XSI EXP for HL2

[Hazar]

Recently I downloaded XSI EXP for HL2 from Pentagron's fileplanet. I wasn't sure quite what it did but after fooling around with it a little I have a better picture on what it does.

However, some things are still not clear.

1) what is it used for in games? Is it something like hammer except for HL2?

2) Will it be part of the SDK when it comes out?

3) does anyone have any cool scenes they would like to share?

Thanks for answering any questions.

 

[Shuzer]

1) It's used to model for HL2. You can make characters, weapons, etc.. and export them into usable types for the Source engine

2) It's technically the first part of the SDK already.

3) XSI was evil, and I ran away crying after trying to use it

 

[Hazar]

3) XSI was evil, and I ran away crying after trying to use it

Yeah, I'm trying to go through the tutorials but sometimes they don't tell you how do do the whole thing.

So you make models in XSI and then import them into hammer?

 

[ComradeBadger]

Moved to Models & Skins

 

[Alzxul]

Yeah, I'm trying to go through the tutorials but sometimes they don't tell you how do do the whole thing.

I know what you mean. Everytime I've tried to get into modelling and games design, I start a tutorial and think, wow I'm doing so much better this time! And then it gets to a bit which just tells you to do something, and you have no clue what it's on about and then I just give up again lol. Was nice fooling around with it for a bit, but I don't really understand it, or what its for.

 

[Hazar]

The most annoying thing to start out with is getting the view right.

The tutorials don't tell you how to get the view their looking in and you end up at some odd angle.

 

[Alzxul]

Yeah it took me a while to work how to get the view I wanted.

 

[Hazar]

I still don't know how to rotate around the y-axis.

pressing z just is around x and z

 

[softmonkey]

I suggest you read the "fundamentals" guide which you can find in your install dir...
or you can navigate there using the link on the left hand side of the the startup screen.

Once you have read this guide, you will understand the XSI workflow and where to find things.

--

Obviously, the application is very shortcut key based - but everything is available on the screen. Once again in the fundamentals guide.

Here are some quick start images to the interface layout... (v1 but still apply 99%)

http://www.softmonkey.co.uk/downloads/soft1.gif
http://www.softmonkey.co.uk/downloads/soft2.gif
http://www.softmonkey.co.uk/downloads/soft3.gif
http://www.softmonkey.co.uk/downloads/soft4.gif

---

BTW z pans and zooms the camera. Look at the bottom of the interface to see what the mouse buttons do. c is the rotate shortcut or click on the R on the right of the viewport.

 

[Shinobi]

Yeah, I'm trying to go through the tutorials but sometimes they don't tell you how do do the whole thing.

So you make models in XSI and then import them into hammer?

nope, there will be avalve model compiler coming out soon

 

[Hazar]

Ok, thanks to all.

So if XSI is a modeling program, why does it have a street corner and stuff?

 

[softmonkey]

Actually, a lot of the scenery for HL2 has gone through XSI (and exported), existing as prefabs in Hammer.

 

[merc]

if you press "s" then you can pan and zoom and rotate all in one!

-merc

 

[Hazar]

ooooo

yeah, the best one yet.