:

Customization

Workgroups – unavailable.

Add-ons - pre-existing add-ons can be loaded. Packaging and editing of add-ons has been disabled.

Layout - pre-existing layouts can be used. Creation of new layouts is allowed but saving these new layouts has been disabled.

Toolbars - pre-existing toolbars can be loaded. Creation of new toolbars is allowed but saving these new toolbars has been disabled.

Commands - pre-existing custom commands can be used. Creation of new custom command allowed but saving these new custom commands has been disabled.

Custom psets – pre-existing custom pset presets can be used. Dynamic custom psets created from within the UI and saved with the scene can also be used. Any spdl-based custom psets cannot be saved.

Synoptic - pre-existing synoptics can be loaded. Creating new synoptics is possible but saving these new synoptics has been disabled.

Key maps - pre-existing key maps can be loaded. Users can create new key maps but saving these new key maps has been disabled.

Presets - pre-existing presets can be loaded. Users can create new presets but saving these new presets has been disabled.

User Preferences- changes can be made to the User Preferences but these changes will not be persistent.


Now, why would you not allow customization? I know this program is for free and doesn’t include every feature that regular XSI 3.5 has, but again, I think simple things as laying out your workspace should be allowed. I am using Maya, while most of it is at default settings, I have some things that I tweak (aka customize). Can you explain a reason behind locking this?

 

[The Dark Elf]

simple, by customising the UI you'll find yourself confused when following tutorials based with differently customised Interfaces. It happened with Newtek, which is why most tutorial writers there try stick to the default UI settings, otherwise newbies get confused and start asking basic questions, which get less than satisfactory replies, which alienates the EXP crowd from the pro's using the proper XSI.

It just makes sense that someone learning the program will have an easier job with a default UI, you don't need to worry about customising it until you understand it.

 

[Mr.Reak]

simple, by customising the UI you'll find yourself confused when following tutorials based with differently customised Interfaces. It happened with Newtek, which is why most tutorial writers there try stick to the default UI settings, otherwise newbies get confused and start asking basic questions, which get less than satisfactory replies, which alienates the EXP crowd from the pro's using the proper XSI.

It just makes sense that someone learning the program will have an easier job with a default UI, you don't need to worry about customising it until you understand it.

But newbie doesn't need to change the layout at all. I mean, tutorial can say to put your layout to default, and show how. For people who more advanced and got used to their own layout, it's a bit annoying.

Okay, maybe it's for newbies right now, but are you guys planning to unlock this when HL2 comes out?

 

[The Dark Elf]

well EXP isn't really going to be used by more advanced people, if it is those individuals should consider buying a full licence. EXP is nothing more than something to learn on. If you want to use it properly its kinda accepted that you buy the full product. All comes down to business really. Softimage aren't going to release an app that works just fine and lose money by giving it away for free. It would make no sense. If you want customisable UI's, buy the product, XSI Essential is very cheap, its missing some features from advanced because of it, but it should do for most.

 

[softmonkey]

Now, why would you not allow customization?

Simply, as Fenric says, when learning its much simplier to use default layouts and such. It is not the full version!

The EXP is to allow people to learn how XSI works, and in the case of the HL2 EXP to allow people to make mods for HL and HL2.

 

[Mr.Reak]

Simply, as Fenric says, when learning its much simplier to use default layouts and such. It is not the full version!

The EXP is to allow people to learn how XSI works, and in the case of the HL2 EXP to allow people to make mods for HL and HL2.

Well than, until I buy myself XSI, I will model in Maya and export into free XSI version for HL2
But I must say, your skeleton demonstration (one that is not out yet) impressed me very much. I also got some good ideas about how to make/where to add extra muscles for my own made skeleton

 

[polyguns]

just a word from a user. I started using xsi but quit when i found you can't customize the controlls, i smart enough to know when someone says a technique, what button to hit, so in tutorials jsut say translate, i'll get it. I find when shifting from one program to another , if you can't customize your controlls, it throwws your production out of wack. Ive found this true just when switching from macs to pc's, I would come home from a graphics design job, and try to model in maya, and always hit the wrong hotkey.
If softimage could please open up customization, that would be great. But just make a seperate version, one for people who get confused. And another for people who know the techniques, jsut not the fastest way to implement them, If i could jsut take a couple hours to customize my controlls, I wouldn't have to do the stinking tutorials