just wondering how to get started with the xsi tool... do i need to download anything of the net or is everything i need in the mod tools?

You must be blind or something because right at the top and stickied are these topics:
http://www.gametoast.com/forums/viewtop ... 36&t=14465
http://www.gametoast.com/forums/viewtop ... 36&t=14467
Really you should try looking around yourself before asking for help

To make models all you need is in xsi. To export you will need MeshEx. To texture you will need Gimp, Paint.NET, or something else that saves in .tga (paint won't do this)

XSI has tutorials when you open it to help you get started with modeling. Google around for texture tutorials

sorry about this post. i was having trouble before and i can't dl xsi so i'm just gona use sketchup and get someone to convert stuff for me....